Author Archive
Can People in Hell See People on Earth?
In considering this topic the text regarding a person in hell seeing people on earth must be considered. Luke 16:19-31 records the story of the rich man in hell appealing to Abraham in heaven to send Lazarus just to cool his tongue.
First, the account does not say he saw anyone on earth. That is an assumption of the reader. The clincher regarding the story is that it is not a literal account, it is a parable. A parable is an illustration, not an actual event. This one illustrates what hell is like. The rich man in hell had no window facing earth. The Bible enables us to understand the gravity of this eternal reality and its significance to our lives.
There are no indications (explicit or implied) in the Bible that people who are separated from God after death can see people on earth. None.
I believe in hell because Jesus believed in it. He believed it so conclusively He warned people not to go there. He believed in it so fully He died to prevent people from going there.
A recent survey showed 54% of those interviewed said they were certain of a definite place of future torment. Jesus was 100% sure there is such a place.
God doesn’t send anyone to hell, they earn the right to go there. God made hell for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25: 41) and not even they enjoy it. God had to have an alternate place to heaven. There has to be a place where persons who have rejected Jesus on earth can go. They would not fit in heaven, their nature would corrupt it.
The Bible speaks of the fires of hell. If God wants them to be literal there is not a reason for them not to be . If they are not it is because they illustrate something far worse.
The real hell of hell, that is, the worst part, is the absence of God’s love. If the love of God were removed from heaven and the streets of gold and gates of pearl were to remain that would be hell. Again, the real hell of hell is the absence of God’s love. Without it the conduct of those there would be hellish.
A feature article on the front page of “USA Today” noted hell is used in locker rooms, on golf courses, board meetings, and party settings, but use it in the pulpit and the minister is said to be harsh, and attempting to frighten people.
Therefore, it is neglected in the pulpit.
Former President Harry Truman said, “If there were more hell in the pulpit there might be less in the pews.”
Know God’s will. “It is not His will that any perish, but that all come to repentance” (II Peter 3: 9).
It is further stated, “…God our Savior, who desires all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of truth.”
If any person goes to hell it is against His will.
If you have trusted Jesus as your Savior, pause and praise Him from a thankful heart. If you haven’t, pause and affirm your faith in Him now.
Can People in Heaven See People on Earth?
The Bible does not provide a definitive answer. Interpretations vary on whether their awareness includes seeing specific individuals or events. There are some Scripture passages considered by some to imply they can. There are however no passages indicating the practices are the standard, the norm. One such complex passage in the book of Hebrews where the writer recalls the great men and women 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). They are not witnesses in the sense of being observers, but as persons whose lives testify of God’s faithfulness. Their lives are examples rather than them being expositors.
Before going further reflect on the love and good times you had with your heaven residing loved ones. Rejoice in having love with them while they were with you. Accept the fact of your shared love and blessings. Memories are a gift of God to enable us to recall joyous experiences long after our loved ones have departed. Enjoy the memories.
I do not want to minimize the grief and sorrow brought about on earth by the “loss” of a loved one even if they are in heaven. Their absence leaves an incomparable void. Time spent thanking the Lord for past experiences helps fill that chasm.
The concept of people in heaven being preoccupied with people on earth minimizes the glory of heaven. With all that is going on in heaven it is hard to imagine conduct on earth not causing some sorrow for persons in heaven.
There will be no sickness, no sorrow or sadness in heaven. If people in heaven are occupied with activities on earth there surely would be. Wouldn’t people looking down on their unhappy loved ones be unhappy as a result of their misfortune and misery here?
Heaven is a place of total happiness and peace. We can be confident that our loved ones who have gone before us into heaven would be disturbed or upset over the evil things happening here on earth shattering the positive image of heaven.
We tend to get joy out of thinking people see our positive accomplishments, victories, and achievements. If so, would they not also see our defeats, losses, and griefs and be saddened by such?
The idea that little Billy hit a home run in his Little League baseball game and Pepaw was leaning over a golden rail in heaven cheering for him and bringing him good luck is in no way supported by Scripture. Pepaw was more likely with the Apostle John and friends talking with Jesus and thanking Him for what He did at Calvary. Rejoice over that or an even more likely similar scenario.
Heaven is not earthbound life on steroids. It is a totally different state. Some issues challenge our understanding, but 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).
May Hope Be Your Anchor – Part Five
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (II Cor. 1: 3, 4).
The God who is depicted as “the God of all comfort” has a monopoly on all comfort. He uses it to comfort us in “all our tribulation. What is the operative word in those two statements? It is “all.” Therefore, if you need comforting, go to the source, God.
When you are comforted that is not the intended end of the act. Sure, it is for your good, but you are to pay it forward to others. There are people all around needing the same comfort you have received. Share what you have received. Their acknowledgment of a need is not an invitation for you to play “Can you top this?”
It is not the least bit comforting if when someone exposes a need you respond by telling them you have a bigger one. If they reveal an injury don’t reply that you had that same need only greater. Do assure them the doctor said of yours, “I have never in all my life ever seen anything like that.” Don’t dump on a needy person. Accent how the Lord comforted you. Emphasize His comfort not your consternation. Assure the needy person the same God who comforted you can comfort them.
