Setting Sail on a Quest(ion) about Heaven and Hell – “Do You See What I See?” (Part IX)

Sermon Title: Setting Sail on a Quest(ion) – “Do You See What I See?”

Good News Statement: Jesus transforms us into a resurrected body

Preached: Sunday, July 27^th, 2025 at Dogwood Prairie and Seed Chapel UMC

Pastor Daniel G. Skelton, M.Div.

 

Scripture (NRSVUE): 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 Heaven and Hell: two words that have captured the curiosity, imagination, and wonder of millions of people across several centuries. One of those words brings forth comfort and peace, an image of green pastures and still waters, and hope and eternal salvation. The other word subjugates fear, darkness, and a feeling of being at the lowest point. Today, we are given a choice. May the hearing and understanding of this scripture add a blessing to your life.

 

The Resurrection Body 

⁵¹ Look, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ When this perishable body puts on imperishability and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

 

This is the Word of God for the People of God; And all God’s people said, “Thanks be to God.”

 

 

The following Sermon Series will be drawn from the words of Biblical Scholar, Alan W. Gomes, who explores 40 Questions about Heaven and Hell in his book 40 Questions about Heaven and Hell.

Alan W. Gomes (edited by Benjamin L. Merkle), 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2018.

 

 

Introduction:

In the ethereal[1] expanse of the cosmos, there exists a realm beyond mortal comprehension: it’s known as heaven. It is not a place dictated by religious dogma or mythical tales but rather a destination for all souls after their mortal journey concludes. In this celestial sanctuary, souls find themselves liberated from the constraints of physical existence: those who were tired, weak, and carrying heavy burdens have found rest (Matthew 11:28). They are met with an abundance of peace, harmony, and boundless opportunities for growth and fulfillment. Yet, amidst this infinite splendor, a conflict simmers—one not of divine decree, but of existential choice. Among the myriad of souls that populate Heaven, there exists a divergence in belief regarding its nature. Some perceive Heaven as a utopia, a paradise where individual desires reign supreme, and personal satisfaction is paramount. Others hold a different perspective. They believe that Heaven’s true essence lies in collective goodwill, in the shared bonds of love, empathy, and compassion. Is that really what Heaven is like?

For some, the opposite of this heavenly celestial sanctuary is Hell: the abode of the “unredeemed dead.”[2] In its archaic sense, the term Hell refers to the underworld, a deep pit or distant land of shadows where the dead are gathered. From the underworld its most terrible precincts sinners pay—some say eternally—the penalty for their crimes. The underworld is often imagined as a place of punishment rather than merely of darkness and decomposition because of the widespread belief that a moral universe requires judgment and retribution—crime must pay. More broadly, Hell figures in religious cosmologies as the opposite of heaven, “the nadir[3] of the cosmos,”[4] and the land where God is not. Hell itself is the preeminent symbol of evil, alienation, and despair. Is that really what Hell is like?

Heaven and Hell: two words that have captured the curiosity, imagination, and wonder of millions of people across several centuries. One of those words brings forth comfort and peace, an image of green pastures and still waters, hope and renewal, grace and eternal salvation, empathy and compassion. The other word subjugates fear, worry, devastation, darkness, despair, and a feeling of being at the lowest point—walking in the shadows of the valley of death. These two words have caught the attention of both religious and non-religious persons throughout the ages: asking what is heaven like and what is hell like? Even those who have chosen to believe in the words of Jesus Christ wonder about heaven and hell: asking what do I need to do to be in heaven and what do I need to do to avoid hell?

For the next few weeks, with the help of Alan W. Gomes, a professor of theology at Talbot School of Theology, we will be taking time to examine both Heaven and Hell from a biblical perspective. In his book, 40 Questions about Heaven and Hell, Gomes asks questions such as: “What should we conclude about those who claim to have seen heaven or hell?, What will the resurrected body be like?, What is hell like?, What is heaven like?, and How can a God of love send people to an eternal hell?” Most of us are familiar with the concepts of Heaven and Hell, but yet we still have questions. The time has come to examine a few of those questions as we explore the celestial sanctuary and dive into the abode of the unredeemed.

