Will we recognize our relatives in heaven?

As Jesus returned (John 14:1-3, Revelation 22:20) we will be transformed and we shall be with him "in our own body." This can be learned from Luke 24:36 to 43. After he was resurrected, Jesus appeared among the disciples. And seeing him were surprised and "thought they saw Spirit" (verse 37). But Jesus said, "Why are you disturbed and these thoughts come to your heart?" Look at my hands and my feet, that I am myself; Palpate, and behold; Because a spirit has no flesh or bones, as you can see I have. (verses 38 and 39).

In saying this, the Lord showed them the hands and the feet, so that they could see that the Savior was flesh and Bones (verse 40). And, since they didn't believe yet, he asked for something to eat. The disciples presented him with a piece of fish and a honey honeycomb and he ate in the presence of them. (verses 41 to 43).

Being Christ the "Firstborn of the Dead" (Revelation 1:5), ie the first in importance, the resurrection of him serves as a model for the resurrection of all the righteous. Just as Christ ascended into heaven with a glorified body, we will also have a glorified body (Philippians 3:20, 21) so that we may have a normal life in paradise, where we can touch the people we love and even feed. In Matthew 26:29 Christ tells the disciples that "I will not drink more of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it again with you in the Kingdom of my father." We see clearly that in heaven we will be "real" people, and not "disembodied spirits". We will have bodies transformed into the image of the glorious Body of Jesus (Philippians 3:20 and 21, 1 Corinthians 15:51 to 53).

Have you thought about how sad it would be, if going there, embracing a loved one and your arms "cross" the "spirit" of the person you love so much? Life would be so sad! Let's thank Jesus for his plans for us that are much better than those presented by Spiritualism. Let's look at another verse:

"And I tell you that many from the east and the West will come, and they shall sit with Abraham and ISAAC and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven;" (Matthew 8:11).

If we are to know in heaven Abraham, ISAAC and Jacob, it is more than obvious that we will recognize our loved ones. These facts (taking grape juice and sitting at the table with Abraham, ISAAC and Jacob) teach that in heaven we will go to feed – clear evidence that we will be real beings and not ' spirits '. In addition, the Bible says we will eat from the Tree of Life (Revelation 22:2).

Another fact that leads us to conclude that in heaven we will be known is that Jesus, after the resurrection, was known. We will be transformed by God (our mortal body will be endowed with immortality – see 1 Corinthians 15:51-53), but our individuality and personality shall be preserved. For God there would be no grace if we weren't ourselves. He loves us the way we are.

Even though our individuality will be preserved, our character will be transformed into a pure character. But that will not make us forget who we are and who our loved relatives are. We won't suffer any kind of brainwashing. Then the day will come when the dead will be resurrected (John 5:28-29) and taken to Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:51-53, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), where we can live in such a wonderful way as we never dreamed.

So don't miss that opportunity. Accept Jesus as your personal savior, believe in the death and resurrection of him and entregele his heart to God: "Behold, I stand at the door and call;" "If any man hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter him, and dine with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20). Doing this you prepare for eternity.

"For God so loved the world, that he hath given his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16).