What hope is there?

Christianity brings us real hope for everlasting life with Jesus Christ. This I understand.

My question is, when I die will I see my loved ones again and shall our love as it was on earth continue?
I would like Biblical evidence on this please.

Yes, and much better and purer.
1 Corinthians 13:12
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

God is love. That is the motivation for all things He has done.
1 John 4:16
“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

Only God's great knowledge and wisdom are not found in this world.

God's great knowledge and wisdom encompasses all good things

I don’t know what you’re going through Mary but the technical details of the afterlife or the resurrection are a bit of a mystery. So we just need to trust and have hope that Jesus will return to redeem all humanity.

Some inspiration in this material form, are found in stories of people or children who have died and saw their family members in heaven.

Maybe look at the movie Heaven is for Real as one example of personal testimonies of people who have experienced something profound.

When we die, we will be like angels in Heaven. Our marital status won't matter. The people who were in our lives won't matter. We will be in the presence of God. There will be no suffering in Heaven. Jesus talks about many rooms in Heaven. Many rooms. He talks about eternal life. That's the message given to us in the Gospels. All that I'm saying can be found in The Bible.

I don't know if this will make sense to you. So long as we are on earth, we are attached to everything that is worldly and earthly. Once we leave all that behind, it means it doesn't matter anymore and we are free of such attachments. We bind ourselves to people. In heaven, we are bound to God and God is bound to us and we are one in Him. No weeping. No suffering. That's what is given in the Bible. If you read Jesus' prayer after the Lord's supper you will get a gist of this. And also the passage where Jesus is questioned by the Teachers of the law about marriage and a woman who married 7 times. These are some instances where Jesus talks about Heaven and the life after.

I'm sorry. You'll have to look it all up. I'm not quoting the exact verses. But it's all there. God bless.

God has not fully revealed how things will be in eternity. But individuals who have passed on will be recognizable, and that is a certainty. Since love dominates in Heaven, no doubt there will be loving relationships over there.

some believers had been struggling with the same question about thier loved ones who had passed away

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4:13-18‬ ‭

it seems as if there is going to be a reunion I’m not sure this helps but I hope so.

Believers have true hope even beyond death

While here on earth we have strong love for our spouses, children, parents, friends. How are we to face life without them if we outlive them and then eternity without them?

I cannot find what the Bible and Christ teach on this matter. It is a huge concern to me and I am sure to others.

Dear sister yes I think it’s certainly a concern for any Christian who begins to learn the Bible’s message of eternal Life myself included . Beginning my eighth decade now I’ve Said goodbye to a lot of folks I never wanted to have to but I have hope still

after what we all know as death it seems so final and so unknown and just so dark and hopeless , the concept of death I mean. I understand what your saying completely faith is the answer

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the Bible says alot about what happens after we die but it’s different for a believer and non believer , it’s different yet again for a believer who repents and obeys the gospel and a believer who never overcomes all of their sins in this life it’s different yet again for believers based on how much they have heard and know of the gospel of Jesus Christ that gives eternal Life

Believers for instance even imperfect believers who die


“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭23:39-40, 42-43‬ ‭KJV‬‬

ask the concept begins to become to a believer who hears the word teaching this , that death is actually when a persons spirit ( the heart and mind personality goodness ofnthey actually are inside ) leaves their temporary body behind because it fails but the person actually doesn’t die.

The belevieng malefactor was physically near death and died soon after but Jesus explained he was going to be in paradise with him that day meankng he would be alive and well in paradise with Jesus even though his body was about to die and later return to dust and ash a

when our body dies ourself , our woiriw bieng inside who we are to God and everyone who really Knows us the actual inner person who decides what we do with our body they aren’t dying with the body but parting from it


“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:6, 8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We search scripture as believers because we believe it holds the answers it begins to show us things we can’t see yet but God tells us to believe

like death has two stages

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, ( we all have to die once but will be raised up again )

but after this the judgment:”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭9:27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We can be saved from the second death at that judgement

“And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭20:13-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We all have to face physical death because of this

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:12, KJV‬‬

But now the dead have hope a

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
‭‭John‬ ‭11:25-26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When Jesus speaks because of who he is

“For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:9‬ ‭

Even a dead man’s spirit hears him and lives

“And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”
‭‭John‬ ‭11:43-44‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Now Jesus gives life and even the dead have a hope

