In heaven the souls look different so how do you know who's who?

Wow!! That is an amazing question! This is also a question that has been debated between biblical scholars. The Holy Bible makes it pretty clear that we are able to recognize people even in their glorified bodies. Remember when Jesus reappeared to His disciples after He was crucified? Look at what the Bible has to say about that:

“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” (John 20-19-20)

It appears, by this passage, that the disciples recognized Jesus and were overjoyed. Next, look at what it says in the Book of Acts:

“After his suffering, He (Jesus) showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3)

Obviously, Jesus was recognizable to everyone He came into contact with after He had risen.

There is also the story of the rich man and Lazarus in the Book of Luke, Chapter 16. Look at these passages:

"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire. But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.” (Luke 16:22-25)

It appears that the rich man, while in Hell can see and recognize Abraham and Lazarus, the poor beggar, in Heaven. It also implies that Abraham can recognize the rich man in Hell. Also, Abraham tells the rich man to “remember” the things in his lifetime which tells me that the rich man will have the memories of his life.

In Mark 9:4, the disciples somehow recognize Moses and Elijah when they were with Jesus on the mountain. Moses and Elijah presumably were in their “glorified” forms.

But, according to scripture, we also get “glorified bodies.” These are new bodies and are called “Heavenly bodies” according to 1 Corinthians 15:40 which says, “There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another.”

After Jesus died on the cross many of the saints of God who had died before his crucifixion, rose in their bodies from their graves and were seen and recognized, presumably before they were taken up into heaven. They arose because their graves had been disturbed by what seems like an earthquake at the moment of Jesus’ death.

Jesus also said that we would be like the angels of heaven; well, what did they look like??? For one, they appeared and disappeared like Jesus. They appeared in human form like us; they ate, drank and talked like mankind. (Genesis 18 & 19) Sometimes they appeared in radiant garment like Jesus when He appeared on the mount of transfiguration. In the book of Revelation angels some times appear as giants standing astride great masses of land. (Am I confusing you yet?)

The Bible only gives us glimpses of what is to come and what our heavenly bodies will be like, and it remains one of the mysteries of our faith. But it seems to me from the little evidence we have in the Bible, we can rest assured we will know each other in heaven!

What does death lead to?

Wow …. I think the Bible makes it pretty clear that there are only two options when you die: either eternal life in Heaven with Jesus or eternal torment in Hell. There is no middle ground or some holding tank for second chances.

Bottom line: If you are saved, you go to Heaven. If you are not saved, you go to Hell. I think it is very important at this point to make a very important distinction or clarification and that is: it’s all about being saved, not being good. Good people don’t go to Heaven; saved people do.

What I’m trying to say here is that it’s not about the good things you’ve done in your life or that you will do in your life that determines whether you go to Heaven. You can’t “earn” a spot in Heaven. It’s already been bought for you by Jesus’ death. He gives it to you as gift … a gift called grace. I love Ephesians 2:8-9, which says it clearly, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith --- and this is not from ourselves but it is a gift of God --- not by works, so no one can boast.” It is right there for the taking! Jesus gives you eternal life with Him as a gift! All you have to do is accept it. You don’t have to “do” anything. If you try and do things to somehow earn it, you take away Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and make it about earning salvation. Jesus is crying out, “No! I bought and paid for you with my blood! I did it willingly because I love you.”

Let me also say something about Hell. God did not create Hell for people. It is a place that was created for Satan and his demons. In Matthew 25:41, Jesus tells those who never came to Him, “Depart from, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

It is a terrible place…the Holy Bible can’t even adequately describe it. We do know that it is a place where even Satan is tormented day and night forever (Revelation 20:10). It is a place of total darkness, where you are completely alone and where you are in constant anguish from the searing flame with a thirst that cannot be quenched and where there will be a constant weeping and gnashing of teeth (Revelation 14:11, Mark 9:4, Jude 7, Matthew 22:13). If that scares you, that’s okay … it scares me too.

There are people, who are non-believers, who will say, “How can a loving God send people to a place like Hell?” The truth is God doesn’t send us to Hell. The non-belief in Him and sin, choosing the devil’s way, put people in Hell. Remember, God is holy and will not allow sin in His kingdom.

But, know this: God does not want anyone to perish! He wants all of us to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) More importantly, God sent His One and Only Son to die for us so that we would not go to Hell. But, it’s not enough just to know that Jesus died for us. You must truly believe that He died for us and then confess Him as your Savior. Remember our A-B-C’s in the Bridge Illustration? You must Admit your sins, Believe that Jesus is who He says He is and Confess Him to be your Savior.

Never forget how much God loves you!!! He loves you so much that while we were still sinners he sent His son to die for us! (Romans 5:8) And the reward is so great, too, because the Bible says that, “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through Him” (John 3:16-17)

What if you are in Hell and you pray about your sins? Will God take you to heaven from hell?

Wow, dude, that is an awesome question! Sadly, though, the Bible is quite clear on that and the truth is, no. Once you are in Hell, it is for all eternity.

Jesus actually talks more about Hell than He does about Heaven and the reason is because He does not want any of us to ever go there. Hell was not created by God for you and me. It is a place that was created for Satan and his demons. In Matthew 25:41, Jesus tells those who never came to Him, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

It is a terrible place…the Holy Bible can’t even adequately describe it. We do know that it is a place where even Satan is tormented day and night forever (Revelation 20:10). It is a place of total darkness, where you are completely alone and where you are in constant anguish from the searing flame with a thirst that cannot be quenched and where there will be a constant weeping and gnashing of teeth (Revelation 14:11, Mark 9:4, Jude 7, Matthew 22:13). If that scares you, that’s okay…it scares me too.

