Yes, John, that's one good observation of the future for believers after death.
What other clues do we have in Scripture that we will recognise godly people in the afterlife? What examples are there from OT and NT?
- Take 1 Sam. 28:8-17 as an example. Here we have King Saul who recognised the prophet Samuel when the witch of Endor summoned him from the dead. When Saul knew it was Samuel, he bowed down to the ground. Saul recognised Samuel who came from the realm of the dead.
- What happened with King David’s infant son who died? In 2 Sam 12:23 it states, ‘But now he’s dead. So why should I continue to go without food? Can I bring him back to life again? Someday I’ll go to him. But he won’t return to me’ (NIRV). David assumed he would be able to recognise his son in heaven, in spite of the fact that he died as an infant.
- What about the story / parable of Abraham, Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:19-31? All three of these were recognisable to each other after death.
- At Jesus’ transfiguration, according to Matt 17:3-4, Moses and Elijah were recognisable.
In these examples, the Bible does seem to indicate that we will be able to recognise believers in heaven after death.
Many people recognised Jesus after His resurrection (John 20:16, 20; 21:12; 1 Corinthians 15:4-7). If Jesus was recognisable in His glorified body, we also should be recognisable in our glorified bodies.
Being able to see our loved ones is a glorious aspect of heaven, but heaven is far more about God our Saviour, and far less about us. What a pleasure it will be to be reunited with our loved ones and worship God with them for all eternity.
BUT …
I want to see my Saviour first of all.
Oz