Q: Will I remember my earthly life while in Heaven? Will I know anyone in Heaven? 

A: In short, yes and yes. How can we know this idea to be true? How can I know that I’ll have both identity and memory in Heaven? First, ask yourself this question: If Bob, a man on Earth, is no longer Bob when he gets to Heaven, then, in fact, Bob did not go to Heaven ? Next, consider the following verses from Scripture:

• Jesus stated in Luke 24:39, “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch Me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” Christ had a physical body and identity after his resurrection.
• In I Corinthians 15:6, five hundred people recognized this resurrected Christ.
• In Matthew 26:29, Jesus mentioned that His disciples will be with Him in Heaven. He didn’t say a resemblance of the disciples will be in Heaven, but the disciples themselves.
• In Revelation 20:15 and 21:27, God’s children are said to have their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. As theologian, Randy Alcorn, has once pointed out, a name denotes a distinct identity as an individual . This identity includes personality, characteristics, and memories.
• According to Genesis 1:27, we were created in His image. We were created uniquely before the fall of man in Genesis 3. Our fingerprints, physical attributes, and personalities point to our individuality as well as our Creator. It is not sinful to be unique. On the contrary, our sinful nature has limited, hurt, and damaged our individuality in such a way that we need to be restored and reconciled to Christ.
• In Luke 16:25, Jesus tells the story of a rich man and Lazarus, one going to hell and one going to heaven. Both were still referred to by name in the afterlife. Also, in this verse, Lazarus received comfort for what happened on earth. If Lazarus needed comfort, wouldn’t he have had to remember what happened on earth?
• I Thessalonians 4:14-18 teaches us about comfort in the afterlife. J.C. Ryle stated about this passage, “The hope with which he cheers wearied Christians is the hope of meeting their beloved friends again” .
• In Matthew 8:11, Christ mentioned that one day in Heaven we will dine and feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. How exciting is it that we will have the opportunity to talk and interact with saints from every generation?
• In Luke 15:7, 10, there is rejoicing in Heaven over one repentant sinner. It’s important to note the emphasis of joy over one changed life. This emphasis suggests that individuals are important to God.
• In Matthew 22:37-39, we are called to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. The second command, however, is also tied to the first. We are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves. In Heaven, we will experience the joy of fulfilling and obeying these commands in full harmony. How can we obey the command if we do not know others that are in Heaven to whom we can show love?

Heaven is not losing who you use to be, but becoming who you are suppose to be. God created us with a purpose to bring glory back to Him. Each of us has a unique way of doing so. Once in heaven, we will be able to fulfill our purpose as God intended, unhampered by the weight and effects of sin. Memories will be present, but so will understanding, comfort, and relationships. As C.S. Lewis once said, “Your place in heaven will seem to be made for you and you alone, because you were made for it—made for it stitch by stitch as a glove is made for a hand."

Jon Kragel