Will I Still Know My Spouse in Heaven?

The love that was formed and forged in this life will not be lost. There is nothing in the biblical witness that earthly relationships will be forgotten or purged.

That love that did exist on Earth will be consumed by a higher love. It will be transformed and perfected.

Marriage itself was/is a foreshadowing of the relationship between Christ and His Church.

As a result, marriages on Earth will undoubtedly be valued and recognized. We will know and love our spouses, and that love will be honored. The nature of that love, however, will go “higher up and deeper in” in light of Heaven and eternity.

Susan will undoubtedly be nearer the throne than I will.... but I will see her. And she will see me. And it will undoubtedly be a gaze that only the two of us will be able to share.

And in our perfected state, that gaze will be more than enough. It will be the most profound love we will have ever shared.

So happy anniversary, sweetheart.

Forty-one years going on…

... eternity.

James Emery White

James Emery White, Christ Among the Dragons (InterVarsity Press).

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The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of CrosswalkHeadlines.

James Emery White is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, NC, and a former professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also served as their fourth president. His latest book, Hybrid Church: Rethinking the Church for a Post-Christian Digital Age, is now available on Amazon or from your favorite bookseller. To enjoy a free subscription to the Church & Culture blog, visit churchandculture.org where you can view past blogs in our archive, read the latest church and culture news from around the world, and listen to the Church & Culture Podcast. Follow Dr. White on X, Facebook and Instagram at @JamesEmeryWhite.