Edited 12/8/23.
Will we know each other in Heaven?
The arguments in favor of knowing each other in heaven can be found in Scriptures. Immediately after Eve was taken from Adam, he recognized her immediately,
Genesis 2:23, “Adam said, this is now bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
On the Mt. of Transfiguration, Peter, James and John immediately knew Moses and Elias, who had lived many hundreds of years before. Peter said, Matthew 17:4, “Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.”
Jesus speaks of the redeemed who were from all nations, sitting down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 8:11, Jesus said, “Many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.” Also,
Luke 13:28-30, Jesus said, “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. — And behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.”
The redeemed shall know one another in Heaven, as they are joined together in one wonderful assembly.
The apostle Paul writes,
2 Corinthians 1:14, “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.”
Some of the Corinthians recognized and acknowledged the apostles, others did not. As they had been known in the Corinthian church, we will know them in heaven as they shall know us.
Philippians 4:1, “Dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord.” Hold fast in this life, for the dangers are many. Glorify God and receive the Crown of eternal life in the day of the Lord.
This goes with, Philippians 3:20-21, “Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.”
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, “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.”
The word crown in the above is the prize conferred on victors in the public games and elsewhere, a chaplet, wreath.
1 Corinthians 9:25, “Every man that striveth (competes for the prize) for the mastery is temperate (has self control) in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown: but we an incorruptible.”
As a metaphor, an emblem of the rewards of a future life, as in prize, a reward.
2 Timothy 4:8, “There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.”
James 1:12, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised, to them that love Him.”
1 Peter 5:4, “When the chief Shepherd (Jesus) shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
Revelation 2:10, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
Revelation 3:11, “Behold, I (Jesus) come quickly, hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Compare with,
Jeremiah 13:18, “Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down,(rule shall collapse,) even the crown of your glory.” And,
Lamentations 5:16, “the crown has fallen from our heads: woe unto us, that we have sinned!”
Luke 16:9, Jesus said, “make to yourselves friends of the mammon (wealth) of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail (die) they may receive you into everlasting habitations.”
The mammon of riches and injustice:
Great wealth promises much but delivers little. Wealth may bring a temporary joy, hope and confidence to those who acquire it, but moths and rust eat and turn to dust, the things of this world.
To seek after, to depend wholly on the things and pleasures money acquire, will rob us of the salvation put forth, and the eternal glory that is offered by Jesus Christ. We will either be under the law of money, or under the grace of God. Your choice will determine the place of your everlasting habitation.
Verse 9, is put into opposition to verse 11, “If ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?” So, to serve both God and mammon is highly impossible. God will judge the foolish things of this world and reward the wise.
So, in conclusion, if you choose to serve God, “When ye fail,” meaning, when you die, “They may receive you into everlasting habitations.” Those who have been faithful with the use of the gifts and graces which they have received will be welcomed by the angels of heaven and come into the glory promised.
To believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, to help the poor, to visit the elderly, to encourage others, this is true faith, coupled with loving kindness.
Will our loved ones be there?
If not, will we miss their presence? These natural relationships, this intimacy with our loved ones, and friends here on earth will pale to that which will be given to us. If those close to us on earth are not admitted into God’s kingdom, it will NOT make us uneasy, disturbed, or sorrowful. For the Lord of Glory, His angels, and our brothers and sisters will be unto us, an everlasting habitation.
This old form of natural intimacy will cease in heaven, for it shall pass away. We will no longer look through a dark glass, but we will receive a superior relationship, a more perfect holiness, a new and more wonderful kinship with our Lord Jesus Christ.
With those who are in heaven, we will cry out together with joy, when God pours out His wrath upon the unjust, upon the enemies of Christ,
Revelation 16:5-7, We will cry out, “Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus, and I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.”
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com