Will We Know Each Other in Heaven?
The question in the title is one of the most asked by sincere Christians. The Scriptures affirm that we will, but our relationships will be transformed and different.
In the week of His crucifixion, the Sadducees tried to trap Jesus with a question about the resurrection of the dead, which they rejected. They presented a hypothetical scenario about levirate (“levir” means “brother-in-law”) marriage. After surviving marriage to seven husbands, who were brothers, they wanted to know whose wife she would be in the resurrection.
Jesus fired back by saying they were wrong in their assumption because they neither knew the Scriptures nor the power of God (v. 29). Jesus told them that in the resurrection people “neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30). Earthly marriage will cease. Although relationships will change, it doesn’t mean there will be no relationship at all. Nor will our personal identity or recognition vanish. In the Old Testament gives an example of someone who retained his identity after death. Saul recognized Samuel when Samuel’s spirit appeared to him. (1 Samuel 28). David expected to see his deceased child one day (2 Samuel 12:23).
The New Testament gives us even more insight. The Rich Man recognized Lazarus and Abraham in the spirit realm (Luke 16:19-31). At the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus and still bore their earthly names. Moses had been dead for 1400 years and Eliah was taken to heaven 700 years before that, and yet Jesus still recognized them and spoke with them (Matthew 17; Mark 9; Luke 9). Jesus said that believers will “recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” “Feast” is the metaphor used to teach that we will have fellowship with one another. Won’t recognizing these prophets and patriarchs enhance our fellowship and joy in heaven?
Paul expected a reunion with his converts. “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). “Just as you did partially acknowledge us--that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you” (2 Corinthians 1:14). Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians to clarify some things about Jesus' coming and the resurrection. They believed Jesus would come in their lifetimes, but thought their loved ones who died first would miss it. Paul says not only will they not miss out, they will benefit first. They will get the prize of meeting Jesus first. when He returns. The Thessalonians wanted to know that their loved ones will be “okay.” How would they confirm this if they could not recognize them in the resurrection?
After His resurrection, Jesus was recognized by His disciples ((Luke 24; John 20-21; Acts 1; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11). Our resurrection will be like His. Our spirits will reunite with our reconstructed bodies, but they will be glorious, exalted spiritual body. Yet our personal identity (our soul) will be preserved (Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 15:41-52).
Heaven will be a place of perfection, wholeness and maturity--no death, sickness, decay, disabilities, weaknesses or immaturity. Babies, including the unborn, and children will reach full maturity in heaven, and parents will know their children. How can we know this? We have what the Sadducees lacked, trust in the power of God. That’s what it all rests on. The same God who raised Jesus will raise us, glorified and still ourselves. Because we retain our identity, we will indeed know one another in heaven. Let the promises and power of Jesus be of comfort to you today.
Eric Welch