This World, That World (6)

Luke 20:34-38 (34) And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: (35) But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: (36) Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. (37) Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. (38) For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. Here is something more to be noted about the comparison between the children of the resurrection and the angels in heaven. As we have already seen, they are equal unto the angels in that they do not die and they do not marry. It may be noted that their immortality may well be one reason that they do not marry. Human marriage in this world is God's ordained means of the human race's propagation so as to outpace the reductions of death and replenish (make full or fill, per Oxford English Dictionary) the earth (GEN 1:28; GEN 9:1). Since in that world they cannot die any more, the “...great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues...” (REV 7:9) which constitute the redeemed family shall always be that same great multitude---there will be no more need of marital unions to produce replacement seed. Also, marriage in this world is a preventative against sin. Paul said, “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband” (1CO 7:2) and “...if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn” (1CO 7:9). But in that world there is no sin; it is “...an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1PE 1:4). The children of God shall never in that world have to marry to avoid being overcome by sexual desire. As compelling as the sex drive is in this world, as desirable and pleasing as married sexual intercourse is in this world, it is all for this world, not that world. But weep not, believers. Our natural body in this world is as the bare grain that is planted whereas our spiritual body in that world is as the fully grown plant, excelling in glory (1CO 15:35-44). The delights of that glorified body will no doubt transcend any delight of this earthly body whose desire fails with age (ECC 12:5). That body shall know “...pleasures for evermore” (PSA 16:11). The children of the resurrection shall also in that day be equal unto the angels in that they shall share in the same glory and worship together forever the same Lord Jesus Christ; “...let all the angels of God worship him” (HEB 1:6). The redeemed children of God who approach Him now in prayer, praise and service through Jesus Christ “...are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn which are written in heaven...” (HEB 12:22-23). The holy angels are the redeemed elect's brethren! When John fell down to worship the angel which shewed him things of that world to come, the angel said, “...See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God” (REV 22:8-9). God forbid that saints should be so foolish as to be beguiled into “...a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels...” (COL 2:18). Angels may indeed be “...greater in power and might...” (2PE 2:11) but they are only brethren to us, not gods. Any man or angel (even an angel from heaven) who would would teach angel-worship is under a curse: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (GAL 1:8). And that is one frightful way by which men can be equal unto angels in this world: both cursed for teaching contrary to Paul's gospel which sets forth Jesus Christ as the Creator of all and angels as His creatures (COL 1:16) and indicts any who change that truth into a lie which would lead any to worship and serve “...the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (ROM 1:25).