When one is saved, one of the bonuses one immediately receives is God’s promise that they will spend eternity with Him. What a glorious ETERNAL future the born-again child of God will experience. They will see God (Job 19:2-27) and Jesus (I John 3:2).
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he [Jesus] shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” I John 3:2
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
II Corinthinas 5:8
However, secure in their heavenly future, many wonder if they will see people they recognize if those people are saved. There are several instances in the Word of God that indicate that some will recognize others who reside in Heaven.
Biblical characters that were seen include:
- Moses and Elijah appeared and were recognized.
“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.” Matthew 17:1-3 - Abraham, Lazarus, and the rich man were recognized after death:
“There was a certain rich man… 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores… 23 And in hell he [the rich man] lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom….” Luke 16:19-31 Before Jesus retrieved the Old Testament saints from their temporary dwelling place (“Abraham’s bosom” — Ephesians 4:8), they could be seen from those tormented in Hell, but their wonderful conditions were not the same as Hell’s residents. - King Saul recognized Samuel’s description given by the witch of Endor. However, it is suspected this vision may have been a demonic trick, as the ungodly witch would not have access to the godly deceased (but God can do anything and may have made an acceptance here).
“And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee… 12 And when the woman saw Samuel, And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up…” I Samuel 28:8-17 - Although long deceased, Moses and Elijah were recognized in New Testament times.
“And as he prayed [Jesus]… 30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias….” Luke 9:29-31 - Biblical heroes of the past will be recognized.
“And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 8:11 - Jesus was recognizable after his resurrection. Mary (the mother of James), Salome, Joanna, the disciples, and over 500 other people,
“Jesus saith [after his “death”] unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.” John 20:16
“After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.” I Corinthians 15:6 - After all of God’s prophecies are fulfilled, and this Earth will be replaced with a new one, those residing on it will no longer remember the past Earth where they dwelt. But, from many of the above Scriptures, they will still recognize people.
“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Isaiah 65:17
As it was evidenced in the scriptures, man continues on even after death. From what is gleaned from the scriptures, Christians can expect to see loved ones if those people trusted Christ as their Saviour from the long-lasting havoc in Hell and later from the eternal Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:15).
If you are sure of the salvation of those who have gone before you, they may be wondering and waiting for you to join them. Are you absolutely positive you are saved and going there? Do not guess about your eternal future!
“Heaven has strict border policies. Hell has open borders!” — Author Unknown
