Tears in heaven?

[KiraJen]

I was talking with a friend the other day aout coping with the loss of a loved one and how hard it is to imagine missing them everyday for the rest of our lives and I started wondering about what Christians (or other theists who believe in an eternal paradise) think about spending an eternity remembering those you have lost.

Of course, many of the people you know and love may be "saved" so you believe you will see them again in heaven, but I have often heard Christians fretting about their friends and family members who are not saved.

So, my question is, will there be sorrow in heaven? Do you think that you will spend an eternity mourning those you have lost, especially knowing that they are being tormented in hell (depending on your view of hell)?

If not, why not? Would you not remember them? Would you be so happy to be with Jesus it wouldn't matter? Something else?

Thank you

 

[HypnoToad]

No, no sorrow in heaven.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain," - Revelation 21:4.

I doubt this will be because our memories are wiped. I would think maybe it's because the joy and love of God is too strong to be affected by sorrow. Perhaps also we will have a perfect understanding and acceptance of the entirety of God's judgement, knowing without doubt it is totally righteous and not to feel sorrowful over.

 

[ebia]

I was talking with a friend the other day aout coping with the loss of a loved one and how hard it is to imagine missing them everyday for the rest of our lives and I started wondering about what Christians (or other theists who believe in an eternal paradise) think about spending an eternity remembering those you have lost.

Of course, many of the people you know and love may be "saved" so you believe you will see them again in heaven, but I have often heard Christians fretting about their friends and family members who are not saved.

So, my question is, will there be sorrow in heaven?

(Assuming by 'heaven' you mean the post-resurrection Kingdom of God) apparently not. Or at least, not eternally.

Do you think that you will spend an eternity mourning those you have lost, especially knowing that they are being tormented in hell (depending on your view of hell)?

I believe 'eternal torment' is a gross misunderstanding of hell. I suspect there may be some mouring (by God as well as ourselves) over those (if any) who aren't redeemed but (if there is) that will be perfectly effectual (and therefore temporary).

If not, why not? Would you not remember them? Would you be so happy to be with Jesus it wouldn't matter? Something else?

I don't know. I don't think we are in a position to understand a world of perfect forgiveness, understanding, and love.

 

[KiraJen]

No, no sorrow in heaven.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain," - Revelation 21:4.

I doubt this will be because our memories are wiped. I would think maybe it's because the joy and love of God is too strong to be affected by sorrow. Perhaps also we will have a perfect understanding and acceptance of the entirety of God's judgement, knowing without doubt it is totally righteous and not to feel sorrowful over.

Even if you perfectly understood the meaning behind it all wouldn't you still miss them? Wouldn't you want to miss them just a little bit?


What do you think your feelings would be when you thought of them?

 

[KiraJen]

I suspect there may be some mouring (by God as well as ourselves) over those (if any) who aren't redeemed but (if there is) that will be perfectly effectual (and therefore temporary).


I don't know. I don't think we are in a position to understand a world of perfect forgiveness, understanding, and love.

Yes, I agree (except that I don't believe in heaven so only for the sake of argument). No one can have a true answer to this. But do you think it would be possible to remember your loved ones and not feel sorrow? Would you want not to feel it? What do you think you would feel if not sorrow?

 

[HypnoToad]

Even if you perfectly understood the meaning behind it all wouldn't you still miss them? Wouldn't you want to miss them just a little bit?

What do you think your feelings would be when you thought of them?

Whatever the feelings are, they will not be sorrowful.

You have to understand that we will have a point of view and an understanding that no one has ever yet experienced - so you're asking us to relate an experience that no one has ever had yet. It's basically impossible to explain what something will be like when no one has ever experienced it.

 

[icedtea]

Boy, what a good question. I've alwasy felt I could never enjoy Heaven without my son.
It makes me wish the idea of total reconciliation was true.
But XianJedi's answer above mine is very good.

 

[tapero]

I was talking with a friend the other day aout coping with the loss of a loved one and how hard it is to imagine missing them everyday for the rest of our lives and I started wondering about what Christians (or other theists who believe in an eternal paradise) think about spending an eternity remembering those you have lost.

Of course, many of the people you know and love may be "saved" so you believe you will see them again in heaven, but I have often heard Christians fretting about their friends and family members who are not saved.

So, my question is, will there be sorrow in heaven? Do you think that you will spend an eternity mourning those you have lost, especially knowing that they are being tormented in hell (depending on your view of hell)?

If not, why not? Would you not remember them? Would you be so happy to be with Jesus it wouldn't matter? Something else?

Thank you

Hi, In the bible it says former things will pass away. We do not know what that means exactly as we will surely have our personalities and know our family and friends in heaven but some things or knowledge will pass away.

Such may be the knowledge of our loved ones who are not with us. Of course, I could not imagine knowing a loved one was in hell, but yes, bible does say no more tears.

If we are aware that there are those in hell, God will give us a capability to understand and grasp to deal with it.

We know that God wants all men to know him. So we know that God himself does not wish any to go to hell, so and sad thing too is many will be decieved.

