5. Will There Be Sex in Heaven?
I think our present outlook might be like that of a small boy who, on being told that the sexual act was the highest bodily pleasure should immediately ask whether you ate chocolates at the same time. On receiving the answer “No,” he might regard absence of chocolates as the chief characteristic of sexuality. In vain would you tell him that the reason why lovers in their carnal raptures don’t bother about chocolates is that they have something better to think of. The boy knows chocolate: he does not know the positive thing that excludes it. We are in the same position. We know the sexual life; we do not know, except in glimpses, the other thing which, in Heaven, will leave no room for it.
C.S. LEWIS
Will there be sex in heaven? The short answer is no. But I’ve got some explaining to do, right? Here are a few reasons why there won’t be sex in heaven.
First of all, sex has a setting, a turf or a milieu. Call it a terrain. And the stomping ground where sex takes place is in the context of marriage here on earth until death do us part. Unlike Muslims and Mormons who believe that there will be sex in the afterlife, the Christian challenges that conclusion on biblical grounds. On one occasion, while addressing the Sadducees, Jesus said, “In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30).
Secondly, there won’t be a need for sex in heaven. Imagine that. Sex on earth is for the two-fold purpose of procreation (Genesis 1:28) and mutual pleasure (Proverbs 5:15-19), and this double feature is reserved only for you and your spouse (Proverbs 5:20). In fact, adultery is seriously forbidden (Exodus 20:14; 1 Corinthians 6:9). Now fast-forward to heaven. Why won’t there be sex?
As it relates to procreation there won’t be any need to further populate heaven with more children. Regarding sexual pleasure, all of our deepest desires, needs, longings, and pleasures will be fully met by God. Trust me. You won’t feel like you’re missing out. In heaven, while our unique gender distinctions of male and female will be preserved, there will only be one bride—the Church. And there will only be one Groom in heaven—Christ. It’ll be a perfect match. Call it a match made in heaven. Quite literally!
Thought to Ponder
Heaven will be a lust-free paradise marked by a perfect love—a godly love.
Memory Verse
For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven (Matthew 22:30).
Question to Consider
Why do you think it’s so hard to imagine a world without sexual intimacy?
One-Minute Apologist Video
Bobby Conway, “Will There Be Sex in Heaven?”