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Think We Will Know Others in Heaven?

Discussion in '2003 Archive' started by JIMNSC, Jan 3, 2003.

  1. JIMNSC

    JIMNSC New Member

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    Baptist Believer's earlier post on "what is the first thing you want to do when you get to heaven?" brought this to mind, but I didn't want to get into a different subject there. A search in several applicable forums did not reveal this subject previously being discussed but I am not certain if it has/has not.

    So, what do you think? Will we know our loved ones in heaven? Please indicate if your answer is supported by scripture or is a "gut feeling."

    I have an opinion but will save it for later.

    Your friend - Jim
     
  2. TheOliveBranch

    TheOliveBranch New Member

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    I don't believe we will know. Matt 22:30
    The disciples did't recognize Jesus after he rose
    Lu 24:16
    We will be raised in inncorruption and of a heavenly body ICor15:51
    Wiping away tears, no sorrow, crying, nor pain is an erasing of memoryRev 21:4

    This isn't really very strong text proof, but to not remember each other would make life, as it will be, capable of worship for Him totally. His glory will overcome us.

    But on the other hand, names will be written on the gates of the walls of the city, in which all will be able to pass thru. Also, our names are written in the Book of Life. Good question.
     
  3. Molly

    Molly New Member

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    I tend to agree with the olive branch,but I really don't know...share your opinions......

    [ January 03, 2003, 01:02 PM: Message edited by: Molly ]
     
  4. JIMNSC

    JIMNSC New Member

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    Although I have heard many a preacher say we would know each other in heaven, I tend to agree with you Olive Branch. I preface all my following remarks with “I really don’t know for sure because I have never been there.”

    Just a few thoughts as well as additional scriptures. 1)If we will have recollection of our earthly days, how in the world would a mother not grieve knowing she had children who didn’t make it? 2)Revelation 2:17 says those who overcome will be given a stone with a new name on it that no one knows except the one who receives it. 3)Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

    Maybe my question should have been – “Will we know each other in “eternity?” [​IMG]

    A friend - Jim
     
  5. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    In reality, notta clue.

    But, I know I'd LIKE to see those who have gone before me, and I'd like to see those who come after me.
     
  6. Karen

    Karen Active Member

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    Yes, see I. Cor. 13:12.
    NIV: "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
    No, it does not specifically state that it is talking about others. And there is no single proof-text.
    Heaven is beyond our comprehension and is not merely a nicer version of here. Yet I believe the whole tenor of Scripture, including Hebrews 12:1, is that this life has purpose and meaning and is more than a cast-off dream. The whole concept of the resurrection of the body seems to me to imply more than earlier posts here say.

    C.S. Lewis in The Great Divorce portrays nicely in an allegorical fashion, how the saved in Heaven can be aware of those in Hell and not be consumed with sorrow for eternity. They see with more clarity, not less.

    In Heaven, we are not expunged, we see more clearly. To have no memory as you suggest is to ultimately say that we are created new in Heaven, looking around on a crowd of similarly unaware individuals. Yet it is I who am going. And who I am now and what I am going through now is in SOME sense helping to prepare me and has some ultimate meaning. I do look forward to meeting my son and others who are already there. We will have resurrected bodies in Heaven, which in some way encompasses who we are now into something grander, not just a ticket to wake up new. Yet we will not be preoccupied with what has happened here, we will be in the Glorious Presence of the One Who died for us.

    Karen
     
  7. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    I really don't know, and don't know that we can know for sure. But I did first think of the same verse Karen used then saw her post, so I would lean toward her answer.
    edited for spelling

    [ January 03, 2003, 05:40 PM: Message edited by: kate B...007 ]
     
  8. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    John 3:16 (KJV1873):


    For God so loved the world, that he gave
    his only begotten Son, that whosoever
    believeth in him should not perish,
    but have everlasting life.


    I was born again by Jesus when i confessed
    that Jesus was my Lord. Jesus became not
    only my Lord but also my Savior. Now i
    shall NOT PERISH and will have everlasting life.

