Question from a reader:

Have you found anything in your research that indicates whether a person experiences emotional healing upon entering God’s presence, or whether it’s a process? Does my mom now see me with God’s eyes, or does she still view me through the lens of her own childhood pain?

Answer from Randy Alcorn:

I believe that as finite human beings who will live in space and time, we will go through a never-ending process of learning in Heaven, in that we will learn MORE as time goes on (Eph. 2:7). However, 1 Cor. 13:12 seems to suggest there will be immediate clarity of vision in God’s presence.

I take this to mean we will see through God’s eyes in that all sin and darkness from the world, flesh and devil will be removed, allowing us to see accurately. However, as time goes on we could see with greater depth and perception.

So I think your mother sees things accurately now—and sees you accurately now—unhindered by her past hurts. Still, eventually as she learns more and more about her God and his grace and sovereignty, she will likely see with greater depth than ever, giving her more and more cause for fresh gratitude and worship.

For more information on the subject of Heaven, see Randy Alcorn’s book Heaven.