The desire for a happy, lasting marriage blessed with children
who grow up to be successful, morally responsible adults is truly the universal
dream. Of course, we come by this dream quite naturally. As part of God's
creation, we are reflecting the very plan God Himself is fulfilling as He
builds His own family.
Jesus Christ came to do His part in helping us "become children
of God" (John 1:12). Reflecting on our wonderful destiny, the Bible speaks
of us as coheirs with Christ of the coming Kingdom of God (Romans 8:17; James 2:5). This transition from human flesh and blood to immortal spirit begins
with the return of Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of the Kingdom
of God over all nations (Revelation 11:15).
The next step will be for Jesus to marry His Bride. "And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the
sound of mighty thunderings, saying, 'Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent
reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of
the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.' And to her it was
granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints" (Revelation 19:6-8).
To help us prepare for this magnificent future,
God has allowed us to experience, through marriage and family, a foretaste
of this wonderful time. God's desire is that we live abundant lives filled
with happiness and success (John 10:10).
