A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

YOU WILL BE LIKE ANGELS IN HEAVEN      

Matthew 22:30 “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.”  

You have probably heard someone comment at the funeral of a person who had been married for fifty, sixty or more years: “They will now be waiting for (Name of spouse still on earth.) The inference is that death merely suspends a marriage for an interim until the spouse remaining on earth also dies. Then they will be rejoined, united and spend eternity in heaven as husband and wife. 

As difficult as it is to imagine there will be no marriage in heaven, for that is what we have known on earth, Matthew, Mark, and Luke all say there will be no marriage in heaven. How can that be? The answer is in heaven you will no longer focus upon the things you have focused upon here on earth. Sleep (rest), three meals a day, playing golf, exercising and the many other things that occupy our time and attention on earth will no longer matter. When we die, we go to be with the Lord.   

In 2 Corinthians 5:8 St. Paul wrote, “ We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” John was given this vision of heaven: “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10)   

While on earth God gifts you with a spouse for support and companionship. Once your earthly life ends you will no longer need that support and companionship because you will have perfect joy and peace as you worship God. You will have a perfect life there. John wrote: “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for my spouse for the time I live here on earth and grant that I look forward to the new life You have promised will be mine in heaven. Amen. 

Sing with all the saints in glory, Sing the resurrection song!  
Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story, To the former days belong.  
All around the clouds are breaking;   
Soon the storms of time shall cease; In God’s likeness we awaken,  
Knowing everlasting peace. 

Oh, what glory, far exceeding All that eye has yet perceived!  
Holiest hearts for ages pleading Never that full joy conceived.  
God has promised, Christ prepares it;   
There on high our welcome waits.  
Ev’ry humble spirit shares it, Christ has passed the eternal gates. 

Life eternal! Heav’n rejoices, Jesus lives who once was dead.  
Shout with joy, O deathless voices!   
Oh, what wonders Crowd on faith; what joy unknown,  
When, amid earth’s closing thunders,   
Saints shall stand before the throne!

Sing with All the Saints in Glory // LSB 671