Will People Marry and Have Sex in Eternity?

Christ said “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30). He didn’t say they would be angels, just that they wouldn’t marry or be given in marriage (not to mention they’d be immortal like angels, if you compare the verse with the fuller account in Luke 20:34-36).

A possible reason there will be no marriage is that in the eternal age of the New Heavens and New Earth we will experience the transparency and intimacy with the Lord that some of us enjoy now with our spouses, albeit to the nth degree. Keep in mind that the Church is called the “bride of Christ” and will in essence be married to the Lord in eternity (2 Corinthians 11:2 & Revelation 19:7-9).

Furthermore, since the redeemed are collectively the “bride,” it suggests transparency and closeness with all fellow redeemed people.

Think about it, what separates us from other people, including fellow believers? What keeps us all from being close? What keeps us from being honest and transparent with each other? Either 1. issues of the flesh, i.e. sin, or 2. because of lies and error.

For instance, you might have to separate from confessing Christians because they’re impenitent gossips/slanderers and the Bible instructs us to not even eat with such people (1 Corinthians 5:11). Or someone believes lies about you and thus refuses to associate with you, like your neighbors. Or the assembly down the street embraces grossly false doctrines, which naturally hinders fellowship with them.

Thankfully, sin, lies and error will no longer exist in the eternal New Heavens and New Earth (Revelation 21:7-8,26-27). Since these maladies will no longer hinder relationships and keep us apart, there will be true unity, closeness, honesty and harmony in eternity. Praise God!

A secondary reason might be that the LORD doesn’t want humans propagating any further since there will be more than enough for his purposes in the eternal age.

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Eternal Life (“Heaven”) — What will it be Like?

What IS Marriage? (and Related Topics)

Does the Bible support Monogamy or Polygamy?

Beauty, Objectification and Lust

Created in the Image of God — What Does it Mean?

ANGELS — What Are They? What’s Their Purpose?

Is Christ’s Body after Resurrection Physical or Spiritual (or Both)?