Hey, podcast listeners! Thanks for streaming today's podcast, From Pathway to Victory. Pathway to Victory is a nonprofit ministry featuring the Bible teaching of Dr. Robert Jeffress. Our mission is to pierce the darkness with the light of God's word through the most effective media available, like this podcast. To support Pathway to Victory, go to ptv.org slash donate or follow the link in our show notes. Now, here's today's podcast, From Pathway to Victory. God's Word with you every day on this Bible teaching program.
On today's edition of Pathway to Victory. In heaven, we won't be someone else. You will be you. And the relationships, by the way, you have here on earth with Christians will continue in heaven. You'll know other people. They will know you and you will enjoy perfect fellowship, untainted by sin of any kind.
Welcome to Pathway to Victory with author and pastor, Dr. Robert Jeffress. You know, the Bible says that God is making all things new, and that includes our bodies. Someday in heaven, we'll all receive new and improved bodies built to last for eternity.
So what exactly will those bodies be like? Today on Pathway to Victory, Dr. Robert Jeffress explains how our heavenly forms will be different from our earthly bodies. Now here's our Bible teacher to introduce today's message. Dr. Jeffress. Thanks, David, and welcome again to Pathway to Victory.
Let me begin with a question. When you stepped in front of the mirror first thing this morning, was there anything about your face or your body that you wished you could change? Wrinkles, maybe? A receding hairline?
Perhaps a few extra pounds you've been unable to shed? Well, in our current series about A Place Called Heaven, we're going to address another relevant topic. In particular, will we recognize one another in heaven? This is also one of the subjects addressed in my bestselling book, A Place Called Heaven, 10 Surprising Truths About Your Eternal Home. In this full-length book, we'll explore what it's like to enter the place God is preparing on your behalf. Plus, most of us want to know whether or not our loved ones can watch what we're doing in their absence. You see, when you lose someone you love, and when you're certain they've passed on to their eternal home, it's natural to be curious about their whereabouts and how they're spending their time. My book addresses this topic and many more, and a copy of A Place Called Heaven will be sent to your home when you include a generous gift to support the growing ministry of Pathway to Victory. At the end of today's program, we'll give you our contact information, so be prepared to call, go online to ptv.org, or write a letter today. But right now it's time to begin the next message in this series.
Today I'm answering the question, will we know one another in heaven? Growing old is not for the faint of heart. With age come aches, ailments, and sometimes a few extra pounds. The late humorist Irma Baumbach once wrote, I'm not telling you what I weigh, but when I measure my girth and then step on the scales, I ought to be a 90-foot redwood. Unfortunately, most people don't age gracefully.
Along with a few extra pounds come hearing loss, fading eyesight, aches, creaking joints. You know, getting older reminds me a lot of what Jesus said to Peter in John 21, verse 18. He said, I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked.
You dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and others will dress you and take you where you don't want to go. Anybody identify with that already? You know, part of growing older also means not always recognizing people.
Have you ever had the experience of going to a high school or a college reunion? You look at people, you don't recognize them. If it wasn't for their name tag, you wouldn't know who they are. Even worse, they don't recognize you.
And perhaps worse of all, have you ever stood in the mirror and looked at yourself and wondered, who is that person? Which all brings up an interesting question, and that is, when we get to heaven, what will our bodies be like? Will we know one another? Will other people know us?
Well, that's what we're going to talk about today. In our series, A Place Called Heaven, we're answering 10 of the most frequently asked questions in heaven. And today, we're going to answer the question, will we know one another in heaven? Now, to answer that question, we first of all need to understand something about Jesus' promise of a resurrection body.
In heaven, the Bible is very clear. We're not just going to be some spirit floating around. We are going to have a physical body.
God created us originally body and spirit, and that's why it should be no surprise that in eternity, we will always exist in a body as well as be spirit. God's future plan for us includes a physical resurrection. The Bible talks about two resurrections. The resurrection for believers, for Christians, is called the first resurrection.
The first resurrection, now get this, doesn't refer to a point in time. Instead, the first resurrection refers to that group of people, believers, who will receive a new body to experience God's blessing. But there is a second resurrection, and that is the resurrection of all the unsaved. There will be a time in the future when every unbeliever who's ever been born is going to have be raised from the dead. Right now, when an unbeliever dies, he goes to Hades, the temporary place of the unsaved, a place of torment and suffering. And unlike the first resurrection that occurs in stages over a period of time, the second resurrection, the resurrection of unbelievers, all occurs at one point in history, immediately before the great white throne judgment. We find it described in Revelation 20, verses 13 and 14, the resurrection of the unsaved.
