Whoopee Forever

I'm reading this book called SexGod by Rob Bell, which despite it's title is not really about sex. It talks about how often "this is really about that", especially about sex and love. The last chapter, Whoopee Forever, has been my favorite.

The chapter begins by talking about Paul's advice for those who are single to stay single and those who are married to stay married. Basically, for Paul whether you are married or not is inconsequential. If you're married fine, if not fine. The book proposes that sex is really a symbol of something more - our relationship with God. In heaven, God will be our light, and "In the light, everybody is know fully. Which is what people crave in sex, isn't it? To be known fully and still loved, still embraced, still accepted" (166). Bell continues on to say that if sex is a picture of heaven - pure relationship, everyone connected with nothing held back - then what happens to sex when we reach heaven and everyone is connected and in perfect relationship?

The book gives no answer, but it made me think about the idea of no marriage and sex in heaven. I realized that if all the happiness and satisfaction that come from marriage are just a small picture of heaven, how awesome is heaven going to be, when everything is in harmony?

The last part of the chapter talks about a Jewish wedding ceremony. After a marriage was arranged, the prospective groom would offer the girl a cup of wine, which she can choose to reject "even though everything has already been arranged, she can still say no" (169). If she accepts, the groom goes and builds a house adjacent to his fathers. When the father thinks the house is ready, the groom goes with his friends to get his bride, who has left a light burning every night in her window so he will know which room is hers. Then there is a big procession back to the groom's house and a celebration. "And so when she takes the glass of wine at their engagement party and drinks from it, the groom says to her: "my father's house has plenty of room; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am..." Does his speech sound familiar? This is what Jesus says...When Jesus wants to assure his followers...their future is secure...he uses the wedding metaphor" (171).

This chapter blew me away. I was up for an hour in my bed last night, just trying to imagine how awesome heaven will be. I hope you have been blessed as I have been. The book is excellent and I highly recommend it.