[Q & A]: Will I Recognize My Loved Ones in Heaven?
Answer:
Yes, we will be able to recognize one another in heaven. There are many examples of this in the Bible. Jesus said we would be able to sit down with people like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 8:11). This would imply that we will keep our individual identities and be able to recognize each other.
Another example is the Mount of Transfiguration when the disciples were able to recognize Moses and Elijah (Mark 9:4-5). Also, in the story of Lazarus and the rich man, we find that the rich man was able to recognize both Abraham and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). And in 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, Paul indicated that he would recognize the Thessalonians in heaven.
We believe that parents can expect to return to their children who have passed away. King David indicated that he would see his child again (2 Samuel 12:19-23). Verse 23 in the New Living Translation says, “I will go to him one day, but he cannot return to me.” The most valuable example we have in Scripture that points to our being recognizable in heaven is Jesus Himself. Many people were able to recognize Jesus after His resurrection (John 20:16, 20, 21:12; 1 Corinthians 15:4-7). We can expect to be as well, because our glorified bodies will be like Jesus’ (1 Corinthians 15:42-56; 1 John 3:2).
source: kcm.org