CHAPTER_NN1 6_CRD 
Seven_CRD on_PRP Heaven_NN1 
Top_AJ0 Questions_NN2 about_PRP Eternal_AJ0 Life_NN1 with_PRP God_NP0 
In_PRP a_AT0 day_NN1 when_AVQ speculation_NN1 about_PRP heaven_NN1 runs_VVZ rampant_AJ0 ,_PUN I_PNP 've_VHB found_VVN it_PNP both_AV0 exciting_AJ0 and_CJC refreshing_AJ0 to_TO0 carefully_AV0 examine_VVI what_DTQ Scripture_NN1 says_VVZ ._SENT 
RANDY_NP0 ALCORN_NP0 ,_PUN "_PUQ CURIOUS_AJ0 QUESTIONS_NN2 ABOUT_PRP HEAVEN_NN1 "_PUQ 
When_CJS the_AT0 topic_NN1 is_VBZ heaven_NN1 ,_PUN questions_NN2 proliferate_VVB ._SENT The_AT0 image_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 new_AJ0 heaven_NN1 and_CJC a_AT0 new_AJ0 earth_NN1 stimulates_VVZ our_DPS imagination_NN1 ,_PUN piques_NN2 our_DPS curiosity_NN1 ,_PUN spurs_VVZ us_PNP to_TO0 search_VVI the_AT0 Scriptures_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC makes_VVZ us_PNP hunger_VVB all_DT0 the_AT0 more_DT0 for_PRP that_DT0 day_NN1 when_CJS the_AT0 Lord_NN1 "_PUQ will_VM0 wipe_VVI every_AT0 tear_NN1 "_PUQ from_PRP our_DPS eyes_NN2 and_CJC "_PUQ there_EX0 will_VM0 be_VBI no_AT0 more_DT0 death_NN1 or_CJC mourning_VVG or_CJC crying_VVG or_CJC pain_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
And_CJC since_CJS I_PNP had_VHD unfettered_VVN access_NN1 to_PRP a_AT0 world-class_AJ0 biblical_AJ0 scholar_NN1 like_PRP Scot_NP0 McKnight_NP0 ,_PUN the_AT0 journalist_NN1 in_PRP me_PNP could_VM0 n't_XX0 resist_VVI exploring_VVG seven_CRD nettlesome_AJ0 questions_NN2 about_PRP what_DTQ lies_VVZ beyond_PRP this_DT0 world_NN1 ._SENT With_PRP McKnight_NP0 's_POS consent_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP flipped_VVD my_DPS legal_AJ0 pad_NN1 to_PRP a_AT0 fresh_AJ0 page_NN1 and_CJC ,_PUN pen_NN1 in_PRP hand_NN1 ,_PUN resumed_VVD our_DPS conversation_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 comfortable_AJ0 lounge_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 small_AJ0 suburban_AJ0 Chicago_NP0 church_NN1 ._SENT 
But_CJC I_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 start_VVI with_PRP the_AT0 most_AV0 theologically_AV0 significant_AJ0 issue_NN1 —_PUN or_CJC the_AT0 most_AV0 profound_AJ0 or_CJC even_AV0 the_AT0 most_AV0 consequential_AJ0 ._SENT Instead_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP began_VVD with_PRP the_AT0 question_NN1 that_CJT almost_AV0 always_AV0 comes_VVZ up_AVP when_CJS talking_VVG to_PRP any_DT0 audience_NN1 ._SENT 
Question_NN1 #1_CRD :_PUN Will_VM0 There_EX0 Be_VBI Pets_NN2 in_PRP Heaven_NN1 ?_SENT 
For_PRP McKnight_NP0 ,_PUN it_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 black_AJ0 Labrador_NN1 named_VVD Sam_NP0 ._SENT For_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN it_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 giant_AJ0 poodle_NN1 named_VVD Nikki_NP0 ._SENT Childhood_NN1 pets_NN2 are_VBB warm_AJ0 and_CJC wonderful_AJ0 companions_NN2 —_PUN but_CJC will_VM0 we_PNP see_VVI them_PNP again_AV0 in_PRP heaven_NN1 ?_SENT 
