When loved ones die . . .

Madea

Madea

zip a dee doo dah
Do you believe that they become angels and watch over you?

I have a lot of friends, who have also lost their mothers, and as Mother's Day approaches, I'm seeing a lot of posts from folks who believe their Mom is watching over them.

I've never really believed that. Partly because I don't believe there will be any sadness in heaven. And, I think if our loved ones knew our sadness and could see our tears, they'd be unhappy. I do truly believe that our loved ones live on in our hearts, our love and our memories.
 
I do believe that some are so desparate for that comfort and will believe anything that provides them that comfort.
 
No. The Bible says that to be absent from the body (i.e., what we call dead) is to be present with the Lord (II Cor. 5:8 ). It doesn't say to be absent from the body is to be an angel back on earth watching over your loved ones.

I do agree that many people see it as a comforting thing, and I'm certainly not gonna bust on anybody's belief system.
 
Madea said:
I do believe that some are so desparate for that comfort and will believe anything that provides them that comfort.
Click to expand...
I believe the same as you. There is nothing in the bible to support the belief that we become angels when we die. In fact we become greater than angels when we die, and we judge them...ref Corinthians.

I think that people do want comfort and something about that line of thought seems to bring that to them. The only comfort I need is knowing that the separation from my loved ones is only temporary (those that are saved). Their spirit is with God and what better place to be! :love
 
Okay, I'm glad it's not just me. It just (almost) sad to me to see so many people doing these types of posts.
 
Madea said:
Okay, I'm glad it's not just me. It just (almost) sad to me to see so many people doing these types of posts.
Click to expand...
It is sad. I see it on FB a lot, and never correct the person, but I do pray for them.
 
I think it's basically reflective of the mindset of many people who consider themselves "Christian", but don't have much of a theological background.

On a related topic, I will also say that I cannot TELL you how many preachers I have heard say from the pulpit that animals won't be in heaven, and there's just not ANYTHING in Scripture to back that up. Ps. 36:6 says that God loves animals and people alike, and in fact, other Scriptures reference lions laying down with lambs. ;)
 
deewee said:
Madea said:
Okay, I'm glad it's not just me. It just (almost) sad to me to see so many people doing these types of posts.
Click to expand...
It is sad. I see it on FB a lot, and never correct the person, but I do pray for them.
Click to expand...

I didn't correct the most prominent one I saw today. I do pray she finds the peace she is seeking.
 
I think you hit it Mei Lan.

And, I don't know about animals. I've never heard a preacher say no animals. The Bible doesn't specifically say one way or another, so I'll leave that decision entirely up to God.
 
Madea said:
I think you hit it Mei Lan.

And, I don't know about animals. I've never heard a preacher say no animals. The Bible doesn't specifically say one way or another, so I'll leave that decision entirely up to God.
Click to expand...

My take exactly.
 
Madea said:
I think you hit it Mei Lan.

And, I don't know about animals. I've never heard a preacher say no animals. The Bible doesn't specifically say one way or another, so I'll leave that decision entirely up to God.
Click to expand...
Yep. I tend not to concern myself with the things I can not reference in scripture.
 
Death is a part of life, we all die. When we are called Home, it's to spend eternity with Him. Coping with death is hard, living without your loved ones is harder still. I don't believe we will become Angels, I think those positions are already taken. ;D
 
I for one do believe in Angels and think they are among us. Whether or not our loved ones are Angels I cannot say with certainty but I do believe it's possible that some may be. I also agree that some people want to believe it for their comfort. We will all suffer loss of loved ones at some point in our lives and will react differently to that loss. One of my weakest areas is how to console others in their time of loss, even though my heart hurts for others during that time I find it difficult to say or do the right thing so I mainly just pray for them and let God work in their life.
 
I think that people see things that they interpret as signs from their loved ones and take that to have greater meaning. Example ... today, just before the insanity of the run began a Canada Goose flew overhead. My mum collected Canada Goose stuff. It made me think of her and smile. A lot of people would instead have taken it as a sign that she was there.

Did that make sense?
 
unionmom said:
I think that people see things that they interpret as signs from their loved ones and take that to have greater meaning. Example ... today, just before the insanity of the run began a Canada Goose flew overhead. My mum collected Canada Goose stuff. It made me think of her and smile. A lot of people would instead have taken it as a sign that she was there.

Did that make sense?
Click to expand...

Totally.
 
Here's my take - there are angels, but I don't believe our loved ones are them. I do however believe that there are other "things" out there.
 
Madea, I agree with you. God said he goes and prepares a "place" for us. It's not of this world. I miss my Daddy. He has been in heaven for 5 years. I think it would make him sad to see us miss him and sad when he sees us sin. I also think that because God made us in his image that when we die we do go live with him. I think that God made us and we will be better than angels.

My sister, Mama and me have found pennies in the weirdest places and we always say they are from Daddy. We know this isn't true, but we love to think so when we see them.
 
I'll give you my take, for what it's worth. I'm not an expert on Heaven, but have read a lot about it and sat under some very good preaching. I'm speaking of expository preaching where the preacher is reading the Bible and pointing out key points and references.

As I understand it, angels are beings that were created to praise and worship God. I also believe they provide protection for God's children on this earth against the evil spirits who have current dominion over this planet....for now.

I think of an old song we used to sing in church. It goes, "It's a song Holy Angels can not sing. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound. Yes, it's a song Holy Angels can not sing, I once was lost, but now am found."

As you mentioned earlier in this topic, there will be no sadness or crying in Heaven, but I have no idea if our loved ones check in on us or not. If they indeed do, they would not cry or have sorrow over our trials. Not because they don't love us, but because they have been transformed to be like Christ and have the very mind of God.

Here's something that's crossed my small mind. It's nothing I've drawn from the Bible or been taught. It's just a little Grey Colson idea that may or may not be accurate...

You've probably heard that time does not exist in eternity? I believe that 100%. Even secular scientists now believe there are places where time and space don't exist. I actually think it is possible that once you arrive in Heaven, your loved ones, past and present, could already be there and greet you. In other words, since time will not be an issue in Heaven, I believe it's possible to wake up in Heaven, turn around and see you children, parents and grand children walking up behind you.

That may not be the case at all, but there is no way we can imagine what Heaven and eternity is really like.

Regarding animals, I know it's a delicate subject with many people. I never will forget how mad a female co-worker got at me several years ago for suggesting that animals don't die and go to heaven. You'd have thought I was calling her mother a prostitute :eek:

Anyway, the bible does speak of animals as mentioned in earlier posts. I believe that may be very true and I think it would be wonderful, but I don't believe they are our former pets. Here's why...God created all the animals and the foul of the air as mentioned in Genesis, but ONLY into to Man did he breath the "breath of live" which was his soul. I believe that animals have knwoledge of God, but not a personal relationship with Him because they lack a "soul".

Just my little take on it.
 
Here's another thing I believe, and it's just based upon personal experience. I do believe that as you near death the Heavens open to welcome you home, and I do believe you'll glimpse in and see your loved ones before you fully depart this earth. I've witnessed several that were close to me calling out to those who've gone before in their final moments.
 
Madea said:
Here's another thing I believe, and it's just based upon personal experience. I do believe that as you near death the Heavens open to welcome you home, and I do believe you'll glimpse in and see your loved ones before you fully depart this earth. I've witnessed several that were close to me calling out to those who've gone before in their final moments.
Click to expand...

I believe that as well. Just imagine how wonderful it will be.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top