“and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27:52‬ ‭

All I know for sure os when we die it’s not the end of the story it’s just another stage of life

The common denominator is who believes the gospel of our lord and who doesn’t believe it it will determine the outcome non believers have one end and believers have eternal life with Jesus in whom they believed

The scripture that came to my mind is 1 John 4:

Love Comes from God

7Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Not saying that this applies to any of those on your mind, but just considering how it is a fact of life that there are those that are adept at convincing us of their love, yet only God knows if their love is true. And on the other hand, there are those that we might be convinced can't stand us, yet God knows they love us. You know what I'm saying? God is able to sort it all out and I don't think even a scrap of (true) love will ever be lost. Especially knowing that "love comes from God" and, as I understand it, love is what makes us "whole."

I think if you read the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain it will give you some insight into what you want to know -----

Elijah and Moses appeared with Jesus both were dead and they were recognized by Peter -----they didn't loose their identity ----

Matthew 17:3-4 NIV
3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

I say
Jesus kept His body that He had it was just transformed when He was transfigured to a Spiritual Body ---


Then there is this Scripture ------A Parable told by Jesus -----which gives us insight into the separation of Paradise and Hell ---and Lazarus was taken to Abraham's Bosom and the Rich man went to hell -----the rich man recognized Abraham and Lazarus ----


Luke 16:19-31 ERV
The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 Jesus said, “There was a rich man who always dressed in the finest clothes. He was so rich that he was able to enjoy all the best things every day. 20 There was also a very poor man named Lazarus. Lazarus’ body was covered with sores. He was often put by the rich man’s gate. 21 Lazarus wanted only to eat the scraps of food left on the floor under the rich man’s table. And the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 “Later, Lazarus died. The angels took him and placed him in the arms of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.

23 He was sent to the place of death[a] and was in great pain. He saw Abraham far away with Lazarus in his arms.

24 He called, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to me so that he can dip his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am suffering in this fire!’

25 “But Abraham said, ‘My child, remember when you lived? You had all the good things in life. But Lazarus had nothing but problems. Now he is comforted here, and you are suffering.

26 Also, there is a big pit between you and us. No one can cross over to help you, and no one can come here from there.’

27 “The rich man said, ‘Then please, father Abraham, send Lazarus to my father’s house on earth. 28 I have five brothers. He could warn my brothers so that they will not come to this place of pain.’


Then there is this Scripture -----David's son dies and he says this

2 Samuel 12:23 AMP
23 But now he is dead; why should I [continue to] fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him [when I die], but he will not return to me.”


Then This scripture

1 John 3:2

New International Version
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.



Then this Scripture ----Mary recognized Jesus with His Resurrected Body ------

John 20:16 NIV
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

I say
So I think all family members who are unbelievers will recognize their loved ones in hell -----

I think all family members who are believers will recognize their loved ones in heaven ------

That is my view ----

In His Spiritual Body Jesus walked the earth for 40 days ---He was recognized by His Disciples ---He talked with people --he ate -----and we will do the same in heaven

. Luke 24:42 and 43 says that Jesus ate broiled fish and honeycomb after His resurrection.

“I cannot find what the Bible and Christ teach on this matter. It is a huge concern to me and I am sure to others.”

amen there is hope if they can hear the gospel

“For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The lord went into death to save Man from it not only those born then or now but from the creation. If the dead can hear the gospel they have hope of everlasting life

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh,

but quickened by the Spirit:

by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, ( 4000 plus years before ) while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:18-20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

All I can really say is what helps me when I wonder about death and those who have gone and what I can expect soon also , is that though it seems like the end , we will surely live through it who believe and even the dead who hear and believe will live

So it isn’t the end and I believe that those who believes in Jesus are with him now ,

those who were decent people and not wicked and nasty people also have hope as well as those who died long before Jesus because he went into death and offered life ( just my own perception and thought )

Even death can’t stop Jesus from reaching out to mankind for salvation believing that helps me deal with the loss I’ve endured in my own life and we will experience as well as you dear sister

Life in this world is tribulation mental
Physical and maybe most difficult emotional trials such as losing those we live so deeply

prayer really helps a lot, just really pouring out your heart to God alone somewhere safe and private can do wonders when we really need to hear him

our father loves when his kids ask him about things they need to understand , like any daddy “ abba “