"_PUQ Sam_NP0 used_VVD to_TO0 go_VVI on_PRP my_DPS paper_NN1 route_NN1 with_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN "_PUQ recalled_VVD McKnight_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ But_CJC he_PNP had_VHD the_AT0 instinct_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 retriever_NN1 ,_PUN so_AV0 at_PRP first_ORD when_CJS I_PNP 'd_VM0 throw_VVI a_AT0 paper_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP 'd_VM0 run_VVI after_PRP it_PNP and_CJC bring_VVB it_PNP back_AVP to_PRP me_PNP ._SENT "_PUQ 
Whether_CJS it_PNP 's_VBZ a_AT0 kitten_NN1 or_CJC a_AT0 hamster_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 chinchilla_NN1 or_CJC a_AT0 parakeet_NN1 ,_PUN most_DT0 families_NN2 have_VHB a_AT0 furry_AJ0 ,_PUN feathery_AJ0 ,_PUN or_CJC scaly_AJ0 friend_NN1 that_CJT endears_VVZ itself_PNX to_PRP kids_NN2 and_CJC parents_NN2 alike_AV0 ._SENT Our_DPS hearts_NN2 say_VVB we_PNP 'd_VM0 love_VVI to_TO0 see_VVI them_PNP again_AV0 in_PRP eternity_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC what_DTQ do_VDB the_AT0 biblical_AJ0 facts_NN2 say_VVB ?_SENT Is_VBZ the_AT0 title_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 animated_AJ0 film_NN1 All_DT0 Dogs_NN2 Go_VVB to_PRP Heaven_NN1 a_AT0 theologically_AV0 correct_AJ0 assertion_NN1 ?_SENT 
"_PUQ As_CJS far_AV0 as_CJS animals_NN2 in_PRP general_AJ0 ,_PUN yes_ITJ ,_PUN I_PNP believe_VVB the_AT0 new_AJ0 heaven_NN1 and_CJC new_AJ0 earth_NN1 will_VM0 be_VBI populated_VVN by_PRP all_DT0 sorts_NN2 of_PRF wildlife_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ McKnight_NP0 told_VVD me_PNP ._SENT "_PUQ Predators_NN2 and_CJC prey_NN1 will_VM0 be_VBI at_PRP peace_NN1 ._SENT Isaiah_NP0 says_VVZ that_CJT '_PUQ the_AT0 wolf_NN1 will_VM0 live_VVI with_PRP the_AT0 lamb_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 leopard_NN1 will_VM0 lie_VVI down_AVP with_PRP the_AT0 goat_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 calf_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 lion_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 yearling_NN1 together_AV0 ;_PUN and_CJC a_AT0 little_AJ0 child_NN1 will_VM0 lead_VVI them_PNP ._SENT '_PUQ What_DTQ God_NP0 makes_VVZ ,_PUN God_NP0 perfects_VVZ ._SENT And_CJC what_DTQ God_NP0 has_VHZ made_VVN for_PRP our_DPS world_NN1 today_AV0 ,_PUN he_PNP will_VM0 perfect_VVI in_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 to_TO0 come_VVI ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ But_CJC what_DTQ about_PRP my_DPS dog_NN1 and_CJC yours_PNP ?_SENT "_PUQ I_PNP asked_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ Will_VM0 specific_AJ0 pets_NN2 greet_VVB us_PNP in_PRP the_AT0 final_AJ0 heaven_NN1 ?_SENT "_PUQ 
Popular_AJ0 opinion_NN1 seems_VVZ to_TO0 say_VVI yes_ITJ ._SENT A_AT0 survey_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 oldest_AJS pet_NN1 cemetery_NN1 in_PRP America_NP0 ,_PUN where_AVQ seventy_CRD thousand_CRD animals_NN2 are_VBB buried_VVN ,_PUN showed_VVD that_CJT before_CJS the_AT0 1980s_CRD almost_AV0 no_AT0 inscriptions_NN2 mentioned_VVD any_DT0 hope_NN1 of_PRF heaven_NN1 for_PRP Fido_NP0 ._SENT But_CJC since_CJS the_AT0 1990s_CRD ,_PUN gravestones_NN2 often_AV0 "_PUQ express_VVB the_AT0 owner_NN1 's_POS belief_NN1 in_PRP an_AT0 afterlife_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 pets_NN2 ,_PUN as_CJS well_AV0 as_CJS the_AT0 expectation_NN1 ,_PUN or_CJC at_PRP least_AV0 the_AT0 hope_NN1 ,_PUN that_DT0 owners_NN2 and_CJC pets_NN2 will_VM0 be_VBI reunited_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 afterlife_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
