ON CHRISTIANITY

DEAR REV. GRAHAM: I’ve heard that we’ll be given new bodies in Heaven. Is that true? If so, how will we recognize each other? I long to see my wife again, but what if I don’t recognize her — or she doesn’t recognize me? I worry about this.

— L.F. DEAR L.F.: Yes, it’s true that in Heaven God will replace our old bodies — with all of their pains and fears and limitations — with new bodies that will never age or experience suffering. The Bible says, “We will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

We can barely imagine this — but it’s true, and this should be a great encouragement to us. Listen: the grave is not the end! For the Christian, the grave is but the gateway to a whole new existence: the joy and peace of Heaven. And just as Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, so we too will be raised and given new bodies — bodies like His resurrection body. No matter how much suffering or sorrow we face in this life, ahead of us is Heaven.

Don’t worry about your wife recognizing you; God will not withhold any blessing He has for us in Heaven — including this one. When Jesus’ appearance was changed on one occasion and His heavenly glory shone through, the disciples who were with Him also saw Moses and Elijah. They had been taken into Heaven many centuries before — but even in their heavenly bodies they could still be recognized.

If you know Christ, thank Him every day for the hope we have of Heaven. In the meantime, however, make it your goal to live for Christ, “because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).