S48P4 – The promises to come: a new state of being
Matt. 22:25-30
“Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first married and deceased, and having no seed left his wife unto his brother; in like manner the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And after them all, the woman died. In the resurrection therefore whose wife shall she be of the seven, for they all had her?” But Jesus answered and said unto them, “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as angels in heaven.”
From the first day, he made her his world. He was like Romeo, young and enamored by new and exciting feelings. His world was still very small, but he did not know it. After only a few short weeks, he felt as though he could not live without her. In his mind, there was no greater emotional fulfillment to be sought. He forsook family, friends, and even his duty to God so that he could put everything he had into this new love. What he failed to understand was that he was placing this relationship in a position it was never meant to occupy. Although this love might serve an important and destined role in his life on Earth, it would be for only a time. There would be no eternal fulfillment in a relationship that was not designed to last for eternity.
We have grown so accustomed to this current natural life that the future life that awaits us after all things are renewed can seem strange and illogical. This especially touches on our natural relationships. We are used to holding people in different regard based on designated relationships. We may see parents one way, natural siblings another way, and friends and acquaintances yet another way. In fact, biblical instruction on how to live out this life correctly tells us how we are to treat certain people, like parents and spouses, a specific way. This is valuable for now, but one day those rules will be obsolete. One day, the only relationship that will exist between us, the children of God, is the relationship of being equal siblings under the same Father.
There are several relationships we have today that one day will be no more. Other relationships will endure. The bond we share with our brothers and sisters in Christ will remain. The relationship we have with God will remain. The marriage relationship between Christ and his bride will remain. We may think that no longer having parents or children or spouses will leave us missing what we gain today from those relationships, but that is not the case. If we will be as angels in heaven, we will be completely satisfied in the presence of God. We will have no other emotional needs to be met. Being the children of the Father and the bride of the Son will fulfill us. Father, thank You for the promise of emotional completeness and fulfillment in the age to come.