Do the dead "see" us

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ken_S
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
K

Ken_S

Guest
Is it written in Scripture that the dead can see us, know what we’re doing etc? If so, and they are in Heaven can they experience pride or disappointment in what they see us doing?

Thanks for this forum.
 
Heb. 12:1 - we are surrounded by a great glory cloud (shekinah) of witnesses, our family in heaven. We are not separated. The “cloud of witnesses” (nephos marturon) refers to a great amphitheatre with the arena for the runners (us on earth), and many tiers of seats occupied by the saints (in heaven) rising up like a cloud. The “martures” are not mere spectators (“theatai”), but testifiers (witnesses) who testify from their own experience to God’s promises and cheer us on in our race to heaven. They are no less than our family in heaven.

Eph. - 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God,
 
Thanks CM & RO,

What started this entire thread is a dear friend is genuinely concerned that her beloved may be seeing her here on earth and she’d hate to be a disappoointment to them.
Knowing Heaven is a place for eternal joy, might the beloved in Heaven be unhappy/sad/disappointed in us ?

Seems contradictory to be in a place of happiness yet can they be sad for what they see us doing?

Comments
 
I learned in a management psychology class some years ago that a good manager praises the good stuff and corrects procedure, but does not comment on weakness or mistakes. In my experience it worked well in practice as well. People tried harder and were not discouraged by relatively minor mistakes and mis-steps. I like to think of my departed friends and relatives of cheering us on for the good stuff and not being disappointed in the bad. 👍
 
Why would the dead in Christ want to look at us when they can behold the glory of the Living God?

Matthew
 
drafdog said:
Why would the dead in Christ want to look at us when they can behold the glory of the Living God?

Matthew
Click to expand...
My thoughts as to why they would want to be witnesses to our continued race, well simply because Christ himself is in us. And He’s working through us. It is part of the miracle of the redemption of the whole Body of Christ and the ultimate redemption of creation. And to be a witness to it even causes the angels to stand in awe. :angel1:

I can’t wait to be a participant in this awsome event on the other side. :bounce:

And I don’t see those who have made it to the presence of Christ as “dead” in Christ, but alive in Christ, just temporarily without their risen earthly bodies. 😉 🙂
 
Ken_S said:
Thanks CM & RO,

What started this entire thread is a dear friend is genuinely concerned that her beloved may be seeing her here on earth and she’d hate to be a disappoointment to them.
Knowing Heaven is a place for eternal joy, might the beloved in Heaven be unhappy/sad/disappointed in us ?

Seems contradictory to be in a place of happiness yet can they be sad for what they see us doing?

Comments
Click to expand...
Why would the dead in Christ want to look at us when they can behold the glory of the Living God?
Click to expand...
I know I’m taking this Scripture somewhat out of context, but I’m using it more as an example of the relationship of Jesus, us, and the saints. If we think of us as the less presentable parts, and the saints as the more presentable parts of Jesus’ body, we see how connected we really are.

(1 Cor12:20-27)
But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.” Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If (one) part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.

Peace,

Ryan 🙂
 
ryanoneil said:
I know I’m taking this Scripture somewhat out of context, but I’m using it more as an example of the relationship of Jesus, us, and the saints. If we think of us as the less presentable parts, and the saints as the more presentable parts of Jesus’ body, we see how connected we really are.

(1 Cor12:20-27)
But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.” Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If (one) part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.

Peace,

Ryan 🙂
Click to expand...
I cannot for the life of me see how you are taking that out of context. 😉 It seems that St. Paul is being very clear about his meaning and it is a great example of all of us sharing in the redemptive process of each other through Christ. 🙂
 
It depends upon what you mean by “dead”.

In Ecclesiastes 9:4 it is written, “Indeed, for any among the living there is hope; a live dog is better off than a dead lion. For the living know that they are to die, but the dead no longer know anything. There is no recompense for them because all memory of them is lost.”. That is death as applied to animals, meaning, of the physical body. The physical body would not see or hear anything when dead.

But the "dead’ who during his life “did the will of God”, he shall “abide forever.” (1 John 2:17). The promise to them was fulfilled, that they will be like his teacher.(Luke 6:40). Jesus, the teacher, could see each of us now. In the same way, those who were perfected could also see each of us now. That is “dead” as applied to saints.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top