When we are reunited with departed loved ones, will they realize how long it has been?
They will not realize how long it has been. In eternity there is no time; even Adam after 6,000 years will not suddenly realize the duration. Their reunion with us will seem as if only hours have passed, because time is irrelevant.
Les teaches that the moment a believer dies, their soul and spirit leaves the body and goes immediately into the Lord’s presence. He notes the Bible is fairly silent about their exact activity or state there, but they are waiting for the great Resurrection Day. Because eternity has no time, Adam, dead 6,000 years, will not suddenly realize the duration when Resurrection Day comes; it will be as if only hours passed. So when departed loved ones are reunited with us, they will not suddenly realize how long it has been, since time is irrelevant. Les illustrates this with taking a loved one to the train depot, where one boards a front car and the other later boards a car at the end of the train.