When we're in heaven will we remember our earthly lives?

Quick answer

The Bible suggests that while some memories from our earthly life may be remembered in heaven, they will be viewed from God's perfect perspective, free of pain or sorrow. In heaven, all former troubles will be wiped away, offering a complete and fulfilled understanding of our past.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible provides mixed insights on whether we will remember our earthly lives in heaven. Isaiah 65:17 suggests that former things may not be remembered, but this likely refers to troubles or pain, rather than our entire lives. In the New Testament, both Luke 16:19–31 and Revelation 6:9–11 show that some memories from earth, such as suffering, may be retained, but from a perfected, God-centered perspective. Revelation 21:4 indicates that all pain, mourning, and tears will be gone, possibly suggesting that while we may remember earthly events, they will no longer cause distress. Ultimately, heaven will offer a complete and perfect perspective, possibly allowing us to see our earthly lives with clarity and understanding.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

Some understand Isaiah 65:17 as saying that we won't remember our earthly lives: "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind." Yet this focus on the future heavens and earth does not necessarily require forgetting our past life on earth.

Some suggest that only the bad memories or problems from our earthly lives will be forgotten. This is based on Isaiah 65:16 that reads, "because the former troubles are forgotten and are hidden from my eyes."

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

In the account of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:19–31, both men appear to remember facts about their earthly lives.

Revelation 6:9–11 points out that martyrs in heaven remember their suffering on earth. Since this includes much pain, it appears that at least some painful earthly memories will be remembered, though they will be seen from God's perfect perspective at that time.

Revelation 18:20 provides a future account from heaven that states, "Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!" Judgment is mentioned for past sinful treatment toward God's people. If God mentions it, then there must at least be some memory of these events among the believers. This is further emphasized in Revelation 19:1–5, where believers praise God for fulfilling this judgment.

The New Testament also seems to suggest that we will forget bad memories or past problems from our earthly life. Revelation 21:4 teaches that the Lord, "will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." We are not sure if that means we will forget our earthly lives in heaven or that we will have a new perspective on what has passed.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Though we do not know for sure what of our earthly lives we will remember in heaven, we can be assured that our lives in heaven will be made more complete, not less complete. If memory is part of our basic personality, it is more likely that we would have a better memory of earthly life and see it from God's perfect perspective, rather than losing our memories of earthly life. Revelation 21:4 is clear there will be no more pain in the end for believers, but perhaps believers in heaven will know all of the reasons why things on earth took place and understand them from God's perfect perspective instead.

UNDERSTAND

Some earthly memories may be remembered in heaven but viewed from God's perfect perspective.

Pain and troubles from our earthly lives will either be forgotten or transformed.

Suffering may be remembered but without distress, offering complete understanding.

REFLECT

How does knowing that earthly pain and suffering may be remembered, but from God's perfect perspective, bring you comfort today?

What aspects of your past do you hope to understand more fully when viewed from God's perspective in heaven?

How might this understanding of memory in heaven impact how you deal with suffering and hardships now?

ENGAGE

How do you think the perfect perspective of God will change our view of past suffering in heaven?

How does the promise of no more pain and tears in heaven affect our hope for the future?

How is forgetting our past lives in heaven different than remembering them from God’s perspective?