    By the simple, easy to understand meaning of
    the term "not perish", i see that my personality
    will never persish. This is NOT because of anything
    i've done but is everything that Jesus has done.
    If i get to the point where nobody knows who
    i am, then i have perished. But this proof text
    says i'll NOT PERISH. Therefore there must always
    be someplace where i'll exist and i will still be
    me. And people will recognize me. And it will be
    this way FOREVER. Everlasting life means forever.

    Now let me talk about forever. That is a long time [​IMG]
    And let me borrow a truth from set theory
    (mathematical truth).

    An infinite set can be divided into any finite number
    of infinite subsets.

    Example 1: The counting numbers {1,2,3,4,5 ... }
    ( the ... means continues on in the same
    manner infinitely)
    can be divided three subsets by noting the remainder
    when the counting numbers are divided by 3.

    Remainder 0: {3, 6, 9, 12, ... }
    Remainder 1: {1, 4, 7, 10, 13 ... }
    Remainder 2: (2, 5, 8, 11, 14, ... }

    So enternity can be divided into subsets,
    based upon time unit.
    Say there are a Billion people in heaven,
    each one can spend there year alone with Jesus.
    Oh, it will be a Billion years before you might
    get you year alone with Jesus. But those years
    are without end. So we could take the set
    of years in eternity (an infitine set) and divide
    them into a finite number of subsets (years
    i get to spend with Jesus).

    Just think of it, you get to spend eternity alone
    with Jesus. You also get to spend eternity
    with your favorite Christian! And you get
    to spend enternity with that Brother/Sister you
    don't like at all :( Methinks it behoves us
    each to love our Brother and Sister now,
    for we get to spend eternity with them. :D

    Also, i was thinking of the great choirs
    in heaven. I'm not to much at singing now.
    But there can only be a finite number of
    choirs in heaven, yes again, each choiir
    i belong to will sing FOREVER! [​IMG]
     
  9. Me2

    Me2 New Member

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    I say Yes we will recognize all aquaintances..

    whats more important is who remembers what ?

    not all saved people will have the luxury of being able to remember their life....

    In our lives as christians..the biggest hurtle that we "learn" to overcome, is in recognizing error and repenting. letting the error be lifted off our shoulders and given to God for him to determine what need to be done...

    Well,.. do you think God is going to snap his holy fingers and all your troubles disappear.

    Aint that simple..We're a work in progress. and we're learning how to learn. we will make mistakes. and they will have to be forgotten by choice. we learn how to give the bad experiences and memories and mistakes to God...Thats Heaven....

    For Some...Heaven begins on earth..we learn how to release and remove these faults. the guilt. the envys. the bitternesses and unforgiveness of self and others...

    OK..Say that your SO Pure...What about others that need help...Is God going to help...Maybe Jesus....Lets say...hmmm. how about (put your name here) in Christ. Heaven is a working community with God working in and through us to others.

    Will God snap his fingers...sure as he is telling you and me to go help that person....that child of wrath while they lived on Earth..those people who never accepted Jesus as lord....
    (for example) accepting him as lord is no problem in heaven..its getting rid of the faults that will take time to understand how to accomplish. the hatreds and wrath..the memories of the sin that are experienced without giving it to God, to "Die" for. To be buried once and for all.

    Theres a subject...The memories and agonies over Sin that was committed. How to get past those memories...
    I say this to the extent that when you we're born again and was guided by the Spirit..Your life started. What was glorifying to God was acceptable and what wasn't....well,.. isnt.
    But those memories and experiences are remembered and will have to be dealt with..

    Imagine standing in front of your holy God which you have determined that you love..but there are "things" in your life you find not acceptable to him and now all you can do is to desire them to be removed from your memory...Thats Heaven. thats repentance...
    How are these experiences and memories ultimately removed from your mind....
    Believe they are..And many will be desiring to do just that while being in the presence of their God.

    Thats why you and I are being trained to do that for ourselves...We're being trained to help others do it for themselves.....Hence the statement..MANY CALLED...Few Chosen

    Few helpers for the many....how about those good memories...the ones that are glorifying....