McKnight_NP0 's_POS response_NN1 was_VBD a_AT0 smile_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ When_CJS the_AT0 theologian_NN1 Rich_NP0 Mouw_NP0 was_VBD a_AT0 kid_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP asked_VVD his_DPS mom_NN1 whether_CJS pets_NN2 will_VM0 be_VBI in_PRP heaven_NN1 —_PUN and_CJC when_CJS Mouw_NP0 was_VBD a_AT0 father_NN1 ,_PUN his_DPS son_NN1 asked_VVD him_PNP the_AT0 same_DT0 question_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP both_DT0 cases_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 answer_NN1 was_VBD ,_PUN '_PUQ Well_AV0 ,_PUN dogs_NN2 do_VDB n't_XX0 have_VHI souls_NN2 ,_PUN you_PNP see_VVB ._SENT But_CJC anything_PNI is_VBZ possible_AJ0 with_PRP God_NP0 ._SENT He_PNP will_VM0 do_VDI what_DTQ is_VBZ best_AJS for_PRP us_PNP ._SENT '_POS 
"_PUQ And_CJC he_PNP will_VM0 do_VDI what_DTQ 's_VBZ best_AJS for_PRP us_PNP ,_PUN "_PUQ McKnight_NP0 said_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ I_PNP 'm_VBB convinced_AJ0 that_CJT heaven_NN1 will_VM0 not_XX0 be_VBI a_AT0 duller_AJC place_NN1 than_CJS this_DT0 world_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP think_VVB the_AT0 world_NN1 would_VM0 be_VBI duller_AJC without_PRP pets_NN2 ._SENT While_CJS our_DPS focus_NN1 in_PRP heaven_NN1 wo_VM0 n't_XX0 be_VBI on_PRP pets_NN2 ,_PUN I_PNP believe_VVB it_PNP would_VM0 be_VBI just_AV0 like_PRP God_NP0 to_TO0 have_VHI our_DPS dogs_NN2 there_AV0 for_PRP us_PNP ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ But_CJC no_AT0 cats_NN2 ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP stressed_VVD ._SENT 
"_PUQ Absolutely_AV0 ._SENT No_AT0 cats_NN2 ._SENT That_DT0 goes_VVZ without_PRP saying_VVG ._SENT "_PUQ 
Scrappy_AJ0 and_CJC Scupper_VVB 
Though_CJS kidding_VVG about_PRP kittens_NN2 ,_PUN McKnight_NP0 's_POS cautious_AJ0 optimism_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 topic_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT0 same_DT0 assessment_NN1 of_PRF many_DT0 Christian_AJ0 thinkers_NN2 ._SENT Asked_VVN about_PRP pets_NN2 in_PRP heaven_NN1 ,_PUN philosopher_NN1 Peter_NP0 Kreeft_NP0 playfully_AV0 replied_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ Why_AVQ not_XX0 ?_SENT "_PUQ He_PNP pointed_VVD to_PRP Psalm_NN1 36_CRD :_PUN 6_CRD ,_PUN which_DTQ some_DT0 scholars_NN2 translate_VVB ,_PUN "_PUQ You_PNP save_VVB humans_NN2 and_CJC animals_NN2 alike_AV0 ,_PUN O_ITJ LORD_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Said_VVD Kreeft_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ We_PNP were_VBD meant_VVN from_PRP the_AT0 beginning_NN1 to_TO0 have_VHI stewardship_NN1 over_PRP the_AT0 animals_NN2 ;_PUN we_PNP have_VHB not_XX0 fulfilled_VVN that_DT0 divine_AJ0 plan_NN1 yet_AV0 on_PRP earth_NN1 ;_PUN therefore_AV0 it_PNP seems_VVZ likely_AJ0 that_CJT the_AT0 right_AJ0 relationship_NN1 with_PRP animals_NN2 will_VM0 be_VBI part_NN1 of_PRF Heaven_NN1 ..._PUN And_CJC what_DTQ better_AJC place_NN1 to_TO0 begin_VVI than_CJS with_PRP already_AV0 petted_AJ0 pets_NN2 ?_SENT "_PUQ 
