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by John Clark

12/05/17
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I just finished reading a book on near-death experiences. You know, these are the people who have "witnessed a new reality" on the other side of death. I say reality, because one could not convince those who have had NDEs that what they went through was not real. They happen "...completely independently from the functioning of the physical brain," says author Dr. Jeffrey Long, in his book, "God and The Afterlife." Dr. Long, a medical doctor and recognized NDE expert, further stated that a "convincing factor is that many near-death experiences occur while the person is under general anesthesia, when conscious experiences should be impossible."

What is noteworthy is that many NDEs provide a description of the afterlife that, in a general sense, is consistent with what the Bible teaches. People tell of seeing a spiritual realm of God and heaven, of a perfect love that transcends anything on the human level, and consistent evidence that points to the existence of God. Does this mean, then, that the afterlife is one of eternal existence in the presence of a loving God, for everyone?

Many people believe (and that the Bible teaches) that there is also a literal hell. Do NDEs describe anything fitting this? The answer is yes! Some have reportedly been to a deep, dark void with threatening beings, torture, and demons. One person cited in the book, mentioned hearing what sounded like millions of souls "weeping and wailing." (See the following Bible verses: Luke 13:28, Matthew 13:50, Jude 13, and Revelation 20:10).

The hellish part of NDEs is something that no one would like to acknowledge, I am sure. But to be consistent it would have to be taken with as much credibility as the NDEs that attest to there being a heaven. It would not be correct to say that near-death experiences of heaven are real, but the ones about hell are not. These descriptions of the afterlife have been from people from every walk of life and beliefs, including atheists.

The Bible teaches that God created each and every person with free will, but there is accountability. God will deal with everyone based upon the choices we make. What will your afterlife experience be like? Based upon what the Bible teaches, and backed up by NDEs, there is a conscious afterlife. One does not just cease to exist. In John 14:2-3 Jesus told his disciples that he was going to "...prepare a place for you." That place called heaven is described in Revelation 21. There is a condition for going there, however. I John 5:11-13 says, "And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life."

The best part of all is that this is a free gift for all those who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for their eternal destiny, by recognizing that He died for your sins and rose from the dead. You can experience not only an eternal afterlife in the presence of a loving God, but forgiveness, hope, and peace, in this life now.

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Jeff Drinnan

05 Dec 2017

Although I'm not into near death experiences, the accounts you site seems to jibe with the Bible.

There definitely is an afterlife. And the warnings of eternal damnation are there. But, as I read either in John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress" or commentary on Mr. Bunyan, the fear of hell alone is not what leads people to salvation. It is God calling His lost sheep and them responding.

A dear friend and companion just died late Sunday night. Our pastor and I have no doubt that she is going to heaven. As she's said on more than one occasion "Jesus is in my heart." And her longing for God and following Him is witness.

-Jeff

Russ Larkin

05 Dec 2017

Brother John. I like most of this article. But I differ on your "God does not send anyone to hell" theology. Matt 25:41, the Lord is speaking here " “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels".

Since many people will end up in hell, it's a safe bet that 1) they did not go their voluntarily 2) the Christians (that's us) did not send them there 3) the angels have no authority on their own to do this so finally 4) it is God that sends me them there....

Why? Because they refused to receive His grace and forgiveness paid for by Jesus Christ. John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

God's heart is for us to be saved though. 1 Thess 5:9 "For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." But this salvation is not universal of course.

That's why the Lord gave us this fact from Matt 7:13-14 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because[a] narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

The choice is solely ours. Choose wisely people! Avail yourself of Christ's free gift of salvation. Acts 3:19 "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,"

John Clark

05 Dec 2017

Thanks for your comment Jeff:

You are so right. People come to Christ not out of a fear of hell, but the Holy Spirit convicts them of their need for God's love and grace. The NDEs of hell cited in my article simply give evidence that there is a hell.