Recognition in Heaven by John Norton Loughborough

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Feb 21, 1878

Recognition in Heaven.

By John Norton Loughborough

“Have you Scripture proof that the saints shall know, and recognize each other in heaven?” “B. A. S.”

I think we may safely answer, Yes, to the above question. A recognition of those we have known and associated with on earth, it seems to me, would greatly enhance the enjoyment in the heavenly world, and if there was no recognition of former friends it would seem to detract from the joys of God’s people. The question, however, is not what we think but what can be proved. The disciples knew Christ after his resurrection, and when even the doubting Thomas saw the marks in the hands and side of Christ he cried out, “My Lord and my God.” True, Christ kept himself from their recognition by “holding their eyes,” and acting as though he were a stranger, but how soon they recognized him when he engaged in the familiar act of blessing and breaking the bread. Our vile bodies are to be fashioned like Christ’s glorious body. With him the identity of the body was so preserved that they knew him notwithstanding he was immortal. So with the saints; they will be changed to immortality and yet preserve the identity of their bodies. Their identity will be so exact that even the wicked can recognize them; and surely they should recognize each other.

Christ said to the wicked Jews: “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and ye yourselves thrust out.” Luke 13 : 28. This, we understand, is when the wicked “come around the camp of the saints and the beloved city and fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them.” Rev. 20. If there was not some distinguishing feature by which Abraham and others could be identified, how would they know whether they had seen Abraham or some one else? If the wicked thus recognize the saints, surely the saints will know each other.

Paul, in writing to the Corinthians, contrasting the present with the future says: “Then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1 Cor. 13 : 12.

But one of the most impressive testimonies in the case is in the Psalms of David, which shows that in the planting of God’s people in the kingdom there will not only be a recognition of the persons, but that it will also be taken into account where this and that man was born. We read: “Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me; behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her; and the highest himself shall establish her. The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.” Ps. 87 : 3–6. J. N. Loughborough.