WILL WE KNOW EACH OTHER IN
HEAVEN?
If you are a Christian at some time in your life you have thought about the great question, "Will I recognize my friends and loved ones when I get to heaven?" In death's dark hour, can we comfort and console the relatives of those who "died in the Lord" with the hope of a future reunion in heaven? Or, when the funeral director closes the casket, is this in truth the hour of final departure? While the Bible does not directly ask this question, the human heart does. I believe the Scriptures teach that we will know and recognize one another in heaven.
Heavenly Recognition in the Old Testament
An encouraging oft-repeated refrain in the Old Testament substantiates the
doctrine of Heavenly Recognition:
Abraham died at the age of 175. Moses records his death with these words: “Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah,....“ (Genesis 25:8-9). Notice the sequence: “he died, was gathered to his people, then his body was buried in the cave.” Abraham was now with his people.
This phrase, "gathered to his people," is found recorded at the death of several Old Testament notables, such as:
•Ishmael - “And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an
hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was
gathered unto his people.” (Genesis 25:17)
•Isaac - “And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his
people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.”
(Genesis 35:29)
•Jacob - “And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up
his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his
people.” (Genesis 49:33)
•Aaron - “Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into
the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled
against my word at the water of Meribah.” (Numbers 20:24)
•Moses - “And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy
people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his
people:” (Deuteronomy 32:50)
•Josiah - “Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt
be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil
which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.” (2
Kings 22:20)
The destiny of Moses is further described in Deuteronomy 31:16 when God said, "Behold, you will rest with your fathers." This could not possibly refer to his physical body of Moses, for it was buried "in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor" (Deut. 34:6).
Not only do we read of individuals being
"gathered" to their
people, but after the death of Joshua we find an entire
"generation had been
gathered to their fathers" (Judges 2:10).
"Gathered" Defined
What does it mean to be gathered to your people? "Gathered" is defined as "to be collected, gathered together used of entering into Hades, where the Hebrews regarded their ancestors as being gathered together. This gathering to one's fathers, or one's people is distinguished both from death and burial" (Gesenius' Hebrew And Chaldee Lexicon, p. 626).
William Wilson commented, "To be gathered to his fathers, is a peculiar phrase deserving notice; it is distinguished from death which precedes, and from burial of the body which follows: Gen. 25:8; 35:29; 2 Kings 22:20. It seems to denote the being received by his own people, or among them. We read in the N.T. of being received into Abraham's bosom, or of sitting down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven, as at a feast; so that to be gathered to his own people, is to be with them in joy or torment in Hades" (Wilson's Old Testament Word Studies, p. 182).
Abraham has been "gathered to his people" until that day when his dust shall live again at the sound of the last trumpet, and all the buried dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God. When Isaac and Ishmael were "gathered to their people," did they recognize their own father, Abraham? It would be foolish to deny they did.
It was a source of comfort when the prophetess Huldah told the good King Josiah he would be "gathered to his fathers" (2 Kings 22:20). But what comfort would there be if he could not recognize his "fathers"? Was he to dwell in eternity, among his own family, as a total stranger?
In 1 Samuel 28 we find the account of Saul and the woman at Endor. This woman earned her living as a medium, one who conducts seances. It is not my purpose here to discuss how she obtained these powers, or even if they were real. During her seance with the king, Samuel the prophet appeared and rebuked Saul. He said, "Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me." This passage does not simply refer to a physical death. It teaches that Saul and his sons would be in Hades, the unseen abode of departed spirits, and they would be there with Samuel, in his presence.
Heavenly Recognition in the New Testament
The scene on the Mount of Transfiguration is generally accepted as strong evidence of Heavenly Recognition. After death the spirit is clothed with a Heavenly body that is recognizable. This fact was in evidence when Jesus took Peter, James, and John up into the Holy Mount. As Heaven shone forth in celestial radiance, there appeared before Jesus and His disciples Moses and Elijah.
