We believe there will be recognition in heaven, which, as we are going to see, can be substantiated from Paulβs revelation. But it should be remembered that the subject of recognition in eternity is a biblical principle that transcends the ages and dispensations.
In Paulβs epistle to the Philippians, the apostle reveals to these dear saints, some of whom were suffering persecution, that their βconversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious bodyβ (Phil. 3:20,21a). The key phrase here is that these old bodies of humiliation will be βfashioned like unto His glorious bodyβ in the secret resurrection at His coming β the Rapture. In other words, what was true of our Lordβs glorified resurrected body will be true of ours as well. Of course, we know the disciplesΒ recognizedΒ the resurrected Christ when He appeared to them in the upper room.
βThen saith He to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My sideβ¦.And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my Godβ (John 20:27,28). There was no question whatsoever in Thomasβ mind that the One standing before him was the Lord. He clearlyΒ recognizedΒ Him. In similar fashion, we will be known in glory even as we are presently known, as members of the Body of Christ.
Additional support for people recognizing each other in eternity can be found in Matthew 8:11, Luke 16:19-31 and John 11:21-26. source