    There you go..if there glorifying now to God.....
    They are your memories of "who you are" forever...Thats your treasure..part of your inheritance. Something that will be different from the many...You will be allowed to retain your memories which you can then use to teach others..to witness to others about who God was in your life.

    Will you remember your love ones....Im sure you will hunt them down until you find out that there OK.
    Think of that as part of your inheritance...To know that those who you Love are loved by God. that they are receiving the same joy in Christ as you are experiencing

    Our life here and now is a lot more important than we actually think it is...it makes for an eternity of difference and for an eternal treasure chest of inheritance...

    Why do you think God asks us to Love Everyone....Even our enemies...What will we have to help people forget...Things that we're able to forgive them for.......

    Its so simple to say that agape love is giving yourself away to other.or to open yourself up to receive whatever they dish out at you...you can call that someday...heaven

    God asks us to forgive all men for all things now ..

    Id call it practice......

    Me2
     
  10. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    Yep. ;)
     
  11. blackbird

    blackbird Active Member

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    When the rich man and Lazerus died--they both went to their respected places. There the rich man saw Lazerus afar off---the word doesn't say that the rich man said "Hey, who's that dude over there? Never saw him in my life! If I did I don't remember!"

    Abraham died in the book of Genesis and was "gathered unto his fathers"---you gotta know who your fathers are to be gathered to them.

    Vivid memories in Heaven! We'll know as the Lord Jesus does--now, with that in mind--how will we not know who our momma's and daddy's are when we get there?

    Last question---have you ever been to a social event or a fellowship where you didn't know anyone? I mean, anyone!? What was your response? Tendency to not stay long? The first tendency is to say, "Well, I don't won't to go nohow--'cause I don't know nobody! And I'll feel stupid over there all by myself!" And if you do go--and you are all by yourself--what's the crowd's reaction?? "What's that bozo doin' here?" And its a miracle that out of the crowd comes a person that will introduce himself to you, the stranger!

    I can hardly wait to see my daddy and momma in GloryLand! Now, you talk about a family reunion--its gonna be one when ole Blackbird kicks the bucket and there stands the Lord Jesus Christ and there's my family I have been "gathered" to--just like Abraham did!

    So, I ain't gonna wonder---I believe that the Bible makes it perfectly clear that our loved ones will be in "clear view" and totally recognizible---too many of you guys are really "sweatin' it" aren't cha?

    Your friend always,
    Blackbird
     
  12. Molly

    Molly New Member

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    I hope you are right! That is encouraging! [​IMG]
     
  13. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    Much of our thinking about heaven is speculative and we read those who knew and walked with Jesus using great imagery to describe heaven.

    I think there is a sense that we will know each other in a perfect state, and hence all sorrow of past history is displaced. We will not grieve those who have been passed over, but will rejoice in God's army of believers. It will be a glorious event enduring forever.

    The whole purpose of man is to glorify God, and our very presence will do just that. When we are pouring praise on another person, we become totally selfless, and this will be the heavenly state, I believe.

    Cheers,,,,,,see you there!

    Jim
     
  14. JamesJ

    JamesJ New Member

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    I believe that initially we will recognize the people that we knew because of the account of Peter, James, and John seeing Moses and Elijah during Jesus' transfiguration, and the account of the rich man, Lazarus, and Abraham.

    But, later, we are told that God will make all things new. To me, that means that we may all get a new beginning. I don't know what "all things new" means as far as knowing someone one instant, and not knowing them the next, I'm just puttin' that out there for discussion.
     
  15. Michael Estes

    Michael Estes New Member

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    Blackbird's right on the money, and there is no doubting the clarity of the scripture involved. In addition to what Blackbird stated, there's also this little tidbit: scriptures tell us that those who are cast into hell will see Moses and all the prophets in glory. It just goes to figure that if they (as well as we) can recognize people they/we don't even know in heaven, then we will surely be able to recognize those we do know.
     
  16. Angie Miller

    Angie Miller New Member

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    I pray we do, but I have a feeling we will be to busy praising "day and night" to really notice.
    Love in Christ Angie [​IMG]
     
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