In our Sabbath School class discussion under the section on Maritial Fidelity, an interesting thought was presented, which is that even after the Fall the Sabbath is eternal, whereas marriage ended at the death of one of the spouses.

Will marriage be re-instituted on the New Earth at the end of the 1,000 years in heaven, or will marriage end forever at the death of one of the spouses, or, upon being translated at the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ?

A related question is will there be babies and/or children on the New Earth after our being in heaven for 1,000 years?

Does both the Bible and the writings of EGW have anything to say about this?

And will new families be started in those days or will we be so heavenly minded that this very fundamental aspect of what makes us humans will no longer be of any consequence for us?

Let me share with you my understanding, which is that the institution of marriage will end at the resurrection and translation of the redeemed at the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ.

My understanding of this is based on the fact that marriage is only until death do us part, which was an obvious change as a result of the Fall, not to mention the entrance of divorce, again as a result of sin.

Daryl, These are good food for thought. But 'marriage' was the divine plan, before sin.

"Till death do us part" was never part of God's original plan. Death was not a consideration.

So I am not following your logic:

• The Sabbath was before sin and thus will be fully restored.
• Marriage ('man & wife') was before sin, but it will not be restored?
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I agree that it was never a part of God's original plan, but was what God added as a result of sin that led to the first death for nearly all of us and what will lead to the second death for the lost, which is why my understanding is that marriage, as we know it now under that name, will not be restored.

Ok Daryl, 'marriage in the fallen time' will not be restored - i.e that type of marriage that ends with death. But the union of Adam & Eve was in a different setting - completely apart from sin and death. The 'earth made new' is a restoration of God's Plan, perhaps better.

But the Sabbath will be fully restored and so why not man & wife? I am only following the logic you presented. However it's possible this logic is bettered by the scripture record.
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Adam and Eve also died, therefore, their marriage to each other ended when one of them died.

Daryl, the quotation from Matthew 22: 24-30 is a good place to start. These (and similar words) have been a question for many. I've not studied this matter closely, but could you share the thoughts of the Sabbath school?

If we apply human (fallible) logic, 50 earthly years cultivating trust and love with a spouse during our eternal-character-preparation would not be easily forgotten or dismissed. Some couples will endure the "time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation". (Daniel 12:1) Certainly we will know our friends, Peter will recognize Paul, EGW saw brothers Fitch & Stockman, etc.

Since the marriage of man & wife typifies the relation of Groom to Bride, a witness for the universe, does it not remain a stronger monument?
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