Near Death Experiences - NDE's

A place of light and love

 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know-God knows. And I know that this man-whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows-was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell (2 Corinthians 12: 2-4).

The stairway to heaven

 

Scripture tells us of more than one instance when God’s people were allowed a glance at heaven while still living here on earth.  The instance above from 2 Corinthians was experienced by the apostle Paul. We are also told of a vision/dream of Jacob from the Old Testament in which he saw a ladder reaching up to heaven and the angels ascending and descending on it. At the top of the ladder he saw the Lord standing. (Genesis 28: 10-22)

Taken up in a whirlwind

The prophet Elijah was taken up to heaven alive in a whirlwind as his friend Elisha watched (2 Kings 2:11). Stephen, a faithful follower of Christ saw heaven as he was being stoned to death. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Look...I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. (Acts 7:55, 56)Then there are the most well known visions of heaven described to us by John in chapter 21 of the book of Revelation.

Stoning Stephen

It is natural for humans to have questions about heaven. As a sincere Christian I have no doubt whatsoever that there is an afterlife, that being – Heaven for believers, Hell for unbelievers. God has revealed to all people in His Word that heaven is a real place. It is a special place which He has prepared for all who love Him and have faith in His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. Still, in spite of all His promises to us regarding heaven, we are apprehensive. We have a certain amount of fear of the unknown, and I think a fear also of the absence of what we consider to be “normal”. We picture ourselves as spirits floating in space because we can’t imagine life without our physical bodies. Due to our human nature, we also have an undying curiosity about what it is like and a desire to know more. So why doesn’t God tell us more? Let’s think about that for a minute and come back to it.

I recently read a book entitled “Proof of Heaven” by Eben Alexander. It was a very compelling book. Eben Alexander is a Doctor – a Neurosurgeon. In the prologue of his book he attests to many years of study of the brain and neuroscience. He was involved with the development of advanced technical procedures such as what is called Stereo-tactic Radio-surgery, a procedure which guides beams of radiation to specific targets deep in the brain without damaging or affecting adjacent areas. He also played a part in the development of Magnetic Resonance image-guided (MRI) neurosurgical procedures to repair brain conditions such as tumors and vascular disorders, and he authored and coauthored several papers for medical journals. Dr. Alexander states; In short, I devoted myself to science. Using the tools of modern medicine to help and to heal people, and to learn more about the workings of the human body and brain was my life’s calling.

During his years of experience and study as a Neurosurgeon Dr. Alexander had heard many stories of Near Death Experiences.  He had heard people tell of being drawn toward a light, traveling to mysterious, wonderful landscapes, talking to dead relatives and even meeting God face to face. His personal feeling was that it was, in his own words, wonderful stuff, but pure fantasy. He admitted that he had no idea what caused these experiences, but he felt that they were brain based. In other words he felt that there must be some level of consciousness in the brain for an NDE (Near Death Experience) to take place. He did not really believe in God or life after death, although for the sake of his wife and children he did attend church on special occasions.

Dr. Alexander explains that most NDE’s happen when the heart stops. In these cases the Neocortex of the brain is still alive. The Neocortex is the outer surface of the brain and in his words; it is the part of the brain that makes us human. It makes us who we are. When oxygen is restored to the Neocortex within a certain amount of time it is able to revive itself with little or no damage.

At age 54 Dr. Alexander contracted E. coli meningitis, a form of meningitis which is very rare in adults. It put him in a coma for 7 days. He states that during this time his Neocortex was completely shut down. When the Neocortex of the brain dies, there is no life or level of consciousness and no hope that life can be restored.  By all intents and purposes he was dead or we might refer to his condition as being brain dead.

While in a coma Dr. Alexander claims to have had a taste of the beauty of heaven. His descriptions are very awe inspiring and comforting. As in Paul’s vision described in the verses above from 2 Corinthians, what Dr. Alexander saw and experienced is beyond human understanding. In fact the picture described by Dr. Alexander is very similar to that of the apostle Paul. Paul states that he himself heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted (or able) to tell. Dr. Alexander states; I could heap on one adjective after another to describe what this world looked and felt like, but they’d all fall short.

There are no words in any human language, whether it be English, Latin, Hebrew, Greek, German, Spanish etc. to describe it. Heaven is not a part of this

A special place

physical world we live in here on earth, but of a different dimension. Through this experience Dr. Alexander was led to understand and believe that we have a God who loves each of us and indeed does have a special place prepared for all who love Him.

His journey was a little different than many NDE’s I have read about. It almost seems as if in the beginning he got a glimpse of hell rather than heaven. He describes a thick transparent mud in which animal faces would bubble up, groan or screech and then disappear. He describes hearing a dull roar which would change to the sound of pounding, distant yet strong and mechanical and a rhythmic chanting. He states that these sounds were terrifying yet weirdly familiar. He felt no sense of time and no sense having a body. He describes reptilian, wormlike creatures crowding past him and occasionally rubbing up against him. He was aware of a smell – like feces, blood and vomit – basically the smell of death. At this point he states that he began to have a feeling of claustrophobia and panic – a feeling of being trapped.