What_DTQ about_PRP Joni_NP0 Eareckson_NP0 Tada_NP0 's_POS pet_NN1 schnauzer_NN1 ,_PUN Scrappy_AJ0 ?_SENT "_PUQ If_CJS God_NP0 brings_VVZ our_DPS pets_NN2 back_AVP to_PRP life_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP would_VM0 n't_XX0 surprise_VVI me_PNP ,_PUN "_PUQ she_PNP said_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ It_PNP would_VM0 be_VBI just_AV0 like_PRP him_PNP ._SENT It_PNP would_VM0 be_VBI totally_AV0 in_PRP keeping_VVG with_PRP his_DPS genuine_AJ0 character_NN1 ..._PUN Exorbitant_AJ0 ._SENT Excessive_AJ0 ._SENT Extravagant_AJ0 in_PRP grace_NN1 after_PRP grace_NN1 ._SENT Of_PRF all_DT0 the_AT0 dazzling_AJ0 discoveries_NN2 and_CJC ecstatic_AJ0 pleasures_NN2 heaven_NN1 will_VM0 hold_VVI for_PRP us_PNP ,_PUN the_AT0 potential_NN1 of_PRF seeing_VVG Scrappy_AJ0 would_VM0 be_VBI pure_AJ0 whimsy_NN1 —_PUN utterly_AV0 ,_PUN joyfully_AV0 ,_PUN surprisingly_AV0 superfluous_AJ0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Hank_NP0 Hanegraaff_NP0 ,_PUN the_AT0 longtime_AJ0 Bible_NN1 Answer_NN1 Man_NN1 ,_PUN points_VVZ out_AVP that_CJT animals_NN2 populated_VVD the_AT0 Garden_NN1 of_PRF Eden_NP0 ,_PUN "_PUQ thus_AV0 there_EX0 is_VBZ a_AT0 precedent_NN1 for_PRP believing_VVG that_CJT animals_NN2 will_VM0 populate_VVI Eden_NP0 restored_VVD ,_PUN as_CJS well_AV0 ._SENT "_PUQ While_CJS he_PNP said_VVD we_PNP ca_VM0 n't_XX0 know_VVI for_PRP certain_AJ0 if_CJS specific_AJ0 pets_NN2 will_VM0 be_VBI resurrected_VVN for_PRP eternity_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP for_PRP one_CRD am_VBB not_XX0 willing_AJ0 to_TO0 preclude_VVI the_AT0 possibility_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Absent_AJ0 specific_AJ0 biblical_AJ0 teaching_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 topic_NN1 ,_PUN theologian_NN1 Alan_NP0 Gomes_NP0 is_VBZ more_AV0 circumspect_AJ0 ._SENT "_PUQ Some_DT0 verses_NN2 and_CJC biblical_AJ0 themes_NN2 imply_VVB that_CJT there_EX0 may_VM0 well_AV0 be_VBI animals_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 ES_NP0 [_PUL eternal_AJ0 state_NN1 ]_PUR ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP said_VVD ._SENT However_AV0 ,_PUN he_PNP added_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ If_CJS there_EX0 are_VBB animals_NN2 on_PRP the_AT0 new_AJ0 earth_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP is_VBZ unlikely_AJ0 that_CJT they_PNP would_VM0 be_VBI the_AT0 same_DT0 animals_NN2 that_CJT existed_VVD on_PRP this_DT0 earth_NN1 ._SENT That_DT0 is_VBZ ,_PUN God_NP0 would_VM0 create_VVI new_AJ0 animals_NN2 ,_PUN not_XX0 resurrect_VVB previously_AV0 existing_AJ0 ones_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ 
However_AV0 ,_PUN Gomes_NP0 admitted_VVD that_CJT he_PNP lacked_VVD personal_AJ0 interest_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 issue_NN1 ,_PUN since_CJS he_PNP 's_VBZ only_AV0 "_PUQ modestly_AV0 fond_AJ0 "_PUQ of_PRF his_DPS pet_NN1 parakeet_NN1 ,_PUN Scupper_VVB ._SENT "_PUQ Emotionally_AV0 speaking_VVG ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP said_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP really_AV0 do_VDB not_XX0 have_VHI a_AT0 dog_NN1 in_PRP this_DT0 fight_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Philosopher_NN1 J_NP0 ._SENT P._NP0 Moreland_NP0 offers_VVZ both_AV0 good_AJ0 and_CJC bad_AJ0 news_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 good_AJ0 news_NN1 is_VBZ that_CJT although_CJS our_DPS pets_NN2 do_VDB n't_XX0 have_VHI complex_AJ0 souls_NN2 like_PRP humans_NN2 ,_PUN who_PNQ are_VBB uniquely_AV0 made_VVN in_PRP God_NP0 's_POS image_NN1 ,_PUN there_EX0 is_VBZ biblical_AJ0 evidence_NN1 that_CJT they_PNP do_VDB possess_VVI some_DT0 sort_NN1 of_PRF rudimentary_AJ0 soul_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 bad_AJ0 replaced-url_NN1 "_PUQ I_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 think_VVI the_AT0 animal_NN1 soul_NN1 outlives_VVZ its_DPS body_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP could_VM0 be_VBI wrong_AJ0 ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP think_VVB the_AT0 animal_NN1 soul_NN1 ceases_VVZ to_TO0 exist_VVI at_PRP death_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
I_PNP hope_VVB he_PNP 's_VBZ wrong_AJ0 —_PUN for_PRP Sam_NP0 and_CJC Nikki_NP0 's_POS sake_NN1 ._SENT Oh_ITJ ,_PUN and_CJC Scrappy_AJ0 ._SENT And_CJC even_AV0 a_AT0 marginally_AV0 appreciated_VVN parakeet_NN1 named_VVN Scupper_VVI ._SENT 
Question_NN1 #2_CRD :_PUN Will_VM0 There_EX0 Be_VBI Marriage_NN1 in_PRP Heaven_NN1 ?_SENT 
When_CJS Leslie_NP0 and_CJC I_PNP got_VVD married_VVN in_PRP 1972_CRD ,_PUN we_PNP pledged_VVD to_TO0 love_VVI and_CJC care_VVI for_PRP each_DT0 other_AJ0 "_PUQ as_CJS long_AV0 as_CJS we_PNP both_AV0 shall_VM0 live_VVI ._SENT "_PUQ That_DT0 's_VBZ standard_AJ0 verbiage_NN1 in_PRP wedding_NN1 vows_NN2 ,_PUN but_CJC does_VDZ it_PNP suggest_VVI our_DPS marital_AJ0 relationship_NN1 will_VM0 end_VVI abruptly_AV0 at_PRP the_AT0 grave_NN1 ?_SENT 
Well_AV0 ,_PUN yes_ITJ ,_PUN say_VVB many_DT0 Christian_AJ0 thinkers_NN2 ._SENT They_PNP teach_VVB that_CJT there_EX0 will_VM0 be_VBI no_AT0 marriage_NN1 or_CJC families_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 final_AJ0 heaven_NN1 ._SENT For_PRP example_NN1 ,_PUN Colleen_NP0 McDannell_NP0 and_CJC Bernhard_NP0 Lang_NP0 summarize_VVB Augustine_NP0 's_POS teaching_NN1 this_DT0 way_NN1 :_PUN "_PUQ All_DT0 special_AJ0 attachments_NN2 [_PUL marriage_NN1 ,_PUN family_NN1 ,_PUN friendships_NN2 ]_PUR will_VM0 be_VBI absorbed_VVN into_PRP one_PNI comprehensive_AJ0 and_CJC undifferentiated_AJ0 community_NN1 of_PRF love_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Randy_NP0 Alcorn_NP0 ,_PUN whose_DTQ book_NN1 Heaven_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT0 mega_AJ0 bestseller_NN1 ,_PUN put_VVB it_PNP this_DT0 way_NN1 :_PUN "_PUQ In_PRP heaven_NN1 ,_PUN there_EX0 will_VM0 be_VBI one_CRD marriage_NN1 ,_PUN not_XX0 many_DT0 ._SENT That_DT0 marriage_NN1 will_VM0 be_VBI what_DTQ earthly_AJ0 marriage_NN1 symbolized_VVD and_CJC pointed_VVD to_TO0 ,_PUN the_AT0 marriage_NN1 of_PRF Christ_NP0 to_PRP his_DPS bride_NN1 [_PUL the_AT0 church_NN1 ]_PUR ._SENT So_AV0 we_PNP will_VM0 all_AV0 be_VBI married_VVN —_PUN but_CJC to_PRP Christ_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
