Will I Remember My Life on Earth?
Life After Death, Remembrance of a Life Lived
By Michael R Harrison
As a gospel preacher it has been my obligation, and one that weighs heavy on me, to preach the whole council of God. There have been a number of times that classes and sermons have been received with much trepidation and even agitation. The response to these subjects have not been all that surprising; from women’s role in the Church to marriage, divorce and remarriage, the response from certain brethren has been what you would expect. There are occasions where I am surprised at reactions to a lesson or a bible class. Recently, I was teaching on the subject of personal remembrance in Heaven and was surprised at the reaction I received from my audience. Many, if not most, were upset to hear that they would remember loved ones who are lost, or even the details of their own lives in heaven. Most people are under the impression that you must have some of you memory wiped, if you are going to be happy in heaven. Their view on this comes from a logical perspective rather than from a biblical perspective.
To many, there is simply a contradiction between the idea that you can be happy in heaven and yet have remembrance of the life you lived on earth. They conclude, to remember loved ones that may be lost would hinder the kind of joy that is promised to us in Heaven. To have memories of personal sins that we may have committed in our life on earth would also hinder such joy that is expected and promised in Heaven. Therefore, in the minds of many, there must be something done about these memories that hinder our joy. Hence, God must wipe these bad memories from existence, as though they never happened; then, and only then, will we truly enjoy Heaven. So, this is a position from deductive reasoning rather than from solid biblical information.
The answer to the question, as we would all agree on, is found in scripture. We do find the answer to spiritual questions from deductive reasoning but only after all the biblical information is surveyed. Even then, we will only draw such conclusions that are warranted by the information/evidence. In this article, we will survey the biblical information on this subject; exploring what the Bible says about the promises associated with heaven and personal memories. We will also seek to find any passages that might even hint at the idea that any individuals will have memories lost or erased by God for the purpose of the joy of Heaven.
Promise Associated with Heaven
In both the Old and the New Testaments Heaven is used to designate realms. The term “heaven” is used to identify the physical realm of creation and thus represents the sky and atmosphere (Gen. 1:8; Mark 4:32). The word “Heaven” is also used to represent the cosmos (Gen 15:5; 26:4; Mt. 24:39; Heb. 11:12). From the theological viewpoint, the most important use of the term “Heaven” is its reference to the spiritual domain, the abode of God himself. The Lord Jesus, himself, indicated that Heaven is the dwelling place of God (Mt. 6:9; 5:34; 18:14). Jesus repeatedly informed his audience that he came from Heaven (Jn. 3:13; 6:33-51). On three different occasions there were utterances from Heaven that confirmed his claim (Mt. 3:16-17; 17:5; Jn. 12:28). In his high priestly prayer Jesus speaks of his previous glory with the Father in eternity before the world was (Jn 17). In the upper room, Jesus said that he was about to return to his Father’s house (Jn. 14:1-6).
I suppose that the apostle Paul gave the most comprehensive statement in scripture of the believers relationship to Heaven. Paul says concerning Christ, that our own bodies will be transformed to his glorious body (Phil. 3:21). He adds that the believer’s true citizenship is in Heaven. The term “citizenship” is the Greek word politeuma and it signifies, “the condition or life of a citizen,” “citizenship.”1 The RSV renders the alternate reading “Commonwealth.” The Greek word politeuma implies a “colony of individuals who live in a foreign country while observing the laws of their homeland instead of the land in which they reside.”2
The implications of these statements are quite clear. The believer is a citizen of Heaven having been born again or anew. As Jesus clearly stated, "Unless one is born again he cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Jn. 3:3). Believers have been raised with Christ (Col. 3:1ff) and as a result they have been instructed to seek things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Paul says that it is from Heaven that Christ has blessed his followers with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Eph. 1:3). The expression, “heavenly places,” is used by Paul particularly in Ephesians and suggests that the blessings from heaven are not regulated to some remote future but are, in some regards, received by faith here and now. This is why believers are called fellow partakers of the heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1; 6:4). Thus, as we live here on Earth, we are in the earthly phase of the Kingdom of Heaven and citizens thereof. These passages seem to show some continuity from this life to the next.
Specific Promises in Heaven
In this connection, Paul expressed the thought of our earthly lives as dwelling in tents, which is emblematic of a temporary situation (2 Cor. 5:1). In that same context he says that we long to put on our Heavenly dwelling which is from God and that it is “eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor. 5:1ff). Again, we would note that there is continuity between our life here on earth and the new life in heaven. The only thing that is said to be change is our body, but not our souls, nor our experiences in the flesh. We actually see that just the opposite is implied in many of these passages.