 

Body:

“Do You Hear What I Hear?” a song typically heard during the Christmas Season, was written in October of 1962 and was released shortly after Thanksgiving. Written by Noel Regney and put to music by Gloria Shayne, this song was originally written as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Since the time of its release, it has sold tens of millions of copies and has been covered by hundreds of artists, most famously Andy Williams, Perry Como, Whitney Houston, Bob Dylan, and Bing Crosby.

“Do You Hear What I Hear?” tells a story loosely based upon the story of the Nativity of Jesus as told in the Gospel of Matthew, incorporating fragments of the annunciation to the shepherds from the Gospel of Luke, though Jesus is never mentioned by name or explicitly identified. A “night wind” tells a lamb of a star, following which the lamb tells his young shepherd that he also hears a loud song. They are each led to a “mighty king,” whom they tell of a child in the cold and ask to bring the child silver and gold (much like the Biblical Magi…).[5] The king proclaims a prayer of peace and announces that the child will “bring goodness and light”.[6] A song originally written to bring peace during a crisis, has now become a song that not only reminds us of the birth of Christ, but brings peace to our life through the “goodness and light” of a child.

Although thinking about Christmas is not the intent of this message—even though it probably brings a sense of relief after this past week of hot and humid weather—this particular song begins with a question that fits somewhat nicely into our topic for the day. The song begins, “Said the night wind to the little lamb, ‘Do you see what I see?’” Last week, we briefly discussed what we may look like in heaven—which we will revisit shortly—but this week we ask ourselves “What do those in heaven see?” Do they see what we see on this earth? Do they only see the good of God’s creation since they are in a place of pure joy, happiness, and perfection, or do they get see the good and the bad, our successes and failures, our achievements and mistakes? Have you ever wondered what those in heaven see? Do they see what you see?

 

Movement One: Biblical Resurrection…

Before we get into that question, let’s remind ourselves of what we talked about last week. The question we asked was “What will our resurrected body be like in heaven?” Consider Philippians 3:21, in which Paul declares that the Lord Jesus “will transform our lowly body—[our earthly body]—to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Our lowly, imperfect, corrupted, sinful, and sometimes weary and tired body will become a resurrected body like the glorious body of Christ, according to Paul. But how will our earthly body become “glorified”?

Paul answers this question in 1 Corinthians 15:49, when he specifically discusses the nature of Christ’s resurrection body and ours. He states, “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.” While living on this earth, we bear the image of “the man of dust”, Adam, who was caught sinning in the Garden of Eden. However, when we are resurrected in heaven, we are transformed into bearing the image of “the man of heaven”, Jesus Christ. In our transformation, the removing of our sins, shedding the old and putting on the newness of Christ, we become glorified—holy, complete, and perfect. It’s almost as if we realize all the things heaven gives us that earth couldn’t. We are transformed and given what earth couldn’t provide.

In the African American spiritual “I Got Shoes,” a hymn about being set free, living a life on earth as life is portrayed in heaven, we hear words of what it means to be glorified in heaven. As the slaves worked in the fields lit by distant moonlight, one could hear these words, I got shoes so “Gonna walk all over God’s heaven;” I got a robe so “gonna shout all over God’s heaven;” I got wings so “gonna fly all over God’s heaven;” I got a harp so “gonna play all over God’s heaven;” and I got a song so “gonna sing all over God’s heaven” because it certainly will be a day of rejoicing. To be resurrected into the image of the man of heaven is to be transformed, to be given shoes, a robe, a harp, and a melody in your heart that leaves you glorified and new. To become the image of the “man of heaven” is to be given what you couldn’t be given on this earth.

