"Can people in heaven look down and see us?"

[blessed07]

Hebrews 12:1 states, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses...” Some understand the “cloud of witnesses” to be people looking down on us from heaven. That is not the correct interpretation. Hebrews chapter 11 records many people whom God commended for their faith. It is these people who are the “cloud of witnesses.” They are “witnesses” not in that they are watching us, but rather in that they have set an example for us. They are witnesses for Christ and God and truth. Hebrews 12:1 continues, “...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.” Because of the faith and diligence of Christians who went before us, we should be inspired to follow their example.

The Bible does not specifically say whether or not people in heaven can look down on us who are still on the earth. It is highly unlikely that they can. Why? First, they would sometimes see things that would cause them grief or pain, namely, acts of sin and evil. Since there is no grief, tears, or unhappiness in heaven (Revelation 21:4), it does not seem that observing earthly events would be possible. Second, people in heaven are so preoccupied with worshipping God and enjoying the glories of heaven that it does not seem they would have significant interest in what is happening here on earth. The very fact that they are free from sin and experiencing God’s presence in heaven surely is more than enough to captivate their attention. While it is possible that God allows people in heaven to look down upon their loved ones, the Bible gives us no reason to believe this actually occurs.
:teddybear2::teddybear2::teddybear2:

 

[RJ]

Hebrews 12:1 states, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses...” Some understand the “cloud of witnesses” to be people looking down on us from heaven. That is not the correct interpretation. Hebrews chapter 11 records many people whom God commended for their faith. It is these people who are the “cloud of witnesses.” They are “witnesses” not in that they are watching us, but rather in that they have set an example for us. They are witnesses for Christ and God and truth. Hebrews 12:1 continues, “...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.” Because of the faith and diligence of Christians who went before us, we should be inspired to follow their example.

The Bible does not specifically say whether or not people in heaven can look down on us who are still on the earth. It is highly unlikely that they can. Why? First, they would sometimes see things that would cause them grief or pain, namely, acts of sin and evil. Since there is no grief, tears, or unhappiness in heaven (Revelation 21:4), it does not seem that observing earthly events would be possible. Second, people in heaven are so preoccupied with worshipping God and enjoying the glories of heaven that it does not seem they would have significant interest in what is happening here on earth. The very fact that they are free from sin and experiencing God’s presence in heaven surely is more than enough to captivate their attention. While it is possible that God allows people in heaven to look down upon their loved ones, the Bible gives us no reason to believe this actually occurs.
:teddybear2::teddybear2::teddybear2:

The Bible certainly doesn't talk about everything and there is no reasons not to believe in certain things if it doesn't mention them. Personally, I feel that the Bible gives ample knowledge to give you some pretty good ideas, after all, he did give us the power of reason and a vivid imagination, so why not use them.

The Word tells us to be out of the body is to be in the spirit with the Lord. Like other places, that tells you a lot right there. You must look for your answers , no only in the Bible, but spiritually with in. You can't let your humanistic, worldly views to influence spiritual matters.

So we are with the Lord and God also tells us that we will share in his glory!

2 Thessalonians 2:14

14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In 1 COR 13, Paul talks about, after dying, where the imperfection leaves and the perfection comes, we will know God fully as we are known. This and the above glory is perfection.

If you feel that the Lord can look down on us, so shall we have that capability. In God's realm there is only perfection, nothing else is possible, imperfection can not coexist with perfection and in this place there is no such thing as impossible.

 

[LifeinJesus]

Jesus spoke of Judgement day when we would be resurrected and judged. Only a few people whom God favoured have entered heaven and fewer who have not tasted death and entered heaven.

I think babies who die enter heaven since they've done nothing wrong to be judged and God said that the babies who were killed when Herod sent for their deaths, would enter heaven with him.

 

[blessed07]

amen

Amen , Amen to god be the glory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
praise god.

thank you sharing your wisdom

 

[spirit1st]

He wipes away all our tears!We would not be happy in heaven, watching our loved ones suffer here!

plus heaven is new Jerusalems millions and billions miles from here? Have no idea how far but know it not going to be very close! Because it appears all the heavens we see are defiled by sin! Be cause He going tpo destroy it all one day!
2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Heavens not a sad place ,But a place of JOY.
We could not be in joy watching others suffer!