Biblically Barnabus, “the son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36) built up Paul and John Mark. You can do the same for others.
You can only give to others what you have. Hope, love, mercy, grace, and assurance are qualities needed by most people who are carrying a burden.
I collect little $100 flashlights. I have them all over the house. There is almost one within reach wherever I am. They have one common characteristic, not a one shines without a battery. Neither can you offer the comfort of the Lord unless you have it. Let “This Little Light of Mine” be your theme song.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10: 24, 25).
This does not mean we will always agree on all things. Unity doesn’t mean we always agree, but that we remain bonded in love and truth. It’s not about liking the same things, but loving the same Lord.
The counsel to “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” is instruction to be involved in a church. One of the many intended functions of the church is to “edify” one another. In the word edify can be heard the word edifice, meaning a building. To edify a person is to build them up. The God of all comfort is the project Foreman.
May Hope Be Your Anchor – Part Four
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (II Corinthians 4: 16).
A secular song from the musical “Damn Yankee” carries these words worthy of a spiritual application.
You’ve gotta have heart
All you really need is heart
When the odds are sayin’ you’ll never win
That’s when the grin should start
You’ve gotta have hope
Mustn’t sit around and mope
Nothin’s half as bad as it may appear
Wait’ll next year and hope
When your luck is battin’ zero
Get your chin up off the floor
Mister you can be a hero
You can open any door, there’s nothin’ to it but to do it
You’ve gotta have heart
Miles ’n miles n’ miles of heart.
There are a couple of lines in that which are inappropriate, but the theme is relevant to life. You have got to have heart, that is, a good spirit, a great attitude.
Admiral William H. McRaven writes about what he learned during Navy SEAL training that has helped him and could help anyone live a better life. Hope. He said: “Hope is the most powerful force in the universe. With hope you can inspire nations to greatness. With hope you can raise up the downtrodden. With hope you can ease the pain of unbearable loss. Sometimes all it takes is one person to make a difference.”
There is a toothpaste commercial on TV that simply says, “Be the first to smile.” Doing so inspires others to smile. Evidence hope and you will inspire others who have no hope to develop it. All around there are those who need it.
Neuroscientist Tali Sharot argues hope is so essential to our survival that it is hardwired into our brains, arguing it can be the difference between living a healthier life versus one trapped by despair.
The inward person must not stay the same. Growth is indispensable. Growth in grace and knowledge enables a hopeful outlook.
Hope is the outstretched hand in the dark—an act of faith that someone will take it and share their strength.
Hope is like a lighthouse guiding a storm tossed vessel to a safe haven.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11: 1). Partnered with its companion “faith” they are eyes that see the unseen as reality.
Don’t be bullied by your fears. Have heart and be emboldened thereby.
In the Beatitudes Jesus taught that those “pure in heart” would “see God.” That is an ultimate truth with a present challenge. You ‘gotta have heart.
God is eavesdropping for sounds you have heart in facing your life’s challenges. Don’t let the passing of time cause your spiritual heartbeat to grow faint.
May Hope Be Your Anchor – Part Three
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (II Corinthians 4: 16).
This is no complaint, but those who have been blessed know it is a summary of aging. Well, the part regarding “our outward man is perishing” no matter how much we exercise, what skin care is used, or how many vitamins we take age wins out. Can I get an “amen?”
However, there is another part of the verse noting a victory we can win if “we do not lose heart.” That is our part. Belief goes before hope springs forth. Don’t lose heart!
If most of us were objective we would look back and conclude these words from “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” by Isaac Watts speak truth:
“Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.”
“Lose heart” means to be exhausted, spiritless, or weary. We all are challenged at times not to lose heart. It is then spiritual attributes are the only thing that sustain us.
To lose heart is to grow fainthearted to the point of giving up. Luke 18:1 says, “They ought always to pray and not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Two antidotes are noted thereby. Prayer is an expression of hope. Offering a prayer indicates hope in the answer. Who wants to snivel and grumble in God’s presence? In talking to Him evidence your hope His answer will afford your need.
The second antidote is to “not grow weary in well doing.” As best as you can, stay busy in doing constructive things. To gain strength helpfully reach out to others in need.
During a flight from Portland, Maine, to Boston, pilot Henry Dempsey heard a noise at the rear of his small aircraft. As he went to investigate, the plane hit an air pocket, and Dempsey was tossed against the tail section. The rear door had not been properly latched. As it flew open, Dempsey was sucked from the jet. When the co-pilot made an emergency landing, they found Dempsey holding the outer ladder of the aircraft. Somehow, he caught the ladder, held on for ten minutes as the plane flew 200 mph at 4,000 feet, and survived the landing. It took several minutes to pry his fingers from the ladder.
That is the type of grip on life we need as the outer man is perishing. Thereby the inner man can be renewed.
With our outer self “perishing” followers of Jesus long for the day when the words from “It Is Well With My Soul” by Horatio Spafford herald our optimum rejuvenation. “And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds are rolled back as a scroll.” There on the distant shore will be the Lord of Life.