Paul isn’t the only one to highlight the resurrected body. The apostle John makes the same point in 1 John 3:2 when he states, “Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.” We will be like Jesus in heaven, seeing him as he truly is. Our resurrected body will be like the body of Christ: it will bear his image, his glory, his grace, his salvation, his love, his perfection. Both Paul and John are inviting us to consider the newness we will have once we receive our resurrected body in Christ. As Matthew asserts, the resurrected body will be “shinning like the sun” (Matthew 13:43); and Daniel shares that our new body will be “shinning like the brightness of the sky above” (Daniel 12:3) because that is who Jesus is: the light of the world that shines for eternity. According to scripture, our resurrected body will like the glorious body of Jesus Christ: real and transformed into something new and not of this earth.[7]

 

Movement Two: Will Our Resurrected Bodies Be Young?

After considering what the Bible has to offer about our resurrected body in heaven, which isn’t much, we turned our attention to the question, “If my resurrected body is a transformation, then how old will I be in heaven?” While the Bible doesn’t explicitly state the exact age of our bodies in heaven, it does say that we will have new, transformed bodies that are free from decay and aging.

Many theologians speculate that we will be resurrected in a state of youthful perfection, possibly around the age of Jesus during his ministry (30-33 years old).[8] Others believe we might all be resurrected at the same age, regardless of our age at death. And yet others believe that we will be resurrected at the age upon which we die. Still others make the argument that we will be like children in heaven. This could explain why Jesus says in Matthew 18:3, “What I’m about to tell you is true. You need to change and become like little children. If you don’t, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” The correct way to interpret what Jesus is saying is to think behaviorally and intellectually. We must behave and think like children: being innocent, being curious, being interested in our faith, not believing that we know everything about life and God, wanting to grow our faith, and seeking to be who God needs us to be instead of telling God who we think we should be. However, some have interpreted this text to suggest that the only way to enter heaven is to be transformed into a child. Therefore, heaven is filled with children between the ages of 3 to 17: toddlers up to teenagers.

The Bible does not specify the exact age at which we will be in heaven, leaving room for interpretation and speculation. Whatever age we appear to be in heaven, we will be made perfect. We will be sinless, and our bodies will be remade flawless. Does that mean we will have no wrinkles in the skin? No age spots? No gray hair? We’ll have to wait and see. We know that all traces of human fallenness will be gone, and we will finally be everything God intended us to be.[9]

 

Movement Three: Jesus Has Scars In Heaven?

The other question we asked was “If Jesus’ resurrected body revealed the holes in his hands and side, will our own scars be seen on our resurrected body?” Jesus, in his resurrected body, showed his disciples his hands and feet to show them the holes that were created when he was nailed to the cross (Luke 24:40). In the Gospel of John, we read that Thomas will not believe that Jesus was resurrected unless he sees and touches the wounds on Jesus’ hands and side. So, when Jesus appears in his resurrected body, Jesus invites Thomas to touch his wounds (John 20:24-29). Does this mean that scars are allowed in heaven? Does this mean our scars will be see in heaven? If we are to be resurrected to resemble the man of heaven, and if the man of heaven has scars, then will we have scars in heaven?

If we have scars in heaven, then why? Why in a place where there is no pain, or suffering, or imperfections, do we have scars? Maybe the scars we have, either physical, emotional, or mental, are a reminder to us of the life that we were given. Maybe the scars we have are part of what it means to be made in the image of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Maybe the scars we have represent those moments in which we got closer to Christ.

Taking this a step further, in Psalm 23 we hear these words, “The Lord has prepared a table for us in the presence of our enemies.” More often than not, those enemies David speaks of are those who we despise on earth but God saw as beloved children. However, what if those “enemies” were the scars we bear—those instances that pushed us away from Christ? If this is true, then it is not just Jesus who bears scars, but it us who will also bear scars in heaven. Those scars are part of us: they tell our story, our moments, in which we lived through because of Christ. But is it at the table in which we see our scars for the last time?

Now some may believe we will have scars in heaven and others say we won’t have scars in heaven. Their argument is based on a few key points from scripture. First, in the Book of Revelation we are told that God will wipe every tear from our eyes, death will be no more, suffering and crying and pain will be no more, and former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4). In heaven, there is no pain or suffering. The scars that I have certainly didn’t come with laughter and joy; rather, they came with tears, and pain, and suffering. So if those things don’t exist in heaven, then does that mean we won’t have scars in heaven? Additionally, in heaven the former things will pass away; therefore, we will be made new. We will shed away the old so that we can be made new (Ephesians 4). Those scars represent what has happened while our new body reveals what is currently happening. Is it possible to be made new with scars from the past?