Its the angels who are watching us! They go up and down from heaven!
Doing work here !

Gen 28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
Gen 28:13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;


1Pe 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

They the angels want to see what GOD is doing here with us and this planet!
We are the Show for them to watch !

Angels had never seen anything like this before! God even got them doing ;lots of things here on earth!


Mat 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

 

[RJ]

I'll add this:

We humans do it all too often and we should't, we use humanistic and worldly reasoning concerning Spiritual mattersl, the two absolutely do not exist together!

 

[stephen]

I have never give the matter you mention any thought, though I have heard the expression from folks, that Uncle George, or some other dearly loved person is looking down and watching.

I have seen bondage too in this respect with grieving families returning to the grave of loved ones almost weekly. Feeling they are keeping in touch.

Are they looking for the communication you mention? I know not.

 

[RJ]

I have never give the matter you mention any thought, though I have heard the expression from folks, that Uncle George, or some other dearly loved person is looking down and watching.

I have seen bondage too in this respect with grieving families returning to the grave of loved ones almost weekly. Feeling they are keeping in touch.

Are they looking for the communication you mention? I know not.

The term bondage is not used that often and I think you just used it correctly. This is an interest of mine, because I am of the opinion that most of the struggling, even by Christians is due to different degrees of bondage to the untruth....yours is a common example.

 

[april showers]

This is totally unfair. I just quoted someone's letter which happened to have images in it. They were not my images. Then my long reply that I worked on for some time got rejected because there were images in the quote!!!!! It said that because I haven't posted enough posts, I am not qualified to post any images - but the images were not mine, they were in the quote.

I am sorry to say that this is OUR loss because I can't rewrite that post. I don't have time and can't remember everything. Some was rather...profound, if I say so myself. (Just a joke)

 

[spirit1st]

This is i guess a good example why we get ruptured or caught away!
But also i think, showing He does have mercy on some who ,HE sees great suffering ahead!

Isa 57:1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

They would still be suffering if they watched whatever it was?
Personally i think it might well be watching our families suffer, that hurts us the most?
I know most would rather suffer them selves than watch there children or loved ones suffer?

That scripture tells a lot about GODS LOVE toward man mind!
Of course i knew Jesus Wept1
Revealing He had great feelings! And it had a bad affect on Him watching others suffer ! He is Still the same!

 

[Hekuran]

I don't have an answer to the question, but I would want to question the logic that says we could not be joyful in heaven seeing others suffer.

First it seems that to say that is to say that God has to hide things from us to keep us happy.
Second, by this reasoning, how could God be joyful seeing others suffer.

Maybe today we discern the glories of heaven from the perspective of a hurting world; tomorrow we will see a hurting world from the glory of heaven.

The vision of Revelation 21 does not remove any of the terrible things that have happened, but does restore justice and goodness and blessings.

 

[spirit1st]

Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.


1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?


I for one could not be happy watching the evil vile things done on the earth!
I get upset just hearing of a little of it !

 

[april showers]

Hebrews 11:39-40 (King James Version)



<SUP id=en-KJV-30212 class=versenum>39</SUP>And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: <SUP id=en-KJV-30213 class=versenum>40</SUP>God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.



I would like to try to summarize what I tried to say earlier (in the post that got rejected because of the images).

First of all, if God occassionally gives people on earth a vision or dream about Heaven, what is to stop Him from giving those in the spiritual realm a vision or glimpse of what is happening on earth? Perhaps He may show them things in order to encourage them or teach them, or even because He needs them to pray about something.

Secondly, could it be that the Body as whole is not perfected and that the Scripture is really true that "they without us should not be made perfect"? Is every person who dies in Christ actually perfect or perfected at the time of their passing? I would seriously doubt it. Is there anything that says that growth stops when we die? Isn't the increase of His government forever? So perhaps our growth in Him is also forever.

The point is that the Body is ONE even though some are in the spirit and some in the body. But all will be perfected together. That may entail God showing selected clips of what is happening on earth to the saints in the spiritual realm, for whatever reasons God may have.

