Recognition In Heaven

The recognition by saints of each other in heaven is a subject on which there has been from time to time some difference of opinion, some thinking that we shall not recognize each other, while others have considered that some of the joy of the eternal state would be lacking were saints to be together without knowing one another. In the view of both, there is no difference of mind on the subject of the rapture of saints at beholding the Lord and knowing Him and being enraptured for ever by the manifestation of His glory.

On what is recognition based in this life? It rests upon the diversity of all human beings (we speak not of animals in which the same diversity is to be seen). This difference in personality is expressed in the difference in bodily appearance, especially in the features of the face. It is well known that children of the same family, born of the same parents, are not alike, neither in appearance nor in other respects. What a world of confusion it would be if every human being was exactly alike! Variety is the law of the universe.

Each human being bears the image of Adam, and so will the redeemed bear the image of Christ. This Paul shows in the words, "And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (1 Corinthians 15.49); the earthy and the Heavenly refer to Adam and the Lord. Though we all bear the image of Adam yet there is a difference in each, even so it will be with the saints in glory. This again Paul states in verses 41, 42: "For one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead." All saints will bear Christ's image, but all will be different from each other. On such a fact will rest identification and recognition.

Will there be the memory of persons we have known on earth? The answer to this question must be, Yes. The Lord shows this in the stories of the unjust steward and that of the rich man and Lazarus, in Luke 16. The application of the story of the unjust steward is given in the Lord's words, in verse 9, "Make to yourselves friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when it shall fail, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles." The " eternal tabernacles " are in contrast in the story to the unjust steward being received into the houses of those whose accounts to his master he cut by half in some cases (verse 4). His friends were those he helped, though unjustly. The friends we make are such as we have helped here with money, our own, not other people's money, which the Lord calls the mammon of unrighteousness. Thus saints in glory will receive those who have befriended them remembering both them and their kindness.

The story is in reverse in the case of the rich man and Lazarus. No kindness was shown by the rich man to Lazarus, the poor and much afflicted beggar, he did not seem to get even the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. Death changed all for both. The rich man in the torment of hell recognizes both Lazarus and Abraham, though he saw only their souls. Abraham's mortal dust lay in the cave of Machpelah, and where that of Lazarus was, we know not. In that disembodied state each could remember his past life. Abraham said to the rich man, "Son (Greek, child), remember." Abraham knew the life the rich man had lived. They each could both think and feel.

On the mount of Transfiguration the three apostles knew Moses and Elijah, for Peter said to the Lord, " Let us make three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah" (Luke 9.28-36).

In the day of the Lord's coming to earth, the sons of the kingdom, who will be cast into outer darkness, will see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God (Luke 13.28).

Saints are called upon to obey them that have the rule over them, for their elders, who watch on behalf of their souls, shall give account in regard to them at the judgement-seat of Christ (Hebrews 13.17). This clearly implies memory of past events and the identification of persons.

The apostles were to sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Luke 22.30; Matthew 19.28). It would be a strange scene indeed if these men did not know each other, the memory of past days on earth being entirely obliterated.

That natural relationships shall cease is clearly taught by the Lord, in Matthew 22.30. Saints then shall be as the angels in heaven.

unknown | Jun 1959
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