Joseph Campbell (JCF.org) in some of his 1960’s/1970’s lectures would emphasize that this was a key difference between Oriental mythology (Hindu, Buddhism, etc) and Levant (Occidental) mythology (Jewish, Christian, Muslim)… In the Oriental tradition you do not recognize your friends in heaven.

Campbell was an atheist, but a big believer in how storytelling was a means to pass down psychological lessons and rituals that helped people deal with their minds.

This will surely lose him fans in the “Jesus and John Wayne” fandom