I dont think so. Because the Bible says that "we were purchased with a price." That is the cost of our adoption, from being illegitimate children, was the precious blood of the Lamb. Also, the marriage bond is equal if not greater than familial bonds; but we see the bond of discipleship superseding both when Jesus contrasts the love we must have for him with the hate it may equate to the former. This is not to say we will not respect our parents (who make it into eternity) or our former spouse(s,) but we instead will view and love the entire divine family equally, and fully; having no tiers affection cept that we love God above all. I look at it this way; and I may be wrong; but the love a husband has for his wife, and a wife has for her husband, and parents have for their children, are the main present glimpses we have of how each Saint will love each other and God in eternity. An endless, boundless, sacrificial, undying, unselfish, unjealous, unbending, unyielding love. Every act we do will be for the love of God and neighbor.
We must keep in mind there is a reason God has chosen not to include marriage in eternity; because think of it; what better marriage could exist than two who cannot sin? There must be a reason he wants us single; without ties, all to himself. And since we know that Heaven is a place where God will shower his blessings upon us unhindered; whatever the reason it is, we should look forward to it.
I think that when we enter the Eternal State, it will be the surprise of a lifetime. Of a thousand lifetimes. And the Wonder all enjoy of it all will grow endlessly as we learn more and more about this infinite God who loves us. Although the relationship to all believers will be that of brother and sister, the love we will have for our former wives, family members, and all of the elect everywhere will be greater than the best marriage love in this present state.
I want to mention adoption. We know that there are many illustrations in scripture of the church's relationship to the Triune God. Adoption is one such illustration. And there are other, perhaps lesser and greater illustrations of our Eternal relationship to the Godhead.
But it's beautiful as adoption is when we consider Who it is that is adopting us; there is one illustration that describes our Eternal relationship more perfectly than any other. I'm talking about the marriage of the gorgeous Bride of the most Wonderful lover of a husband you could imagine. And, this is the bitter pill that once swallowed because the sweetest of fair imaginable. The pill is seeing that we, without him, can do nothing. It'll take many disillusionments along the way and much sorrow and despair of heart to reach this point, but in the end, we will all see that it has been Jesus all along who has done all things for us.
And the reason, the only reason that Jesus finds us beautiful, is now and forever will be, because of His
seed (σπέρμα, Sperma; 1 John 3:9); as John calls it, we receive the very genes of God as the word in the Greek indicates. Oh no, not God but forever a creature, yet changed to a point where we will know even as we are known. (1 Corinthians 13:12) Put that in your pipe and smoke it for a few minutes.
The
genetic word (
γεννάω, gennaō) Eg., begat (49x), be born (39x), bear (2x), gender (2x), bring forth (1x), be delivered (1x), misc (3x), is used ten times in 1 John.
Think big.
Ed
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Ephesians 5:25-33 YLT98 (the Yoda translation
)
The husbands! love your own wives, as also the Christ did love the assembly, and did give himself for it, that he might sanctify it, having cleansed [it] with the bathing of the water in the saying, that he might present it to himself the assembly in glory, not having spot or wrinkle, or any of such things, but that it may be holy and unblemished;
so ought the husbands to love their own wives as their own bodies: he who is loving his own wife — himself he doth love; for no one ever his own flesh did hate, but doth nourish and cherish it, as also the Lord — the assembly, because members we are of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones; ‘
for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they shall be — the two — for one flesh;’ this secret is great, and I speak in regard to Christ and to the assembly; but ye also, every one in particular — let each his own wife so love as himself, and the wife — that she may reverence the husband.
