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.