Second, we read in Isaiah 53:5 that the wounds of Christ have brought us peace. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).By his wounds we have been healed. By his wounds we have been forgiven of our sins. By his wounds we have been saved. Based upon this scripture passage and words recorded by John—“Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6)—people have suggested that it is not us who will have scars in heaven, but it will only be Jesus who has scars. And the scars that he bears were not because of his will but the will of God, who saw the sacrifice of his one and only beloved son as a means to save and rescue humanity from creating even more (and perhaps deeper) scars.

The scars Jesus still bears in heaven reveal that he suffered as we do in this world. He knows our pain. He wept with those who wept (John 11:35). He resisted against sin unto the point of bloodshed (Hebrews 12:4). He is our High Priest who understands our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). The scars signify that death has been defeated. The scars show that our final victory is in him. “‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ . . . But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55, 57).These scars are seen as a source of comfort and hope for believers. Ultimately, because of what Jesus did on this earth, specifically on the cross, his wounds—his scars—have taken the place of our scars. The scars we obtain while living on this earth are washed away in the blood of the Lamb and remain permanently on the hands, feet, and side of Christ, which we are invited—like Thomas—to see and touch when we get to heaven. The scars we have represent our past while the scars that Jesus endures represents our present and future in and with him. The scars which Jesus endured during his crucifixion are more than just scars: they speak of the greatest love ever (John 15:13). So, will you have scars in heaven?

 

Movement Four: What Do I See in heaven?

We covered quite a bit of ground last week, but there is still one question that we need to address. The following question was asked by someone in the church. Their question was, “Do people in heaven only see our good behavior on earth?” At this point, I invite you to go back to that Christmas song from 1962: “Do you see what I see?”

Unfortunately, scripture doesn’t directly answer this question either; however a few passages may shed some light. Hebrews 12:1 refers to “a great cloud of witnesses” surrounding believers, which is interpreted by some as referring to deceased saints who are now in heaven, watching and encouraging those on earth. In Luke 15:7, Jesus speaks of “rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents.” This implies that those in heaven are aware of people repenting of their sins on earth. Revelation 6:10 shows martyred saints in heaven asking God to judge those on earth who persecuted them, which suggests they are aware of the injustices they faced on earth and the lack of judgment. In Luke 9:30-31, Moses and Elijah, long departed from earth, appeared to Jesus and seemed aware of what was transpiring on earth, and quite possibly informed Jesus that because of the great sins on earth that he would be crucified to save humanity. It is apparent that those in heaven know what is happening on earth based upon these scripture passages. And I believe that if those in heaven can see what is happening on earth, than they must see both the good and bad. If those in heaven are able to see the scars of Jesus—the earthly torture that left him eternally wounded for our transgressions—and still the goodness and greatness of heaven, then certainly they can witness all that is happening on earth. Unlike the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, who Jesus kept from recognizing him, I don’t think we are kept from seeing all of God’s creation when we are in heaven.

Therefore, although I don’t know for sure, I believe that those in heaven can see our failures, our mistakes, our temptations, our shortcomings, our lack of faith and hope, our tears, worry and doubt. They may not be able to cure them, but they can see them. And remember, they just don’t see the bad things, but they see the goodness as well. They can see a faith within us that can move mountains; they can see the messages we promote; they can see our triumphs; they can see the valleys we jump over and the mountains we climb; they can see how hope is changing our life; and they can see our joys, our happiness, and our rejoicing. Just because they are in heaven—the place of pure beauty and awe and all-goodness—doesn’t mean that they can’t see us for who we are on this earth and for what we do.

