Do people in heaven look down to earth and see us?
People sometimes make references to a loved one "looking down" on them from heaven. Funeral eulogies often contain a statement such as, "I know he is looking down on us right now and smiling." But is this possible, according to the Bible?Some have sought to find this particular meaning in Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…" Are these "witnesses" a group of saints looking down from heaven? Not likely. The contextual reference is to the saints of Hebrews 11 who have set an example worthy of following today. They are "witnesses" in a symbolic sense only.
In Jesus' story of the rich man and Lazarus, there is no indication that Lazarus could see the activities of people on earth (Luke 16:19-31). There are martyrs in heaven in Revelation 6:10 who cry out for God to avenge their deaths; yet, even in that passage, there is no definite statement that they are observing life on earth.
In short, the Bible makes no explicit statement regarding whether or not humans in heaven can view earthy activities. However, it is most likely that they cannot.
Does the Bible tell us what Heaven is like?
Will we know our friends and family members in Heaven?
How can heaven be perfect if some of our loved ones are missing?
What happens after death?
What does the Bible say about the new heavens and the new earth?
Truth about Eternity
