After Party Q&A #2: Can People in Heaven See What We’re Doing on Earth?
In my last blog, we tackled the question, “Do babies and special needs people go to Heaven since some can’t understand or respond to the Gospel?” Please make sure to read my last post on the subject. Another popular question was, “Can people in Heaven see what we do on earth?”
Usually I start with Scripture that either speaks directly to the issue at hand or I’ll cite passages that give us some theological insight on the subject. Unfortunately, there aren’t any passages that speak this question directly. So, in short there are no biblical texts to support the idea that people in Heaven can see what we do on earth. In fact, the two passages that are often cited in reference to this question suggest that those in Heaven cannot see what we are doing here on earth.
The first passage that is often referenced is the Luke 16 story of the Rich Man and Lazarus:
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 “ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” (Luke 16:19-31)
There is no indication that the Rich man in Hell, Abraham, or Lazarus can see what is happening, for example, to the Rich Man’s five brothers. We simply don’t have an indication here of the potential for them to see the living.
The other passage comes from Hebrews 12. After writing of the many faithful men and women of God form the Bible – what many call the members of the “faith Hall of Fame” from Hebrews 11 - Paul says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1) When Paul speaks of these people, now in Heaven, as the “great cloud of witnesses” this does not mean they are currently spectators of what is happening on the earth. Instead it speaks to the fact that they witness to us by their lives of faithfulness and endurance and set a lofty standard by which we should model our lives.
The only passage that hints to the potential of people in Heaven being able to see what we do on the earth is from Luke 15, “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7). However, we cannot from this passage conclude that the joy experienced here is by the children of God currently in Heaven witnessing the salvation of an individual on earth. The passage could speak to God and the Heavenly Host rejoicing or it could include our loved ones who have heard of our salvation, but again, does not speak to the ability of believers in Heaven directly witnessing our activities.
So, is it possible that people in Heaven can see what we do on earth? Possible? Yes. Likely? No.
More answers to come!
The other passage comes from Hebrews 12. After writing of the many faithful men and women of God form the Bible – what many call the members of the “faith Hall of Fame” from Hebrews 11 - Paul says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1) When Paul speaks of these people, now in Heaven, as the “great cloud of witnesses” this does not mean they are currently spectators of what is happening on the earth. Instead it speaks to the fact that they witness to us by their lives of faithfulness and endurance and set a lofty standard by which we should model our lives.
The only passage that hints to the potential of people in Heaven being able to see what we do on the earth is from Luke 15, “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7). However, we cannot from this passage conclude that the joy experienced here is by the children of God currently in Heaven witnessing the salvation of an individual on earth. The passage could speak to God and the Heavenly Host rejoicing or it could include our loved ones who have heard of our salvation, but again, does not speak to the ability of believers in Heaven directly witnessing our activities.
So, is it possible that people in Heaven can see what we do on earth? Possible? Yes. Likely? No.
More answers to come!
Carpe Deum! (Seize God!),
Todd Phillips
1 comments:
This is a ridiculous concept that dead people actually look down on us from Heaven or up from Hell. The problem with this whole concept is that no one actually looks at the original Greek and Hebrew languages that God chose as his vessel for Apostles and Prophets to write Scripture. The parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man is not about going to Heaven or Hell. It is symbolic, just as all of Christ's parables.
The Rich Man sybolizes Jewry while the poor man is the Gentile. For a correct interpretation of this parable, go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCc6e8yms_Q
This blog is just an extension of Todd's sermons of Heaven and Hell where I could not keep up with verses being so blatantly taken out of context.
I suggest that anyone who is serious about studying the concept of Heaven and Hell to get themselves a Concordance and find out what those words really mean and the context in which they are used.
There are three different words in the Greek (NT) that are translated into Hell. Hades, Tararus and Gehenna (Geena). All mean three separate things and when translated into one word: Hell - it confuses everyone into thinking it is something that it's not.
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