Seeing through the veil

My first post. Our preacher said this morning that it was not possible to see into heaven (or I assume hell). But it is possible for the dead to see from heaven to earth.

I totally disagree with the latter. It would be incomprehensible to me for God to allow those who have passed through the veil to look back on the sin and misery of those left behind.

Although the preacher didn't say so, I would guess he bases his belief on Luke 16:19. I believe that this is another parable which, this time, teaches the folly of seeking fame and fortune and ignoring the needs of others.

Any comments? I especially covet scripture references and information from preachers of the days gone by.

Hi, D_daktar

The verse that comes to my mind regarding this issue is this:

“Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11

You are being noble by asking questions and testing the validity of your minister’s interpretations. Consider this an opportunity for you to exercise your own spiritual muscle.

The pastor’s interpretation, taken from the parable exposes a sloppy use of scripture. Perhaps you have encountered other examples. Be sensitive to the Spirit. Perhaps God is leading you to hold your brother accountable by sharing your concern. That hopefully will encourage him to exercise greater care.

Sadly, most folk in churches are not like the Bereans, and do not examine the validity of what they are taught. This does not help the pastor or anyone else. It causes the entire body to be weakened.

Welcome to SI. I know you will enjoy it here. By entering into the discussions, and by sharing questions, you will grow in the knowledge and wisdom of our Lord.

The audios sermons and articles are also very enriching. They get you thinking.

By the way, I have a book called “Daktar” – about Vigor Olsen, a missionary doctor in Bangladesh. Any connection?

Diane

bro Daktar
welcome to S.I! you wrote:

My first post. Our preacher said this morning that it was not possible to see into heaven (or I assume hell). But it is possible for the dead to see from heaven to earth.

well your pastor is wrong on the first count for sure. Paul was taken up to heaven (he spoke of this experience in the third person in 2 corinthians 12) there have been other accounts of saints travelling to heaven and back in the spirit in a similar manner. i don't think that those in heaven are unaware of what is happenning on earth. they most certainly are not affected in terms of temptation or anything like that but God grieves up there in heaven over us and i believe that they share in that grief and whatever else He feels.

I totally disagree with the latter. It would be incomprehensible to me for God to allow those who have passed through the veil to look back on the sin and misery of those left behind.

ah but bro, God [i]is[/i]incomprehensible. He does the most off the wall things in His wisdom (which seems foolishness to us)as we have seen from scripture.

Although the preacher didn't say so, I would guess he bases his belief on Luke 16:19. I believe that this is another parable which, this time, teaches the folly of seeking fame and fortune and ignoring the needs of others.

the story in luke 16 about Abraham's bosom isn't a parable. Whenever Christ spoke in a parable He always said that it was and then afterward gave an interpretation of it. in this case we see neither. however we can glean from this account that which you mentioned about seeking fame and the folly thereof. it brings to bear the finality of the afterlife. on the other side there is no pleading with God for clemency and this is the issue, we ought to do right by God NOW because we will not be able to do so later.

hmm Is it impossible to look into heaven? Well, I'm not entire sure. Do you mean like whenever we want to or to see heaven at all? People have seen heaven, in scripture and even in modern time. My pastor saw heaven. Do I think he is a liar? No. Of what testamonies that I have heard, they all tend to have very similar descriptions.

Can we see into heaven whenever we want. If we can, then certainly no one that I know of is doing it. However it is more common for people to see into the spiritual realm around us. Can we do it whenever we want? I dont know, because if we could I certainly would have seen something by now, which I haven't, other than with the eyes of my spirit.

Jesus did say that He did whatever He saw His Father in heaven doing. I dont know exactly how to apply that verse to seeing into the spiritual realm, nor do I pretend that my interpretation and application of it is the only and correct way, therefore I leave it to you.

I do think that peolpe in heaven can see the earth though. I have heard many Christian people's testamonies of visions and heavenly encounters where they meet some of the saints dead and gone who describe themself as the great cloud of Witnesses, described in Hebrews. They say that they can see all that God is doing. Otherwise they would be ignorant to matters that are so dear to God;s heart.

All eyes are on earth, it is the primary focus of the heavenlies right now.

well, there ya go, take it or leave it. Either way the topic doesnt affect our salvation so whether you believe that we can see into heaven or not and that the people in heaven can see us or not does not disqualify you from being used by God. In that sense I am not looking to argue over the subject (directed to anyone who may want to challenge my statements).

Be blessed