These two Old Testament saints did not appear as angels or ghosts, but, Luke says: “And behold there talked with Him two men, which were Moses and Elias” (Luke 9:30). Not only were Moses and Elijah recognizable by our Lord, but they were known to the disciples also.
Peter certainly knew them, for he said: “Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles: one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias” (verse 33). When we recall how the disciples with earthly, limited vision could recognize the two saints from Heaven, certainly when we arrive there in our glorified bodies and with heavenly vision, we will be able to recognize those with whom we associated on earth.
When the rich man died and went to Hell, “He lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom” (Luke 16:23). Here is a case that proves both recognition and remembrance in the future life. If, in the abode of the lost with its limitations of spiritual wisdom and perception, there is feeling for and recognition of loved ones, how much greater will be the affinity and knowledge of our loved ones in the eternal Home of the redeemed where awareness is not limited!
Heaven is revealed as a social place, where enjoyment and fellowship are set forth under the figure of a feast. Jesus said: “And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11). Assuredly, the patriarchs and prophets knew each other at this holy festival, and so will the saved from every quarter of the earth.
The Apostle Paul believed and taught that Heaven was a place of mutual recognition for the children of God. In his first Epistle to the Thessalonians, Paul wrote: “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? For ye are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20).
There is no mistaking what Paul had in mind. He fully expected to meet the converts from Thessalonica in Heaven, and furthermore, he looked forward to being able to distinguish them from others who had found Christ during the years of his ministry. By the Holy Spirit, Paul taught also that those who were saved under his teaching and preaching would know him. He says, “As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus” (2 Corinthians 1:14).
Elsewhere Paul speaks of “the whole family in heaven and earth” (Ephesians 3:15). Heaven is our home, and all who go there are one family with God as their Father. How sad if we had to live throughout eternity as strangers! It would not be home.
But we take courage and press on hopefully,
“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” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Today our knowledge
is confined to the revelation that God has given us, and how we do praise Him
for that marvelous revelation in His Word! But in that day--“face to face!” Our
blessed hope! Face to face with family and friends whom we have loved and long
since lost. But more wonderful still we shall see Him as He is, “face to face.”
Objections Considered
When we speak of future recognition, some skeptic will usually ask, "Would you be happy in heaven knowing some of your friends or relatives were not there?" Instead of helping our problem, this question increases it. If I cannot recognize any of my loved ones in heaven, then I would be forever uncertain if any of them made it there!
Another objection sometimes raised is based on Matthew 22:30, where Jesus said, “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.“ But, this passage proves my point. The angels of heaven surely know and recognize each other; some are even mentioned by name in the Bible.
We will not have a physical marriage in heaven, for we will be "married" to the Lamb of God. “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” (Rev. 19:7-9).
Our Present Hope
The first child from the union of David and Bathsheba died after a week of suffering (2 Samuel 12:15-23). Grief stricken David, with his child yet unburied, said, "Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." What comfort could David have of being with his child again if he could not distinguish his child from another?
After the final judgment I fully expect to "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. " (Luke 13:28).
God's people often sing the beautiful song, "Shall We Gather At The River." In it, we bid our brothers and sisters in Christ to look for us on the margin of the river of life, when our earthly journey is completed. We will "gather with the saints at the river, that flows by the throne of God."
If We Never Meet Again This Side Of Heaven
Soon we’ll come to the end of life’s journey
And perhaps we’ll never meet anymore
Till we gather in heaven’s bright city
Far away on that beautiful shore
If we never meet again this side of heaven
As we struggle through this world and its strife
There’s another meeting place somewhere in heaven
By the side of the river of life
Where the charming roses bloom, forever
And where separations come no more
If we never meet again this side of heaven
I will meet you on that beautiful shore
Oh so often we are parted with sorrow
Benedictions often quicken our pain
But we never shall sorrow in heaven
God be with you till we meet again
If we never meet again this side of heaven
As we struggle through this world and its strife
There’s another meeting place somewhere in heaven
By the side of the river of life
Where the charming roses bloom, forever
And where separations come no more
If we never meet again this side of heaven
I will meet you on that beautiful shore