I'm not sure if you're deducing the saints in heaven are less than angels at some point and equal to them at another. We had a discussion earlier about how we are greater than the angels which I thought was quite good.
I also disagree that Luke 15 limits the joy in heaven to angels only in either mention.
And, I wouldn't say the Bible is silent on what the saints know. True, it doesn't give us a clear picture of their sense perception, but that would be expected - it is beyond our comprehension to be those outside space and time. I think we would agree that existence in heaven is supernatural.
The Bible does tell us we are united, one family, not separated by death supernaturally linked by the Eucharist, a "cloud of witnesses"... We also have Jesus praying for us to have eternal life - to be as one with Him and the Father as He and the Father are one.
This union, the Body of Christ, saints on earth and in heaven, one family united, is the foundation of the Communion of Saints - from Jesus's teaching, in the Apostles Creed, and continuing on in the church today.
I know you will have other interpretations than I for any verse mentioned in order to not have the same meaning for Communion of Saints. So we will disagree on dueling verses. However, I think in addition to any specific scripture verse there is an accumulation, an overwhelming message of union in the Body of Christ throughout eternity that supports my belief scripturally on this question.
Thanks very much for your reply.
The saints in heaven have not yet received their final resurrection body which will be like Christ's body.
As for marriage, which the verse was dealing with (Matt.22), the saints will be like the elect angels in that they do not marry.
The final resurrection body will be superior to that of an angel since it will like the body of Christ Himself.
We had a discussion earlier about how we are greater than the angels which I thought was quite good. I also disagree that Luke 15 limits the joy in heaven to angels only in either mention.
Well, only angels are mentioned.
It could be that the saints are rejoicing as well, but nothing is said of them.
And, I wouldn't say the Bible is silent on what the saints know. True, it doesn't give us a clear picture of their sense perception, but that would be expected - it is beyond our comprehension to be those outside space and time. I think we would agree that existence in heaven is supernatural.
Amen.
The Bible does tell us we are united, one family, not separated by death supernaturally linked by the Eucharist, a "cloud of witnesses"... We also have Jesus praying for us to have eternal life - to be as one with Him and the Father as He and the Father are one.
The church is united spiritually but there is the church triumphant (in heaven) and the church militant (still on earth).
Only after the Rapture, will both be united together both physically and spiritually.
This union, the Body of Christ, saints on earth and in heaven, one family united, is the foundation of the Communion of Saints - from Jesus's teaching, in the Apostles Creed, and continuing on in the church today.
Yes, the church (those who received Christ as their personal saviour) is one body, but some of it is in heaven and some of it is still on earth.
I know you will have other interpretations than I for any verse mentioned in order to not have the same meaning for Communion of Saints. So we will disagree on dueling verses. However, I think in addition to any specific scripture verse there is an accumulation, an overwhelming message of union in the Body of Christ throughout eternity that supports my belief scripturally on this question.
I do not think any verses in scripture give the impression that the saints in heaven are concerned with the affairs of the world.
Nor, should the saints on earth be praying to them or for them.
Thanks very much for your reply.
Likewise.