Fellowship is all about companionship and sharing things in common. In heavenly, Chrisitan fellowship, we first of all, have fellowship with the Father and the Son. And of course, we will share in our love for them and for each other.

Before our glorification believers’ fellowship embraced confession of sins and faults, with prayers. And we often meet together to encourage one another. But, of course, fellowship in heaven will not include these things. All that is over and not needed.

If I could describe heavenly fellowship, I would say it involves just being together, sharing heavenly experiences, and sharing the love we have in Christ. It sounds quite simple, but I’m sure that it will never get old. In fact, the thing that baffles me is that we will be fellowshipping with each and every believer throughout history. That will take a long time; but we have an eternity to do it. I count it a challenge to make my rounds, contacting and greeting each and every believer down through the centuries: “Hi John, remember me?” “Hey Noah? Have you built any arks lately?” Just kidding!

Now, on the question of marriage, as to whether we will maintain the same kind of fellowship in heaven with our present spouse, here are a few remarks:

1. The institution of marriage is a wonderful thing for now, but it is a temporary provision. It is one of those things that will be “passed away” (Rev. 21:1, 4), making room for all things that are new (Rev. 21:5).

2. As Jesus declared to the Sadducees, in the resurrection we will not marry, but will be as the angels (Matt. 22:29-30). This, I think, is mainly because, like the angels, we will not die, and therefore, will have no need to propagate.

3. In heaven the man will no longer require a helper because he will be perfect. Likewise, the woman will no longer need a protector.

4. If you have a good relationship with your spouse, you will no doubt continue to have it in heaven; and you will also have that same perfect relationship with all people forever. Being divorced, I sometimes grieve over not having a good married life. But I look forward to having great relationships with all people in heaven.

Besides the question of marriage relationships, we may also have questions regarding our loved ones who have died, whether we will see them again and recognize them. Well, good news, the bible clears that up quite well. Several times in the Old Testament when someone died it was said that he was “gathered to his people,” indicating that the first ones he would see in heaven would be those of his family that he loved.

Here are five examples of men who were “gathered to his people”: Abraham (Gen. 25:8); Isaac (Gen. 35:29); Jacob (Gen. 49:29); Moses and Aaron (Nu. 20:24); Joshua and all that generation who died (Judg. 2:10).

We also have three other accounts that confirm that we will see our dead loved ones. In 2 Samuel 12, when David’s infant child died, he confidently said, “I shall go to him…” Hence, David was assured by God that he would see his child when he also would die.

Then also, in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 Paul tells all believers that we should be comforted knowing that our dead loved ones will be raised up first and then all who remain alive when He comes will also be caught up with Him, so that we would be together with those who died.

A third group is Christ with His disciples. In Luke 22:17-18, Jesus promised them that He would soon meet with them in heaven to share a meal together.

Another question we may have, is whether we will see and recognize some of the great saints of the bible like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Well, once again, the bible confirms that we will see and recognize them. In Matthew 8:11, Jesus said, “I say to you [people who were following Him] that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”

I guess we can’t be absolutely sure on this point, but I have a feeling that God will make all of us able to recognize each other.

And if you have any thoughts that you will feel lost and out of place in heaven, well, I don’t think you will. I believe that God wants to make all of us comfortable and at home. I have a feeling that heaven will feel more like home to you than any place on earth. We will love being there. After all, we have been looking forward to heaven for a long time.

The most precious thing about our fellowship will be Jesus’ presence, and also the presence of the Father. What will that be like? Pure joy. I know it. Here are a few verses that may shed some light on what our fellowship with God will be like.

1 John 1:3-4

What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.

It is clear that our fellowship with each other is based on and is nurtured by the fellowship we have with the Father and His Son. And in this fellowship our joy is made complete.

1 Corinthians 13:12

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

Here is a good description of how things will change—with how we will see (or understand) things, including God. We see Him and His will now dimly, but after we are glorified we will see Him clearly (or face to face). God will always be pure spirit, so I’m not sure how we will see Him. Indeed, it will be through our spiritual eyes and in our glorified state; and it is beyond me now. But since I will be sinless, I know I will see Him clearly with glorified eyes—no doubt more clearly than I see anything now.

John 17:24

“Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Some day in heaven we will see the full glory of the Son (with the Father, v. 2) and share in it. Yes, it will be wonderful. That glory, it seems, will be all wrapped up in the Father’s love.

John 17:21

 That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us…

Backing up a few verses, Jesus has prayed for us that we (all believers) will be one as the Father is one with the Son; and so, we also together will become one with the Father and the Son. This is great fellowship. We will all, with the Father and the Son, be unified together in love.

John 14:1-3

Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.  2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  3 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

This is absolute confirmation that we will always be with Jesus in the Father’s house. We will never be alone. We will always be with Jesus and with the Father.