The scriptures are pretty silent on this issue. Many would like to think of their loved one who has passed as watching over them as if they were now their personal Guardian Angel. Some have even expressed that their loved one is now an angel in Heaven. We need to realize that humans and angels are two entirely different creations of the Lord. While we are on the earth, we are LOWER than the angels as we read in Psalms 8:4-5, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For THOU HAST MADE HIM A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.” In Heaven, we will be HIGHER than the angels. 1 Corinthians 6:3 says, “Know ye not that we shall judge angels?” This is speaking of fallen angels, but it does show that our position in Glory will be higher than the angels. On top of all that, in our eternal existence in Heaven we will not be like angels, we will be like Christ. 1 John 3:2 teaches us, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM; for we shall see him as he is.

But, can our loved ones see us? Are they aware of what is going on in our lives? Are they witnesses to our victories and failures, our good times and bad times? Again, there is very little said in the Word about this. We do know that there is joy in Heaven when someone is saved. The Lord Jesus said in Luke 15:10, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” This seems to indicate that all those in Heaven are aware of, and celebrate the salvation of each one who comes to Christ.

Some have pointed out how that Lazarus and the rich man could see each other after their deaths. We find that event in Luke 16:19-31. However, if you read closely, you will see that although the rich man in torment was aware of Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom, we do not read that Lazarus was aware of the rich man.

Heaven is a place where those “IN Christ” (Romans 12:5) who have passed away are now “WITH Christ” (Philippians 1:23). While we cannot say with any authority whether our loved ones in Heaven can see us or not, I would think that they would be so occupied by being in the presence of their beloved savior that their attention is on Him and not on the earth. Whether they can see us or not, we can be greatly comforted knowing that they are in the presence of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8) and Psalms 16:11 teaches us that “in thy (Christ’s) presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (268.6)