From_PRP scholars_NN2 to_PRP popular_AJ0 authors_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 issue_NN1 of_PRF whether_CJS there_EX0 is_VBZ marriage_NN1 in_PRP heaven_NN1 often_AV0 gets_VVZ an_AT0 unambiguous_AJ0 reply_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Fortunately_AV0 ,_PUN the_AT0 Son_NN1 of_PRF God_NP0 himself_PNX answered_VVD this_DT0 question_NN1 as_CJS clearly_AV0 and_CJC simply_AV0 as_CJS anybody_PNI could_VM0 ._SENT And_CJC his_DPS answer_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT0 resounding_AJ0 ,_PUN '_PUQ no_ITJ ,_PUN '_PUQ "_PUQ said_VVD Alan_NP0 Gomes_NP0 ,_PUN a_AT0 professor_NN1 at_PRP Talbot_NP0 School_NN1 of_PRF Theology_NN1 ._SENT 
Mark_NP0 Hitchcock_NP0 ,_PUN pastor_NN1 of_PRF an_AT0 Oklahoma_NP0 church_NN1 and_CJC author_NN1 of_PRF several_DT0 books_NN2 ,_PUN could_VM0 n't_XX0 agree_VVI more_AV0 :_PUN "_PUQ Jesus_NP0 clearly_AV0 stated_VVD that_DT0 marriage_NN1 as_CJS we_PNP know_VVB it_PNP here_AV0 on_PRP earth_NN1 will_VM0 not_XX0 carry_VVI over_AVP to_PRP the_AT0 hereafter_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
I_PNP mentioned_VVD this_DT0 conclusion_NN1 to_PRP McKnight_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP watched_VVD as_PRP a_AT0 skeptical_AJ0 look_NN1 slowly_AV0 spread_VVN over_PRP his_DPS face_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP cleared_VVD his_DPS throat_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Well_AV0 ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP said_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP respectfully_AV0 disagree_VVB ._SENT "_PUQ 
I_PNP settled_VVD deeper_AV0 into_PRP my_DPS chair_NN1 ,_PUN wishing_VVG I_PNP had_VHD some_DT0 popcorn_NN1 ._SENT This_DT0 is_VBZ gonna_NN1 get_VVB interesting_AJ0 ,_PUN I_PNP mused_VVD ._SENT 
"_PUQ For_CJS They_PNP Are_VBB like_PRP the_AT0 Angels_NN2 "_PUQ 
Everything_PNI hinges_VVZ on_PRP a_AT0 passage_NN1 recorded_VVN in_PRP all_DT0 three_CRD Synoptic_AJ0 Gospels_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 Sadducees_NN2 ,_PUN a_AT0 religious_AJ0 sect_NN1 that_CJT did_VDD n't_XX0 believe_VVI in_PRP the_AT0 resurrection_NN1 ,_PUN was_VBD trying_VVG to_TO0 put_VVI before_PRP Jesus_NP0 a_AT0 conundrum_NN1 that_CJT would_VM0 cast_VVI doubt_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 resurrected_AJ0 life_NN1 ._SENT 
As_CJS usual_AJ0 ,_PUN Jesus_NP0 beat_VVD them_PNP at_PRP their_DPS own_DT0 game_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP quoted_VVD from_PRP their_DPS Torah_NN1 to_TO0 affirm_VVI the_AT0 resurrection_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP response_NN1 to_PRP a_AT0 question_NN1 about_PRP marriage_NN1 that_CJT the_AT0 Sadducees_NN2 were_VBD attempting_VVG to_TO0 trick_VVI him_PNP with_PRP ,_PUN Jesus_NP0 responded_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ When_CJS the_AT0 dead_AJ0 rise_NN1 ,_PUN they_PNP will_VM0 neither_AV0 marry_VVI nor_CJC be_VBI given_VVN in_PRP marriage_NN1 ;_PUN they_PNP will_VM0 be_VBI like_PRP the_AT0 angels_NN2 in_PRP heaven_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ That_DT0 seems_VVZ pretty_AV0 clear-cut_AJ0 to_PRP a_AT0 lot_NN1 of_PRF people_NN0 ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP said_VVD to_PRP McKnight_NP0 ._SENT 
