From the third post of this thread:
From the Orthodox perceptive, and the Catholic one, we can look to Revelation 5:8, where St John is telling us that 24 elders are offering bowls of incense. In context, it is revealed that these are the prayers of the Christians on Earth. Obviously, those in Heaven are aware of what is happening on Earth.
When one looks at Revelation 6:9, we see that the 5th seal has been opened and under the alter the souls “who had been slain for the word of God,” and they cry out, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before thou wilt judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell upon the earth?” They are aware that their enemies are still living on Earth.
An elder tells St John in Revelation 7:13-14 that the ones “clothed in white robes” are “they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” The elder has knowledge that these Christians were martyrs and have gone through tribulation.
There is a “great multitude” (Revelation 19:1-4) singing praises to God for judging “the harlot” and avenging “the blood of his servants.” When St John introduces this great multitude in Revelation 7:9 standing before the throne and before the Lamb, he specifies that the multitude is “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues.” Therefore, the great multitude that John sees singing praises to God consists of conscious human souls.