"Til death us do part"

[Kenny Benson]

I think about that phrase too "Til death does us part". My wife was widowed when we met. She's Catholic. I'm Baptist. Baptists are big on not getting divorced. But remarrying after a spouse dies is okay with God. Anyway, that phrase is talking about here on earth. But what about after? When my wife dies does she go back to her first husband, a man who abused her? I hear some say there is no marriage in Heaven. And that seems kind of unfair too. I think the things that bother me are one size fits all rules. I understand that I get no choice. I do pray that when my time comes, I understand more than I do now.

 

[Waymarker]

..Orthodox Christian Marriage Tradition has never taught that the Matrimonial bond between a faithful husband and wife is dissolved by death. That is an erroneous teaching that developed outside of the Orthodox Church.

Which brings me back to my original suggestion that the bit in the marriage vows about "til death us do part" must be wrong..
Various denominations have various views but as I'm non-denom my common sense tells me that death can never break the bonds of love.

 

[truefiction1]

Which brings me back to my original suggestion that the bit in the marriage vows about "til death us do part" must be wrong..
Various denominations have various views but as I'm non-denom my common sense tells me that death can never break the bonds of love.

Just FYI, the common sense of St. John Chrysostom, an early Church bishop writing in the 4th century, caused him to believe and teach such things about marriage as your intuition is telling you:

"For a young damsel who is discreet and ingenuous, and whose heart is set on piety, is worth the whole world. For these reasons then, I courted you, and I love you, and prefer you to my own soul. For the present life is nothing. And I pray, and beseech, and do all I can, that we may be counted worthy so to live this present life, as that we may be able also there in the world to come to be united to one another in perfect security. For our time here is brief and fleeting. But if we shall be counted worthy by having pleased God to so exchange this life for that one, then shall we ever be both with Christ and with each other, with more abundant pleasure."

Chrysostom, Saint John . On Marriage and Family Life (p. 37). eBookIt.com. Kindle Edition.

 

[truefiction1]

I think about that phrase too "Til death does us part". My wife was widowed when we met. She's Catholic. I'm Baptist. Baptists are big on not getting divorced. But remarrying after a spouse dies is okay with God. Anyway, that phrase is talking about here on earth. But what about after? When my wife dies does she go back to her first husband, a man who abused her? I hear some say there is no marriage in Heaven. And that seems kind of unfair too. I think the things that bother me are one size fits all rules. I understand that I get no choice. I do pray that when my time comes, I understand more than I do now.

If we're accounted worthy to receive the Kingdom which is to come, we won't care if we're not married to our husbands or wives there in the blessed Eternal life. That's not to say that none of those who were married will no longer be joined together there: it only means that if you happen to be among those who are not, because of additional marriages and whatnot, that you simply aren't going to have any reason to be displeased by that, because God will be "ALL" that you need. The ideal is for believers to be joined in the bond of Holy Matrimony, once and forever (i.e. into eternity). Sin and death, inherent in this present world, has caused this to be rather rare. But none who are united with God will be anything but overcome by unspeakable, unimaginable delights.

 

[Joined2krist]

There's no marriage in heaven.

 

[1watchman]

Yes I'm familiar with that passage but it raises the question- Will the bonds of love between a married couple on earth be broken when they go to heaven?

Not broken love; but a different relationship in Heaven, as ALL there are one in Jesus Christ. We as "born again" saints will be part of the "bride" of Christ.

 

[Waymarker]

Not broken love; but a different relationship in Heaven, as ALL there are one in Jesus Christ. We as "born again" saints will be part of the "bride" of Christ.

Yes, another interesting verse is this one which suggests that our individual names might not exist in that great "soul pool" where we're all one-

"Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the Lord,What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?
He replied, "Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding" (Judges 13:17-18)

 

[Waymarker]

Incidentally call me fussy and judgemental but I could never want to take up with or marry a nonchristian woman for the simple reason death would part us forever.

 

[GreekOrthodox]

As for the Eastern Orthodox position, it should not be taken along the lines of the the LDS celestial marriage. As Fr. Patrick Fitzgerald states this:

It is He who joins a man and a woman in a relationship of mutual love. The Sacrament of Marriage bears witness to His action. Through this Sacrament, a man and a woman are publicly joined as husband and wife. They enter into a new relationship with each other, God, and the Church. Since Marriage is not viewed as a legal contract, there are no vows in the Sacrament. According to Orthodox teachings, Marriage is not simply a social institution, it is an eternal vocation of the kingdom. A husband and a wife are called by the holy Spirit not only to live together but also to share their Christian life together so that each, with the aid of the other, may grow closer to God and become the persons they are meant to be.

Understanding the Sacraments of the Orthodox Church - Introduction to Orthodoxy Articles - Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

 

[Sketcher]

Jesus touched on the "merging" theme-
“At that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.." (John 14:20)

Not a "merging" as all the beings are distinct. We are not merged with God, but we can be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Yes, another interesting verse is this one which suggests that our individual names might not exist in that great "soul pool" where we're all one-

"Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the Lord,What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?
He replied, "Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding" (Judges 13:17-18)

That doesn't suggest any sort of oneness, but rather a Heavenly language that is above the understanding of humans at present.