McKnight_NP0 held_VVD up_AVP his_DPS hand_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Hold_VVB on_PRP a_AT0 minute_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP replied_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ If_CJS Jesus_NP0 had_VHD wanted_VVN to_TO0 teach_VVI that_CJT there_EX0 would_VM0 be_VBI no_AT0 marital_AJ0 life_NN1 in_PRP heaven_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP could_VM0 have_VHI said_VVN it_PNP more_AV0 clearly_AV0 ._SENT He_PNP could_VM0 have_VHI said_VVN ,_PUN '_PUQ Read_VVB my_DPS lips_NN2 :_PUN No_AT0 marriages_NN2 or_CJC families_NN2 in_PRP heaven_NN1 ._SENT '_PUQ But_CJC he_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 ._SENT He_PNP said_VVD people_NN0 '_PUQ will_VM0 neither_AV0 marry_VVI nor_CJC be_VBI given_VVN in_PRP marriage_NN1 ._SENT '_PUQ The_AT0 first_ORD part_NN1 —_PUN '_PUQ will_VM0 neither_AV0 marry_VVI '_PUQ —_PUN refers_VVZ to_PRP the_AT0 groom_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 second_ORD part_NN1 —_PUN '_PUQ be_VBI given_VVN in_PRP marriage_NN1 '_PUQ —_PUN refers_VVZ to_PRP the_AT0 bride_NN1 being_VBG given_VVN away_AV0 ._SENT 
"_PUQ What_DTQ is_VBZ he_PNP really_AV0 saying_VVG ?_SENT He_PNP 's_VBZ saying_VVG there_EX0 wo_VM0 n't_XX0 be_VBI weddings_NN2 or_CJC new_AJ0 marriages_NN2 in_PRP heaven_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP does_VDZ n't_XX0 say_VVI anything_PNI about_AV0 whether_CJS people_NN0 who_PNQ are_VBB married_VVN now_AV0 will_VM0 remain_VVI in_PRP a_AT0 married_AJ0 state_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 final_AJ0 heaven_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP 's_VBZ just_AV0 saying_VVG there_EX0 wo_VM0 n't_XX0 be_VBI any_DT0 new_AJ0 marriages_NN2 there_AV0 ._SENT Why_AVQ ?_SENT He_PNP says_VVZ because_CJS '_PUQ they_PNP will_VM0 be_VBI like_PRP the_AT0 angels_NN2 in_PRP heaven_NN1 ._SENT '_PUQ "_PUQ 
I_PNP interrupted_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ Some_DT0 commentators_NN2 say_VVB angels_NN2 do_VDB n't_XX0 have_VHI a_AT0 gender_NN1 ,_PUN so_CJS this_DT0 fits_VVZ with_PRP the_AT0 idea_NN1 of_PRF no_AT0 marriages_NN2 in_PRP heaven_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
McKnight_NP0 picked_VVD up_AVP his_DPS Bible_NN1 and_CJC opened_VVD it_PNP to_PRP the_AT0 gospel_NN1 of_PRF Luke_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ Luke_NP0 's_POS account_NN1 adds_VVZ an_AT0 important_AJ0 clue_NN1 ._SENT Jesus_NP0 is_VBZ quoted_VVN there_AV0 as_CJS saying_VVG that_CJT people_NN0 in_PRP heaven_NN1 '_POS can_VM0 no_AV0 longer_AV0 die_VVI ;_PUN for_CJS they_PNP are_VBB like_PRP the_AT0 angels_NN2 ._SENT '_PUQ Jesus_NP0 is_VBZ emphasizing_VVG that_CJT angels_NN2 live_VVB forever_AV0 ._SENT A_AT0 major_AJ0 reason_NN1 for_PRP marriage_NN1 is_VBZ procreation_NN1 to_TO0 continue_VVI one_PNI 's_POS lineage_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC in_PRP heaven_NN1 people_NN0 are_VBB eternal_AJ0 ,_PUN so_AV0 no_AT0 one_PNI will_VM0 need_VVI to_TO0 procreate_VVI in_PRP order_NN1 to_TO0 continue_VVI the_AT0 family_NN1 line_NN1 ._SENT Thus_AV0 ,_PUN there_EX0 wo_VM0 n't_XX0 be_VBI a_AT0 need_NN1 for_PRP new_AJ0 marriages_NN2 in_PRP heaven_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