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them. And they were judged, every one, according to their deeds. Remember, they rejected the grace of God.
They said, I don't need God's forgiveness. I'll be judged by my works. And so God allows every unbeliever to be judged by his works. And as good as his works may be, no unbeliever is good enough to inherit heaven.
None of us is. We need the grace of Jesus. Verse 14 says, and death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire, Gehenna. This is the second death, the lake of fire. The two resurrections, everyone, believers and unbelievers, will receive a new body for all eternity.
Now that raises an interesting question. How is it possible that people whose bodies have died could have bodies that ever come to life again? How can something that has died ever come to life again?
Have you ever thought about that? How is it that the dead are raised? How is a resurrection at all possible? Well, Paul answers that question by using an analogy, and that is of planting and harvesting.
Look at 1 Corinthians 15, verses 36 to 38, where Paul explains how a resurrection happens. That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And that which you sow, you do not sow the body, which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or something else. But God gives it a body just as he wished, and to each of the seeds a body of its own. Think of planting and harvesting.
What's involved in that? Well, first of all, when you plant a seed, that means the seed actually dies. If you plant a watermelon seed in the ground, that seed dies before it ever comes to life.
And that's why Paul says, flesh and blood, that is what we have right now, cannot inherit the kingdom of God. And that's why it's necessary that we die first, that our bodies be placed in the ground, so to speak, planted so that something better can be harvested later. And that leads to the second part of the process, the reaping of the harvest. Notice something about the relationship between the planting and the harvest. First of all, the harvest is superior to the seed. What is harvested is always superior to the seed. But secondly, the harvest is also similar to the seed. It's superior to the seed, but it's similar to the seed. I mean, you don't plant a watermelon seed and harvest a kumquat, okay? If you plant a watermelon seed, guess what?
You get a watermelon. And it's the same way with us. When our bodies die, it's not someone else who is resurrected. We don't get a body that is totally dissimilar to what we were. Our new bodies are going to resemble our old bodies.
We'll talk about that more in just a moment. But if you want a good idea of what your resurrection body is going to be like for eternity, the best place to look is to look at Jesus himself. Jesus is the prototype of our resurrection body. What was Jesus' resurrection body like? First of all, it was superior to his earthly body. But secondly, Jesus' body was also similar to his earthly body.
Well, that leads to the question, what will our bodies be like in heaven? Remember, John said, we shall be like him. Colossians 1 18 says that Jesus was the firstborn from the dead. That word firstborn is the Greek word prototokos, prototokos.
Now, you know what that word means, prototokos. He is the prototype of those who are to be raised from the dead. You know if Toyota or General Motors is going to build a new automobile? Before they ever fire up the assembly line, the first thing they do is they build a prototype of that automobile to make sure it's what they want it to be, to make sure it works.
And only after the prototype is built, then every other car comes down that assembly line that perfectly matches the prototype. And that's what our resurrection is going to be like. It is going to be modeled after the prototype, the firstborn Jesus Christ himself.
He is the prototokos, the prototype of those, all of us, who will be raised from the dead. So knowing that that is true, we can gather several important facts about our new bodies in heaven. First of all, our bodies will be physical. Just as Jesus had a physical body, so will we. Now, our new bodies will be vastly different than our original bodies.
Make no mistake about it. In verses 39 to 41 of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul said, All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beast, and another flesh of birds, and another flesh of fish. Verses 42 to 44. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body. It is sown in dishonor, but it is raised in glory.
It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Now, notice the word body, soma in Greek, is repeated over and over again. That refers to a physical body.
It's Paul's way of saying, don't miss this. We are a body, but on earth, in our current state, we are a natural body, but in the new heaven and new earth, we will be spiritual, but we will still be a body. Let me summarize for you, if I can, the differences between our earthly body and our heavenly body for the new heaven and new earth.
Jot these down on your outline. First of all, our earthly bodies decay. Our heavenly bodies will endure. Secondly, our earthly bodies are infected with sin. Our heavenly bodies will be free of sin.
Thirdly, our earthly bodies are weak. Our heavenly bodies will be powerful. And finally, our earthly bodies are for the old earth. Our heavenly bodies are for the new earth. Now, people have all kind of questions about what we'll be able to do in our new bodies and what they will be like.
The best way to answer those questions is to look at the body of Jesus. For example, we discover, number one, we will eat in our new bodies. Can I hear an amen on that? Should we get closer to lunchtime?