Luke 16
<SUP id=en-KJV-25647 class=versenum>26</SUP>And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

I don't believe that those in the other realm can see into what is happening on earth, just as we cannot see into their realm even though it is probably all around us. However, as I said, I believe God can pull aside the barrier for a limited time to allow certain events to be known to them for His own purposes.

 

[RJ]

Hebrews 11:39-40 (King James Version)



<SUP id=en-KJV-30212 class=versenum>39</SUP>And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: <SUP id=en-KJV-30213 class=versenum>40</SUP>God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.



I would like to try to summarize what I tried to say earlier (in the post that got rejected because of the images).

First of all, if God occassionally gives people on earth a vision or dream about Heaven, what is to stop Him from giving those in the spiritual realm a vision or glimpse of what is happening on earth? Perhaps He may show them things in order to encourage them or teach them, or even because He needs them to pray about something.

Secondly, could it be that the Body as whole is not perfected and that the Scripture is really true that "they without us should not be made perfect"? Is every person who dies in Christ actually perfect or perfected at the time of their passing? I would seriously doubt it. Is there anything that says that growth stops when we die? Isn't the increase of His government forever? So perhaps our growth in Him is also forever.

The point is that the Body is ONE even though some are in the spirit and some in the body. But all will be perfected together. That may entail God showing selected clips of what is happening on earth to the saints in the spiritual realm, for whatever reasons God may have.

Luke 16
<SUP id=en-KJV-25647 class=versenum>26</SUP>And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

I don't believe that those in the other realm can see into what is happening on earth, just as we cannot see into their realm even though it is probably all around us. However, as I said, I believe God can pull aside the barrier for a limited time to allow certain events to be known to them for His own purposes.

Again, I respectfully say that you are using human and worldly values to interpret the Spiritual Realm, which is limitless and according to 1 Corinthians 13, ours to experience perfectly as we will know then as well as God knows us!

 

[Davy]

Hi Blessed07, You mentioned two reasons why people in heaven cannot see people on earth:

First, they would sometimes see things that would cause them grief or pain, namely, acts of sin and evil. Secondly, people in heaven will be preoccupied with worshiping God and enjoying the glories of heaven.

I thought I should point out what revelation says, in Revelation 5:9, 10, (Message Bible) Regarding Jesus ransom sacrifice, the angels in heaven say: "Paying in blood, you bought men and women, Bought them back from all over the earth, Bought them back for God. Then you made them a Kingdom, Priests for our God, Priest-kings to rule over the earth." Firstly, notice they go to heaven to rule over the earth as kings and priest, during the 1000 year rule of Jesus Christ. They would not be able to do this if they could not see very closely the things people were saying and doing on earth. Secondly, they will not be preoccupied with just worshiping God, because they also have to help ruling mankind.

 

[spirit1st]

We come back with Him to rule the earth .After the Great Tribulation!


1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 1Co 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

1Th 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.




Rev 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.



Jud 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,


I been dead! New Jerusalem is very far off! I do not know where it is? I do know when I saw it , it was heading toward the earth! and where it was , were no stars or lights .Only The Glory of JESUS CHRIST lit the city! There were no other lights in that place any where! His Glory was Very bright !

 

[spirit1st]

We are GODS Kings and Priests Now!
It our Spirit man that is Gods child . not these dying bodies!

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:


Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.


Mat 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.


Joh 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.


Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mar 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Everything is in our Spirit man!
The flesh mind must be taught to live the life Our FATHER GOD wants us to live!


Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

 

[april showers]

Firstly, notice they go to heaven to rule over the earth as kings and priest, during the 1000 year rule of Jesus Christ. They would not be able to do this if they could not see very closely the things people were saying and doing on earth. Secondly, they will not be preoccupied with just worshiping God, because they also have to help ruling mankind.

spirit1st gave the right answer. The dead in Christ will be resurrected when the Lord comes, and they will rule with Him on the earth during the 1000 year Kingdom age. The believers who are alive on the earth when the Lord comes will be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality so that they too may be kings and priests of God in helping Jesus to rule the earth.