Consider the movie, to stay with the Christmas theme, It’s a Wonderful Life. George Bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all—and it’s Christmas! As the angels discuss George, we see his life in flashback. As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up being rescued by his guardian angel, Clarence, who then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn’t been for all his good deeds over the years. The angels, (angelos in Greek) messengers of God, saw the horrible thoughts of George Bailey: they saw the wickedness that was brewing inside of him. They say how the darkness overcame George to the point where jumping off the bridge was his best answer. But in the process of rescuing George, Clarence also points out the goodness in which George has done for so many people in his town. Those in heaven saw both the good and the bad of George Bailey which can be said of those who have passed before us.

The more I think about this person’s question, the more I ponder the words from that 1962 Christmas song advocating for peace. “Do you see what I see?” Have you ever wondered what those in heaven will see when you get to heaven? Have you ever wondered what you will see when you get to heaven: what people you know will look like? Will you see what they see? Let me explain…

During a Bible Study session at Brookstone Estates—we were studying the characteristics of heaven—and an individual pulled me aside and told me, with tears in her eyes, “I know that one day I will die. I’m not scared. On that day, my mother, who was blind, will see me for the first time through her own eyes and I will see her.” This lady’s mom had never physically seen her, but she knew down deep in her heart, that her mom would see her in heaven and know exactly who her daughter was, and her daughter would know exactly who her mother was. How could that be you ask? Because God is in the busy of performing miracles and in heaven the resurrected body that we receive is a miracle.

Now the question we need to be asking ourselves is, when we look at our loved ones in heaven, what will the look like to us? If they had a mirror in heaven, would they see what we see? If age isn’t a factor in heaven, then some people suggest that when we see a loved one in heaven, they will look like how we last saw them but with a glow of glory around them; a when they look at us they will see us how they last saw us on earth before they were called home. If this is true, then maybe the idea of transformation is more complex than we thought. We are transformed in order to get to heaven, but once in heaven our image is transformed based upon who is seeing us. But do we see what they see?

I often wonder about how I will see people that I have lost when I get to heaven. When I see my grandpa Wood, will I see him with his hair combed over sitting behind a desk? When I see my grandpa Louie, will I see him wearing a hat covering his thick glasses with a toothpick in his mouth? When I see my grandma Bobbie, will I see her sitting at her kitchen table, dealing cards, with her rosy cheeks a glow as the light from the ceiling fan makes her hair even whiter? Will I see my uncle with a big smile across his face and a belly barely being held captive by his plaid shirt sitting behind a sewing machine with mints in his pocket or will I see him as he was when he died from cancer: frail, skinny, and lifeless? I think about my brother, who my parents lost at birth. I never got to meet him. I have only seen a signal image of him, and it was him in a casket. My older siblings got to see him in person. Will I see him as a baby? Will I recognize him? Will he recognize me since he has no prior recognition of my existence? How will my parents see him? How will these people see me? Will they see me as 6 year old who pushed a yellow dump truck around the office? Will they see me as 9 year old who took my grandfather’s hats? Will they see me as the one who stopped by for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before play cards? Will they see me as someone was willing to learn about upholstery work? Will they recognize me as their grandson, nephew, or brother? Will I see what they see? How do you want to see the person or persons in your life who have passed away?

The more I think about that person’s question, the more I realize that their question is not just about seeing our actions from heaven, but it is about wondering what it is that they really see when they see us from heaven; and what we will see of them when we get to heaven. The Bible doesn’t tell us how we will see those in heaven. It’s one of the great mysteries that we will finally understand when we get there. Until that time comes, though, I think the words of Bruce from the 2003 movie Bruce Almighty says it perfectly. Bruce says while praying, “I will see her always as I do now, through your eyes.”[10] May we see those who have passed through the eyes of Christ as they look through the eyes of Christ to see us.

 

Conclusion…

To bring this message to a close, let’s revisit our scripture text for the day. Paul notes, “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 15:50). This means that humans in their present weak and corruptible condition cannot go there without first undergoing a transformation: asking for forgiveness, seeking salvation, accepting grace, and choosing to follow Christ.