Yes. We will eat in our new bodies. Remember when Jesus appeared before his disciples? They were just so awestruck at seeing the risen Lord. They wanted to pray and have a Bible study. Jesus said, hey, can somebody get me something to eat? I'm hungry.
Give me something to eat. We'll be hungry in heaven and we'll have plenty to eat. Luke 22, verses 29 and 30, Jesus said, just as my Father has granted me a kingdom, I grant you that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. Secondly, we will wear clothes in heaven. That's one way this isn't going to be like Eden, where we all walk around in nature's own like contestants on Survivor. It's not going to be that way on the new earth. We will actually have clothes in heaven.
How do I know that? Well, the Bible describes Jesus as being clothed. Revelation 1 13, in his resurrection body, he was clothed in a robe reaching to his feet and girded across his chest was a golden sash. For Revelation 3 5 promises, he who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments.
In Revelation 19, the second coming of Christ, we the church are pictured as coming with Christ and we the church will be dressed in fine linens, bright and clean. Thirdly, we will retain our sexual identities in heaven. There's no transgender in heaven. We will be male and female just as God created us.
You say, how do you know that? Especially when you consider verses like Galatians 3 28 that says, in Christ there is neither male nor female. Some people point to that verse and say, well, there'll be no more gender in heaven. No, that verse is talking about right now, about our equality before God. In God's eyes right now, God makes no distinction in status before him between male and female. If you are in Christ, you are equal before your Heavenly Father. He's not talking about the future.
In the future, we will retain the genders by which God created us. How do I know that? I could point to a lot of evidence, but in Luke 24 verse 16, Jesus is with his disciples on the road to Emmaus. They didn't first recognize him. Look at Luke 24 verse 16, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
You say, well, how does that relate to gender? Well, obviously, when they were talking to Jesus, he appeared to be somebody else. He appeared to be just another man. He didn't appear as some otherworldly, sexless alien.
They would have had a whole different conversation if that had been the case. But he looked like another man, another human being. And so it will be in our resurrection bodies, we will retain our gender. Some people want to know, well, what age will we be in heaven? That's mere speculation. Some people say we'll be like Jesus who was 30 years old when he began his ministry.
The Old Testament priests begin their service in the temple at age 30. Perhaps age 30 will be our age. Actually, we don't know, but we will be the best version of ourself we can imagine. Secondly, our bodies will not only be physical, they will also be perfect.
They will be perfect. No more cancer, no more heart attacks, no more strokes, no more high blood pressure. Revelation 21 verse 4 says the first things will have passed away.
Revelation 22 verse 3, and there shall no longer be any curse. Many of you know Joni Eareckson, my friend, a great woman of God, at age 17 through a diving accident became a quadriplegic. Listen to what Joni has to say about the promise of a new body. Can you imagine the hope this gives someone like me with a spinal cord injury or someone who is cerebral palsied, brain injured, or has multiple sclerosis? Imagine the hope this gives someone who is a manic depressive. No other religion, no other philosophy promises new bodies, hearts, and minds.
Only in the gospel of Christ do hurting people find such incredible hope. Isn't that great? That's the promise we have. Our bodies will be perfect.
They'll be physical, they'll be perfect. Thirdly, our bodies will be personal. What I mean by that is when you are raised from the dead, you don't become somebody else.
You are still you. It is you who will be raised from the dead, not somebody else. In 1 John 3.2, John said, we shall be like him. We will be like Jesus. That doesn't mean we all become little mini-mes of Jesus without any distinction. It means we will inherit the heavenly DNA like Jesus, but we still retain our own identities. When we are raised from the dead, it is a renovation.
It is a recreation, but we still are us at the core. How do I know that? Well, Luke 24, 39, when Jesus appeared to his disciples, listen to what he said in his new resurrection body. See my hands and my feet that it is I myself. In your resurrection body, you will be you. You will not be someone else. One of the most personal things that makes us individuals and different from anyone else is our name. Your name makes you who you are.
It identifies you as a unique human being. Did you know we are going to keep our names in heaven? We are going to retain our names in heaven. In Matthew 8.11, Jesus said, I say to you that many will come from the east and west and will recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. Now, when Jesus had spoken this, Abraham had been dead for 2,000 years.
But he's pointing to a future time, thousands of years in the future, when everyone will recline at the table. And guess what? After thousands of years, Abraham will be Abraham, Isaac will be Isaac, Jacob will be Jacob, and you will be you. Now, some people say, wait a minute, pastor. I remember some place in the Bible that says God will give us a new name in heaven.
