Man is a living soul created directly from God. God informed Adam that disobedience to his commandment would lead to death. Satan’s first lie was “you won’t surely die,” thus confusing the nature and meaning of death itself. Adam and Eve did not suffer physical death as a result of Adam eating the fruit but they died spiritually.
Thus we must conclude that death is actually spiritual and physical death is an effect of real death or separation from God.Preachers and Sunday school teachers have said for decades, when I get to heaven, I’m going to see my mother when I get there etc. How can they be so sure when the Bible does not say that.
I will list several reasons and illustrations that we can deduce from Scripture that we are recognizable after death:
1. Samuel dies (I Samuel 28), Saul goes to the witch at Endor after disguising himself and asks her to call up Samuel. When Samuel appears, he recognizes Saul even though he is disguised (the witch didn’t recognize her own king), Samuel is still aware of God’s judgement against Saul and that David is his replacement as king. This demonstrates that Samuel has still retained his memory and recognition of Saul’s face.
2. The transfiguration of Jesus Christ (Mark 9). Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus, remember Moses died and Elijah was transfigured. Peter, James and John awake from sleep and recognize not only Jesus, but Moses and Elijah. It should be noted that neither disciple had to ask Jesus, “hey, who are these two with you, ” they know with a certainty and ask to build three temples.
3. Lazarus and the rich man. They are both certified dead. The rich man still recognizes Lazarus and even with the distance afar off, he also recognizes Abraham who was dead before Moses. He calls Abraham “father” showing recognition, he remembers his family and his father’s house.
In conclusion, knowledge and information in the spiritual realm is processed differently than the physical world. We can rest assured that we will have a recognizable form after death. In the end the Bible is clear that every person will have to stand before Christ and no doubt they will know that he is the creator without having to ask “who are you.” Just as saints who past on were recognized, we can be comforted that the saints of this day, whether it is our mother, father or brother who died in Jesus will also be recognized and we can put our minds at peace and rest.
Pastor Reggie Bruce
Faith Deliverance Baptist Church