“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He always loves when we hear his words and come to him and believe and he has a way of comforting us through prayer and really fortifying our faith

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I’ve always found my comfort in those saturations and still do find solace in the word of God and what he says about life after death and then asking him to help me find peace and understanding the peace always comes

fantastic post also remember Samuel was raised up and he knew everyone and they knew him also

When I lost my mother and father, I did not think I could go on. I was never married and stayed with mom and dad to the very end. I watched both of them die. They were everything. Caring for them was my reason for living. Life now seemed pointless and I figured it was my time to go also, but here I still am, 20 years later, living in the same old house. Just Jesus and me and a little cat named Amelia. I have come to cherish this solitude where I can listen to the still small voice of my Lord as He speaks peace to my soul.

It gives me joy to know that mom and dad are no longer suffering and that they are eagerly awaiting that sweet reunion with me that shall come very soon.

John 11
12Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
15And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
16Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
17Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
18Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

Morning is near.

I have the same concerns as you do. So far, this is all that the Lord gave me:

Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’"

There is going to be loss since not everyone will want to make Jesus their Lord and Savior. But God WILL comfort us somehow. In the meantime, do your very best:

1) to live a life that glorifies the Lord before your loved ones
2) share the gospel with your loved ones (with the Lord's timing)
3) pray for your loved one always, unceasingly

Did you mean that your family did not accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior? It they did then you have no worries, my dear.

Is it possible that they had a thief on the cross experience at the last hour?

The ones you love cannot be separated from you. Whatever happens, they will continue to look out for your best interests even after they're gone from this world if they did while they were on earth. Which means, that you do remember the people you spent time with on earth and you can pray for them even after you're gone from this world.

A good example is the Rich man in Jesus' story who intercedes for his kin to Abraham so that they would not share his same fate in hell. Which means that we do think of our loved ones even after we leave earth if they aren't with us. Another example is the spirit of Samuel talking to Saul telling him that David will succeed him as king.

But dealing with the spirit world has consequences. Once someone dies, they don't belong with us anymore and we can't go where they go until our time here is over. And God determines these things. Saul contacted a soothsayer to make contact with the spirit of Samuel. And the spirit of Samuel wasn't pleased about it. Neither was God. However, Samuel gave Saul an answer. And it wasn't a favourable answer. We as Christians are called to accept whatever comes to us. It is difficult to lose someone. But that is inevitable. When we leave from Earth, we leave behind good memories and what we did for others. And it is passed on to other generations. We live by faith in God. With trust that God will lead and will provide for our loved ones regardless of whether we are there for them or not. God is able to do that.

Never turn to the Occult and those ways as God doesn't want us to meddle with things that don't concern His Kingdom. It's been advised to let the spirit world be. The spirit world has no dominion over us. And we are under God's protection. If we want God's protection to be there in our lives, we shouldn't disturb what God has kept out of bounds for us. The Spirit world is out of bounds for us. God acts on our behalf and He is more than enough for us spiritually and in every way

When you're with God, it means that God would be enough for you and more than enough. Isn't that why we love God? We are called to love Jesus more than our family, spouse, children and friends. It's when we attach ourselves to the earth and to what is here and are unable to let go that our spirit is not at rest when we depart. The breath we breathe comes from God and it goes back to God when we die. If we're attached to God more, then we will be with God when we die.

37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:37-42.

Life is to be cherished while on earth. When it's time, we have to let go. We must. In our time of departure, it is God we must seek. Life is not forever. Especially this life. The life God gives is forever.

It's when people can't let go, they roam about as spirits which aren't put to rest. Aim to live good life and when you leave this earth, leave it peacefully. That's why they say you make peace with the people who have departed from you. That's why they say, Rest in Peace. Life really is about letting go. The trouble with the world is that people want more and more, even if their life is limited on earth. When we die, we lose it all anyway except for the memories we leave behind. As a believer in Jesus, we die with the hope that we will be united with Him after we die. That goes for our family too. Provided we do what is necessary and live a life of prayer and faith in God that we belong to Him after we die.

Our path to heaven is not as a group. It's an individual path to God. But as family, we have to opportunity to call others in our family to God.