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Can people in heaven see us? What do people in heaven do?

What does the Bible teach about the present condition awareness, and occupation of believers who have died?

Although the Bible does not take up this subject in detail, we can draw a number of conclusions:

   1. Believers in heaven are very happy (Revelation 14:13)." TARGET="_blank">Revelation 14:13).
   2. They are with Christ, beholding the One who loved them and gave Himself for them; they are far better off in such a wonderful place (Philippians 1:21, 23)." TARGET="_blank">Philippians 1:21, 23). They no longer have the flesh and the trial of suffering that so troubled them on earth (Romans 7:24," TARGET="_blank">Romans 7:24, 25a).
   3. They rest from their labors until the Rapture when they receive glorified bodies in which they will commence their eternal service for God (Revelation 14:13; 22:3, 4)." TARGET="_blank">Revelation 14:13; 22:3, 4).
   4. They recognize others and converse with one another (Luke 13:28;" TARGET="_blank">Luke 13:28; Matthew 17:4;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 17:4; Luke 16:24)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 16:24).

A. Joyce

Is the breaking of bread the same as the communion service?

Why do we avoid calling the Sunday meeting when we break bread the Communion Service?

We express our communion (or fellowship) when we remember the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:16)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10:16). Taking the cup demonstrates our fellowship with God (v 21). Taking the bread expresses our fellowship with one another in the assembly (v 17). It is therefore a communion service. As we gather to take these emblems, we obey the Lord’s words, "This do in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 22:19). It is therefore a remembrance meeting. We meet to do this each Lord’s Day morning, therefore it is a morning meeting, although believers in Acts likely met in the evening (Acts 20:7)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:7). However, none of these designations is used in the New Testament as a name for this gathering of the assembly. The Spirit uses "the breaking of the bread" (literally) in referring to this gathering (2:42). Likewise, the Spirit inspired Paul to use the expression "the Lord’s supper" (1Co 11:20)" TARGET="_blank">1Co 11:20) when he wrote about the Corinthians meeting to remember the Lord. Calling it "The Breaking of Bread" or "The Lord’s Supper" is more consistent with the Biblical designations of this gathering.

In evangelical usage, "The Communion Service" is a common designation of a gathering where believers share in taking the bread and the cup. Attempts to accommodate our terminology to that of evangelical congregations obscure the Scriptural difference between a church of God and other gatherings whose doctrine may be sound but whose pattern does not come from the New Testament. Rather than shrinking from being different, why not highlight the beauty of the Biblical pattern by using Biblical terms?

D. Oliver

How will the weather be affected during the Millennium?

How will the weather be affected during the Millennium?

David longed for a just King to reign in the fear of God. That would be as "a morning without clouds" (2Sa 23:4)." TARGET="_blank">2Sa 23:4). The word "as" introduces figurative language, but this does describe the weather patterns of the Millennium, which may be more pleasant than any weather since creation.

The weather during that reign will contribute to a fruitful ecological system. In Psalm 72" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 72 (as both the KJV and JND translate it), places that rarely produce a harvest will wave with abundance of grain (v 16). While the results of sin will be rolled back from creation, they will not be eliminated. The curse of sin will not touch the heavenly city, but the nations will still need "healing" during the Millennium (Rev 22:2, 3)." TARGET="_blank">Rev 22:2, 3). The complete removal of every trace of sin awaits the Day of God (2Pe 3:11-13)," TARGET="_blank">2Pe 3:11-13), the new heavens and the new earth (Rev 21:1-5)." TARGET="_blank">Rev 21:1-5). We know that some regions of the earth will lack needed rain (Zech 14:16-19)." TARGET="_blank">Zech 14:16-19). This will be the direct result of disobedience to the King.

This leads to the conclusion that the weather during the Millennium will be controlled by the Lord in such a way that fruitfulness will abound and, where appropriate, sin will be directly and immediately punished by means of the weather. Justice will not only control the governmental systems, but the ecological system as well. Except where human depravity will express itself, conditions in that day will be "right."

D. Oliver

Is taking the bread and the cup an addendum to the Breaking of Bread?

Is taking the bread and the cup an addendum to the Breaking of Bread?

