When Lazarus died, Christ told his disciples that “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.” and later “Lazarus is dead.” John 11.
When Christ returned to Bethany, Martha said to Him,
“Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”
Then Christ said, He is in heaven watching and waiting for you.
Actually Christ never said that.
Christ said, “Thy brother shall rise again.”
The Martha said, “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
The scripture speaks volumes without saying a word. There is not any verse in the bible that says our departed friends or family are in heaven. If they are awake and aware, then why the resurrection of the dead? Do not let visions confuse you.
Heaven is the abode of God. It is not for us. Believe the scripture. Believe Job and David. When we die, we wait in our graves with the confidence of Job that we will hear the Call of God and escort Christ here to the earth. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
No one in the days of Christ taught that people were alive and aware in heaven after death. It is false doctrine.