Bible Questions and Answers, by John W. Myers, Internet Photojournalist

Bible Q&A: Is heaven watching us?

July 20, 2001

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Bible Question: Are our loved ones watching us from heaven? Do they see what's happening to us down here on earth?

Bible Answer: Yes, the answer to both your questions is definitely yes.

In the parable of the woman who called all her friends and rejoiced over finding a lost coin, the Lord concluded in Luke 15:10, "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Note, Jesus said "joy in the presence of the angels," not that the angels themselves are rejoicing - though I presume they rejoice, also - but it is those with the angels who are rejoicing. Who are those? Who else could it be but the saints who are now populating heaven?

And if the saints can rejoice over seeing a sinner repent down on earth, how could they know to do it unless they are watching us? Paul says we are "surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses," in Hebrews 12:1, and makes that comment immediately after concluding the 11th chapter of Hebrews, which is known as the Faith Hall of Fame for all the saints he briefly profiles in that chapter.

Certainly God's people are being constantly watched by others here on earth, but I believe what Paul meant is we are being watched by the saints in heaven as well. His use of the term "cloud of witnesses" leads one to believe he was referring to watchers above. And in the same chapter as previously quoted in Luke, Jesus gives us further insight into what those in heaven observe here on earth.

At the conclusion of the parable of the lost sheep recovered by the shepherd and returned to the other 99 sheep who had not gone astray, Jesus says in Luke 15:7, "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance."

If those in heaven are watching over sinners who need repentance and also "just persons who need no repentance," then who is left? We're all either saints or sinners, either we have already repented and been saved or we need to repent to be saved. So therefore, if heaven is watching over both categories, we're all being watched.

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