The reason for this question is likely because sometimes taking the bread and cup may appear to be rushed, a necessary ritual before a hurried conclusion to the meeting. As with the assembly in Troas on the first day of the week (Acts 20:6, 7)," TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:6, 7), our stated objective in our primary meeting on Lord’s Day is to break bread. Our singing, thanksgiving, and Scripture readings are subservient to this purpose. "This do in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19;" TARGET="_blank">Luke 22:19; 1Co 11:24, 25)" TARGET="_blank">1Co 11:24, 25) specifically refers to taking the bread and drinking the cup. An unlearned believer (14:16, 23, 24) may enter into the hymns and prayers of worship, but can remember the Lord only when he is in assembly fellowship and partakes of the two emblems, the bread and cup. Remembering the Lord in the breaking of bread is the high point of the gathering. All that precedes it leads up to it; all that follows flows from it.

D. Oliver

Is it scripturally correct to say that God punished His Son?

Is it scripturally correct to say that God punished His Son?

As with any question regarding the sufferings of our Lord, we should guard our words and hide within the safety of the words of Scripture. If there is anything to which we might object in the statement, "God punished His Son," it is the possibility that this suggests God’s displeasure in the One Who suffered on the cross. God’s dealing with the Lord Jesus on the cross were directed against the sins He bore. The words of the hymn seem mistaken, "He took my sins and my sorrows; He made them His very own." The sins were not in any sense His, although He received the righteous judgment those sins demanded (2 Corinthians 5:21)." TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 5:21). The Father could never be more delighted with His Son than when the savor of that sacrifice filled His thrice-holy presence.

Some object to the word "punish" in this context. Keil and Delitzsch in their scholarly "Commentary on the Old Testament" insist that "chastisement" in Isaiah 53:5" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 53:5 (AV) be translated "punishment," due to the extreme suffering that fills the context. The contrast in that verse is between "Him" and "we." The righteous punishment was what we deserved. The remarkable discovery is that the peace-bringing punishment was on Him.

Others object to speaking of the Son in the context of the sufferings of the cross. Paul speaks of "the death of His Son" (Romans 5:10);" TARGET="_blank">Romans 5:10); he further tells us, "He that spared not His own Son, . . . freely delivered Him up for us all" (8:32). From what was the Son not spared? To what was the Son delivered up? God did not spare His own Son from the cross, but delivered Him up (the same word as in 4:25) to all that the cross involved.

It would be error of the highest order to suggest either that any sort of division occurred between Divine Persons in the darkness at the cross or that the One Who suffered the righteous punishment due to our sins was any less than the Son of God.

The more we ponder that scene, the more we worship.

D. Oliver

Who can be the object of railing?

Who can be the object of railing?

Railing is derisive speech intended to destroy an individual’s reputation or undermine his will. Therefore, railing may be directed to the individual (1 Pet. 2:23)" TARGET="_blank">1 Pet. 2:23) or spoken to another person regarding that individual (1 Tim. 5:14)." TARGET="_blank">1 Tim. 5:14). Railing against divinely appointed authority has a special seriousness (Acts 23:4;" TARGET="_blank">Acts 23:4; Psa. 105:15; 1 Chron. 16:22)." TARGET="_blank">1 Chron. 16:22). God has protected assembly elders against gratuitous accusations (1 Tim. 5:19)." TARGET="_blank">1 Tim. 5:19). However, it is sadly true that a believer can rail against any believer (illustrated in the OT passages above). Railing could be directed toward unbelievers (1 Pet. 3:9)." TARGET="_blank">1 Pet. 3:9).

The question of whether a spouse or child could be the object of a believer’s railing is more difficult. In many ways, abusive language destroys the will of a child and belittles him. The environment is contentious, but is the intent to vilify the child to others? Is it really "character assassination"? It is almost unbelievable that a parent would do this consciously and intentionally. As to a spouse, all abusive language is sinful, but not all is railing. Where the persistent intent is to "break" the marriage partner, and that is very difficult to judge, it could be railing. Where one spouse establishes a trend of defaming or vilifying his spouse to others, this also may be railing.

D. Oliver

Is the Spirit’s leading relevant to assembly meetings?

Is the Spirit’s leading relevant to assembly meetings?

