For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Judy Jentz
I read in the Bible that we will not remember our relatives, therefore we will have no sorrow if some don't make it to Heaven.
I can't remember where I read it though and if someone could help me with this passage I'd really appreciate it. I know it made me feel like I had to pray constantly for my relatives, that they all had in their hearts that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior and the only way to get to Heaven and that not by being a "good person" could they get there.
Do we all know what our immediate family members truly have in their hearts? I read at Got Questions that we will remember. If that is so, won't we have the ability to feel sorrow and pain on our hearts for them because they are suffering in Hell? There is no sorrow in Heaven, but how can one not have sorrow in their heart if one of their children, grandchildren, etc. Did not make it to Heaven? I understand that we love Jesus more than our children or anyone else. But even so, here on Earth we have sorrow when adversity comes their way and this does not mean we love them more than Jesus. So, why in Heaven, wouldn't we feel sorrow?
Terry Gillard
Somehow in God's economy, I'm convinced the very sharp sense of loss will be dulled over time: but time itself will mean nothing.- So we are talking of a situation that is Spiritually and physically so very different from any we know on earth. Don't forget - the Prince of Peace is there! The comforter will be there! We will know such comfort - equal to (I believe) the sharp pain of loss.
The issue that has always facinated me - yes we will remember: Yes we will be aware of what we have come from: but we will still be individuals! New creations, but not spiritual robots or uniform people! If individuals, we will have differing opinions on issues: we will share and find we are still individual, and will disagree on issues - yet without ever losing tempers / or losing face, or losing ourselves! How, I have no idea - but I trust Him!
Gene Coleman
Judy Jentz, perhaps we won’t feel sorrow because we will then know and accept that it would be wrong for anything other than God’s plan and way would be ever so much worse and that we will take joy in fully knowing at that time actually and completely why only God’s way is the only and best way?