Will we recognize each other in Heaven? Biblically Based Answers Please?

Question

I have always believed we will but I need some scriptures to back it up. Other than Luke 16:19-30.

Answer 1

In heaven, both in the intermediate state and on the New Earth, we will know each other, including those we knew on earth. Here's some evidence:

1. Heaven will not reduce our mental capacities, but sharpen them (1 Cor. 13:12). We will not be dumber in heaven, but smarter. Scripture gives no indication of a "memory wipe" that will cause us not to recognize our loved ones and others we've known. If we wouldn't know our loved ones, the consolation of afterlife reunion in 1 Thes. 4:14-18 would be nonexistent.

2. After his resurrection, Jesus was not recognized at first on a few occasions (John 20:15; Luke 24:15-16), suggesting some change in appearance. After being with him awhile, his disciples suddenly recognized him (John 20:16; Luke 24:31). This suggests that despite any outer appearance change, the inner identity of the person may shine through, especially to eyes enlightened by heaven.

3. In Matt.17:1-4, at the transfiguration, Moses and Elijah were recognized by the disciples, even though they weren't told who they were, and they couldn't have previously known what they looked like. This may suggest we could recognize instantly people we know of but have not previously met, perhaps as a result of individual personality emanating through their physical appearance.

4. Even apart from the direct indications of Scripture cited above and below, it would logically follow that we would know our loved ones in heaven. We will know some we didn't know on earth—but surely we will still know all those we did! We don't lose knowledge in heaven—we gain it! The nature of love itself is abiding in a way that transcends death (1 Cor. 13:13). While we will no doubt lose interest in and choose not to recall many things that attracted us on earth, the shared experience of loving relationships forges a camaraderie parallel to that of soldiers who have served together in the trenches, and who never forget what they experienced together in that foreign land called earth.

Answer 2

Yes. The Thessalonian Christians were apparently very concerned about their Christian loved ones who had died. They expressed their concern to the apostle Paul. So, in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, Paul deals with the "dead in Christ" and assures the Thessalonian Christians that there will indeed be a reunion. And yes, believers will recognize their loved ones in the eternal state.
We are told in 2 Samuel 12:23 that David knew he would be reunited with his deceased son in heaven. He had no doubt about recognizing him. As well when Moses and Elijah (who had long passed from earthly life) appeared to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mat 17:1-8), they were recognized by all who were present. Furthermore, in Jesus' story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31, the rich man, Lazarus, and Abraham were all recognized by each other in the intermediate state.

Answer 3

I am sorry that I do not have at my fingertips, some scriptures to back up what I am about to say. I do know that we will recognize one another in Heaven. Thing is though, we will have no need to pick up where we left off with relationships with each other because when we are in Heaven, we will be so in awe of the amazing power and majesty of God that we will be focused only on Him and on utter joy and happiness that Heaven provides, in and of itself, with or without our loved ones.

Answer 4

Why restrict all truth to what's written between two covers of a book? Do you need to believe only what is written in the Bible? Do you think that maybe... there are some things God has not revealed or didn't cause to be recorded in the Bible? (Sorry for my blunt answer, but I don't see why you need scriptures to back up every single thing you believe). By the way, I do believe we will recognize each other, too, but I can't think of any scriptures at the moment.

Answer 5

Yes we will know each other in Heaven. I think most Christians believe that. (other faiths do too)

But we will not remain married to the same person. Nor will we have the family relationships that we do on Earth.

We will be neither male nor female. That's in the Bible. To me, this suggests that we will be totally spiritual beings. It will be a life that will not bear much resemblance to this world. Although there will be some similiarities, as there are parts of the Bible that describe Heaven as a physical place.

Answer 6

Yes. One example would be the first child from the union of David and Bathsheba which 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 mine?

After the final judgment I fully expect to "see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God" (Luke 13:28). I shall see them in the same way I shall see Jesus (1 John 3:2) and His Father (Rev. 22:4). The same Greek word for "see" is used in all three verses.

Answer 7

There are no answers in Holy Scripture - but from what IS written, we can guess.

I say yes. My reason...?

In LUKE 16:19-31 is the story of the rich man and Lazarus and the gulf that separates them. But a study of those verses will show that the rich man had all his faculties. He could feel, see, hear, and remember.

Now...I know that this is technically a parable showing a glimpse of "paradise" - and not "heaven" - but I think the same would apply. After death is after death...

If you say it is a parable, that changes nothing, because its main purpose is a glimpse into the future state of the dead. All appear to be conscious of their surroundings. Memory is retained.

Answer 8

Yes I think so. Jesus said....Matthew 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

So why would Jesus say we will sit down with them if we don't know who they are? More likely he would just have said many from the east and west will go to heaven. There wont be marriages but yes I have every reason to believe we will know one another in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Hope this helps..God Bless Cap'n Arlo

Answer 9

I had a dream the morning that my dad died. I saw him with Jesus. It looked just like him but he was about 30. He was glowing with the presence of God. I believe that we will recognize each other as we know one another here on earth. We will just have a better look.

Answer 10

I believe we will. If we are to "become as He is" (the risen Christ, and His disciples recognized Him after His resurrection, why wouldn't we be recognized by those who knew us as well?

1 John 3: 2--"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."