Will We Know Each Other in Heaven?

When we pass on from this life into eternity, will we know our fellow Christians who have passed on before us? Will I know my family members who were so dear to me in this life? I believe the Scriptures say “Yes.”

1. Death – In Genesis 25:8 – “Then Abraham gave up the ghost, …. was gathered to his people.” The phrase “gathered to his people” is also used in Genesis 25:17, Genesis 49:29 & 33, Deuteronomy 32:50. Coffman commentary - “It denotes the reunion in Sheol (Hades) with friends who have gone before, and therefore presupposes faith in the personal continuance of a man after death.” Barnes commentary - “to continue existing in another sphere.” It tells us that after this life, we get into reunion with people we know.

2. Hope – 2 Samuel 12:23 – “can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”  While David grieved over the death of his child, there is hope for a future reunion with his child.

3. Our memory – Matthew 7:22 –  on Judgment Day, some people will argue with God, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? …” Notice these people remember things from their life on earth. Abraham said to the rich man in Luke 16:25 – “Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime received thy good things…” Abraham tells the rich man to recall his life on this earth. The rich man may or may not have met Abraham before, but he knows Abraham, and addresses “Father Abraham.” In verses 27 and 28, while in Hades, the rich man remembers he has five brothers and pleads with Abraham to send Lazarus to warn them about the torture. In our next life, we will remember about events of today.

4. Recognizable – I believe we will be able to recognize people of today’s world in the afterlife. In Jesus’ transfiguration (Mark 9:2-13), Moses and Elijah appears. Peter, James and John never met the prophets. Yet, the disciples recognize the two prophets and Peter volunteers to make tents for each of them (verse 5). This indicates that in our afterlife, we can recognize each other.

5. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: Paul encourage the Thessalonians not to be sorrowful over those who died. Just as Jesus died but rose again; so those who die in the Lord, God will bring with Him. On that day, the dead in Christ shall rise first, then those who are alive shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. Paul encourages the Christians that they will see their loved ones again.

Some may question this based on the following:

1. Upon death, the physical characteristics by which we recognize one another will not exist anymore. How will others recognize us? In 1 Corinthians 15:20 – The risen Christ has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (dead). 1 John 3:2 – “when he shall appear, we shall be like him". So what was Christ resurrected body like so that when we are resurrected we will be like Him? Was Jesus recognizable? He appeared before His disciples and they all recognized Him (Acts 1:3-40). Hence, we shall be like him, recognizable.

2. In Matthew 22:30, Jesus says in the resurrection we will not be married but we will be as the angels of God in Heaven. Well, angels have memory, and they know one another (Exodus 23:20). In this text, Jesus tells us that in the next life, the marriage relationship will not continue. But we will know each other, just as angels do.

3. Some people question that if we know each other in Heaven, and then we know that our loved ones are not there, it will destroy the joy of being in heaven. This seem like a valid concern. However, in Revelation 21:4 – “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes …. for the former things are passed away.” God will remove all sorrow and pain when we get there. How will God accomplish this so that we will not be despair if we do not see our loved ones there, I do not know. But I believe in Revelation 21:4.

Application for us today:

1. If we are sorrowful over the passing of our loved ones who die in the Lord, remember we will see them again in Heaven. Have faith that God will facilitate this.

2. If we have loved ones so dear to us but, they are not in the Lord, let them know that you want to be with them on the Day of Judgment. Persuade them to accept the Lord today, so that you can have that reunion after this life.

3. We have loved ones in the Lord. Cherish every moment in this life so as to encourage each other to press on towards that high calling, despite challenges in life. Look forward to that reunion.

4. To get to Heaven and have this joyous reunion, we need to do what the Lord commands of us in this life. This include bringing this same good news to those who are not yet in the Lord.