Will There Be Recognition in Heaven?
by Pastor Paul M. Sadler
There are two notable distinctions between the two programs of God regarding the hereafter, both of which have to do with the hope
of believers. In the twenty-third Psalm, David, whose hope was earthly,
was willing to go, but wanting to stay. Contrariwise, the Apostle Paul
taught that believers today have a heavenly hope, and as a result, he
was willing to stay for the sake of the Church, but longing to go, which
he knew would be much better (Phil. 1:23,24).
A
book could be written on misconceptions about heaven. The majority of
these have been handed down from generation to generation, but they have
absolutely no Scriptural basis. Here are some common examples: we will
one day become angels in heaven; Peter stands at the pearly gates to
determine who will enter; we will float on clouds, playing harps for
eternity; there will not be recognition in heaven. These are well-known
folklores that Satan uses to divert attention away from the Word of God.
In
the eyes of the world, most everyone who dies goes to heaven. But the
fact of the matter is that only those who place their faith in Christ
will be the eternal residents of this glorious realm. But will we know
one another there?
Recognition
in the hereafter is a principle that transcends all the ages and
dispensations, whether we're talking about the disembodied state or
after the resurrection. For example, Saul knew Samuel when God allowed
the prophet to return from paradise years after his death. The rich man
of Luke 16 recognized Lazarus, who appeared with Abraham, and requested
that the patriarch send Lazarus with some water to cool his tongue.
Paul also makes a strong case that we will know one another in the hereafter. The apostle says to the saints at Philippi,
"For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body" (Phil. 3:20,21).
This
particular passage substantiates that our identity will be preserved in
the resurrection. After our Lord was resurrected from the dead, He
appeared to His disciples in the upper room. When He entered the room,
He first calmed their fears with words with which they were very
familiar: "Peace be unto you!" They immediately recognized the Lord and
rejoiced when they saw Him (John 20:19-21).
Afterward the disciples shared the good news with Thomas, who was not present that day, that they had seen
the Lord. Thomas, however, refused to believe it until he saw the nail
prints in His hands. Eight days later, the Lord appeared again to His
disciples, but this time Thomas was present. When he saw the Lord, he
was so overwhelmed by the visitation that he declared, "My Lord and my God!"
There was no question whatsoever in Thomas' mind that he had seen the
Savior and undoubtedly touched the nail prints in His hands, prints that
will forever be a reminder of His death at Calvary (John 20:24-29).
Now,
if our Lord's identity was preserved in the resurrection and the
brethren recognized Him, then the same will be true of us. This
conclusion is based on the fact that our vile bodies will be "fashioned
like unto His glorious body" in the coming resurrection. If the Lord's
followers recognized Him, there is no doubt that we will recognize one
another in the hereafter. Further evidence is presented by Paul a little
later in the epistle:
"And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life" (Phil. 4:3).
What's
in a name? The importance of this question cannot be overstated. Of
course, we use names to distinguish one person from another. In biblical
times, names had specific meanings attached to them, some of which were
in fulfillment of prophecy. Today, as in time past, our names are set
in stone; they will be with us for time and eternity. If there isn't
recognition in heaven, as some teach, why would there need to be names
in eternity? Clearly the names of Euodias, Syntyche, Clement, and the
other fellow workers of Paul, are all recorded in the Book of Life. The
reason our names are recorded there is that we will be known in the
resurrection by name and appearance, even as we are known here.
I
look forward to seeing those with whom I've had the privilege of
ministering the Word, along with all my family members and friends who
believed the gospel. You won't have trouble finding me at that day; I'll
be the tall one in the background. Yes, even our stature, voice,
personality and mannerisms will all be preserved. See you there!
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Les Feldick Ministries
30706 W. Lona Valley Rd.
Kinta, OK 74552
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