This question is asked often by those who have experienced the joy of a Christ-centered marriage....a joy and happiness unknown to those who do not have such a blessing. It is to be expected that concerns will arise, when we read the Mark 12:25 verse for the first time; and, as in the case of the unsaved whom we have loved in this life, Christ's words, "....no man cometh unto the father but by me," [John 14:6] cannot but have a chilling effect as we contemplate being in Heaven without these loved ones who have rejected Christ. Naturally, we wish to continue this part of the happiness of our earthly lives in the life to come. Readers of the Word will recall that Mark tells us that Christ was asked whose wife would the woman of seven husbands be when she was resurrected? This question was asked by Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection of the body and their question was a deceitful and treacherous part in the plan to trick our Lord. Being aware of their treachery, Jesus replied: "Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the Scriptures, neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven." [Mark 12:24-25] Being fearful of having to give up the joys of our earthly marriage, the questions are often asked, "Will I be unhappy in Heaven without the continued recognition of my spouse and the happiness that my marriage gives me? Does this mean that these words are in error?" No, because the Bible tells us that there are no errors and no contradictions in God's words; and Scripture promises happiness in Heaven that is beyond our imagination. Does it mean that we are unable to comprehend, with our limited mortal minds the meaning of His words? Yes. To conclude otherwise puts us in the most arrogant position of contending with God; and, if one only reads the Book of Job, what Scripture has to say about contending with God will be abundantly clear.

But contending with God is always the temptation when we encounter those things in Scripture that we fail to understand (or don't like), even though we are warned that we only understand that which is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit; and then, only in God's time, not ours. Actually, succumbing to this temptation and the resulting effort to deny the Truth, has produced countless versions of rewritten Scripture, justified by every conceivable reason concocted by man's imagination. The hue and cry of mankind down through the centuries has been and still is, "If you don't like what the Bible says, and it doesn't support your feelings and lifestyle, then deny it, rewrite it, declare it to be in error, and like an angry child who likewise doesn't like what his father says, refuse to do it!" Isn't that what is happening all around us? It seems that most have forgotten that denial of the Truth doesn't change it. Christ said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." [Matthew 24:35] So then, let us not contend with God, or deny His Words. Let us confess our ignorance and be content with that which God has chosen to reveal to us, and continue to pray for patience and understanding. At Lex Rex, it is from this beginning that we look at such issues as you have raised.

Let us begin with that understanding we do have... those things which we do know; and thereby gain the assurance and comfort for those things that as yet, have not been revealed to us. Some of the things that the Bible tells us are:

1. God's ways are not our ways.
2. God loves us..so much that He sent His only Son into the world to die so that all who accepted the Son would have everlasting life.
3. God is omnipotent, infinitely wise, just, merciful, and in all ways, perfect and infinite.
4. God know each of us individually. Every hair on our heads is numbered in His eyes. We were known to him before we were conceived in our mother's womb. Every sparrow that falls is known to Him; and all that is, was and ever shall be is the creation of His own hands.
5. God is in control of all things: in, under, and over the earth. He holds us, you and me and everyone else, in the palm of His hands.
6. We are finite in all respects.
7. We are made in His image.
8. We look through a dark glass; and do not see things clearly.
9. We are fallen and unacceptable to God in our present state.
10. We are reconciled to God through repentance of our sins, and acceptance of Christ as Lord and Savior.
11. Clothed in the righteousness of Christ, we become the children of the Father, and enter His perfect Kingdom, where He bestows on us eternal happiness beyond our understanding.
12. Those who reject Christ and the reconcilliation do not come to the Father, and spend eternity in Hell, suffering eternal separation from God, and spiritual death. . . from personal choice to sin and be consumed by sin feasting upon sin forever. We repeat, this too is a choice of free will.
13. We are to boldly reach out to everyone with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Good News that it brings. "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." [Romans 5:6]
14. We are to pray for the unsaved.
15. We are to live our lives for the glory of God and of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Now, of course, one could add almost endlessly to this list, and it is recommended that each reader of Scripture and follower of Christ, make such a list of "things certain." For, if the above things are known to us as Truth, can there be any question that God can and will fulfill His promise to us, that in Heaven we shall be happy beyond our present point of understanding? Do you doubt that when the dark glass, through which we are now unable to perceive clearly, is removed we will not then understand those things that presently cause us a temporary vexation? If you have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, then can you not accept Paul's instructions: "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." [Philippians 4:6-8]

Often time the question is asked, "If I will be with my loved ones, who like myself, have accepted Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, how will I see them....as the age and appearance of their demise, as they were in their youthful prime, as children?" Of course, we have not found the revealed understanding of the Biblical answer to this question; but we can envision that in our Heavenly state, the omnipotent God is capable of giving us the supernatural ability to see, in an instant, that loved one in all phases of his/her life...the total, complete person, in all aspects, from his/her birth to magnificent senior years. After all, God sees us in the complete 360 degree panorama of our lives... from before we were conceived in our mother's womb to our presence with Him in Heaven, even from before the world began. Do you not believe, that such a God, can give us a continuing awareness of the presence of that person we love here (and call husband, wife, mother, father, son, daughter, uncle, aunt, grandmother, grandfather, friend, etc.) and transform that love into a Heavenly state of love that is so pure, so Holy, so perfect, so refined that it becomes a level of awareness and love that would actually transcend any feeling we could possibly feel with the limitations of our mortal being? Do you not believe that such an infinitely powerful and merciful God can so remove our mortal blinders that our Heavenly state will overcome even the presently perceived, anticipated vexation and sadness that unsaved loved ones will not be in Heaven with us? Can you trust God, who gave us His only Son to die for our transgressions, specifically so that we could be with Him in Paradise for Eternity? When that God tells us that in Heaven, no tear shall be shed, and the Lion shall lie down with the Lamb, can you trust Him to keep His promise? When God IS LOVE, do you not agree that it flies in the teeth of logic to suggest He will deny us our love for others, either on earth or in Heaven? Do you not believe that in Heaven, in a state of spiritual perfection, you will know a love that is infinitely beyond anything that you could possibly experience on earth?

IF SO, IT'S CALLED FAITH; AND THEREIN LIES THE ONLY ANSWER THAT CAN BE GIVEN!

Hold to these words: "Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father, which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" [Matthew 7:9-11] And remember this: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." [Proverbs 3:5]

Do not be deterred from your Trust and Faith in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ, by the scoffing and fruitless debating of the unsaved over gnats and minutiae. Hold to the course. The victory is ours through Christ. You have asked, "and give me advice." So, in humble adoration for our King, let us remember His words: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that were I am, there ye may be also." Is this not what we desire? Don't even think about the alternative!

  Click here to return to the Reading Room.