So far as Heaven itself is concerned, there is the promise of immortality. This, of course, will be a new existence but there is no indication that we ourselves will be changed in our experiences. Jesus promised that he was going to prepare a place for believers and that he would come back and get believers to be with him (Jn. 14:1-4). When explaining the events of the final day of human history Paul notes, on that day both the dead and the living who are in Christ will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thess. 4:17). He adds to this the reality that “we will always be with the Lord.” The Greek word for “always” is the word pantotē and it is the usual word that is translated “evermore.”3
A particular emphasis in Scripture is placed on what will not be in Heaven. The book of Revelation informs us that there will be no more tears in Heaven, nor death, nor mourning, nor crying, nor pain will be a part of the Heavenly experience (21:4). Heaven is a place where nothing unclean will ever enter nor anyone who does what is detestable or false (v. 27). There will no longer be any night for the Lord will be their light (22:3,5). According to the Lord Jesus, there will be no marriage (Luke 20:27-38). It is important to note that the things that are no more ,with the exception of marriage, are all the things that mare this life due to sin. The passage is not suggesting that we will not have emotions in Heaven. In fact, the passage explicitly states that God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There may very well be an initial need for comfort and a time of transition. The story of the rich man and Lazarus indicates that Lazarus was being comforted while he was in Hades. Yet the text is also explicit that God will wipe away any and every tear from their eyes; “to wipe out every single tear.”4
We should note that there are those who suggest that Revelation is not talking about heaven in this context. They suggest that the better understanding of these verses is that they refer to a new time in human history. As Homer Hailey points out, the concept of a new heavens and a new earth at the passing of a former one is no stranger to the Bible student.5 The book of Isaiah is full of description of the heavens passing away and the mountains “mouldering away” (Is. 34:3ff; 51:4-6). In chapter 51 and verse 16 it is said that in the place of the old, Jehovah would plant the heavens and lay the foundations of the earth. This pointed to the new spiritual Zion under the Messiah i.e., the present dispensation. Jehovah says that the former troubles have passed away (65). So some contend that this is the same kind of language with the same major emphasis. Thus, there would be a time when the troubles for God’s people would pass and a time for the church would come, Rome would not have the sway it did in the earliest time of the church.
If that is the case, then our information on Heaven is greatly restricted and we are regulated to only a few words throughout the New Testament that describe Heaven. While Isaiah was looking forward to a new dispensation under the reign of Christ; we are not. In fact, I would argue that there is no promise of a new dispensation either on earth or in the church. The only promise of a new dispensation is Heaven itself. The words that we find in the book of Revelation (21:1-4), referring to a new heaven and a new earth, are similar to those of Peter in 2 Peter. In his second Epistle, Peter very clearly, writes concerning the end of time and the heavenly dispensation. He says, “But according to his promise we are waiting for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (3:13). Furthermore, the language of Revelation 21:2 of the new Jerusalem prepared as a bride is clearly indicative of the church of God and the presentation of his bride to him at the end of time (Jn. 3:25-30; Luke 5:34; Mt. 25:1-13).
The 21st chapter of Revelation is the most comprehensive description of Heaven in the enter Bible. In that chapter there are four principle elements that are associated with Heaven. In that chapter is revealed the inhabitants of the city of God (Heaven). The only earthly beings in heaven will be the redeemed (21:1-8). In verses 9-21 we are given a symbolic description of the structure of the New heavens and Earth. In verses 22-27 there is a description of the glory, safety, and sanctification in Heaven. Finally, there is the description of the river of life (22:1-5). Though this study is not for the purpose of learning all about Heaven, the descriptions found in the passages that describe Heaven are certainly going to aid in our final conclusion.
Personal Life’s Work Remembered
As to the question about Heaven and recognition of who we are and who we were; there is a particularly interesting passage, again, in the book of Revelation. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, That they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (14:13). Note the expression, “from now on.” John is actually controverting a fear that many in the first century felt. The thought was that at the advent of Christ those who survived on earth would have an advantage over those who had died. Those who died in the Lord are blessed “hence forth” or from now on. That is to say that, at death those who have died in the Lord are blessed from now on morning deeper into eternity. As they move into eternity the blessings continue. The two blessings that are expressed by the Spirit are that they rest from their labor and their works do follow them.
