The State of our Knowledge in Heaven
By Kevin Smead
One of the most frequently asked questions about heaven is whether or not we will know our loved ones who did not go to heaven, but rather perished in their sins. Most people cannot imagine being happy in heaven if, say, their parent or sibling is not there. In other words, if they are conscious that someone they loved was cast away from God’s presence, they think they would have to be miserable – knowing they were in hell. Therefore, many teach that God swipes our memory when we get to heaven. So what are we to make of this theory? I would like to offer the following observations:
1. The Bible says nothing about such a memory sweep taking place. The only verse that proponents of this theory generally point to is the one that speaks of God wiping the tears from our eyes. But it is pure speculation to suggest that such a verse means our memories will be erased as far as our loved ones are concerned.
2. If our happiness depended on God erasing our memories when we get to heaven, then we would know less of God then than we know now. At the present we know that wicked sinners are in hell enduring the wrath of God. In fact, the wrath of God is one of His perfections that bring Him glory (Romans 9:22-23). If we get to heaven and are no longer aware of that attribute, our knowledge of God in heaven would be less than now. Perhaps someone will respond that we could still be aware of others in hell, just not our loved ones. Is it not likely, however, that our love in heaven will be heightened toward all people that are made in the image of God? If that is the case, then our misery would be as great, if knowledge of people in hell did indeed fill us with sorrow while in heaven.
3. We must also remember that God is not miserable. He is certainly aware of the suffering of all people in hell. In fact, He will be the one inflicting this torment forever and upholding them in being as eternal ages roll. It is, after all, the “wrath of God” that we are talking about. This demonstrates the righteous nature of God’s wrath and reminds us that His anger toward sin is not an impetuous fit of anger which will soon pass. But back to our main point, God certainly knows of their suffering and He is neither hard hearted nor miserable. in fact, Revelation describes sinners being tormented in the presence of the Lamb and the holy angels (Revelation 14:10). Even gentle Jesus in His capacity as the sacrificial Lamb is not miserable, but is rather satisfied with the just sentence that they endure.
4. This theory is refuted by the story of the rich man and Lazarus. As we read in Luke 16:24-25, the rich man lifts up his eyes in the lake fire and sees Lazarus in the bosom of Abraham. After his pleas for a drop of water, Abraham replies, “Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime received thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things, but now he is comforted and thou tormented.” The important thing to note is that Abraham calls him “son” (which means he was a distant relative of Abraham – being a Jew) and was aware of his suffering. He no doubt acquiesced in the just sentence of God, being more concerned about God’s glory than any other thing.
5. It seems that in that day, having seen the glory of God, having been cleansed of all sin, and having our love toward God perfected, we will be so concerned about the glory of God and the justice of His sentence on the wicked, that we will adore the display of His wrath as it sets forth the fullness of His beautiful character. After all, He is himself our eternal portion and the more glory that is displayed, the more joy will fill our hearts. I remember once asking a congregation to imagine themselves before the throne of God, as one of their lost loved ones stands judgment before God. Then I asked them to imagine that God were to say to them, “I can let them come in, but I will have to lower my righteous standard and put a question mark upon my holiness to do so. What say you?” At that point one gentleman in the congregation literally stood to his feet and cried, “No Lord, don’t do it.” While we know such a situation will never occur and God will never pose such a question, the thought is revealing of what we all know to be true. In reality, our love for family and friends will be far outweighed by our love to the infinite God.
6. My final observation is that now is the time to weep for our loved ones that are lost because we will not be weeping then. We will rather say, “Hallelujah O Lord, just and righteous are you,” as we fall down before His throne in adoration. I remember reading once, though I do not have the story in front of me, of something Charles Spurgeon’s mother said to Him. The following is a paraphrase. She said, “Charles, I weep for you now, but one day God will asked me to bare witness against you, and to declare that I was faithful to teach you. When He gives His righteous sentence, all I will be able to say is, ‘Amen.'” Spurgeon said that it broke his heart to think of his own mother saying Amen, and that was one of the things which ultimately led to His conversion.
Before the Foundation 