It is one thing for those who have made a decision not to believe though to me of course is just as sad as anything else, and is also a deception, but for those who are decieved intentionally, much of this will come via religious institututions false teachings, etc.

Of course satan does not desire men to be saved by Christ, so you see there is much working against men coming to know Christ.

But God is all powerful and working to bring us to Himself. I myself came in no other way than a miracle, apparently in a way like Paul, at least to me, was called and believed, in a very short time, when previously had never thought of God, nor was taught of God, never pondered anything relating to spiritual things.

So God is working in this world, but we are also told as Christians there is a spiritual battle going on, and that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness in high places. So there's a battle going on unseen to us, and unknown to us, over us and about us, believers and unbelievers I would imagine, to keep believers from a closer walk with God, (growth) and to keep non believers from coming to know God (salvation)

Sorry went off on a tangent.

Thanks for your question,
tapero

 

[jondavluc]

i like this question i think in heaven there will be no sadness obviously i think gods love would be too overpowering and also i think just like god we will also want everyone on earth to come to him not just our loved ones cause we will receive love from his radiance but no sadness and plus the knowledge and understanding of his will a sure you of that i could just picture god telling me the answers to life and me slapping my head and saying "of course " hehe

 

[Digit]

Hi KiraJen,

I was talking with a friend the other day aout coping with the loss of a loved one and how hard it is to imagine missing them everyday for the rest of our lives and I started wondering about what Christians (or other theists who believe in an eternal paradise) think about spending an eternity remembering those you have lost.

Of course, many of the people you know and love may be "saved" so you believe you will see them again in heaven, but I have often heard Christians fretting about their friends and family members who are not saved.

So, my question is, will there be sorrow in heaven? Do you think that you will spend an eternity mourning those you have lost, especially knowing that they are being tormented in hell (depending on your view of hell)?

If not, why not? Would you not remember them? Would you be so happy to be with Jesus it wouldn't matter? Something else?

Thank you

I think the answer to this all depends on how you feel about Heaven and Hell, and what they are. I don't subscribe to the 'eternal suffering' idea, as it causes huge issues with an ever-loving God. I also get the impression that God could be a little more merciful than He is letting on, but anyhow, have you ever had a situation, where something has been bugging you? A problem that you know there is a solution to and for some reason it is escaping you, then you stop thinking about it for a while and just from nowhere, the solution comes and it's almost like a mental click? Everything makes sense. That's how I imagine it will be, sudden comprehension and understanding.

If the Bible says that there will be no sorrow or suffering, then I have hope that it is true.

Cheers!
Digit

 

[Emmy]

Dear KiraJen. We know that there will be no tears in Heaven, we also know that Jesus told His disciples, when He returned to God, " In my Father`s house are many mansions, I will go and prepare one for you." In Acts, we can read about how whole families are saved, that tells me, God saves in families. If we look at your question seriously, we cannot help thinking, if we are surrounded by believers in Christ, we will remember, sooner or later, and when we have to make up our minds, we will choose what we really want. Jesus told us of a place in Outer Darkness, without the Love or Light of God, and where can be heard loud wailing and gnashing of teeth. I think it is a place where those go, who do not want to follow Jesus Jesus back to God, and when the realise the mistake they have made, they will wail and gnash their teeth. There is only Heaven or Not Heaven, either with God, or without God, and family-members are inclined to stick together. I know, I will want to return to God, and I pray daily that my loved ones will come too. I say this humbly and with love,KiraJen, and send greetings. Emmy, sister in Christ. P.S. There is a place of fire and brimstone, but that is reserved for Satan and his followers.

 

[Criada]

This is a really hard question - and one that I have often tried to work out. And frankly, I don't know the answer.
But I do know Jesus, and I know what He has promised. There are things we will never understand in this life - but I *know* that I can trust His word. So that's where I am with it - sorry i can't help you.
But really, knowing God is the important thing, and then trusting Him to work out the other bits.

 

[ebia]

Yes, I agree (except that I don't believe in heaven so only for the sake of argument). No one can have a true answer to this. But do you think it would be possible to remember your loved ones and not feel sorrow? Would you want not to feel it? What do you think you would feel if not sorrow?

I cannot imagine.

 

[TexasSky]

A little experience speaking here.
I have lost a lot of people that I loved dearly, and that I wish I could still share life on this earth with.

I knew and loved 2 great grandparents who are now gone.
I knew and loved 4 grandparents, wo are all now gone.
I knew and loved 2 parents, who are now gone.

I've also lost a beloved Uncle and several beloved great Aunts and Uncles. A few friends.

The pain of that loss, initially, was tremendous, but the love of Christ got me through that, and I managed to move on in life, focusing on the joys that are around me now.

The love of my children, the love of my friends.

Today, the now.

The bible promises that there will be no tears in heaven. I believe that with all my heart.

And while there will, no doubt, be some who are missing that I wish were there, I believe the total joy that will be around me will erase the pain of the lost.

 

[lilbluebird]

isaih 51 : 11 Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.