Are Near-Death Experiences Real?

Summary

Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.

Scripture first — the Bible is the authority

• The question posed (in the host's frame): there's a whole genre of books, detailing the stories of people who died, and claimed they went to heaven. Some of these books have sold millions of copies. Should those who listen take these claims seriously — even if they contradict scripture? (The episode also carries an invitation, in Bernard's own voice, to the gathering it names — which stands verbatim-only, as episode furniture, not as part of the answer.) The host's question: it seems to me, that there's a whole genre of books, that are out there, detailing the stories of people who have died, and then claimed they went to heaven, only to return — and they're sharing their story, in books. Some of these books have sold millions of copies. I think the problem — that I, at least from the vantage point that I see — is, that many of these accounts seem to contradict scripture, in some way. Some of the people, who claim to have seen God, or have been to heaven, have not been born again, according to the verse the question cites for the new birth (its footing is priced in the refs note). How should those who listen respond, to these kinds of stories? Should we take them seriously? Or what's your take on this? The answer: I would say: take them with a grain of salt. Which means: cautiously. But first — the first things first: the Bible is our Authority, for everything we need, for Salvation, Christian Life, Christian Ministry. That's stated ('that stated', as spoken) in second Timothy 3:15-17 (as he cites the span). So first: any definitive information should come from the Bible. Anything that directly contradicts the Bible is simply wrong. There could be a big gray area, where there is some discretion. I do think: what the main thing we might take away, from these various testimonies, is that the human life is more than just the physical body. It's more than just materialism, as atheistic science would say: that we're just highly evolved animals, that have no soul, and when we die, that's the end. So if these near-death experiences teach us anything, they teach us that the human being is more than that — more than just an animal body. But we do have a soul. Now: any authoritative experience, as I said, would have to agree with scripture, or have to come from scripture. And if it's legitimate, I — it — have to agree with scripture.

Scriptures: Acts 2:38; 2 Timothy 3:15-17

The two scriptural witnesses — Revelation 4 and Luke 16

• So I do know for sure: one person, who had — in scripture — who had a Heavenly vision ('a Heavenly division vision', as heard), and described it. And that's John. The Book of Revelation — in John chapter 4 (as the designation stands in the letters; priced in the refs note): he was caught up into heaven. He saw one God, on one Throne, which is identified as Jesus Christ. He saw 24 Elders, which seemed to be the Saints of the ages, worshiping God around the throne. So even that is highly symbolic. But that's what heaven is going to be like. Now: we do have the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Some think it's a parable. But even if it's a parable, a parable is a true to life story. Not a fantasy story. But Jesus gave this story. And he did describe — it's before his death, burial, and resurrection ('before uh his death-bailed resurrection', as the letters stand) — but he described a place of the afterlife, where the souls of people have conscious existence. One place, in a place of rest and joy. The other place, of unrest and torment. For the righteous, versus unrighteous. And the rich man, who is in torment, saw the poor beggar Lazarus, now enjoying the afterlife. Now: I do believe that's a temporary place, of waiting, for the judgment. And I also believe that because, once Jesus arose from the dead, then the dead in Christ are in his presence. They don't have to wait for anything else, because he has purchased their salvation. That's kind of a side note. But the key point I want to focus on is: there was a conscious existence, in the afterlife — either of bliss and rest, or torment and unrest. And the rich man asked Abraham, in this story — because Abraham and Lazarus were together, in the place of paradise, or rest and joy — can you please send Lazarus, to talk to my unsaved Brothers, to tell them not to come to this place of Torment, but to repent, change the way of life ('change the way of life', as spoken)? And Abraham said: even if someone were to come back from the dead, they wouldn't believe him — them. They have Moses and the prophets. Let them hear him — them ('let them hear him them', as the letters stand). So I use that to say: look, there's limited value, in these stories. Whatever these stories are — whatever legitimacy there were — there would be ('whatever legitimacy there were be', as spoken) — to that: God is not really going to use that. And those stories shouldn't change us. It's the word of God — today, the preaching and teaching of the word of God — that we have, that we should follow, that we should obey, that we should respond to. And that will change us. Not some story.

Scriptures: Revelation 4; Luke 16

What the generic stories may be — and the settled caution

• But if I were to further discuss it: many of these stories seem to be very generic. Like: they saw — you know, they saw their body, lying on the operating table, whatever. Or they were in a corridor. They were in a place of light. Or they were in a place of — you know, they were walking towards some place of bliss, in life. And, you know, it could be, that that is just a human experience, as they — as their soul is kind of separating. It might be God, allowing them to experience that, to show there is a real spiritual life. But of course, the Lord knows they're not going permanently. So to interpret that, as their permanent Destiny, would be to go far beyond what's reasonable. Because you could even say: if — well, if they felt like they're going toward light, or they're hearing music, or seeing — feeling Blissful — that may not be a Divine guarantee, that they're saved. That may be the Lord's gracious help, to them, to know that — you know — God, knowing they're not going to their Eternal Destiny, he's giving them a chance, to experience something positive, and knowing they will be resuscitated, and encouraging them to follow what they've experienced, or felt, you know. So: or it could be just — if it's a human phenomena, of your mind — whatever your expectation, in your mind, could — temporarily, you could temporarily be experiencing it. So I guess what I'm saying is: there are several different ways — from just a natural human perspective, of what's in your mind, to a spiritual perspective: God allowing them to be blessed, in order to motivate them. And there could be some cases, of saved people ('of save people', as heard), that are getting a taste, of the world to come. I do remember: one of our Elder ministers, who's passed away — David F gray (as the name stands in the letters), one of our pioneers — and he personally related to me an experience. I believe he had a heart attack, in the hospital, and was clinically pronounced dead. But he was conscious, of that whole experience, and related, in Vivid detail, how he felt — looking down upon his body — and could identify the people, and the events, and the situations, and the experience he had. But then God released him back to his body ('God released them back to his body', as heard). So I don't discount: there could be legitimate experiences, like that. But when it's in the case of people who aren't saved, or we don't know if they're saved: I think we can't make those authoritative. We can't really use those, as primary sources of instruction, or testimony, other than the word of God. Because we already have Luke 16 (in its own place, in this teaching) telling us: no — it's the word of God, and the preaching of the word, that we should really be listening to. So I don't tend to read all those. If I do encounter them, the main thing I get is: there is an afterlife. So God is trying to show us: there is an afterlife. God is trying to show us: there is a separation of the soul, from body, temporarily, at death. And then beyond that, it may be our human expectations. Or it may be God's grace, that would give a positive experience.

Scripture index: Acts 2:38; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Revelation 4; Luke 16.