DEAR DR. GRAHAM: Do you think we will recognize each other in Heaven? My husband died last year, and it would horrify me to think that we might not know each other because God had given us different appearances or something. -- Mrs. M.L.
DEAR MRS. M.L.: While the Bible doesn't answer all our questions about Heaven, I have no doubt we will recognize each other there. In fact, the Bible indicates we will know each other more fully than we do now. The Apostle Paul declared, "Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12).
It's true that our appearance will change, because God will give us new bodies, similar to Jesus' resurrection body. Those bodies will never grow old or tired, nor will they ever experience pain or suffering or death. As the Bible says, "For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:52). What a glorious promise!
But we will still know each other. When Jesus was transformed into His heavenly glory before the eyes of some of His disciples, "His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light" (Matthew 17:2). And yet His disciples still recognized Him, and so did Moses and Elijah who came from Heaven to speak with Him.
Thank God for our hope of eternal life -- a hope we have only because Jesus Christ died and rose again to take away our sins. This is your hope -- and it can be the hope of every person reading this column, as they turn to Christ and trust Him alone for their salvation.
Often we wonder about heaven and the new relationships that will be there. Will we recognize one another in heaven? Will we know our loved ones? Will they know us? The Bible says the following about this subject.
1. David And His Son
The story of David and his son illustrates the point that we will know our loved ones. After
the child died, David said.
While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, 'Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?' But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me (2 Samuel 12:22,23).
In this statement David is acknowledging the fact that he will someday be united with his son. If David did not think that he would recognize his son in the next life, then there is no reason he would have made this statement.
2. Transfiguration
At the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus:
And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus,' Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah (Mark 9:4,5).
Moses had died centuries before and Elijah was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire. Yet they did not lose their identity, or their ability to be recognized. Without a formal introduction Moses and Elijah were recognized by Jesus' three disciples.
3. Sitting Down With Patriarchs
Jesus mentioned sitting down with the patriarchs in heaven.
And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 8:11).
This demonstrates that each person will keep their individual
identity.
4. Paul's Desire Paul said that part of him wanted to die and be with Christ.
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far (Philippians 1:23).
Paul's desire to be with Christ does not make any sense unless Paul could recognize Him when in His presence.
5. Rich Man And Lazarus
In the
story of the rich man and Lazarus we find the rich man recognizing both Abraham and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). Likewise Abraham recognized the rich man.
6. Jesus Was Recognized
The Bible says that we shall be like Jesus in our resurrected body.
Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when He is revealed, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is (1 John 3:2).
We find from the New Testament that Jesus was recognized after His resurrection. Since His resurrection form was recognizable, so will ours be.
7. Knowledge Greater
Our knowledge in heaven will be greater than it is now, not less.
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Consequently we should be able to recognize one another.
Speaking With The Lord
There is also an indirect reference of people speaking to the Lord in heaven.
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given; they cried out with a loud voice, "Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?" They were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number would be complete both of their fellow servants and of their brothers and sisters, who were soon to be killed as they themselves had been killed (Revelation 6:9-11).
Summary
From these passages it seems clear that, in heaven, we will recognize those whom we love. We will also keep our unique identities. The Bible provides examples of those who had previously died, yet were recognizable in the next world. They include: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.