This is a confirmation by the Holy Spirit, verse 13 notes, “...the Spirit says, ‘Blessed indeed.’” This passage harmonizes beautifully with the words of Christ in Matthew 25. The works that follow the Christian is clearly expressed in that chapter as the works in their Christian lives. The works of care and kindness in providing food and drink to those who are without; welcoming strangers, clothing the needy and visiting the shut-ins (vv. 35-40). It is as if Jesus were saying on the day of Judgment, “Do you remember all those to whom you have shown kindness to on earth? It is for that work of kindness that you are being called into my blessing.”
This concept is further explained in 1 Corinthians where Paul sets forth the principle of the work of every person being tested on the day of judgment. The work of the Christian is clearly the work of aiding souls to heaven i.e., personal converts. He writes, “Each ones work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.” Thus, Paul affirms that the day of judgment will reveal the quality of everyone’s work. Now, Paul reveals a reality that we must carry into eternity. He writes, “If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward” (v. 14). In other words, a person will be blessed in eternity by the converts that he has brought to Christ. It will be their reward in Heaven. There is, however, a contrast or a negative side to this as well. Paul informs us that, “If anyones work is burned up, he will suffer loss...” (v. 15). The word “suffer” is from the Greek word zēmiōthēsetai and is a future passive indicative verb.6 The passive tense indicates that the subject is passive in the ordeal and the indicative mood is simply a statement of fact.7 The future tense, however, is an indication that the loss will be a part of his future as much as the reward would have been a part of his future. The entire ordeal expressed by Paul, as well as that by Jesus, gives continuity from one’s life on earth to their future life in heaven; even the bad memories of ones we have loved who have been lost.
NOTE: Minsters and leaders of the church of our blessed Lord should take note of Pauls warning in the aforementioned verses. If we, as ministers of the word, water down the gospel and give a steady diet of milk to our audience, we may look back and find that our lives were fruitless and our reward is diminished as through fire. Leaders of the church must recognize that potlucks and field trips are great tools to bring brethren together and create a bond of fellowship, but it is no substitute for solid biblical teaching and grounding brethren in the doctrine of Christ.
Recognizing Jesus as the Lamb
It is certainly implied throughout the bible that in Heaven we will remember the details of our own lives. One passage that reflects this is Revelation 6:9 which shows the souls of those who had been slain under the altar of God. They are said to cry out to the Lord, “...how long before you will judge and avenge our blood...” It is clear that the details of their deaths have been remembered and they were not satisfied with the present situation but looked forward to a time in Heaven when the will of God would be completed and justice would be satisfied. These saints under the altar were interested in justice for their unjust deaths. There is therefore, a clear indication in scripture that there are memories even of the negatives detains of our lives.
What about the personal sins that we have committed in our lives? One writer has noted, “We currently live our lives as ‘perfect sinners.’ We are already perfectly justified and loved by God as our Father...But sin will end. In the new creation we will be “simply” perfect. When Christ returns, our justification will be declared before all creation and we’ll be perfected.8 We know that the bible indicates that there will be no sin in heaven. Revelation says, “But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the lambs book of life” (21:12,27). This is the only passage that I have found that suggests that the memories of our sins would be an unclean thing entering heaven, but the promise is that “nothing unclean will ever enter it...” I would argue that the is a difference between an unclean thing and the memory of an unclean thing. We have those memories now with us today and they cause us no sin nor should they if we have the proper prospective on those sins.
The Lord’s view of our sins is clearly described in scripture; they are blotted out, wiped out, not remembered and cast into the depths of the sea (Is.43:25; Acts 3:19; Heb. 8:12; Micah 7:19). These passages are not about memories as much as they are about the guilt and consequences of our sin. God has made the choice not to remember our sins but really he chooses not to hold the consequences of sin against us. The point is that our sin and its consequences cannot be found because they have been dealt with. On the other hand, our love and the degree of our love for Christ is connected with the awareness of how deep our debt of sin is. Jesus helped Simon the Pharisee to understand this very point: “You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven—for she loved much. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:46-47). This seems to be a condition that is ours even in heaven; our love for Christ is connected to how much he forgave.
