Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

Date: 2-21-99

Sermon Number: 134

Text: Luke 20:27-40

Marriage after the Resurrection

(Luke 20:27-40 NASB) Now there came to Him some of the Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection), {28} and they questioned Him, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that IF A MAN'S BROTHER DIES, having a wife, AND HE IS CHILDLESS, HIS BROTHER SHOULD TAKE THE WIFE AND RAISE UP OFFSPRING TO HIS BROTHER. {29} "Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died childless; {30} and the second {31} and the third took her; and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children. {32} "Finally the woman died also. {33} "In the resurrection therefore, which one's wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife." {34} And Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, {35} but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage; {36} for neither can they die anymore, for they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. {37} "But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the burning bush, where he calls the Lord THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB. {38} "Now He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to Him." {39} And some of the scribes answered and said, "Teacher, You have spoken well." {40} For they did not have courage to question Him any longer about anything.

Who were the Sadducees? The briefest definition goes like this; "The Sadducees were men who did not believe in the resurrection. That is why they were "sad, you see." The whole truth reaches a bit beyond the issue of the resurrection. The Jewish historian Josephus says, they denied the soul's immortality as well. As they saw it, the soul perished along with the body. They also rejected, as many do today, the idea of God's eternal decree. These men of antiquity held the very modern view that men, with free will, determine their own fate or lot in life. Even with these serious theological errors in place the Sadducees were Jewish and practiced a form of Judaism. The similarities and differences between the Sadducees and the Pharisees is interesting. Both groups believed in salvation and both believed it was earned by one's good works. The Pharisees believed that one was saved and gained heaven by the works of the flesh or the law. The Sadducees did not believe in heaven. The salvation they worked for was one from hardship and misery in this life. As you look at the differences between these two religious sects you might conclude that they had absolutely nothing in common, but they did. They both hated Jesus. He was entirely too popular and His teaching contradicted the beliefs of both the Pharisees and the Sadducees. So it is no surprise to find that when the Pharisees were finished trying to undermine Christ's teaching and ministry that the Sadducees moved in.

Like the Pharisees and Scribes these men came to our Lord with a question intended to do some damage to His reputation and ministry depending on how He answered it. The goal was to prove the absurdity of the doctrine of the resurrection which Jesus taught. They begin by asking Him to solve a hypothetical problem.

{28} "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that IF A MAN'S BROTHER DIES, having a wife, AND HE IS CHILDLESS, HIS BROTHER SHOULD TAKE THE WIFE AND RAISE UP OFFSPRING TO HIS BROTHER. {29} "Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died childless; {30} and the second {31} and the third took her; and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children. {32} "Finally the woman died also. {33} "In the resurrection therefore, which one's wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife."

Although this is a hypothetical situation it is based on some instruction written by Moses. Look with me at Deuteronomy 25:5-6 NASB. "When brothers live together and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the deceased shall not be married outside the family to a strange man. Her husband's brother shall go in to her and take her to himself as wife and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her. {6} "And it shall be that the first-born whom she bears shall assume the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out from Israel." This was the basis of the Sadducee's question. "If this scenario takes place seven times and all of the brothers, including the wife are raised from the dead, which of these men will be her husband?" Lets consider our Lord's answer.

(Luke 20:34-36 NASB) And Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, {35} but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage; {36} for neither can they die anymore, for they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection."

First Jesus says, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage" This is a description of life on earth, or life in this age, as opposed to what life will be like after the resurrection. Right now people are born, they grow up, and most marry. This has always been the case and always will be this side of eternity.

In order to understand why things are not the same in heaven we must understand why people marry in the first place. There are three Biblical reasons for a person to marry. The first is loneliness. People marry for companionship and rightly so for God Himself said, (Genesis 2:18 NASB) . . . "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." It is not good for people to be without companionship. The second reason people marry is to procreate. After Adam and Eve were married God told them to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth with people. The words are familiar to us. (Genesis 1:27-28 NASB) And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. {28} And God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." It was not good that Adam or Eve be alone for God intended that the earth be filled with, and ruled over, by people. The only place acceptable for the conception and birth of new humans is in the bond of marriage. So people marry and give their children to marriage.

