DO PEOPLE IN HEAVEN SEE AND KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING ON EARTH?
I. Luke 15:7 says, "I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance."
A. Since the cause of this joy is over one sinner on earth that repents, they must known when repentance takes place.
B. Since 1 John 3:2 says we'll be "like Him" when we're in heaven, many believe this includes an increase in knowledge, though not omniscience, about things on earth.
C. If they can perceive repentance, are they also capable of knowing all of our motives?
II. Revelation 6:9,10 says, "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?"
A. While their bodies are still in the grave, in heaven the souls of those martyred for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held, cry out for the Lord to avenge their blood on them that dwell on the earth.
B. This indicates these folk have an interest in, and understanding of, what is - or is not - happening on earth.
C. Their comprehension seems to include God's specific (not just general) dealings with individuals.
III. Luke 9:31 says, "Who appeared in glory, and spoke of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem."
A. When Moses and Elijah engaged in dialogue with Jesus on the mountain where He was transfigured, it seems that they knew His crucifixion was eminent.
B. How do we explain this?
1. They had been in heaven with Him hundreds of years before He came to earth. They no doubt learned these things prophetically.
2. In addition, they must have been observing Jesus' earthly events to know He was soon to be crucified.
C. The Bible doesn't give us the reason WHY they showed up at that particular time. Some theorize that it was to comfort and encourage Him as the angels did in Matthew 4:11, after His encounter with the devil in the wilderness.
IV. Luke 16:27-31 says, "Then he said, I pray thee, therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house (For I have five brethren), that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham said unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham; but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
A. Most scholarly students of the Scriptures believe this is not a parable but rather an actual account of two people. At least three factors seem to support this view.
1. Jesus doesn't identify this as a parable.
2. In parables, actual names aren't given.
3. There is no known rule of exegesis ("interpretation of a word, passage, etc., especially in the Bible") to justify BUT not interpreting this account in the literal sense.
B. However, whether or not it is a parable doesn't matter. The issue about which we are concerned arrives at the same conclusion either way.
C. The inhabitants of both "hades" and "Abraham's bosom" (other names for the "kingdom of heaven" according to Matthew 8:11 and James 2:5) saw and understood the current Spiritual condition of their relatives still on earth.
D. How could they have known this if they were not capable of perceiving it?
V. Two additional Bible references which likely have little or nothing to do with this subject, but which should be mentioned, are as follows.
A. Hebrews 12:1,2 says, "Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
1. This text mentions "so great a cloud of witnesses."
2. Many believe these people to be those in Hebrews 11:1-39 who lived and died in previous times who provide us plenty of examples of the exercise of faith.
3. While the scholars disassociate this text from our subject, it is interesting that most of them leave the door open, so to speak, to the possibility and probability that the inhabitants of heaven perceive earth's activities. However, they support this with other Bible references such as the ones presented in this lecture.
B. 1 Corinthians 13:10-12 says, "But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but then I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then, face to face; now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known."
1. It is appropriate to unite "when that which is perfect is come" (verse 10) to "then shall I know even as also I am known (verse 12).
2. The difficulty arises in correctly interpreting "that which is perfect." Some believe it is one's residence in heaven. Others do not.
3. However, if one's residence in heaven is correct, then Christians in heaven know as they are known.
4. While "knowing as we are known" doesn't include omniscience, it certainly must include insights into knowing what is happening here on earth.
A. When studying the Bible, one should always ask ...
1. "What does it say?"
2. "What does it mean?" and
3. "What does it mean to me?"
B. When we apply these questions to our study, what may we conclude?
1. "What does it say?"
a. Luke 15:7 taught us that Christians in heaven seem to know when a sinner on earth repents.
b. Revelation 6:9,10 taught us that they also have an interest in, and understanding of, God's specific dealings with people on earth.
c. Luke 9:31 taught us that they apparently know when we need comfort and encouragement. This might be especially true when one is approaching the possibility of death.
d. Luke 16:19-31 taught us that they likely may know the current Spiritual condition of their relatives still here on earth.
2. "What does it mean?" While we who are still alive here on earth cannot see what is going on in heaven, those in heaven can to some degree see and understand what is happening here on earth.
3. "What does it mean to me?"
a. While we should live on earth to please the Lord, I believe we should also honor the influence of our parents and others (at least that part which is according to the Bible) by living accordingly.
b. In my own life, I often remind myself to live in such a way that would not only please the Lord but also cause my parents, who I believe are in heaven, and looking down on me, to come to the realization that all the effort they spent rearing me was not in vain.
C. May God's Holy Spirit teach us more on this subject as we continue to read and study the Bible.
Bob Bruton