Having dealt with a rather easy question about heaven concerning whether we will know each other in heaven, we now turn to a much more difficult question.

Is there contact between the dead and the living? We all know the spiritualists are incorrect about this, always looking for ghosts and spirits. In the area where I live, we are often bombarded with stories of spirits. Haunted houses seem to abound and a lot of people are just plain superstitious. Even with this caveat, this is a real question. Do those who have died know what is happening on earth?

Let’s look at this from two points of view.

First, are the dead making intercession for the living? I must tell you that my opinion is of little value, but the Word of God can be our wonderful guide for faith and practice. In the Bible, intercession is of inestimable value. Again and again, we are urged to intercede for one another. In church after church, Paul asked the saints to pray for him (Romans 15:30; Ephesians 6:19) even as he prayed for them (Colossians 1:3; Philippians 1:9-11). He also urged the church to intercede for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

As a result of intercession, God responds to the intercession from those who love and call on Him (think of Abraham interceding on behalf of the perceived righteous in Sodom, Genesis 18).

Yet, with all of this emphasis on intercession, there is no record of the intercession moving in the opposite direction. At no time do we see those who have died interceding for the saints. The silence of Scripture appears to solve the question.

The second question is somewhat more difficult. Do those in heaven witness events on earth? 

The only real passage which might suggest this is Hebrews 12 where we are said to be compassed about by a great cloud of witnesses, namely the faithful mentioned in Hebrews 11. But are these witnesses who are spectating or witnesses who left us an example and an encouragement for faith?

In spite of otherwise wonderful Biblical expositors, the context of the passage points to the latter. The writer seems to say: “since we see the evidence of their faith, let us work out our faith in the same way” (Hebrews 12:1-3). I realize this view leaves some great illustrations high and dry. The idea of the saints cheering us on is an encouraging idea but probably not an accurate picture.

The passage seems to tell us that our testimony on earth will have future value as others recall our faith and seek to live out their faith. Moses, Isaiah, and Abel continue to be an example for us today of faith in action. Let us also live so that others will see our good works and glorify the Father in heaven.

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