Thursday, October 9, 2025
Recognizing One Another in Heaven
“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” (1 Corinthians 13:12 nlt)
Will we recognize one another in Heaven? The short answer is yes, absolutely. Why would we know less in Heaven than we know on earth? In Heaven, we are perfected. We are glorified. Look at the apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13:12: “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely” (nlt).
In Heaven, there will be no more mysteries. No more questions. Everything will be resolved. Everything will be known. You will still love your family and friends. In fact, you will love them with a stronger, purer, and sweeter love. Death may break our bonds on earth, but God restores them in Heaven.
We don’t change identities in Heaven. We’ll be the same people there that we are on earth. I’ll still be me. You’ll still be you. But we’ll be perfected versions of ourselves. Without the flaws. Without the shortcomings. Without the sinful tendencies. We’ll be glorified in the presence of God. And we’ll know all things that Scripture says.
Matthew 17 records the Transfiguration of Jesus. He took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain, where they saw Him in His glory. Verse 3 says, “Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus” (nlt). But how did anyone know that it was Moses and Elijah? Those men lived centuries before the events of the New Testament. Do you think Moses was holding two commandment tablets and saying, “Hi, I’m Moses. Recognize these?” Do you think Elijah was calling down fire from Heaven so that he’d be more recognizable? Do you think they were wearing name tags? “Hi! My name is Moses.” I don’t think so.
The point is that even after being called back from glory momentarily to appear with Christ, Moses and Elijah were recognizable. Just as we will be recognizable when we get to Heaven. And it won’t be just your appearance that’s familiar. You’ll have the same thoughts, feelings, and desires that you had on earth. But they’ll all be perfected. You will be the purest version of you in Heaven. So, the people who love you will love you even more.
When Jesus appeared to His frightened disciples after His resurrection, He said, “Why are you frightened? . . . Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do” (Luke 24:38–39 nlt). In other words, “You know who I am.”
One of the countless joys of Heaven will be reuniting with our Christian loved ones. One of the challenges of earth is making sure that our loved ones will be in Heaven.
Reflection question: Who are you eager to reunite with in Heaven?
Copyright © 2025 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
Photo credit: Thinkstock/mastapiece
Greg Laurie is the pastor and founder of the Harvest churches in California and Hawaii and of Harvest Crusades. He is an evangelist, best-selling author, and movie producer. His latest film ‘Jesus Revolution,’ from Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company, is now available on-demand worldwide.
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org
and
Listen to Greg Laurie's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com and weekly podcast on LifeAudio.com.
Watch Greg Laurie's weekly television broadcast on LightSource.com.
The book of Revelation is one of the most fascinating and misunderstood books in the Bible. In The Revelation Answer Book, respected prophecy teacher Mark Hitchcock walks through key questions about Revelation in a clear and engaging Q&A format. You’ll explore topics like the mark of the beast, the identity of the 144,000, the Antichrist, the Tribulation, and the return of Jesus, all with solid biblical insight and a focus on hope. Request your copy this month with your gift to Harvest Ministries.