What about that? Well, it's true in Revelation 2.17, God is going to give a group of extra special saints who are especially faithful a new name. It says to him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it. But that new name is an additional name. It's not a replacement name. It's an additional name. For example, think of Jacob in the Old Testament. His name meant supplanter, heel catcher. But God also gave him an additional name, Israel, which means one who strives with God.
Or think about Simon. Simon had a name that meant God is heard. But Jesus said, I'm going to give you an additional name, Peter, which means rock. In the same way for those of us who serve especially faithfully, God is going to give an additional name. What does all of this mean when we put it together? It means in heaven we won't be someone else.
You will be you. And the relationships, by the way, you have here on earth with Christians will continue in heaven. You'll know other people, they will know you, and you will enjoy perfect fellowship untainted by sin of any kind.
Ron Rhodes, theologian, says it this way. Our eternal reunion with Christian loved ones and friends will be ceaselessly glorious. Keep in mind that we will no longer have sin natures. There will be no fights among loved ones. There won't be any resentment or envy or jealousy. There won't be any one-upmanship or rivalries.
There won't be any crosswords or misunderstandings or selfishness. Our relationships in heaven will be truly wonderful and utterly satisfying. Now that's something to look forward to in that place called heaven. I want to teach you more about this amazing place called heaven. Let me encourage you to be listening every day on Pathway to Victory as our study about A Place Called Heaven continues.
In addition to these programs, I've created a number of helpful resources to expand your understanding as well. The first is my bestselling book titled A Place Called Heaven, 10 Surprising Truths About Your Eternal Home. You've often heard me say that God has revealed the details of heaven in the Bible, not for the purpose of satisfying our curiosity, but for the purpose of getting ready. Well, by reading my book, you'll have a whole new excitement about the eternal home God is preparing for you. And when you give a generous gift to support the ministry of Pathway to Victory, I'll make sure a copy of A Place Called Heaven is sent to your home. It comes with my profound thanks for your partnership. As an added resource, I've prepared a fold-out brochure that illustrates what seven world religions teach about heaven.
With clarity, I've given you information that will help you discern what some of your friends and neighbors believe and how various religions differ from the truth about heaven. Both my book, A Place Called Heaven, and my brochure, What Seven World Religions Teach About Heaven, are yours when you give a generous gift to support the growing ministry of Pathway to Victory. As we close, let me thank you for investing in this worthwhile ministry. Our audience has grown larger than ever thanks to the voluntary gifts from people like you. And God is using your partnership to pierce the darkness with the light of His word. David?
Thanks, Dr. Jeffress. You can request your copy of the bestselling book, A Place Called Heaven, when you give a generous gift to support the ministry of Pathway to Victory. Plus, you'll also receive the fascinating brochure, What Seven World Religions Teach About Heaven. Call us toll-free at 866-999-2965 or visit online at ptv.org. Now, when your gift is $75 or more, we'll also send you all 12 messages from the teaching series, A Place Called Heaven, both on CD and DVD.
Plus, you'll receive encouragement from A Place Called Heaven. It's a beautiful book filled with inspiring scripture, breathtaking photos, and words of wisdom. To request this special package of resources, call 866-999-2965 or visit ptv.org. Now, if you'd prefer to write, here's that mailing address, P.O. Box 223609, Dallas, Texas, 75222. Again, that's P.O.
Box 223609, Dallas, Texas, 75222. I'm David J. Mullins, wishing you a great weekend. Then join us next time when Dr. Jeffress answers the question, Will Heaven Be the Same for Everyone? That's Monday, here on Pathway to Victory. Pathway to Victory with Dr. Robert Jeffress comes from the pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. Picture yourself relaxing aboard a luxury cruise ship as you sail the Mediterranean Sea on the Pathway to Victory, Journeys of Paul Mediterranean Cruise, May 5-16, 2025. This 11-day journey will take you to unforgettable destinations in Italy, Turkey, and Greece.
Plus, you'll have the option to extend your trip with additional adventures in Rome. To book your spot on the 2025 Journeys of Paul Mediterranean Cruise, go to ptv.org. You made it to the end of today's podcast from Pathway to Victory, and we're so glad you're here. Pathway to Victory relies on the generosity of loyal listeners like you to make this podcast possible. One of the most impactful ways you can give is by becoming a Pathway partner. Your monthly gift will empower Pathway to Victory to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and help others become rooted more firmly in His Word. To become a Pathway partner, go to ptv.org slash donate or follow the link in our show notes. We hope you've been blessed by today's podcast from Pathway to Victory.