There are people, who are non-believers, who will say, “How can a loving God send people to a place like Hell?” The truth is God doesn’t send us to Hell. The non-belief in Him and sin, choosing the devil’s way, put people in Hell. Remember, God is holy and will not allow sin in His kingdom.

But, know this: God does not want anyone to perish! He wants all of us to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) More importantly, God sent His one and only Son to die for us so that we would not go to Hell. But, it’s not enough just to know that Jesus died for us. You must truly believe that He died for us and then confess Him that He is your Savior. Remember our A-B-C’s in the Bridge Illustration? You must Admit your sins, Believe that Jesus is who He says He is and Confess that He is your Savior.

Never forget how much God loves you!!! He loves you so much that while we were still sinners he sent His son to die for us! (Romans 5:8) And the reward is so great, too, because the Bible says that, “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through Him” (John 3:16-17)

If God and Jesus are the same, then how does God only know when Jesus is returning?

This is a very thought provoking question and it’s been debated by Biblical scholars a lot. First, there is absolutely no doubt that Jesus and God are one in the same. That is important to remember. The Holy Spirit is also God. So, there is one God but He reveals Himself in three ways: God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit.

So, Jesus may very well know when He is returning but He is referring to the greatness of the Father when He says "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32) Also, Jesus is likely not trying to act independently from the Father. It’s like He’s saying, “The Father is in charge, just as I can’t do anything that the Father doesn’t have me do, so it’s up to the Father when this day will occur.

Another widely accepted interpretation is that what Jesus what really saying is that no one will “make known” the hour of the coming of Jesus except God, the Father. God will have the full authority to announce Jesus’ second returning. This theory is based on scholars doing a word study on the ancient texts and breaking down the Greek word “eido” which we’ve translated as “know.”

These Biblical scholars believe also that Jesus, being God, knew when he was coming again but that He was leaving the announcement to God, the Father, to make. That only the Father will “make known” the return of the Son.

Okay, so is that a little confusing? It’s okay. It confuses me too but I believe it is the best way to interpret that passage.

What is the best book in the Bible to look up?

Hmmm, well, there is no "best" book. In every single book of the Bible, God has something incredible to show us about who He is and who we should be in reference to Him.

It might be good to start with one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) because they are fairly easy to understand all on their own. The book of Psalms is like that too and it’s FULL of verses that will make our God grow much bigger in your heart.

If you’d like to start reading your Bible on your own, please know that many parts of it can be difficult to understand. So never feel like you’re dumb for not getting certain parts of it and ALWAYS ask a grownup you trust to help you understand. I STILL get stumped on some things I run across in God’s Word and I’ve been reading it for a LONG time!! When I get stumped, I go for help.

Is it okay to kinda be scared to talk about Jesus? … I want to tell my friends. I don’t know what to say.

I hope that the TRACK lessons, and especially the game we have been playing in Small Group, give you some ideas on how to talk about Jesus (build a friendship, bring them to TRACK or a cool church event, or share God’s story), but I also want to share something with you from the Bible.

Put this letter down, and go to the Gospel of Mark, and read chapter 9, verses 14 through 24.


Did you catch verse 24? “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Even during the days when Jesus walked the earth, it was difficult to understand Jesus completely. Jesus is the Son of God, and although the Bible gives us everything we need to know about Jesus, there is much that we wonder about! We just can’t understand God completely, our brains just ain’t good enuf! That also means our faith can be challenged. And it means it can be difficult to talk about Jesus and our faith to others, even our close friends!

It is absolutely OK to kinda be scared to talk about Jesus BUT you don’t have to be!! Here’s what I mean … the Holy Spirit has come to give us power to help share the Gospel and talk about Jesus. God the Father doesn’t speak to us in loud words anymore (like He did with Adam and Eve), Jesus doesn’t walk the earth anymore (like He did 2000 years ago), BUT the Holy Spirit is right now our helper and our counselor and our guide as we connect with other people. That’s very cool! And remember, there is a time to talk about Jesus, there is a time to be like Jesus in action instead of word, and there is a time to just be a kid having fun and not worrying about it at all! Let the Holy Spirit guide you! (And talk to your mom and dad about this, too!)

What if God worked through the disciples to raise the dead? Is it still a sin?

That is a very intriguing question! First, we have to see if the disciples ever raised someone from the dead. The answer is: yes! If you read Acts 9:36-42, you will see that Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, raises a young girl named Tabitha (also known as Dorcas) from the dead. The question now is, was that a sin?

Remember, Peter did this under the authority of God. God worked through Peter. Only God has the power and the authority to create or give life. And God cannot sin. God allowed Peter to raise this young girl from the dead to make people believe in Him. So, that means that it wasn’t a sin to raise Tabitha from death.

What’s also remarkable about this act is that it shows the level of Peter’s faith too! Earlier in the Bible, Peter couldn’t even cast out a demon! He whined to Jesus and asked why he couldn’t do it. And do you know what Jesus said to him? He accused him and the other disciples of not having enough faith! (Matthew 17:20)

Peter was also the disciple who denied knowing Jesus three times, including one time to a servant girl, because he was so scared and didn’t have faith in Jesus! (Mark 14:66-72)

BUT, once he saw the resurrected Christ, Peter changed and his faith was powerful. He became a bold believer in Jesus and preached about Jesus even at the cost of his own life.