“No Marriage in Heaven”: Pastor Giwa Urges Clergy to Uphold Marital Commitments

Pastor Adewale Giwa, the Senior Pastor of The Second Coming of Christ Ministry in Akure, Ondo State, urged pastors who practiced polygamy before they started their ministry to remain committed to their partners. While speaking at a press conference, Giwa emphasized that divorce is unnecessary in such cases as marriage does not exist in heaven. He elaborated, “There is no place we should restitute in the Bible… Jesus said in heaven there is nothing like marriage. So, if you marry two wives before God calls you, you must maintain that.“

Citing the Bible, Pastor Giwa referred to a Gospel passage where Jesus responded to a question about a woman who married multiple times after her husband’s death. Jesus clarified that marital ties are earthly and do not carry over to heaven. This theological perspective forms the basis of Giwa’s argument against divorcing additional wives to conform to monogamous norms. He criticized the tendency of some clergy to misinterpret scripture, saying they often focus on Old Testament laws while ignoring Christ’s teachings about the afterlife.

To support his statement, Pastor Adewale shared the story of a well-known juju musician who started a pastoral ministry. The said musician was married to multiple wives and later chose to divorce one wife in a bid for “restitution” while remaining married to the first. However, after his first wife passed away, he reconciled with his second wife and they came together again.

He said, “This goes to tell you that the way God thinks is different from how man thinks.” He further emphasized the unpredictable outcomes of human decisions compared to divine instructions.

Pastor Giwa’s views challenge traditional perceptions of polygamy within Christianity, particularly in denominations that expect clergy to adhere to strict monogamy. He argued that faithfulness and fairness within a polygamous marriage are more significant in God’s eyes than abandoning commitments to fit societal expectations. His remarks reflect a nuanced understanding of scripture and cultural practices, advocating for compassion and understanding in spiritual leadership.

The pastor’s message resonates with broader debates about the role of cultural traditions in modern Christianity. While polygamy remains a contentious issue, Giwa’s perspective adds a thought-provoking voice to the conversation, reminding believers to focus on spiritual righteousness rather than external appearances. “This shows that there is no marriage in heaven,” he concluded, reiterating that earthly constructs like marriage are secondary to one’s relationship with God.