Earthly, or temporal, marriage is limited. The Scriptures teach that marriage is limited to our time on earth and that we should not believe in a future state of eternal marriage as cults, such as the Mormons, teach. Neither do we consider marriage as a sacrament, as the Roman Catholic church teaches.

But there are some clear Biblical indications that, although marriage as an institution is limited to life here on earth, even temporal marriages have an eternal impact. This precious truth can be a comfort to those who have lost their partner through death and are now awaiting the joyous day of reunion in a world of endless bliss and joy in the presence of our eternal Bridegroom.

Burial together signifies the hope of resurrection.

When Abraham buried Sarah in the cave of Machpelah at Hebron, he buried his wife in hope of the resurrection. It was fitting that at his own death many years later when he was 175 years old, Abraham was laid to rest beside Sarah in the very same cave. Isaac and Ishmael united in the burial of their father.

“Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre; The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife” (Genesis 25:8–10).

Biblical precedent is given here for a husband and wife to be buried side by side, a precedent that is followed in the cases of Isaac and Rebekah, and of Jacob and Leah. While burial together is not always possible, it presents a picture of a husband and wife together, awaiting the joy of reunion with Christ and with one another at the dawn of resurrection day.

Husbands and wives are “heirs together” of the grace of life.

The Apostle Peter, in the context of encouraging united prayer between a husband and wife, made reference to an eternal impact of earthly marriage. “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered” (I Peter 3:7).

Although Jesus taught that in the resurrection we “neither marry, nor are given in marriage” (Mark 12:25), Peter clarified in his exhortation about prayer that there is some sense in which a husband and a wife inherit the grace of life together. This phrase provides lasting comfort to any bereaved spouse.

Children live on in eternity as everlasting offspring of a temporal union.

The marriages that are crowned with children have additional eternal fruit. Every child conceived will live forever somewhere. Those parents who have redeemed children will be able to treasure the fruits of their marriage throughout all eternity in the presence of the Redeemer. Family ties will certainly be altered in the eternal state, but there is no evidence from Scripture that they will be destroyed. The knowledge of these sanctified familial ties brings hope and joy to many in this life who have laid husbands, wives, and children in the grave.