Lk 20:34 "Jesus said to them, 'Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 Indeed, they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection.'" NRSVue *The words "marry" and "given in marriage" are verbs, words of action. What factors do "like angels" include? Does it mean much more than reproduction of the species?
Factors we use to identify an individual, but which ones must hold true in the resurrection and age to come?
1. Gender
2. Basic or initial relationship - spouse, offspring, co-worker, the brethren, neighbor, stranger
3. Race
4. Age
5. Facial expression and body language
6. Jesus showed the nail marks in his hands, so how do we consider physical features?
Individual identities are clearly possible after death according to the scriptures -
I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, (Matt 8:11 NRSV)
"For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known." (1Cor 13:12 NRSV) *The underlined is not certain as to translation or meaning.
"But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” (2Sam 12:23 NRSV)
Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. (Matt 17:3 NRSV)
Admittedly, we do not know how much we'll know of our past lives before the resurrection and eternal state, but aren't at least some of the factors of identification necessary? If we recognize others in heaven, don't we need ways to identify? There probably is not "husband and wife" in heaven or sexual desire, but is the memory of that pre-resurrection relationship erased, is there a full break in the chain of existence or identity? If factors of identity are erased, how do we know what individual is resurrected from each grave? On the other hand, what factors of identity are the same at 85 as they were at 15?
Factors we use to identify an individual, but which ones must hold true in the resurrection and age to come?
1. Gender
2. Basic or initial relationship - spouse, offspring, co-worker, the brethren, neighbor, stranger
3. Race
4. Age
5. Facial expression and body language
6. Jesus showed the nail marks in his hands, so how do we consider physical features?
Individual identities are clearly possible after death according to the scriptures -
I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, (Matt 8:11 NRSV)
"For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known." (1Cor 13:12 NRSV) *The underlined is not certain as to translation or meaning.
"But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” (2Sam 12:23 NRSV)
Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. (Matt 17:3 NRSV)
Admittedly, we do not know how much we'll know of our past lives before the resurrection and eternal state, but aren't at least some of the factors of identification necessary? If we recognize others in heaven, don't we need ways to identify? There probably is not "husband and wife" in heaven or sexual desire, but is the memory of that pre-resurrection relationship erased, is there a full break in the chain of existence or identity? If factors of identity are erased, how do we know what individual is resurrected from each grave? On the other hand, what factors of identity are the same at 85 as they were at 15?