A few verses later, Paul notes, “We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When this perishable body puts on imperishability and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory’” (1 Corinthians 15:51-54).  The meaning of these words is clear. The resurrection body will be free from all disease, defect, corruption, destruction, and death. It will be a body full of health, life, and energy, and empowered by the Spirit of God. It will be indestructible. It will be an image of the “man of heaven,” glorified in his presence. As Alan Gomes articulates, “Our resurrection body will be far superior to [our original body].”[11] Our resurrection body is raised in glory; it is raised in incorruption; it is raised in honor; it is raised in power; and it is raised in complete wholeness and renewal.

Age doesn’t matter in heaven. Scars or no scars. Seeing goodness only or seeing everything. When it comes to considering what our resurrected body will look like in heaven, those things are fun to think about; but they don’t measure up to the promise that if we continue to believe in Christ, trust in Christ, do what Christ would do while living on this earth, then we will be given a resurrected body in heaven that will set us free from pain and suffering and illness of this earth. We will be whole and complete and holy. And those who have passed away will more than likely recognize us before we recognize them because we will be taking in the sites of a place that we have only dreamt about going. Just knowing that we are promised a resurrected body in Christ is what we should strive to focus on.

Again, age doesn’t matter. Our scars may or may not be there. Will we only see the goodness of a person while in heaven looking down? I don’t know. But what I do know is that Jesus will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body when we are called home. There is no suffering in heaven nor is there pain, tears, corruption, or death; but only joy, happiness, and newness. Until that day comes to be called home, I will do my best to see both heaven and those who have passed before me through the eyes of Christ as I continue to ask myself, “Do I see what they see?”

Let it be so…

 

Closing Prayer:

Let us Pray… Dear God, we have questions about heaven: a mysterious place mentioned in scripture but truly lived out in your glory. As we continue to wonder about what heaven is like and what we may be like in heaven, help us to understand that until our number is called that we can only see it through your eyes. O Lord, make us new, make us complete, and make us willing to pursue your ways every day of our life. In your name we pray, Amen.

Benediction:

What exactly will we look like I heaven? I don’t know. How old will we be in heaven? I don’t know. Will we have scars in heaven? I don’t know. How will we recognize others in heaven and how will they recognize us? I don’t know. But what I do know is that one day all your questions will be answered. So don’t lose hope. May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; and May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26). In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit go forth living as if heaven is in your heart today. And all God’s people said, Amen. Amen. Amen.

 

 

[1] Ethereal: extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world.

[2] Carol Zaleski, “Hell,” Britannica Online, updated 16 May 2025 and accessed 28 May 2025: https://www.britannica.com/topic/hell/Greece-and-Rome

[3] Nadir: the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization

[4] Carol Zaleski, “Hell,” Britannica Online, updated 16 May 2025 and accessed 28 May 2025: https://www.britannica.com/topic/hell/Greece-and-Rome

[5] …, which in tradition with prophecies in the Book of Isaiah and Psalm 72 are often characterized as kings, did with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh

[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do_You_Hear_What_I_Hear%3F

[7] And it will be so real that it may even have scars on it, just like we see, with Thomas, when he see the wounds on Jesus’ hands and side (John 20:24-29).

[8] If this true, then what about Moses who, at 120 years old, was still full of vim and vigor: “His eyes were not weak nor his strength gone” as Deuteronomy 34:7 indicates? What about Methuselah, who lived 969 years? Maybe in heaven he will look like he did when he was 500 years old.

[9] I don’t think age matters in heaven. If Jesus shares with the Sadducees, those who don’t believe in the resurrection, that marriage, as we know it, will not exist in heaven (Luke 20:34-36), then why would age matter? People will have their speculations, their opinions, their beliefs, when it comes to suggesting how old someone will be in heaven, which is fine. However, should we be more concerned with how old we will be in heaven more than our concern of making sure we get to heaven?

[10]“God: Grace. You want her back?

Bruce: No. I want her to be happy, no matter what that means. I want her to find someone who will treat her with all the love she deserved from me. I want her to meet someone who will see her always as I do now, through Your eyes.

God: Now THAT’S a prayer.”

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0315327/quotes/?item=qt0480030

[11] Alan W. Gomes (edited by Benjamin L. Merkle), 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2018. pg. 186.