We worship by the Spirit (Phi 3:3," TARGET="_blank">Phi 3:3, JND); we work by means of the Spirit (1Co 12:4-7);" TARGET="_blank">1Co 12:4-7); we walk together with others by the Spirit (Gal 5:25)." TARGET="_blank">Gal 5:25). The Spirit’s leading is essential in every aspect of our assembly life and service. If our assembly meetings do not display the sovereignty of the Spirit ("the Lord the Spirit," 2Co 3:18)" TARGET="_blank">2Co 3:18) in directing them, we have nothing more than mere ritual and empty form. The substance, timing, and coordination of our worship, prayer, teaching, and preaching must result from the leading of the Spirit. This will be very limiting to those of us who know little of His leading in our daily lives.

D. Oliver

How do we know that we have God’s full revelation to us?

How do we know that we have God’s full revelation to us?

Hebrews 1:1-2" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 1:1-2 informs us that God’s revelation through various instruments and in varying parts has been fulfilled and finalized in the coming of His Son.

If anything further remains to be written, it must stem from His personal teachings and must have his personal authority. Before going back to heaven, the Lord previews the Spirit-inspired writing of the gospels - and Acts, their sequel (John 14:26)," TARGET="_blank">John 14:26), the epistles which amplify His teachings (16:13a), and the Revelation (16:13b). Significantly, this final book includes a curse on anyone who adds to that book (Rev. 22:18)." TARGET="_blank">Rev. 22:18).

Although not all agree with this interpretation, Paul clearly states that the gifts of knowledge and prophecy will become outdated by the coming of "that which is perfect," or complete (1Co. 13:9, 10)." TARGET="_blank">1Co. 13:9, 10). The gifts of the New Testament apostles and prophets (12:8-10a, including "discerning of spirits" and 28) were initial and were unnecessary when the writing of the Word of God had been completed.

In contrast to the existing 66 books of the Bible, recognized as canonical within the first century of their writing, the apocryphal books affixed to the Old Testament were added by the Council of Trent in 1545. Their addition was part of an attempt to combat the Protestant emphasis on the teaching of God’s Word. Other attempts to add to the Scriptures are equally distinct from the inspired volume.

D. Oliver

How much education should a woman pursue?

To what extent should a woman pursue an education?

God can use each of His children, no matter how limited. Nevertheless, God evidently used the education of a Moses or a Saul of Tarsus for His glory. Higher education prepares believers for honest occupations (Titus 3:14," TARGET="_blank">Titus 3:14, Weymouth) and, in Gods hand, can be effective in developing a believers usefulness. All believers, male or female, need to exercise care that career aspirations do not eclipse their appreciation of the will of God.

A sister may never marry, may marry and be widowed, or may need to work because of an injury to her husband or some other difficulty. She should be adequately prepared for this, consistent with her abilities.

If married, the development of her capabilities through education enables her to more fully understand the field in which her husband works. She is better suited as his helper (Genesis 2:18)." TARGET="_blank">Genesis 2:18).

A good education may likewise enable wife to contribute more to the mental development of the children the Lord has given to her.

A believer, whether male or female, should pursue an education to the degree it is consistent with these three conditions: it is within his means; it is appropriate to his capabilities; it will enhance his usefulness to the Lord.

D. Oliver

How should a man prepare for overseership?

How should a man prepare for overseership?

"Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" is his concern. Love for Christ, His Word, and His people are his hallmarks. As God’s Spirit has His way in his life, His purpose and calling blends with the individual’s native capabilities. That man and his wife (or girlfriend, if he is courting) visit the sick or the widows, leaving some suitable Bible passage with them. He "naturally cares for" (Philippians 3:20)" TARGET="_blank">Philippians 3:20) the state of other believers. He prepares for and participates in the meetings, developing a deeper understanding of God’s Word. As he realizes how important the assembly and the spiritual welfare of the Lord’s people are to the Lord, a weight of responsibility settles in his soul. All of these interests integrate with his prayer life and he begins to ask the Lord specifically for the prosperity and preservation of the assembly. Overseers observe his consistency and encourage his interests. At some point, they may ask him to help them in their work.

Especially if he has a competitive spirit (is any man free of this?), he should confront this before the Lord and seek grace to be delivered from a desire for office, advancement, or recognition and to be motivated by a desire to serve.

When the overseers recognize that God has called this brother to the responsibilities of an overseer, he should be willing to serve with these overseers only if he is convinced that God has entrusted this work to him.

D. Oliver