BGEA: Do you think people in heaven can see what we're doing on earth?

Do you think people who've already entered heaven can look down and see what we're doing here on earth? Sometimes I think of my spouse in that way (she died four years ago). But, then, wouldn't she be unhappy looking down on all the misery here? I always thought heaven was a place of total happiness. — G.A.

Yes, heaven is a place of total happiness and peace, and we can be confident that our loved ones who have gone before us into heaven are not disturbed or upset over the evil things that happen here on earth.

The Bible doesn't clearly tell us if people in heaven are able to observe what happens on earth—although there are some hints that they do. In the book of Hebrews, for example, the writer recalls the great men and woman of faith who have gone before us and are now in heaven. Then he adds, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses ... let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Hebrews 12:1). Like spectators in an arena, he seems to suggest, they are watching and cheering us on as we seek to follow Christ.

Never forget that heaven's main focus is Christ. Even if those in heaven see some of what happens here, they now see it from God's point of view. And they know that some day "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" (Habakkuk 2:14).

Thank God for the hope we have in Christ—a hope that is based squarely on Jesus Christ and what He did for us through His death and resurrection. Is your hope and trust in Him?

47 Comments

Libby says 5.22.2013, 3:04 p.m.

I do feel our loved ones see us from beyond. The cardinal was one of Mother's favorite birds. One appeared close to me on the morning of her funeral. Cardinals still come to me - always when I need comfort from Mother.

michael says 5.20.2013, 00:05 a.m.

My Mom passed away to heaven Dec.2nd 2012.She loves the Lord!! She was 84:) I grew up watching TBN.I remember hearing my Mom praying when I was in bed as a kid....I always fell asleep with peace.Thanku Mom I love u,and I will see u again:)

liam says 5.12.2013, 09:50 a.m.

the mother of my 2year old child left me and i feel so alone and lost i just hope one day god will bring her back into my life so we can be a family again i miss her so much please pray for me thanks..

Tim says 5.9.2013, 8:49 p.m.

I lost my dad last night, 59 is too young. I hate cancer, but I know he's in heaven praising Jesus with no pain. Thank God he died in his bed with my mom and his kids near by. Can't wait to see you dad. AKA my old man! haha I love you.

Dawn says 5.9.2013, 09:57 a.m.

I lost my dad in 2002 he was 57. No one expected him to be taken away like that. I truely miss him and feel his presence at times. They may be brief but i know hes there!!

Charles says 5.8.2013, 00:29 a.m.

I believe that my parents can see me from heaven. One needs to remember that they are outside of time and space as we know it. I comforts me to believe they can. On earth, I only have my wife and our friends at church.

Lee says 4.21.2013, 2:14 p.m.

I've been looking and listening for signs from my dear husband who passed away July 2012. I have to believe he sees and hears me; and he can't help me, but wishes he could. I need him, I miss him.

Travis says 4.19.2013, 10:40 p.m.

My Grandfather passed on June 25, 1999 at 6:30 am at home of lung cancer he was only 62 yrs old i was 11 and witness his passing we were very close! To have him back would be a blessing but to see him suffer like he did im glad his soul is at peace.

Sherrie says 4.16.2013, 11:08 p.m.

My mom passed last year in December. I wanted Mom to send me a butterfly but didn't expect it because of the season. 3 days later while I was in the bathroom and on the floor was an old ring of mine with a butterfly. Thought the ring was thrown away

Sierra says 4.15.2013, 8:03 p.m.

My grandma died a year ago and I was really hoping that she could see us from heaven but why would someone in heaven, a perfect place, want to look down on a miserable place here on earth?

Kay says 4.14.2013, 01:07 a.m.

My daughter passed away October 2011. She was so sweet and beautiful. She was my Angel. I cry as I write this message. Our Lord saved her soul the week before He took her onto heaven. I thought of her in heaven and seen Angel cloud in sky.

Doug says 4.9.2013, 9:12 p.m.

I to am going through a grief process with the loss of my wife. You need to reach out to The Lord and Ask Him to walk with you at this time. Ask him to open your eyes ears and mind. If you keep seeking He will show the answer.

lisa says 4.8.2013, 10:58 a.m.

My son was killed in a car accident 01/17/13. We always had a thing between us talking about the moon. . The week he died We were driving down a road and noticed a very unusual cloud.. It formed into the letter S with the moon behind it. my boy!

Jon says 4.5.2013, 6:05 p.m.

For more on this... Please read surprised by hope by N.T. Wright.

joshua says 3.9.2013, 03:18 a.m.

hi paop paop

Loula says 3.4.2013, 02:16 a.m.

My soulmate/father of my kids 2,5 died in Nov 2012. He was 34, drug addiction. I fought the battle along with him, as I was his guardian angel on earth.Morning after he died,staring at the sky,watched a cloud form into a perfect heart, into a U.

Deborah says 3.1.2013, 8:31 p.m.

My father died a year ago. He was a minister and he often led singing. Today I heard his voice so clearly singing Beautiful Robes So White. It was to comfort me. I believe.

rosalie says 2.22.2013, 9:17 p.m.

My mom passed away in 2008 when i was 8 and im now 13 8 years of my life with my loving mom and it wasnt enough

shania says 2.18.2013, 10:06 p.m.

on 1-19-13 my brother and pregnant sister inlaw was on there way to work when they hit black ice and flipped off the over pass ad fell 30ft i am taking this really hard they dilevierd my nephew sage but he died an hour later they are all gone.

Nikki says 2.1.2013, 05:36 a.m.

Referring to Alex comment I too lost my dad when I was 6 and my mum when I was 7 I do sometimes feel my mum is with me in times of distress

Mandy says 1.30.2013, 11:08 p.m.