He was later told that as he entered the ER he was, in his own words; squirming like a six-foot fish out of water. He was also making garbled and nonsensical sounds and animal-like cries. Perhaps this was his body’s reaction to what his mind was seeing and experiencing, but one would not be able to say that for sure.

At the very point when he was beginning to feel trapped and panicky his experience began to change from that of dark, ugly and terrifying to a feeling of light, love and safety. His description of Heaven is amazing and comforting.  I will not attempt to repeat it here. If you are truly interested in hearing it, the book is available in eBook form and also in hardcover and audible CD from Amazon.

I believe that, like people of old, God allows people of today to sometimes see heaven and in some cases, hell through a near death experience. Some NDE’s seem to be more believable than others, but what is unique about Dr. Alexander’s experience is the circumstances.

As he explained in the book most NDE’s are a result of the heart stopping, in which case the brain is still alive. When the brain is alive there is some level of consciousness which would allow for the possibility to dream. But in his case his brain had basically died and was not functioning at all. Since his brain was not functioning there would have been no level of consciousness in which he could have been dreaming. Humans do not recover from brain death. Once the brain dies, the body may live for a time with the help of machines, but the brain does not recover. The fact that he is now not only alive, but normal is a miracle.

I have been taught that when a seemingly spiritual experience leads you to God and to His word for answers, it is from God. If it leads you away from God, it is from Satan. For example if Dr. Alexander’s experience would have lead him to a palm reader or a psychic  for answers rather than to the Scriptures and belief in God, as real as it would have still been, it would have been a trick of Satan.

God works in mysterious ways. I don’t know or understand why Dr. Alexander experienced the scary, hell like scenario before he experienced the heavenly one.  According to Scripture when we die the souls of believers go directly to heaven to be with God (The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side... Luke 16: 22) and unbelievers go directly to hell (Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment...Hebrews 9:27). Possibly there was some physical explanation for it, although according to Dr. Alexander there doesn’t seem to be. It may have been God’s way of leading him to see and believe that there is indeed a heaven - and a hell in the afterlife. Before this experience his scientific brain and human logic reasoned that when we die, that is it. We are done. We are buried in the ground and it’s over.

In the prologue of his book he states; Now that I have been privileged to understand that our life does not end with the death of the body or the brain, I see it as my duty, my calling, to tell people about what I saw beyond the body and beyond this earth.

I don’t know what Dr. Alexander’s personal beliefs are at this time regarding God. He states in the book that before his illness he considered himself a “C & E’er” (Christmas and Easter).  He was one of those people who only darken the door of a church at Christmas and Easter.  In truth he didn’t believe in the soul and the spirit. He didn’t believe in life everlasting. Now he does. He does not go into detail about his beliefs other than to acknowledge that we have a God who loves us and that He is the center of our universe.

At this point I would like to remind all readers that we are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. His blood, shed on the cross covers our sin and washes us clean. All who believe in Jesus, through faith are holy in God’s eyes

Washed in His blood

and fit for heaven. “Faith” comes to us from the Holy Spirit through reading and hearing God’s word and through baptism. Although he doesn’t state it specifically, I hope and pray that Dr. Alexander understands and believes this.

God’s “Grace” is the undeserved and unconditional love which He has for all sinners. Heaven is God’s promised reward to all who believe in Jesus as their Savior from sin, and who love Him. Those who reject Him and disregard His sacrifice will not enter heaven.

So beware! Just because you believe there is a heaven doesn’t mean you will automatically go there when you die. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder (James 2:19). In the same way, just knowing and believing there is a heaven is not your free ticket to go there.

Oh, it is definitely free. There is no charge and nothing we can do on our own to get there. But only those who have faith in Jesus will go to heaven when they die. Jesus tells us; I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die (John 11:25). Faith is the rope that attaches us to Jesus and keeps us from getting lost in the pleasures of this world. God’s word reminds us; for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8, 9).

Although God does allow Near Death Experiences according to His good purpose at times, His word is still the best source to find answers regarding our questions about heaven and the afterlife. Does it seem incomplete and difficult to understand? Yes it does because it is beyond our understanding.   

God tells us in His Word only what we need to know for our salvation. He asks us to trust Him. He wants us to put our faith in Him. The writer to the Hebrews tells us; Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see...and without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11;1, 6).

On the day God calls us to our eternal home we will see and understand heaven perfectly. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12).

The picture of heaven which God allows us to see now through Scripture doesn’t make a lot of sense to us because it is beyond the understanding of our human minds and is blocked by our physical world, but we do know that it is a beautiful and awesome place – a place of safety, light and love. When we get to heaven and meet God face to face it will all become perfectly clear. We will be reunited with our family members and friends who have gone before us, but we will all be members of one family – the family of God.

Those who believe in Jesus as their Savior from sin are attached to Him by faith and have nothing to fear. Those who do not believe in Jesus are not covered with the holiness of His blood. When they die they will go to Hell where there will be never-ending suffering, pain and darkness. The presence and light of God will not be there.

