Question: Thank you for answering my earlier question on Bible study. I have a more biblical question. My mother recently died and being an only child, we were very, very close. When God’s new kingdom comes, will our souls be reunited with the souls of our families and will we recognize each other? I know this may seem like an emotional human issue, but I just miss my mom so much that I was hoping that somewhere in the scriptures I could find the answer.

Thanks!

Bernard

Answer: Dear Bernard,

I lost my mother almost 15 years ago, and very much remember the pain and sense of loss. May God be with you as you grieve your mother’s loss and may he comfort and direct you at this time.

As with other questions about the after life, I feel constrained to offer a disclaimer to begin – we simply don’t have specific answers because the Bible doesn’t give us definitive answers about this topic. It does give us hints – but we must be careful that we do not go too far beyond that for to do so is to make the speculative dogmatic, and the unclear and non-specific teaching the priority.

Having said that – the Bible does tell us:

We will be resurrected bodily. 1 Corinthians 15 is very clear about this. We will be resurrected in this body, just as Jesus was resurrected with/in his. It will be a glorified body, it will be immortal ("incorruptible" to use the Old King James word which is filled with meaning – a body not subject to aging, corruption and death). Will we be able to recognize one another? It would seem logical to conclude that – although perhaps not in the way that we now humanly recognize each other. Will we be healed/whole – i.e. will our resurrected glorified body carry disfigurements, crippling, etc. that it may now have? Since God is our healer, and because he is perfection, it is logical to conclude that we will be resurrected with a restored and healed body which we will have for eternity.

Some may respond – but Jesus’ resurrection body still carried the wounds of his crucifixion – for that is the way that Thomas believed (John 20). But, we cannot conclude that our bodies must carry wounds and diseases, for the purpose of Jesus’ crucifixion was because of his perfection-making atonement of our imperfection. Our wounds and diseases do not arise because of our perfection-making atonement for other’s sins. A major distinction.

1 John 3:2 tells us that we too will have a glorified resurrection body, like Jesus – "we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." Thus it seems very probable that you will know your mother, and that you will be able to enjoy eternity with her.

Hope this helps, Bernard – glad to be of assistance. We will keep you in prayer, and we know that God will minister to you as you seek him. Let us know if we can be of any other help.