My boyfriend died 11 days ago; I love and miss him so. I have never thought people in heaven could hear us, but now I don't know. Can he hear me? Can I ask God to tell him things for me? I have many regrets and I want to talk to him. Can anyone help?

Hugh says 1.30.2013, 7:30 p.m.

Like the rest of the people posting, I've suffered devastating loss. Words, platitudes, seem worthless. The Living Word of God, Isiah 26:3, Trust In The Lord. God bless you all.

Susan says 1.29.2013, 10:56 p.m.

I disagree with those who are saying the dead are 'asleep.' The Bible says "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." Our bodies will be resurrected when the Lord returns, but our souls are with the Lord in Heaven immediately.

Janet says 1.23.2013, 11:13 a.m.

I feel my husband is always present he died 9 yrs ago

Manthy says 1.10.2013, 9:05 p.m.

Two of my grandparents died in about a month. I hope that they can see me now. I have been thrown off course with my faith, wondering why God put me through this, but if He brings you to it, He'll get you through it.

Alex says 1.6.2013, 9:39 p.m.

My dad died when I was 6 years old. I am 14 now. When I see pictures of the two of us, him just so proud of his little girl, I like to think that today he is watching me.

Tony says 12.30.2012, 5:29 p.m.

I lost my wife of thirty five years suddenly and unexpectedly to a brain hemorrhage 3 months ago. The only thing that has kept me going and will continue to do so is my faith that one day I will see her again (though not as a wife, Mat. 22:29-30).

maureen says 12.22.2012, 6:18 p.m.

My husband died 6 months ago. 3 days after his death I to get my mind off things went to a church tag sale. There my eyes focused on a small blanket which read. No more fears, no more tears,no more heartaches, those we have left behind us.

Paulette says 10.2.2012, 10:20 a.m.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Corinthians 13:12) My sister passed away on Sunday unexpectedly. I believe she will know me when I get there.

Rosie says 9.23.2012, 6:22 p.m.

My husband died sudenly last month of a massive heart attack with no warning whatsoever and just like Dee, we were soulmates. We did everything together. We had 30 wonderful years but not nearly enough. He was only 50.

Nan says 9.15.2012, 5:45 p.m.

When things get difficult for me in life, I think of Hebrews 12:1 and imagine my parents looking down at me and cheering me on, saying you can make it, don't give up. Stay in the race, we are waiting for you. and will all be together one day.

Jason says 9.4.2012, 12:06 a.m.

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. I think that if were with him ,in his presence ,and in his glory we won't be able to do anything but worship him.

Dee says 9.1.2012, 3:08 p.m.

I think they have a spiritual awareness of us that God allows at His Will, and it cannot be explained at a level for us understand. I believe that God grants them a GREATER capacity to love us, and that we "communicate" thru our heart with our love.

Dee says 8.30.2012, 11:05 a.m.

My loving husband passed away last week. From the time we met, we thought of ourselves as soulmates; and we continued to be inseparable for over 25 years. I find it hard to believe that we could be separated now. No, not with "Our Special Love."

Angela says 8.22.2012, 7:37 p.m.

Thank you Mark Anderson. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 Those believing in Christ will rise first. There is an order. The large crowd of witnesses in Hebrews 12 are Israels' heros of the OT. NT refers to the dead as 'sleeping' awaiting the second coming.

janelle says 8.13.2012, 12:39 a.m.

my mother passed july 3rd unexpectantly, I am wondering all the time if she sees me and what she knows on her family left on earth. We all miss her terribly as she was the anchor in our lives. Is she able to see us?

Louis says 7.16.2012, 12:35 a.m.

I prays you dear lord

Angel says 6.30.2012, 03:15 a.m.

There is nothing impossible for God Therefore, i must agree that as we walk with and in Christ, The Holy Spirit may allow for us to feel the comfort of our loved one viewing us from above.

mark anderson says 6.24.2012, 11:34 p.m.

I believe the simple answer is no. Why? Well it is because for now the dead rest at peace with no knowledge of anything. On the last day when we are all raised up for judgment none of us will likely recognize each other then or once it is done.

verna says 6.8.2012, 11:06 p.m.

my daughter passed and i she lives on in heaven i feel her with me all the time.

Barry says 4.18.2012, 8:32 p.m.

Since Christ tells us that there will be no husband or wife in heaven, one can only think there will be no sons or daughters either. That's hard to think of on this side, but once we experience it on the other side it will make perfect sense to us.

Sarah says 4.12.2012, 11:57 p.m.

I LOVE this!

Sarah says 3.3.2012, 6:08 p.m.

My daughter died 8 yrs ago, with a childhood cancer, she 18 yrs old. It seems like God sends her to me at times, I can truly feel her presence at times. I believe they can see us, especially in our spiritual moments.

Scott says 2.11.2012, 11:47 p.m.

My mother passed away 4 months ago today. Please continue to pray for my family. We are told to live more like Christ, what an awesome example she provided. I have never known someone who put everyone else first, and truly lived out being 2 to Christ

Sherrie says 9.9.2011, 11:12 p.m.

My daughter died a year ago and her daughter is getting married. (my granddaughter). It breaks my heart that she can't be with us....it is a bitter-sweet occasion. I often wonder if those in heaven can see what goes on here. I'm well aware of what the bible says but still somewhat confused. Does anyone else wonder why God didn't make things plainer?

Mary says 1.4.2011, 3:55 p.m.

My mother recently passed away. I am very interested in what she can see here on earth and what it is like now for her in heaven.

Orlando says 7.5.2010, 10:15 a.m.

This is very interesting, in the sense how involved are you in the after life with whats going on on Earth.