Will we recognize our loved ones when we get to heaven?
You will absolutely be able to recognize your loved ones when you get to heaven! Biblical Proofs? Here they are:
1. Luke 9:28-33 “About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 2As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters-one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” NIV
Although Peter had never met Moses and Elijah, he recognized them and suggested to build 3 tents, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah. Not only will we be able to recognize our loved ones, we will recognize our heroes of the faith as well.
P. S. In the OT there is mention of Elijah being taken into heaven (see 2 Kings 2:11-12), however no mention is given at all concerning Moses being in heaven until Jude 9. Peter was not startled by the fact that Moses was in heaven and not in an unconscious sleep. Moses’ appearance seemed completely Biblical to him.
2. Matt 28:9-10 “Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” NIV
When Jesus was resurrected His disciples recognized Him, unless He didn’t want His identity revealed.
3. Luke 16:19-26 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'” NIV
The rich man recognized Lazarus when he went to heaven.
There is no doubt here. Nowhere in the Bible is there any mention that we will not be able to recognize one another in heaven. What an awesome God we have!
Are you looking forward in seeing your loved ones again when you reach heaven? Are you uncertain that you will reach heaven? If you are, why don’t you accept Jesus in your heart now by answering His altar’s call at http://www.answers2prayer.org/saviours_call.html He will give you the assurance that you are saved, through His Holy Spirit. It is Biblical: Eph 1:13-14 “Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-to the praise of his glory.” NIV Will you accept His invitation now?
Rob Chaffart
__________________________________________________
I believe we will. The best example we have is Jesus Himself. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to many for 40 days before ascending to heaven. It is evident that his memory was restored and that He knew all the people He previously knew. The body Jesus had after resurrection is the same as we will have. Not only did Jesus have full memory but those who were resurrected with Him at that time and who accompanied Him to heaven, went among the people and appeared to many. It is expected that these are the elders helping Jesus in His Priestly duties, later mentioned in Revelation. Revelation makes it clear that the 4 beasts or living creatures and the 24 elders are of the saved of earth. They would need their full faculties in order to assist Jesus with His work. Never forget that Jesus is still a man.
The apostle Paul alludes to this also:
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
One of the stories Jesus told also mentions this knowing.
Luke 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
Luke 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Luke 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Luke 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
Luke 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Luke 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Luke 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Luke 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
In this story a number of things are evident. Both Lazarus and the rich man died, and both would have been buried. The scene mentioned in the story must take place therefore, after the resurrection. It is significant to the question that the rich man recognized Lazarus and could remember his family.
All this is clear evidence that we will have our memories restored and will recognize each other after the resurrection. But are you assured of being in the first resurrection, dear reader? Are you persuaded because Jesus rose from the dead? If not, answer ‘The Savior’s Call’ in this newsletter. We have only while we live to make our peace with God and no one knows when the grim reaper will come calling.
Lance Wearmouth
__________________________________________________
Absolutely! Scripture points to this! Genesis 25:8-9 says……..”Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah…”. Now notice the sequence: he died, then he was gathered to his people, then his body was buried in the cave. Although the tomb was new, somehow Abraham was now with his people.
Deuteronomy 31:16 shows that the destiny of Moses is described when God said, “Behold, you will rest with your fathers.”
Judges 2:10 shows that not only do we read of individuals being “gathered” to their people, but after the death of Joshua we find an entire “generation had been gathered to their fathers.”
2 Kings 22:20 says that it was a comfort when the prophetess Huldah told the good King Josiah he would be “gathered to his fathers.” Now if he were not going to recognize them, why would it be a comfort at all?!
In Matthew 22:30, Jesus said, “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.” Now, this passage proves this point. The angels of heaven surely know and recognize each other; some are even mentioned by name in the Bible.
It is without doubt that we will recognize our friends and loved ones in heaven. None of us can fathom exactly how, but we know that we will. All our questions will be answered when that time comes. MAY ALL BE BLESSED!
DeeDee
__________________________________________________
Romans 6: 5, “For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His.” Jesus was recognized in His resurrected body by His followers; since we share a resurrection like His, we, too, shall be recognized and will recognize others. Many other scriptures also attest to this fact, I believe. Especially Job, when he says, “And in my flesh I will see God.” Now if he can see God IN HIS FLESH even after his death, then we shall be able to see the Lord and others in their flesh and in our flesh after our earthly lives are ended.
Besides, think about it: What logic would there be in just having a mass of people that nobody recognized in heaven! Jesus said He would give us eternal life, not eternal estrangement!
Also, at the Transfiguration, the disciples recognized Elijah and Moses talking with Jesus about His departure and how it would be accomplished in Jerusalem (Luke 9:30-31). Peter stayed awake and was impressed enough by who they were to ask Jesus if they should build 3 booths. (Ala the Feast of Tabernacles; Peter was hopelessly enmeshed in the some of that time’s religiosity, until he got freed of course and really got his freedom when he had the vision of the sheet with all of the “unclean” animals in it, after the Holy Spirit came.) How did they know? They must have recognized them.
Anyway, that is my take on the question. Thanks for reading and God bless you all!
Sharon Warden
__________________________________________________
Yes! It is written: 1 Corinthians 13:12 for now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
One example would be JESUS himself. When JESUS returns and we are resurrected, we will have a body just like his.
In the story of Lazarus and the rich man, Lazarus died and his spirit was carried by the angels to the ‘bosum of Abrahan.’ The rich man died and was buried. Both spirits were preserved until the resurrection. The rich man knew Lazarus and talked to him. He asked Lazarus to warn his family.
There is another example about someone in Hell and asking for cold water. At the moment, I can’t remember who it is. LOL!
__________________________________________________
Yes we will know each other in heaven. The bible says we will be known as we are known now. The only thing, we will not be married there. We will know each other, but we will be spirit beings, not human beings. That makes a big difference. We will be able to think we are somewhere
and we will be there. I can’t wait, I wish I was there now.
Lou
__________________________________________________
The disciples didn’t have any problem recognizing Moses and Elijah.
Matthew 17:1-4, “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.”
Moses and Elias; Moses the giver of the law, and Elias one of the chief of the prophets: one of them had been dead near a thousand and five hundred years, and the other had been caught up to heaven, about nine hundred years before this
There will be a great re-union day with loved ones when Jesus comes for His Church. We shall be caught up TOGETHER
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Pray that this helps you to believe that you will know your loved ones when you see them in heaven. It helps me.
In Jesus Paul Phillips
__________________________________________________
I do believe that we will know them because we will be known as we are known. So yes we will know all the children of the living God.