Question: Can those who have died see what’s taking place here on earth?
Answer: First, I have to get a couple of pointless statements off my chest. For example, when I wrote the title for this article 2 songs immediately came to mind. Can you guess what they were? The first one was “Somebody’s Knockin” by Terri Gibbs. Anybody remember that song? The second was “Someone to Watch Over Me.” It’s a song out of the musical “Crazy for You” which was actually a musical that Molly and I went to when we were dating in the summer of 1997. (I think “Crazy for You” may be one of my favorite musicals . . . but it’s a pretty short list!)
Anyway, back to the topic. I think the short answer to that question is “probably, yes.” Here’s why. First, if you look in Revelation 6:9-11 the martyrs who are in the presence of Christ are asking how long it will be before he avenges their blood. It seems fairly obvious they are aware that he hasn’t yet done that. Thus, they must be able to see what’s going on.
Second, Hebrews 12 encourages us to throw off the sin that so easily entangles and run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” The motivation to do those two things comes from the initial statement that says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses.” Who are the witnesses? I believe, they are the previously mentioned faithful men and women in Hebrews 11.
Third, Jesus tells us in Luke 15 that there is more rejoicing in the presence of the angels when one sinner repents than there is when 99 remain faithful. Now, we commonly say to people who are putting their faith in Christ, “There are angels in heaven rejoicing in this moment.” However, what the text says is, “There is more rejoicing in the presence of the angels.” But notice it doesn’t necessarily indicate it is the angels rejoicing. It could be that those who have already come to that same faith and are now (having died here on earth) seeing another join them are the ones who are rejoicing in the presence of the angels. It could also be that all (faithful followers and angels) are rejoicing. How cool is that!!!
One point of clarification: In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 the NIV translates verse 15 using the phrase, “fallen asleep.” That phrase is probably best and most accurately understood as another way of describing the event of dying but not necessarily the state in which our souls remain until the return of Jesus.
Question: What happens when people die? Do they, if they are Christians, go immediately straight to heaven?
Answer: I think the best way to answer this question (in a relatively short way) is to say, “They go to be in the presence of Christ.” There are a couple of different passages that indicate and allude to this. First, when Jesus was on the cross and he extended his grace to one of the thieves who was dying alongside of him he said, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Second, the Apostle Paul in writing to the church in Philippi said, “I’m torn between two desires: Sometimes I want to live, and sometimes I long to go and be with Christ.”
Now, most theologians call that place Jesus labeled “paradise” as an “intermediate heaven.” It is a place reserved for those who will spend eternity in the presence of the Father as residents of the New Jerusalem. It is not the “new heaven” and “new earth,” but it is a place where those who have died in faith reside in the presence of Christ and await the final culmination of eternity in order to be ushered into heaven collectively with all of the saints.
By the way, this concept of an intermediate heaven isn’t the same as the term “purgatory” where those who have died are in a state of limbo.
Question: Ok, so you pricked my interest on Sunday. What do you think? Will our pets be with us in Heaven?
Answer: Let me say, first, this really isn’t a “dumb” question. Some people suggest that it is, but it really isn’t. I mean, after all, pets have (on many occasions) brought a spirit of love, loyalty, and affection into the hearts and minds of people.
That being said, let me respond using two different avenues. First, I think we can be certain there will be animals in heaven. Since they were a part of the first creation and have throughout history then participated in the “groaning” for redemption (Roman 8) I think it’s fairly safe to say animals will be a part of eternity. After all Revelation 21: 5 says, ” And the one sitting on the throne said, ‘Look, I am making all things new” (NLT emphasis added) Now, what the animals will look like, how they will behave, and how we will interact with them is still not a certainty. In much the same way that we don’t know exactly what kind of relationship Adam had with the animals prior to his and Eve’s fall. It could be also that some of the animals we now consider “extinct” will be a part of this renewing.
Second, while I think we can have a sense of knowing that animals, as a part of creation, will be present I don’t know if our actual “pets” will be present also. There’s certainly no scriptural precedent to point towards that teaching. There also is a fundamental difference in realizing that it is solely mankind who has been given the spirit of Christ and the promise of a resurrection. So, to try and answer this issue with an equal sense of knowing really isn’t possible.
Ok, this week we are starting a 3 week series on “Heaven.” I’m excited to see what it’s like and how it unfolds (the series . . . not heaven itself . . . although I’m excited about that too.) Anyway, I hope the series is more than just the typical communication and talking points we’ve come to expect when the subject of heaven comes up, and really does more to complete our understanding and whet our appetites for eternity.
However, in lieu of this series I’m soliciting questions you may have about heaven. I certainly don’t want to claim I know all the answers, but if nothing else I want to try and point people to Scripture where we can find truths that will shape our understanding of heaven.
Do you have questions? Do you have things you’ve wondered? If so, post them here or send them to srpastor@fcc-online.org. I’m going to try and answer a couple of questions each week during our series. So, check back often and see if your question was selected or what questions others are asking.
See you Sunday!
