Will We Know Each Other in Heaven?
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· 858 viewsHow will our bodies be changed in the resurrection? Will we be the same person we were on Earth? Will we know each other in Heaven?
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Will We Know Each Other in Heaven?
Will We Know Each Other in Heaven?
A Dangerous Lesson
A Dangerous Lesson
These types of lessons may be dangerous for two reasons:
We are dealing with something, namely the afterlife, about which we have incomplete information.
There is a lot of emotion that can be attached to this topic.
Therefore, we need to do two things:
Speak conclusively on what we can learn from the Bible and leave the unanswerable as just that.
Prevent our emotions from denying what can be legitimately garnered from the word of God.
Definitions
Definitions
For the purpose of this lesson I will define how I am using certain words in order to help avoid confusion.
Person - the inner being that constitutes who you are; your identity; your “self”; your “spirit”
Body - the dwelling place of the person; what the person inhabits
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2:26
Death - a separation of the person and the body
Resurrection - the returning of a person to life after having experienced death
The Questions
The Questions
There really may be more than one question at work here.
A question of change
If we will be changed, how will we be changed?
A question of identity
Will I be the same person in the afterlife that I am now?
Will we know each other in Heaven?
If we are the same person in the afterlife, we would expect to be able to recognize each other.
Change and Identity
Change and Identity
If we will be changed at the resurrection, how will we be changed?
1 Corinthians 15:35-38
But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
Paul states “So also is the resurrection of the dead.” Therefore, Paul is making a comparison. The resurrection of the dead is like what he was just talking about.
Let’s work backwards from this phrase and see what comparisons Paul is making between the resurrection of the dead and what he just wrote.
There are different kinds of flesh
Just as there are different types of flesh here on earth, there is a difference between the earthly body and the spiritual body.
1 Corinthians 15:39-49
All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
The spiritual body received at the resurrection will not just be a recomposed version of the earthly body.
1 Corinthians 15:42-44
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
This should allay fears of body disposal such as not being buried, buried at sea, or cremation.
If we were to get a physical body at the resurrection, we would not be able to go to Heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:50-54
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
While the inner person of man might be referred to as his spirit, it does not appear that we will be resurrected as a spirit alone, but rather a spirit that will inhabit a spiritual body.
1 Corinthians 15:44
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
The spiritual body we will have will be like Christ’s.
It will not be like the resurrected body of Christ which had flesh and bones.
Luke 24:39
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
But our earthly bodies will apparently be changed to be like the body Christ obtained after ascending to Heaven.
Philippians 3:20-21
1 Corinthians 15:49
1 John 3:2
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
What will our spiritual bodies be like? We don’t exactly know, yet.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
2. Will I be the same person in the afterlife that I am now?
Even if I receive a spiritual body, will I be the same person in the afterlife I am now. Will I retain my identity?
While Paul and John write about the spiritual bodies we may receive, Paul compares the death, burial, and resurrection of humans to that of a plant seed.
We bury seeds, seeds die, and then they are made alive again, but in a different body than they were before.
1 Corinthians 15:35-38
But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
Q: What do you call a seed of corn?
A: Corn
Q: What do you call a field of plants that grew from the corn seed?
A: Corn
Q: What do you call the fruit that comes from a plant that grew from the corn seed?
A: Corn
Q: Did the corn change its identity after it died, was buried, and resurrected to have a new body?
A: No. It’s still corn.
Q: Will the person change his/her identity after he/she dies, buries, and is resurrected to have a spiritual body?
A: No. It’s still the same person.
Will We Know Each Other in Heaven?
Will We Know Each Other in Heaven?
If our identity, our person, does not change after the resurrection, then there may be at least the possibility of recognition. Despite the change in bodies, perhaps we would be able to recognize the inner person, the identity.
If we can find Scripture that indicates a recognition in the afterlife, then we could consider the possibility of knowing each other confirmed.
Exodus 3:6
Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
Notice the time at which this was stated. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are dead. But God referred to them by name, a symbol of a person’s identity.
Matthew 17:1-3
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.
Notice at the time at which this occurred. Moses and Elias are dead.
Remember what Paul said, a physical body cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:50
Matthew 8:11
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
When we are in our spiritual bodies, we will be able to sit down with the persons known as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Perhaps you could argue that I won’t recognize Abraham right away. That might be correct. It seems hard to think that I would immediately recognize someone in Heaven who I never saw or spoke to on Earth.
There are some verses that indicate, however, the ability of people in the afterlife to recognize people they knew on Earth.
2 Samuel 12:21-23
Philemon 15-16
Luke 16:22-25
Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.
And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live?
But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
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;
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
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.
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.
The rich man saw Lazarus. He asked for Lazarus by name to do him a favor. Abraham told the rich man to remember what Lazarus received while alive on the Earth.
These verses do not make sense if recognition in the afterlife is impossible.
1 Thessalonians 2:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
Will those who walked with Him on the Earth recognize Him at the resurrection? Will Jesus recognize them? Will we know Jesus at His coming? Or will He be the same person after His resurrection?
Revelation 22:3-4
And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
An Objection Answered
An Objection Answered
One objection that is offered to the idea of recognition in Heaven is that of pain and suffering.
The basic premise is that I will not have the ability to be without pain and suffering in Heaven if I recognize others that are condemned to Hell.
It is true that after we go to Heaven, there will be no more crying and tears.
Revelation 21:1-4
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
The hypothesis has two main problems:
It contradicts Scriptures
It attempts to provide an answer for which Scripture gives no answer
Scripture says that God will wipe away all tears. How will He do that? I don’t know and I don’t need to know. But His word tells me that He will do it!
We need to be careful and not state something as true that Scripture contradicts. Scripture shows us that after resurrection, our identities don’t change, even if our bodies do. Scripture also shows us that recognition in the afterlife is real. We may not understand how God will wipe away all our tears and make it possible for us to stop crying forever in Heaven, but we need to believe He will do it because He said He would do it. Scripture does not tell us how we will stop crying, therefore, we cannot definitively say how God will accomplish that. We cannot say that God will strip us of our identities and recognition in order to answer the question of how we will stop crying. The idea of being stripped of our identities and losing recognition contradicts the Scripture we have. Frankly, we don’t have to answer the question of how we will stop crying and be in joy forever, because that is what God said He would take care of. He did not tell us how, but He did tell us He would do it, and that should be good enough for us.