Know Each Other in Heaven?
There are some universal truths that I believe are accurate for almost all Christians. First, we all want to know more about heaven—what is it going to be like and what will we do? Second, we all want to go there! (Sadly, many people do not want to go “now” because they are comfortable here on Earth or fearful of the unknown.)
Will we know each other in heaven?
Let me begin by admitting the obvious—I have never been to heaven. In fact, I am not going to try to decode the book of Revelation and tell you exactly what I think it is going to be like based on that book.
I believe Paul answered best when he said, “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” I firmly believe heaven will be exponentially better than anything I can put down on paper.
So, will we know each other in heaven? Using Scripture, I believe the answer to this is a resounding “Yes!” I don’t claim to understand fully what that will look like or what our incorruptible bodies will look like, but consider the following passages:
• 2 Samuel 12:23—King King David had a son who died in infancy. When the little boy died, David said, “I’ll go to him” (2 Samuel 12:23). David knew that he would see his son again in the presence of the Lord, and knowing that he would be reunited with the son he loved brought him comfort in his bereavement.
• Genesis 25:8—On the occasion of Abraham’s death we read, “Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people” (Genesis 25:8, emp. added). Noticed he was gathered to his people after his death.
• Matthew 8:11—Jesus healed the Centurion’s servant and marveled at the man’s faith. He went on to say that many will come from the east and the west and recline at table “with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11). Abraham was the father of Isaac and the grandfather of Jacob, and in heaven he enjoys the company of his son and his grandson, while Jacob enjoys the company of his father and his grandfather.
• Matthew 26:29—The night Jesus would be arrested He instituted the Lord’s Supper with His disciples. On that special occasion Jesus told his disciples, “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29, emphasis mine).
The eleven, who shared the Last Supper with Jesus on earth, will eat and drink with him in heaven. Peter, James, John, and the others will be named and known in heaven as clearly as they were named and known on earth.
• Matthew 17:3—When the glory of Jesus was revealed in the transfiguration, we are told that “Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him” (Matthew 17:3). This is fascinating because when Moses and Elijah appeared, they did not have the resurrection body. They were souls made visible, as the angels were made visible to the shepherds, and as the souls under the altar were made visible to John (Revelation 6:9). Furthermore, how did Peter, James, and John know who these men were, they had never met them.
• Luke 16:19-31—This portion of Scripture is a parable about the rich man and Lazarus, and so some would argue we can’t draw anything about heaven from it. However, I believe Jesus—Who had left the throne room of Heaven to come to earth—was peeling back the curtain just a little on what eternity would be like. Notice it says, “And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” (Luke 16:23). The rich man was able to identify Abraham and Lazarus, and conscious enough to remember he had five brothers.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:18-20—In this passage Paul makes it clear that the believers he loved on Earth will be his joy in heaven. Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.” (1 Thessalonians 2:18-19, emp. added). When Paul says this, he clearly anticipates that relationships forged on earth will continue in heaven.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17—When Paul writes to believers who grieve the loss of a loved one, he offers them this comfort: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, emp. added). “Them” refers to Christians’ loved ones who have already died. A wife who grieves the loss of her believing husband has the comfort of knowing that when the Lord comes, she will see him again.
There are additional passages we could look at, but I feel these establish
conclusively that we will know one another in heaven.