Will We Remember Our Earthly Lives When We Are In Heaven
“Will we remember our earthly lives when we are in Heaven?”Isaiah 65:1717 "Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore.Some interpretIsaiah 65:17 as saying that we will have no memory of our earthly lives in heaven.However, one verse earlier inIsaiah 65:16, the Bible says16 All who invoke a blessing or take an oath will do so by the God of truth.For I will put aside my angerand forget the evil of earlier days.It is likely only our "past troubles" that will be forgotten – not all of our memories. Our memories will be cleansed, redeemed, healed, and restored – not erased. There is no reason why we could not possess many memories from our earthly lives. The memories that will be cleansed are the ones that involve sin, pain, and sadness.Revelation 21:44 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever."Some point to the story of Lazarus and the rich man as proof that the dead remember their earthly lives. Luke 16:19-3119 Jesus said, "There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury.20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man's table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.22 "Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham.(into Abraham's bosom) The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and his soul went to the place of the dead.(to Hades) There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.24 "The rich man shouted, ÔÇÿFather Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.'25 "But Abraham said to him, ÔÇÿSon, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.'27 "Then the rich man said, ÔÇÿPlease, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father's home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don't end up in this place of torment.'29 "But Abraham said, ÔÇÿMoses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.'30 "The rich man replied, ÔÇÿNo, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.'31 "But Abraham said, ÔÇÿIf they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even if someone rises from the dead.'"The rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus back to earth to warn the rich man's brothers not to come to hell. So he remembered his relatives. He must have also remembered his own life of sin because he never asked to be released from hell, nor did he ask why he was there or claim there had been some kind of mistake. He remembered enough about his earthly life to know that he deserved hell. But this is no proof that those in heaven remember their earthly lives. The rich man's remembrance was part of his misery. If we have memories in heaven, they will only be of things that will bring us joy.