Will we live with our families in HEAVEN?

Will we live with our families in heaven? Also, will we know each other in heaven?

Introduction

The prayer and desire of a Christian family bounded by love is to live in joy, sound health, and peace here on earth and in heaven.

The joy of seeing one’s parent, siblings, spouse, and children in a place without sorrow, sickness, and pain can not be quantified. But the question in many people’s hearts is, is it possible to recognize our loved ones in heaven and live with them forever?

The Bible answers this question through stories and events.

We will discuss some of them.

So, continue reading to get an answer to the interesting question: will we live with our families in heaven?

Will we live with our families in heaven?

The answer is yes. We will live with our loved ones who make heaven for eternity. No verse in the Bible explicitly states that “thou shall live with your family in heaven forever.” However, different scenarios in the Bible 

We must state that what qualifies us to enter heaven is not being part of a family or having a family member who has given their life to Jesus Christ.

The journey to heaven is an individual one.

Every member of the family must make a personal decision to go to heaven by first accepting Jesus Christ into their lives.

Romans 10:10 says, “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” 

After believing Jesus died, was buried and resurrected, and accepting Him as one’s personal Lord and Savior, as well as denouncing evil ways and embracing righteousness and holiness, then they will be qualified to enter heaven.

The sweet thing about having a family devoted to God and His service is that everyone will help each other through the journey to heaven.

You will become each other’s accountability partners, teachers, encouragers, and prayer partners. Your home will become a church where the Bible is preached, prayers are offered to God, and where God’s Spirit dwells. 

Having a devoted family will give you a taste of heaven on earth.

Revelation 7:15 says, “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.” 

We will be before God’s throne day and night in heaven, worshiping and praising Him alongside the twenty-four elders. A Christian family is already practicing this in their home.

Their home is God’s throne. So, they will literally have a heaven-on-earth experience daily, even before going to heaven. 

To answer the question again.

Yes.

You will see your family members that walk through the pearly gate and make it to heaven.

Therefore, make it a daily sacrifice to ensure that every member of your family accepts Christ and makes it to heaven.

Why we will live with our families in heaven forever

The Bible states that all those who died in Christ will be transformed and have glorified bodies.

These bodies will never perish. It cannot be afflicted by sickness, injury, or death.

It will not age but remain healthy.

That is why we will be able to live forever in heaven.

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” (Philippians 3:20-21)

Why we fall sick, age, and die is because our bodies are perishable because of the corruption of sin.

God’s initial plan was for us to live for eternity. However, after Adam and Eve fell for the trick of the enemy, sin and death came.

So, everyone linked to Adam and Eve must taste death. However, the second Adam, Jesus Christ, was sinless and came from heaven.

He carried the burden of sin and death on Himself on the cross so that anyone who accepts Him will receive everlasting life and escape eternal death on the last day. 

Therefore, the good news for a family sold out to Christ is that they will be transformed and live forever in heaven, not worrying about food, shelter, and other necessities of life.

“They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:16-17).

Another reason why families will live in heaven forever is because there will be no emotional pain.

The Bible says in Revelation 21:4, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

The mental and emotional impact caused by suffering and sorrow will be eliminated in heaven. So, there will be no worry, fear and anxiety.

Our minds will be focused on praising and worshiping together.

Will we recognize our families in heaven?

Another crucial question that bothers most believers is whether we will recognize our loved ones in heaven.

Many ask this question because they feel dying and resurrecting might come with memory loss or the fact that we will be transformed and given new bodies might affect the brain or memory such that everyone will have a new mind or blank slate, forgetting every old thought of people and events.

Some Bible stories prove we will recognize ourselves in heaven and live together.

Here are some biblical examples confirming we will recognize our families in heaven.

Rich man and Lazarus – Luke 16:19–31

The story of Lazarus and the rich man shows that we will recognize each other when we get to heaven.

After the two men died, Lazarus made it to heaven while the rich man went to hell. However, when hell’s torment became unbearable, the rich man begged Abraham to send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and wet his tongue. 