This brings us to the third reason for marriage. We marry to guard against sexual sin. Paul speaks of this in 1 Corinthians 7:1-5 NASB. "Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman. {2} BUT BECAUSE OF IMMORALITIES, LET EACH MAN HAVE HIS OWN WIFE, AND LET EACH WOMAN HAVE HER OWN HUSBAND. {3} Let the husband fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. {4} The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. {5} Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again lest Satan tempt you BECAUSE OF YOUR LACK OF SELF-CONTROL."

These are the three main reasons the sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. To counteract loneliness, replenish the earth with people, and to prevent sexual sin. However, says Jesus, for those who are raised from the dead to live with God in heaven, there will be no more marriage. Why not? Because the three reasons men marry will have disappeared. Our Lord continues to speak on the subject in verse thirty-six. {36} for neither can they die anymore, for they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection."

Jesus deals with the, "Be fruitful and multiply" issue first. One of the reasons we are to be fruitful and multiply on earth is because people die. One moment the earth is impoverished by the death of a person and the next moment it is replenished by a birth. But, says Jesus, this will not be necessary in heaven for no one dies! "Neither can they die!" (I find it interesting that this same statement is made of those in hell. The difference is a horrible one. Those in torment for their sin will want to die but they cannot. Those in Heaven cannot die and have no desire to do so. One statement is made for the comfort of God's children the other is set forth to intensify the terrors of hell.) In heaven there will be no death and therefore, no need for replenishing the population. Secondly, He says that marriage will be unnecessary because we will be like the angels. There are two characteristics of angels relevant to this statement. One, they never die. Two, they are not sexual beings and, therefore, do not marry. We will be like the angels in these two ways. We will not die and we will have no desire for human intimacy. Lets look at some supportive texts.

(Matthew 22:29-30 NASB) But Jesus (Speaking to the Sadducees) answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of God. {30} "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven." Angels do not marry neither are they lonely for God is their all in all. So it shall be with us when arrive in that blessed place.

Consider the words of 1 Corinthians 15:48-52 NASB. "As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; (We are earthy which is why we continue to marry and give our children in marriage. That's just what you do on earth.) and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. {49} And just as we have borne the image of the earthy, WE SHALL ALSO bear the image of the heavenly. (One day we will no longer be earthy, we will be heavenly instead but for this to become true we must be changed.) {50} Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. {51} Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED, {52} in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and WE SHALL BE CHANGED."

At the moment it is difficult to imagine the total absence of need for human companionship. It is also difficult believe that all sexual desire will one day be a thing of the past, but it will. For we will be changed from "earthy" into "heavenly" beings. Ladies and gentlemen, we are not going to heaven like we are now. Praise God! The Bible tells us that when we see Jesus we will be like Him and we will know what He knows. We are going to be changed completely!

Matthew Henry's comments are so good here I must share them with you. "Those that have entered into the joy of their Lord are entirely taken up with that, and need not the joy of the bridegroom in his bride. The love in that world of love is all angelic, and such as eclipses and loses the purest and most pleasing loves we entertain ourselves with in this world of sense. Where the body itself shall be a spiritual body, the delights of sense will all be banished; and where there is a perfection of holiness there is no need for marriage as a preservative from sin. Into that new Jerusalem there enters nothing that defiles." (End Quote) How blessed are such words to the believer's ear.

The Sadducees could not have been happy with this answer. For Jesus assumes the resurrection and the immortality of the soul. Both of which these men denied. But He does more than just declare the doctrine He proves it by referring to the words of Moses. Let's continue to read beginning in verse thirty-seven.

(Luke 20:37-38 NASB) "But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the burning bush, where he calls the Lord THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB. {38} "Now He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to Him."

There is no excuse for the Sadducees not to have known about the resurrection of the dead. The Old Testament is full of evidence in support of the resurrection of the dead as well as the immortality of the soul. Consider some of the following passages.

(Psalms 16:9-11 NASB) "Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. {10} For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol; Neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay. {11} Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; In Thy presence is fulness of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever." Hundreds of years after this was written the apostle Peter exposes its meaning in a sermon. The record of which is found in Acts 2:22-32 NASB.

"Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know-- {23} this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. {24} "And God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. {25} "For David says of Him, 'I WAS ALWAYS BEHOLDING THE LORD IN MY PRESENCE; FOR HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, THAT I MAY NOT BE SHAKEN. {26} 'THEREFORE MY HEART WAS GLAD AND MY TONGUE EXULTED; MOREOVER MY FLESH ALSO WILL ABIDE IN HOPE; {27} BECAUSE THOU WILT NOT ABANDON MY SOUL TO HADES, NOR ALLOW THY HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY. {28} 'THOU HAST MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE; THOU WILT MAKE ME FULL OF GLADNESS WITH THY PRESENCE.' Peter reveals to his hearers that David was speaking of Christ and His resurrection when he wrote his Psalm.

Look with me at the oldest book in the Bible, Job. There we find a very clear statement which reveals Job's belief in the resurrection of our Lord and of himself as well.

(Job 19:25-27 NASB) "And as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth. {26} "Even after my skin is destroyed, YET FROM MY FLESH I SHALL SEE GOD; {27} Whom I myself shall behold, And whom my eyes shall see and not another. My heart faints within me." Can he be speaking of anything less than the immortality of the soul and of the resurrection of the body?

In our text for today Jesus turns to a most unlikely passage of scripture to support His teaching on the subject. Look with me at Exodus 3:1-6 NASB. "Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. {2} And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. {3} So Moses said, "I must turn aside now, and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up." {4} When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush, and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." {5} Then He said, "Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." {6} He said also, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God."

He does not say I WAS the God of these men WHEN they were alive. No, He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Jacob, right now! He was their God in this life and He remains their God now because they are yet alive with Him! Their souls were transported into His presence when their bodies died and in the last day even their bodies will be raised from the dead. Jesus continues with His response.

(Luke 20:38 NASB) "Now He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; FOR ALL LIVE TO HIM." All the Old Testament saints who died and all those who have fallen asleep in Jesus are still living. They are dead to us, death meaning separation, but they are alive to God. They are present with Him in heaven right now!

Lets look at a passage that supports both truths, the immortality of the soul and the resurrection of the body.

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NASB) "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, (have died) that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. (Those who do not know what the Bible says about the death of a Christian might find themselves grieving as if there was no hope for them.) {14} For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, (This is a foundational Christian truth.) even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. (Think this through carefully. If God is going to bring with Him those who have died in the faith what must be true of them? They are with Him in heaven at this moment. Only their bodies are in the grace. Their souls were carried into the presence of the Lord by His angel servants. Now the subject turns to the resurrection of the body.) {15} For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. (Those who are alive at the time of Christ's second coming will not rise to meet Him in the air before those who have already died rise from the grave.) {16} For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. (That is, those who have died and whose souls have been living with the Lord will be the first to have their bodies rise from the dead. At that moment their souls will be rejoined to their new bodies.) {17} Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up TOGETHER WITH THEM in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, (Of course those who are alive and remain must be changed. As the previous text declared, "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye we will be changed. We will be given new, none flesh and blood, bodies that will never die.) and thus we shall always be with the Lord. {18} Therefore comfort one another with these words."

When we die our souls will go to wait with the Lord for the resurrection of our bodies. We will dwell with Him in heavenly bliss and return with Him at His second coming. We will witness our new bodies come forth from the grave. And when we have joined with them we will return with all the saved to live forever with the Lord.

The closing two verses of today's text reveals that the Sadducees did not respond.

(Luke 20:39-40 NASB) "And some of the scribes answered and said, "Teacher, You have spoken well." {40} For they (The Sadducees?) did not have courage to question Him any longer about anything."

Surely this lesson has blessed the hearts of God's people. It has reminded us that death for the Christian is a mere falling asleep in Jesus to awake a moment later in the presence of God in heaven. Today we have been warned not to impose our earthly thinking on our future in heaven. For things in that place are not earthy at all. We will not be angels, for men never become angels. But we will be like them in that we will suffer no more death and we will not marry or long to marry. In that place of purity and holiness we will at last be content. The passions that often consume and drive us here will be replaced with a perfect love for God and His Christ. He is our bridegroom and we will be totally devoted to Him.

(1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV) ". . Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

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