Will we recognize anyone when in heaven?

[Carbon]

Will we recognize our loved ones and friends in heaven?

 

[Carbon]

Personally, I believe the parable about the rich man and Lazarus is a good indication we will.

 

[Odë:hgöd]

.

Will we recognize our loved ones and friends in heaven?

I think that might depend quite a bit upon how old they were the last time we saw
them and how old they are now.

There's also a bit of a mystery about people's existence in Heaven seeing as how
they left their bodies here when they died and no one yet except Jesus is up there
with a resurrected body. So then what are they using for a body up there now while
waiting for the resurrection per 1Thess 4:15-17?
_

 

[Carbon]

.I think that might depend quite a bit upon how old they were the last time we saw
them and how old they are now.

Hmmmm.... Good point. I haven't considered that.

There's also a bit of a mystery about people's existence in Heaven seeing as how
they left their bodies here when they died and no one yet except Jesus is up there
with a resurrected body. So then what are they using for a body up there now while
waiting for the resurrection per 1Thess 4:15-17?
_

Another great point.

 

[Marilyn C]

Personally, I believe the parable about the rich man and Lazarus is a good indication we will.

As a parable it is only a pictorial representation of the truth that some would be with Christ while others not. The rich man wanted water, whereas those in hell will not have bodies to even want water. However, it does show that they will be tormented like being thirsty.

Now God`s word does say we will be like Him, and there is no male or female, but the `new man. ` That meaning we will be like Christ with male and female characters - the full character but not earthly sexual differences.

As to knowing others, only the Christ-likeness will come through the `fire` so nothing of the human we were on this earth.

`Beloved, now we are children of God: and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.` (1 John 3: 2)

`When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but them face to face. Now i know in part, but then I SHALL KNOW AS I ALSO AM KNOWN. ` (1 Cor. 13: 11 & 12)

 

[Instant]

I believe that we will. Jesus mentioned knowing Abraham in Heaven and he met with Moses and Elijah. I fully expect to know friends and loved ones in Heaven.

 

[Marilyn C]

I believe that we will. Jesus mentioned knowing Abraham in Heaven and he met with Moses and Elijah. I fully expect to know friends and loved ones in Heaven.

I don`t think Jesus said that. Have you a scripture?

 

[Instant]

I don`t think Jesus said that. Have you a scripture?

Certainly. In John 8:56, Jesus said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it and was glad." Abraham did know that Jesus was coming in the distant future when he was alive on earth but did not actually see it when he walked the earth. Jesus is the God of the living, not the dead, so that is what I meant. I believe that Abraham saw it in Heaven.

As for Moses and Elijah, they met with Jesus in Matthew 17:3. "And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him." In 1 Corinthians 13:12, it says, "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."

If we are not known as we are on earth, how will we be known? I realize we are going to be given a new name, but that is no different than Jesus giving Simon the name Peter or Saul having his name changed to Paul or even Abram becoming Abraham and Sarai becoming Sarah. Based on these scriptures, and just common sense, I must conclude we will be known and recognized in Heaven, but we will be as the angels. Even the angels have names and are recognized by them, like Gabriel and Michael. If angels are known by their names and identities, and we will be like the angels, wouldn't we be known?

 

[Marilyn C]

Certainly. In John 8:56, Jesus said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it and was glad." Abraham did know that Jesus was coming in the distant future when he was alive on earth but did not actually see it when he walked the earth. Jesus is the God of the living, not the dead, so that is what I meant. I believe that Abraham saw it in Heaven.

As for Moses and Elijah, they met with Jesus in Matthew 17:3. "And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him." In 1 Corinthians 13:12, it says, "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."

If we are not known as we are on earth, how will we be known? I realize we are going to be given a new name, but that is no different than Jesus giving Simon the name Peter or Saul having his name changed to Paul or even Abram becoming Abraham and Sarai becoming Sarah. Based on these scriptures, and just common sense, I must conclude we will be known and recognized in Heaven, but we will be as the angels. Even the angels have names and are recognized by them, like Gabriel and Michael. If angels are known by their names and identities, and we will be like the angels, wouldn't we be known?

Some interesting thoughts there. Now I was asking where was the scripture concerning Jesus knowing Abraham in heaven. I see that you logically come from `God of the living, not the dead.` Then there is the thought that `those asleep in Christ ` come with Him at the gathering together. That is the Body of Christ of those who died and went to heaven, their spirits.

Then we read in Heb. 12: 23 of the `spirits of just men, `(righteous men and women). These are the OT saints. They are described separate from the Body of Christ. However, what I am pointing to is that they are all spirits and possibly `asleep,` meaning they are not seeing, hearing, walking etc. Thus, I don`t see Abraham seeing Jesus when he (Abraham) is in heaven.

