Will We Know Each Other in Heaven?
He leads me …
The subject of Heaven raises a lot of questions about what it will be like when we get there – especially in terms of whether we will meet family and friends. Fortunately there are some references in the Bible that give us an indication of what to expect.
1. The first ones are in the Old Testament and show that when a person died, he was "gathered to his people" (Gen. 25:8; 35:29; 49:29; Num. 20:24; Judg. 2:10). This means that the person who died was reunited with the family who had already passed away, and they would be with people who they knew.[1]
2. We then find in n Matthew 8:11, Jesus says, ‘that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven’ (NLT).. We see from this that those who are gathered together at the feast will know Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
3. In 1 Thessalonians 2:19 Paul writes to the church at Thessalonica, ‘After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you!’ In saying this, Paul clearly anticipates that relationships formed here on earth will continue in Heaven as well.
4. Paul also writes to the believers in Thessalonica telling them that when Jesus comes again, the believers who have already died will rise to be with Him first. Then, ‘We who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.’(1 Thessalonians 4:17, emphasis added).
From this scripture we see that those of us still living can find comfort knowing that there will be a happy reunion when we come together with those who are already in the presence of the Lord.[2]
5. We also see that after His resurrection, Jesus was recognized by many people including His disciples (John 20:16, 20; 21:12), and since we will get glorified bodies like His at that time (1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 15:49, 53), we can safely believe we will know and recognize family and friends as the disciples and others recognized Jesus.
We will be reunited not only with those who we know, but also with believers from all ages. In Heaven we will all be one loving extended family. The immense size of the family will not matter in the infinite perfection of Heaven. There will be plenty of opportunity to have close relationships with everyone, in a rich, loving fellowship throughout eternity.
There will be no reason to feel awkward in. Heaven because it will seem more secure than even the most special place that we know now. It is created by a tender, loving Saviour to be the place where we will live together in perfect unity - while enjoying Him forever.[3]
The question is sometimes asked, ‘Will we have memories of unsaved family and friends in Heaven?’
We may simply assume that we will always remember our family members and friends who died without knowing Jesus, and as a result we will grieve for them.
However, an interesting comment is made in Isaiah 65:17, ‘Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind…”
Revelation 21 explains further that before the creation of the New Heaven and New Earth, we may possibly know about the existence of our lost loved ones in hell. But once the New Creation is completed, all memory of them will be gone. We will not even know that they are missing.
Revelation 21:3-4 reads, ‘Now the dwelling place of God is with men and he will live with them...He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, “I’m making everything new!”’
This passage suggests that the tears of the saints are wiped away because they do remember those who did not believe in Jesus. Then when the tears are wiped away there is no more weeping or pain. This is when everything becomes new and God wipes away all remembrances of our unsaved relatives at the same time.
The challenge for us now is to show others a life of love and compassion and then these folk are more likely to open up and listen to us about what is really important. Let those around us let us see that we live the words of Paul in Philippians 4:11-13 –
I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (NLT)[4]
Let us finish by reminding ourselves of the love of God which will be a major part of our experience and enjoyment in Heaven for eternity.
How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7 (TLB)
But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15 (TLB)
Give thanks to the God of heaven. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:26 (TLB)
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. Romans 8:38 (TLB)
No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39 (TLB)
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 (TLB) (Emphasis added to each verse)
[1] Will we recognize and be reunited with our loved ones in heaven? Adapted from John MacArthur, The Glory of Heaven (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 1996), 138-41; https://www.gty.org/library/questions/QA100/will-we-recognize-and-be-reunited-with-our-loved-ones-in-heaven
[2] This article is adapted from Pastor Colin’s February 2017 column in Mature Living Magazine; https://unlockingthebible.org/2017/02/will-we-know-each-other-in-heaven/
[3] Adapted from John MacArthur, The Glory of Heaven (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 1996), 138-41; https://www.gty.org/library/questions/QA100/will-we-recognize-and-be-reunited-with-our-loved-ones-in-heaven
[4] Will We Have Memories of Unsaved Family and Friends in Heaven?; Dr. Roger Barrier ;Preach It, Teach It; https://www.crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/ask-roger/will-we-have-memories-of-unsaved-in-heaven.html
