Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 108:431 (Jul 1951)
Article: Part 3 Will We Know Each Other in Heaven?
Author: N. A. Woychuk

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BSac 108:431 (Jul 51) p. 347

Part 3
Will We Know Each Other in Heaven?

N. A. Woychuk

(Continued from the January-March Number, 1951)

{Editor’s note: Footnotes in the original printed edition were numbered 5–6, but in this electronic edition are numbered 1–2 respectively.}

In our meditation upon the life in heaven we must be careful to avoid two common errors. First we must avoid thinking of life in heaven, and the mode of existence experienced by those who are there, as being too nearly like the life on earth. For if we consider it as being too nearly analogous to our present life, we will tend to degrade the conception of heaven by earthly and unworthy associations. On the other hand, we must avoid the opposite extreme of regarding heaven as being too widely distinguished from our earthly mode of life. By rendering the conception of it vague and completely different from our life on earth we consequently lose interest in it, and its characteristics become feeble and too much unlike life. Either of these extreme conceptions regarding the life in heaven will destroy its reality and significance. And so as we proceed with our contemplation of that which from every viewpoint is real life, we seek to avoid either of these extremes and be guided in our thought by God’s Word itself.

As a result of our study of the life in heaven thus far a very reasonable and most pertinent question arises, Will we know each other in heaven? Some might wonder how such a question could receive an answer. Any doubt concerning this could have occurred only to someone who in his airy speculations had soared beyond the range of reason, common sense and Scripture. Life in this world is not the conclusion of life. Death marks not the end of our experiences of life all of which has been made precious to us as a result of its ties, connections and associations. The grave is not the goal of life. In the sad hour when our loved one has departed from this life to that experience beyond the grave we linger about the grave of the departed, and the hope of reunion in a brighter and purer world becomes the only source of joy

BSac 108:431 (Jul 51) p. 348

to us. This hope animates the soul and strengthens us under the oppressive burden. And as we turn away from the lifeless form so cold and desolate, and as we mourn the loss of that eye that has beamed upon us with warm affection and of the lips that uttered those words of love and kindness, we instinctively follow them to the regions beyond and rejoice in the anticipation of ere long meeting them in our everlasting home and the society of the blessed. I cannot better convey my thought here than by quoting the heart-stirring words of Ella Wheeler Wilcox—

It seemeth such a litt...

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