There is a playful saying that teachers of the Bible will often cite: “If you want to build a big crowd, teach on sex or teach on the end times. And if you want to draw a huge crowd, teach on sex in the end times!” The very issue was raised by a group of religious leaders who did not even believe in the end times nor life after death, the Sadducees. I have a quick way to remember the difference between them and the Pharisees. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection, so they are FAIR-YOU-SEE. And the Sadducees do not believe in the resurrection, so they are SAD-YOU-SEE. The Sadducees join the parade of opponents that continue during Jesus’ teaching and preaching ministry. Their question centers on Deuteronomy 25:5-6 regarding levirate, Latin for brother-in-law marriage. Here is Jesus’ answer:
1. There will be a resurrection.
2. There will be no marriage relationship as we know it in this life.
3. We will become “like angels,” in the sense that we will no longer procreate and we will never die. Note: Jesus does not say that we will become angels. Angels and humans are two different beings in creation. To say a man or women can become an angel is as strange to the Bible as saying a dog can become a cat or a cat can become a dog. Mankind alone are made in the image of God and may receive grace and redemption. There is no redemption for angels.
4. Therefore, marriage will not be necessary, at least for that purpose.
So the question of will there be sex in heaven in a physical, sensual, and pleasurable way, as we understand and enjoy here on earth will not exist in heaven. But it will be surpassed beyond our imagination in the life to come. While you may be bummed to know that sex as we know it will not exist in heaven, do know that something better will replace it. We are like small children trying to understand what the joy and pleasures of sex in committed marriage. The greatest physical pleasure a small child may know is candy. The question may arise from a child, will there be candy involved in marriage relations? We would laugh at such a question. So in conclusion, we will have no sex in heaven. I don’t know what it will exactly look like, how it will work, nor how it will be better. But I do trust the one who says it will be.
