Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 95:380 (Oct 1938)
Article: Will There Be Recognition in Heaven?
Author: Henry Bultema

BSac 95:380 (Oct 38) p. 461

Will There Be Recognition in Heaven?

Henry Bultema

Heaven is one of the most beloved themes among God’s children. They all have lost some dear ones and it is but natural that many questions concerning them arise in their hearts. The question most often heard is this: Shall we recognize our dear ones on the other side? To this question we shall try to give a definite answer from Holy Writ, being convinced that this is not only a general but also a most important question for more than one reason.

1. The Importance of Recognition

The question of recognition is important because it concerns heaven and heaven looms large in the Word of God. It is found more than five hundred times in the Bible. It appears in the New Testament no less than one hundred and fifty times while it is found in the Bible one hundred and ten times in the plural. Our citizenship, our treasure, and our Savior are there, and we have been emphatically told to seek the things which are above.

The question of recognition is also important because so many other questions are involved in it or at least closely related to it. It involves the question of our identity and personality on the other side, for if we lose our identity and personality there could be no recognition. The reunion of the saints is wrapped up in it. The Church universal has always believed in the union, communion, and reunion of all the ransomed, but why should these three be found in heaven if the believers do not know and recognize one another? Those three are meaningless without recognition as appears on the surface to anyone.

BSac 95:380 (Oct 38) p. 462

The doctrine of reward and the loss of reward becomes also senseless, if not nonsensical, without this doctrine and practical question. We know from Matt 25 that there will be great surprises in that day but those surprises do not originate in loss of memory, but in the great kindness of the Lord. Those that come to Him must believe that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, but the reward to some and loss of reward to others strike home to the conscience only when the saints shall know the why and wherefore in that day.

The question of remembrance or memory is involved in recognition. The text has often been quoted that “the former things shall not be remembered,” but this is found in Isa 65:17 and both the preceding and following context clearly points to Israel on earth. Israel’s sins will not be remembered against them any more. The returned Christ will rest, or be silent, in His love to Israel, and not one word of rebuke will flow from His lips to the nation that once crowned...