Will we know each other when we get to heaven?

This question is asked quite often, and it seems to me that the answer is yes, we will know one another in heaven.

Why is it that we think we would know less in heaven than we do now on earth? You remember how on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus stood–shining like the sun–with Moses and Elijah on each side. Observing this were Jesus’ disciples, Peter, James, and John.

Somehow, they knew it was Moses the great lawgiver and Elijah the miracle-working prophet with their Lord. But how? They were not wearing little name tags like one does when invited to a “meet and greet” gathering (“Hi, my name is Moses!”). Moses and Elijah had been in glory, but had been brought back temporarily for this special appearance with Christ.

The answer is that, even in a glorified state, these two men were still Moses and Elijah. In the same way, when we get to heaven, we will still be us!

We will be the same people we were on Earth. We will have the same thoughts, feelings, and desires, but all perfected.

Know this–you will be you in heaven! After Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to His disciples, He said, “It is I Myself!” (Luke 24:39 NKJV)

In heaven, we will know more, not less

We are told by experts that we only use 5% of our minds. In heaven, we shall surely be restored to a full 100% of it, if not more.

The Bible tells us we shall “know fully” even as we are known (1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV). In heaven, we will know just like we do on Earth, except more. We will know more in heaven, but the desire to sin will be gone.

You will still love your family and friends. In fact, it will be a stronger, sweeter, purer love. There will be no more a break in our love than there is a break in our thoughts. Death breaks ties on Earth, but renews them in heaven.

As Erwin Lutzer says in his book One Minute After You Die: “Think of the purest joy on Earth, then multiply that many times, and you might catch a glimpse of heaven’s euphoria. Even in the Old Testament, David knew enough to write, ‘In Your Presence is fullness of Joy, and on your right hand pleasures for evermore.’ Heaven is the perfecting of the highest moments of our present Christian experiences.”

What will our new bodies be like?

You will have a new body in heaven, but it will not be in the same state as now. The Bible says, “Our earthly bodies, which die and decay, will be different when they are resurrected, for they will never die. Our bodies now disappoint us, but when they are raised, they will be full of glory. They are weak now, but when they are raised, they will be full of power” (1 Corinthians 15:42-43 NLT).

So if you were disabled on Earth, you won’t be in heaven. If your body has cancer, or is just worn out with age, it won’t be in heaven.

We often talk about the differences there will be when we make our transition from Earth to heaven. But there are some similarities too. Heaven is the earthly life of the believer glorified and perfected.

“I can’t find my car!”

I have been having more of these “senior moments” of late.

For instance, I keep losing my car! If my wife and I go to a mall and park in one of those multi-level parking garages, we will come out and wonder, “Where did we park that car?” So I will walk around, holding up my key and pressing the alarm button, hoping my car will alert me to its whereabouts.

When it does start honking, I usually find it two levels down from the one I am on. Right, I parked on a different level. Sigh.

I know quite a few people in heaven

When we pass over to the other side, our minds and our memories will be clearer than ever before.

My son Christopher is there. So is my mom and my stepfather Oscar, who adopted me. Both of my grandparents are there too. And more and more of my friends. I will be there one day as well.

And the best thing of all is that Jesus Christ is there. I am looking forward to it.

What about you?