Topic(s): Eternity & Judgment

Todd Clippard

This is an oft-asked question, but one I believe answers in the affirmative. Consider the following:

Aforetime Affirmations – Romans 15:4 "Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." The aforetime writings refer to the Old Testament. Consider the following statements from the Old Testament:

JOB
"If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands." Job 14:14-15

Note how Job said that after his death, that he would answer the Lord's call.

Note also Job 19:26-27 -- "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me."

Job believed after his death and the decay of his physical body, that he would retain his own identity in the afterlife.

SAMUEL – 1 Samuel 28:11-20 Upon his return from the resting place of his death, Samuel was still Samuel.

DAVID
2 Samuel 12:23 -- David spoke of his dead son as not returning, but that David would go to him. There is an implication of the retention of personal identity. In Psalm 23:6, David said "I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." And in Psalm 37:18, David said the inheritance of the upright shall be forever. To receive and inheritance, one must have identity. Note the New Testament also teaches concerning about our inheritance as belonging to us as individuals (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Timothy 1:8). Finally, David said, "Thou wilt not leave my soul in the grave."

In the New Testament, the Transfiguration (Matthew 17 and Luke 9) is a great text to help in this study. Note the appearance of Moses and Elijah. Neither man had been on earth as living men for hundreds of years, and in Moses' case, probably 1500. Also note that Moses died (Deuteronomy 34:5), but Elijah did not (2 Kings 2:11). But when both appeared in the mount, they were still themselves and Peter recognized them, calling them by name, though he had never seen either.

Moses and Elijah spoke with Jesus of His deceases (Luke 9:31). "Decease" is from the Greek compound exodon, meaning "journey" = ek (go out) + hodos (road). The Bible speaks of physical death as a journey or transition, but never an end. There is a change of location and of relationship, but not personality ( cf 2 Peter 1:15-18;
Hebrews 11:22).

The account of the rich man and Lazarus is also an excellent text for this study. Both men, and Abraham, had retained their individual identities after their death (cf Revelation 6:9-11).

Also, the nature of the Judgment requires us to continue as ourselves in the afterlife. We will each one be judged according to our own works (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelations 20:12-15). Paul said he would receive a crown of life based upon his own deeds. (2 Timothy 4:6-8). What justice would there be in rewarding or punishing someone who did not know who they were or why they were being rewarded / punished?

Finally, Jesus said that in the afterlife we would be like the angels of heaven (Matthew 22:22-30). The angels have individual identities which are retained throughout the Bible (cf Gabriel -- Daniel 8:16; 9:21, Luke 1:19, 26).

Some ask, "How can we be happy knowing our loved ones aren't present?" Consider, we know that people find happiness in this life without the presence of our loved ones. People who are widowed often fall in love and marry again. They find happiness without their first mate. They may even find greater heights and depths of love.

I trust that in the presence of God, I will be so overwhelmed by His love, majesty, and glory, that all memories of former difficulties will vanish (Revelation 21:4).