One thing that stands out is how Jesus is identified in the heavenly realm. In Revelation chapter 5, one of the elders in heaven said to John, “Weep no more; behold the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David has conquered...” (5:5). They sang a new song in Heaven, “Worthy is the lamb.” They declare that he was slain and by his blood he ransomed people for God (9-10). The predominant scene in Heaven throughout the book of Revelation is Jesus, as the Lamb of God. In chapter 19, there is the great scene in Heaven of the multitude crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and power and glory belong to our God” (19:1ff). In the same chapter there is the marriage feast of the lamb and his bride made ready (vv. 7-8). Now the point is this; if the picture of Christ in Heaven is the Lamb of God, then will we not know the significance of that? Will we not remember that he was the lamb that ransomed our souls? Will we not know that our life on earth was marred by sin and he lovingly gave his life for us? The fact that he is not ashamed to call us brothers and that we share a body like the Son of God will be evidence enough that we are the redeemed of the earth. To the extent that our sins are forgiven our love will be measured.
Paul reflected on the life we now live in the flesh as merely a tent. He goes on to encourage the saints that this temporary living situation will one day be resolved with a permanent dwelling that is built by God. He says, “we are of good courage, I say and are willing rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord” (v. 8). In that context he acknowledges that we will all be “made manifest before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether it be good or bad (v. 10). Again there is the seat of Christ that we stand before. This certainly implies that we acknowledge that he is Christ and know him as such. Furthermore, we will receive what we have done in the body. Again, there is implications that are made concerning why we are in Heaven. Why would Christ give the acknowledgment, “well done good and faithful servant” if we are unable to understand the significance of that? If we come to be in Heaven, the bible teaches that we will know why we have come to be in Heaven.
Conclusion
We have reviewed just a few passages that strongly imply that there will be remembrance of our life on earth, both good and bad. Those who think not are lacking in any evidence to the contrary. There is no passage that says or implies that God will remove any part of what we have done here on earth from our memories. We will walk with the Lamb of God who is our Lord and we will know him as our Redeemer whose blood cleansed us from the sins we committed while we lived on this Earth. We will remember the brethren we had such sweet fellowship with as we look forward to our eternal fellowship. In the book of Revelation there is the testimony that the redeemed of the earth (Saints) will sing a new song in Heaven. It would appear, the new song is a song about redemption. The new song will be one that none in Heaven can learn except the redeemed of the earth (Rev. 14:3) and this will be our bond throughout eternity as we dwell in the eternal kingdom of God. We saints, will know what it is like to be in sin and to be redeemed and we will never want to be at odds with our God again.
Before we close out this article, I think it is worth noting a couple of importing thoughts concerning out existence in heaven. Though we might very well remember our own lives and even the sin that was characteristic of that life on earth; we should remember that there is nothing in God's conduct in heaven that will put sin forward. The promise of God, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more” (Heb. 10:17), is something that is received now and we be enjoyed in Heaven. We will remember the debt we owed, some owing more some owing less, and to the extent of that debt we will feel only gratitude. There was a promise in Isaiah associated with the children of Israel of a better future. In chapter 54 and verse 4 Isaiah writes, “fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth; and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.” The promise is not about actually deleting a memory but the promise is that of a memory that does not hunt a person anymore. If this could be a condition on earth then certainly it can be a condition in heaven.
Another thought about our condition in heaven is that of complete and conscious holiness within each person. In Heaven we will have a constant reminder of that holiness and absolutely no influence of sin, for there will be no unsaved companions in sin with us there. In heaven we will all be the redeemed of earth who have escaped the clutches of sin. As one author said, “The commanding thought is not sin but forgiveness, so with them [the redeemed who are in Heaven] the commanding association will be the wonderfulness of their redemption; not the depth of their apostasy and the length of their wanderings; so that their presence, instead of forcing upon you a remembrance of guilt, will only magnify before your eyes and your heart the unsearchable riches of God's grace and mercy.”9
Works Cited
1 W. E. Vines (1985), Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) p. 103.
2 Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (1988), Vol. 2 Ed., Walter A. Elwell (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House Co.), p.
3 W. E. Vines (1985), Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) p. 209.
4 Fritz Reinecker & Cleon Rogers (1976), A Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House) p. 859.
5 Homer Hailey (1979), The Book of Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary, (Reno, Nevada: Nevada Publications), p. 405.
6 A. T. Robertson (1931), Word Pictures in the New Testament, Vol., 4 Epistles of Paul, (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press), p 98.
7 Wayne Jackson (1996), Treasures from the Greek New Testament, (Stockton, CA: Courier Publications), p 15.
8 Matt Fuller, Will We Remember Our Sins In Heaven? June 29th 2017 thegoodbook.com,
9 S. Martin, Shall I Remember My Sins in Heaven?, biblehub.com