“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.”  (Luke 19:24)

From this story, we can deduce that the rich man recognized Abraham.

Also, it suggests that he recognized Lazarus because he saw him in heaven; that was why he requested that he should be sent to quench his thirst. 

Also, from the story, we can confirm that people can recognize themselves in hell.

This means that those who did not make it to heaven or lived wayward lives on earth together and died without repenting will suffer eternal torment and pain in hell together.

Therefore, just as righteous families will recognize themselves and live together forever in heaven, so will sinful families in hell.

King Saul and Samuel – 1 Samuel 28:3-25

God rejected Saul because of the sin of disobedience.

Samuel, whom God communicated through as Israel’s prophet, had died.

So, Saul could no longer hear from God as the heavens were shut over him, and the only one who could relay God’s heart to him had died.

The Philistines had gathered to fight Israel, and Saul wanted to know God’s plan or thoughts about how Israel should respond or if they would win. So, he sought an evil alternative.

He consulted a medium against God’s Word (Leviticus 19:31, Isaiah 8:19). His plan was to invoke Samuel’s spirit and ask him. 

The Bible records that the witch successfully invokes Samuel’s spirit. First, the woman recognized it was Samuel. 

“When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!” (1 Samuel 28:12).

Also, Samuel and Saul recognized each other and had a short conversation.

Saul told Samuel why he brought up his spirit.

Samuel, on the other hand, reaffirmed God had departed from him, his kingdom had been taken away from him and Saul, Saul, and his son would die, and God would deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines (1 Samuel 28:16-19).

Therefore, this story proves that we will be able to recognize ourselves after death, remember things we did when we were alive, and have decent conversations about our past lives. 

Jesus Christ and His Disciples – Luke 24:36-53

Another biblical example that proves we are going to recognize our loved ones in heaven is the story of Jesus‘ death and resurrection.

They recorded that after the third day of His death, Jesus resurrected and appeared to His disciples.

They all recognized Him. He didn’t change or look like a ghost. He still had His facial look like when He was alive. 

In John 20:14-17, Mary Magdalene saw and recognized Jesus. “Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher)” (John 20:16).

Likewise, Jesus appeared to His disciples in John 20:25-29 and told Thomas, who had earlier doubted His resurrection, to touch His hands that were pierced with nails, when He was crucified, and His side pierced with the spear when He was on the cross to stop His doubt. 

David and his dead son – 2 Samuel 12:1-23

David committed adultery with Bathsheba.

She got pregnant.

David killed Uriah, her husband, to cover up his sin.

He then married Bathsheba so she could deliver his child to his house to eliminate suspension. However, his act infuriates God. God sent Prophet Nathan to pronounce judgment on the house of David and tell him the child Bathsheba was carrying would die.

After the child died, David said, “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23).

David’s statement shows that David understood that he would reunite with his child one day.

These words brought comfort and consolation to him and the family. Therefore, it does not matter how old we are when we die, or rapture happens; our familial bond does not break after death, and we will recognize ourselves in heaven.

Transfiguration on the Mount – Matthew 17:1-13

Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain and transfigure upon them.

Later, Moses and Elijah appeared and were talking with Jesus.

The three disciples Jesus went with recognized Moses and Elijah even though all they knew about them were through oral and written records.

Still, they knew who they were. 

“And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Matthew 17:3-4).

During His earthly ministry, Jesus said, “And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11).

This is crucial because it shows that we will not only recognize our loved ones but all those we have read about in the Bible, believers in our local churches, our friends, neighbors, and everyone we know on Earth who makes it to heaven. 

We will not become formless and nameless souls after ascending to heaven.

We will not lose our memories. Instead, we will recognize all our loved ones, friends, and believers we came across on Earth.

We will all join the host of angels, declaring, holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.

Heaven is going to be an amazing place. And the presence of our families will make it more fun and a sweet experience.

Therefore, we must strive to make everyone we know make it to heaven so we can reunite before God’s throne and live forever.

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