As to `knowing ourselves.` friends of ours have had this discussion and it is something we all will find out when we are there. Still, a few indicators that we won`t be like our earthly selves but like Christ, (1 John 3: 2) and that `the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.` (Isa. 65: 17)

Then we think, ` wont I know myself? ` I suggest that as adults we don`t think as we were as a child, then that is similar to being in our new bodies. (1 Cor. 13: 11 & 12)

 

[Instant]

Some interesting thoughts there. Now I was asking where was the scripture concerning Jesus knowing Abraham in heaven. I see that you logically come from `God of the living, not the dead.` Then there is the thought that `those asleep in Christ ` come with Him at the gathering together. That is the Body of Christ of those who died and went to heaven, their spirits.

Then we read in Heb. 12: 23 of the `spirits of just men, `(righteous men and women). These are the OT saints. They are described separate from the Body of Christ. However, what I am pointing to is that they are all spirits and possibly `asleep,` meaning they are not seeing, hearing, walking etc. Thus, I don`t see Abraham seeing Jesus when he (Abraham) is in heaven.

As to `knowing ourselves.` friends of ours have had this discussion and it is something we all will find out when we are there. Still, a few indicators that we won`t be like our earthly selves but like Christ, (1 John 3: 2) and that `the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.` (Isa. 65: 17)

Then we think, ` wont I know myself? ` I suggest that as adults we don`t think as we were as a child, then that is similar to being in our new bodies. (1 Cor. 13: 11 & 12)

I am not a believer in soul sleep. I believe that when the Bible speaks of a person sleeping, it means their body, but their soul is in Heaven. As such, I do believe Abraham knows Jesus in Heaven and saw his day that way.

 

[prism]

To remember a person would be to remember their deeds, which would mean we would be reminded of sin... unless anyone here wants to claim 'perfection', in the here and now.

 

[Fred]

Will we recognize our loved ones and friends in heaven?

I believe the Bible teaches that we will.

Peter recognized both Moses and Elijah when Christ was transfigured before all of them (Matthew 17:2), which points to the future glorified state of all believers.

 

[Carbon]

I believe the Bible teaches that we will.

Peter recognized both Moses and Elijah when Christ was transfigured before all of them (Matthew 17:2), which points to the future glorified state of all believers.

But he never physically met Moses and Elijah, I assume Jesus told him?
Even so, good point.

 

[Fred]

But he never physically met Moses and Elijah, I assume Jesus told him?
Even so, good point.

Perhaps this is what the future glorified state of all believers will be.

 

[Marilyn C]

I believe the Bible teaches that we will.

Peter recognized both Moses and Elijah when Christ was transfigured before all of them (Matthew 17:2), which points to the future glorified state of all believers.

Moses and Elijah are kept by God for a special purpose. Peter was on earth and Moses and Elijah appeared in their natural body. They will die though as the two witnesses.

 

[Augustin56]

Yes, we will recognize everyone we knew, and even relatives we never knew.

Also, when we die, God gives us a new name, known only to Him and us. (Rev. 2:17, if I recall...)

 

[Carbon]

Yes, we will recognize everyone we knew, and even relatives we never knew.

Scripture?

Also, when we die, God gives us a new name, known only to Him and us. (Rev. 2:17, if I recall...)

 

[Augustin56]

Scripture?

Not Scripture, but studying NDE cases, where people clinicially died (no EKG, no EEG, no breathing, no gag reflex, pupils fixed and dilated - dead in every medical sense) and they came back. Thousands of cases over the world, documented by medical personnel. The individuals reported a fairly set of common experiences, such as floating out of their body, being able to see and hear (even those born blind or deaf from birth!), going through a dark tunnel towards a light, then feeling an overwhelming feeling of love, seeing Jesus, an angel, a dead relative (some of whom died before them, but they "knew" without a doubt who they were), etc. I got interested in NDE studies as an apologetics tool against those who refuse to believe in God, heaven, etc. They can't explain this away.

 

[Carbon]

Not Scripture, but studying NDE cases, where people clinicially died (no EKG, no EEG, no breathing, no gag reflex, pupils fixed and dilated - dead in every medical sense) and they came back. Thousands of cases over the world, documented by medical personnel. The individuals reported a fairly set of common experiences, such as floating out of their body, being able to see and hear (even those born blind or deaf from birth!), going through a dark tunnel towards a light, then feeling an overwhelming feeling of love, seeing Jesus, an angel, a dead relative (some of whom died before them, but they "knew" without a doubt who they were), etc. I got interested in NDE studies as an apologetics tool against those who refuse to believe in God, heaven, etc. They can't explain this away.

Thanks for sharing but I have to disagree with you on that being a reliable source.

 

[Augustin56]

Thanks for sharing but I have to disagree with you on that being a reliable source.

No problem, my friend. I have no issue with you or anyone disgreeing with me.