He_PNP closed_VVD the_AT0 Bible_NN1 and_CJC continued_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ This_DT0 is_VBZ the_AT0 key_AJ0 text_NN1 people_NN0 cite_VVB against_PRP marital_AJ0 relationships_NN2 in_PRP heaven_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC as_CJS you_PNP can_VM0 see_VVI ,_PUN it_PNP does_VDZ n't_XX0 say_VVI that_DT0 marriages_NN2 and_CJC families_NN2 from_PRP this_DT0 world_NN1 wo_VM0 n't_XX0 stay_VVI intact_AJ0 in_PRP the_AT0 final_AJ0 heaven_NN1 ._SENT Consequently_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP believe_VVB marriages_NN2 and_CJC families_NN2 will_VM0 exist_VVI in_PRP heaven_NN1 —_PUN and_CJC like_PRP everything_PNI else_AV0 ,_PUN they_PNP will_VM0 be_VBI so_AV0 much_AV0 better_AJC than_CJS they_PNP are_VBB now_AV0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
McKnight_NP0 offered_VVD much_AV0 to_TO0 ponder_VVI ._SENT As_CJS someone_PNI whose_DTQ marriage_NN1 for_PRP almost_AV0 fifty_CRD years_NN2 has_VHZ been_VBN wonderful_AJ0 and_CJC fulfilling_AJ0 ,_PUN I_PNP would_VM0 certainly_AV0 look_VVI forward_AV0 to_PRP continuing_VVG in_PRP a_AT0 marital_AJ0 relationship_NN1 with_PRP Leslie_NP0 forever_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 to_TO0 come_VVI ._SENT 
But_CJC even_AV0 if_CJS Alcorn_NP0 ,_PUN Gomes_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC Hitchcock_NP0 are_VBB correct_AJ0 that_CJT marriage_NN1 itself_PNX wo_VM0 n't_XX0 continue_VVI ,_PUN that_DT0 would_VM0 n't_XX0 diminish_VVI the_AT0 joy_NN1 of_PRF heaven_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Couples_NN2 who_PNQ shared_VVD the_AT0 closest_AJS intimacy_NN1 on_PRP earth_NN1 will_VM0 continue_VVI to_TO0 know_VVI ,_PUN treasure_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC appreciate_VVB each_DT0 other_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 life_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Lord_NN1 forever_AV0 ,_PUN "_PUQ Hitchcock_NP0 said_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ I_PNP plan_VVB to_TO0 spend_VVI all_DT0 of_PRF eternity_NN1 with_PRP my_DPS wife_NN1 ,_PUN Cheryl_NP0 ,_PUN in_PRP a_AT0 relationship_NN1 that_CJT goes_VVZ far_AV0 beyond_PRP anything_PNI we_PNP have_VHB experienced_VVN here_AV0 on_PRP earth_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Concluded_VVD Gomes_NP0 ,_PUN "_PUQ God_NP0 takes_VVZ nothing_PNI away_AV0 from_PRP us_PNP in_PRP the_AT0 eternal_AJ0 state_NN1 except_CJS to_TO0 replace_VVI it_PNP or_CJC enhance_VVB it_PNP with_PRP something_PNI better_AV0 ._SENT In_PRP this_DT0 instance_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP is_VBZ not_XX0 that_CJT we_PNP will_VM0 love_VVI our_DPS earthly_AJ0 spouse_NN1 any_DT0 less_DT0 in_PRP the_AT0 eternal_AJ0 state_NN1 than_CJS we_PNP do_VDB now_AV0 ,_PUN but_CJC that_CJT we_PNP will_VM0 love_VVI everyone_PNI in_PRP the_AT0 eternal_AJ0 state_NN1 to_PRP a_AT0 degree_NN1 unfathomable_AJ0 and_CJC unattainable_AJ0 at_PRP present_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Question_NN1 #3_CRD :_PUN Will_VM0 There_EX0 Be_VBI Rewards_NN2 in_PRP Heaven_NN1 ?_SENT 
Will_VM0 everyone_PNI be_VBI equal_AJ0 in_PRP heaven_NN1 ,_PUN or_CJC will_VM0 some_DT0 Christians_NN2 be_VBB more_AV0 rewarded_VVN than_CJS others_NN2 ?_SENT 
