Heaven: Will we recognize others we’ve known?
As I’ve mentioned in other articles on this website, God’s people will be in two different places in the afterlife. Some will reside on a new Earth and others will be in Heaven. Believers of today will be in Heaven, but people like Abraham, Moses, David, the Twelve Apostles, and others of that time will live on a new Earth. That’s what they were promised. You may recall what our Lord promised the apostle Peter.
Matthew 19:27-29
27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. [Emphasis added]
That will certainly be a wonderful situation for them and others, but it won’t be Heaven. It is spoken of as a kingdom OF Heaven, but it won’t be IN Heaven. Numerous passages of Scripture speak of this. Here’s one of many—
Matthew 5:3
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom OF heaven. [Emphasis added]
The idea of actually living IN Heaven probably never even crossed the minds of those people. What a blessing it is for us now to already have citizenship there!
Philippians 3:20-21
20 For our conversation [POLITEUO = citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 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. [Emphasis added]
Whether one’s future place of residence is in Heaven or on a new Earth, both will be wonderful. The well-known passage in Revelation speaks of what a pleasant situation the eternal state will be for all God’s people.
Revelation 21:4
4 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. [Emphasis added]
But the details of exactly what Heaven will be like are not given. You’ll find a whole article about this on this website—
You’ll even find other articles of interest there about it.
Heaven: Will those called Israel’s little flock be there?
But our eternal home as ones who are called members of the Body of Christ will be Heaven. The apostle Paul is the only one who got a preview of it, but he was not allowed to talk or write about it. But what he did say is that he preferred to be there instead of here on Earth. He makes some very interesting statements about it that should be a source of great encouragement to all of us.
Philippians 1:20-24
20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. [Emphasis added]
Please pay special attention to his words where he says, “to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.” What a statement! What a source of encouragement that should be to all of us who are believers in Christ! Wouldn’t you like to be with Christ? Many would say yes, but not right now. That’s often only because we know the principle, but we know practically nothing about the details. We’ve not been provided with those. We can only imagine what that will be like.
Ephesians 3:20-21
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. [Emphasis added]
I have found that most people make the false assumption that, if there is such a place as Heaven, surely, we’ll ALL get to go there. At best that is only wishful thinking. I’ve even known some people who have a correct understanding of much of the Bible to get this wrong. So, beware! I have numerous articles about all this on this website, so, please read through them if you have any doubts or questions about this. Here are the names of some—
Hell: Will the suffering last forever?
Hell: Are there degrees of punishment?
Heaven and Hell: Are they both FOREVER?
Hell: What does the apostle Paul teach about it?
Hell: Does God pick and choose who’s going there?
Heaven and Hell: How can a person qualify to gain entrance into Heaven?
Just put a key word or two in the website search box and tap your enter key. Links to several or all of these should then pop up.
Recognition of fellow believers in Heaven is a principle that transcends all the ages. We have examples of this in Scripture. For instance, King Saul recognized the prophet Samuel when God allowed him to return from Paradise years after his death. Then we also have the story of the rich man who recognized Lazarus as it is recorded in Luke 16. And that story is not a parable. No personal names are ever given in parables. That rich man is still suffering in hell today. We also have the apostle Paul teaching us that we’ll recognize people in Heaven.
Philippians 3:20-21
20 For our conversation [POLITEUO = citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 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. [Emphasis added]
Couldn’t Christ recognize people in His resurrection body? Because our resurrection body will be like His, we, too, will be able to easily recognize people. As He recognized us, we, too, will be able to recognize others.
John 20:15-21
15 Jesus saith unto her [Mary], Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. [Emphasis added]
Because the apostle Thomas was not present on this occasion, he didn’t believe the other apostles when they told him about Christ’s appearance to them. We have the record of all that and what then happened a few days later.
John 20:24-30
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: [Emphasis added]
What a marvelous story this is! All of it is here to give each of us confidence about our future. As we’re each known by our names now, we’ll be known by them then. We will all still have our identity as ones who were saved by the grace of God. Don’t we all need to be zealous in sharing with others this good news, the gospel message, so that others can have such a marvelous future?
