Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

29 January 2025

Reading From Matthew 19

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

 –Matthew 19:4-6

     In the beginning, God made male and female in His image.[1]  Males and females by themselves do not reflect the image of God in the greater sense that male and female united together in marriage do.  Are we all image bearers of Him? I believe so but that reflection is so much more complete in the symbolic picture of holy matrimony because God is Spirit, transcending gender but with both masculine and feminine characteristics.  So when male and female come together, they more accurately, though not completely, reflect His nature.[2]    

     We are able to know God the Father and have relationship with Him through the redemptive work of God the Son.[3]  God the Holy Spirit is able to guide us into all truth[4] and helps us to know God more and more, but we are not able as limited, finite beings able to fully comprehend His nature.  If we were able to fully comprehend His nature, then we would be god and we are not.  He has given us parables, symbols, types, shadows and the beauty of His creation to enable us to know more about Him, but this world and our own understanding has been corrupted and limited by sin. 

     We will know more when we see Him in His glory in Heaven.  We, along with the Earth, will be purified and renewed to paradisical glory (Matthew 19:28).  As sons and daughters of the Most High God, our understanding of all things will be greatly expanded in the hereafter.  The Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”  We look forward to the Day when Eden will be restored and our life and fellowship with God will be as He intended; liberated from the effects of sin. 

     Healthy human marriage is perhaps the greatest, deepest symbol of the mysterious, spiritual relationship between Christ and the Church.  The covenant concept of marriage between born again husband and wife will be deepened and greatly expanded in the New Heaven and the New Earth.  When asked about marriage in eternity, “Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage,and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.” We are made worthy to take part in the age to come by faith and trust in Jesus and His blood.

     We will enjoy a stronger connection not only with our believing spouses, but with every born again believer gathered from all time and space.[5] Our connections within the eternal family of God will deepen and be stronger.  We will know even as we are fully known.[6]  While we will not be married in the limited human sense as we experience in our present reality, what we will experience as part of the Bride of Christ will be greater and deeper than earthly human marriage.[7] 

Perfect unity and harmony will be enjoyed between God and His eternal family.[8]  We are part of that family and I rejoice to have that profound sense of love, belonging and community.  Two will become One.  The Church, the Bride of Christ, will come together with Christ Jesus at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and become One as His Body.[9]  What a glorious day that will be!  Our imaginations cannot comprehend the wonders and adventures in store for those who love and follow the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.[10]  May we be found in Him.  For in Him we live and move and have our being.[11]

“Lord Jesus, thank You for going ahead of us to prepare a place for us.  We want to know You and be with You forever.  Your atonement and the work of Your Holy Spirit enable us to have healthy, balanced relationship with You and we are so very grateful.  Thank You for Your tender care.  We love being part of Your eternal family and we praise and honor and glorify Your holy Name!  Be glorified in our minds, hearts and lives.  In the Name of Christ Jesus I pray these things.  Amen.”

Let us rejoice and exult
    and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
    and his Bride has made herself ready;
it was granted her to clothe herself
    with fine linen, bright and pure”—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

–Revelation 19:7-9

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[1] Genesis 1:27

[2] Genesis 1:26-27

[3] John 14:6

[4] John 14:26, 16:13

[5] Genesis 35:29, 49:29-33, Numbers 31:2, John 17:11-23, Ephesians 1:9-10, I Peter 2:10-22, Hebrews 12:1, Revelation 7:9-10

[6] I Corinthians 13:12

[7] Ephesians 5:22-33

[8] John 14:20, I Corinthians 3:16, 6:17

[9] Revelation 19:7-9

[10] I Corinthians 2:9

[11] Acts 17:28