Are you one of those people who don’t have faith in Jesus? There is still time although life is fragile and can be taken from you in a moment. This earthly life is our “time of grace”. God’s gift of grace is for you also and it is free. You can do nothing on your own to attain it. It is a gift from the Holy Spirit which comes to you through reading and hearing God’s Word and through baptism. Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17).

I encourage you to open your Bible and read. Open to Genesis the first book of the Bible and read how God created our world. Then go to the New Testament and read the Gospels; Matthew, Mark Luke and John. Read and learn about the

“Good News” of salvation through faith in Christ. The Holy Spirit will open your heart and give you a new life. You will be free from the chains of sin that hold you and make you feel worthless and unlovable. Through faith you will be covered in the blood of Jesus which will make you holy in God’s eyes and perfectly fit for heaven. You will no longer need to fear death and hell because you will be protected by the blood of Jesus. On the day you are called from this earth you will go immediately to heaven.

In regards to my statement; we picture ourselves as spirits floating in space because we can’t imagine life without our physical bodies. I am a person who dreams a lot. My body is not really present in my dreams, but I am not aware that it is missing. Possibly this is similar to the way it will be in heaven. We will be present and active, but will not be aware that our body is not with us. On the last day when Jesus returns to earth our souls and bodies will be reunited and we will be completely whole again, but without sin and all the heartache and pain that it brings. What a wonderful day that will be.

In conclusion:

1. God does allow Near Death Experiences at times according to His good will and purpose. It is rather rare and is not something we should expect or count on.
2. God doesn’t tell us more about heaven because it is beyond our human understanding.
3. The Bible is the best source for answers to our questions about heaven.
4. We should trust in God’s promises and turn to Him in faith for all that we need.
5. He is our comfort in life and in death.
6. He is present with us at all times and promises to never leave us.
7. We should take Him at His word and not expect more than that.
8. We can be confident that when we put our trust in Him and make Him our priority, He will allow us to see and feel His presence in our lives.

Gloria Dei! (To God be all glory)

By Kristeen

Gay Relationships/Marriage - What does God say?

What does God say?

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

(1 Corinthians 6: 9, 10)

Recently I had a rather deep discussion about gay relationships and gay marriage with my fellow employees. We are all Christians and none agree with gay marriage or accept homosexuality as being okay, but we had a rather heated debate as to how God feels about it. Some feel that God still loves people who are gay. Does he? If so does that mean that God will forgive them and take them to heaven when they die? Does that mean that we should allow them to be members of our Christian Churches? Should we love them and accept their lifestyle as being a good way to live? These are some very serious issues. Many souls are hanging in the balance.

Let’s look first at what God says and how He feels about the “gay” issue in general? Is it good, okay or bad? Many people have mixed feelings and opinions, but God lets us know how to live and what He expects of us in His Word. The verses above from 1 Corinthians certainly tell us that He does not allow it. In fact He says that homosexuals among others will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Let’s hear what else He has to say regarding the gay lifestyle:

• ·         Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; That is detestable (Leviticus 18: 22)
• ·         If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable...(Leviticus 20:13)
• ·         They exchanged the truth of God for a lie...Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men...(Romans 1: 25, 26)

It sounds pretty cut and dry to me. God flat out doesn’t allow it! He did not create us that way. He created male and female to fit together perfectly not only physically, but emotionally. Sex is a wonderful and special gift created by God.  He meant for it to be a demonstration of love between a man and a woman committed to each other in marriage - the result of which would be the gift of children. It is not something to be taken lightly.

In fact God tells us that when a man and a woman come together sexually they become one person. He instituted marriage in the second chapter of Genesis where we hear Adam say; this is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman’ for she was taken out of man. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh (Genesis 2: 23, 24).

The problem with society in part, is that people no longer take God at His word. Rather they change the meaning of His words to make them fit their lifestyle. People seem to think that because our God is a loving God, He would not condemn anyone to hell because they are gay. Those who are gay may say; I love God. I believe that Jesus died for me. I have faith and the Bible says that we are saved by faith in Jesus. But they forget that Jesus also says; If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me...What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

Many people who are gay claim that they were born that way. I believe that some people are born with physical and hormonal problems which make them feel confused as to their sexual orientation. I also believe however, that many people who are gay have become that way by choice and often as the result of life situations. 

For example; a young woman who was abused sexually or mistreated in other ways as a child by a man, may have an aversion to men as an adult and visa versa. Childhood sexual abuse and emotional and physical abuse destroys people for life. Quite often abused children grow up to become abusers themselves and/or they become homosexuals. To those who abuse children God has this to say; But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea...See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven (Matthew 18: 6, 10,11).

The problem is that in this life we can’t have our cake and eat it too as the saying goes. Jesus tells us; no one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24).

A person who truly loves God will not turn his back on Him to serve his sinful nature. By doing so that person is disregarding the sacrifice Jesus made for him. He is saying; I love you Jesus. Thank you for dying for me, but I can’t give up this lifestyle. I can’t live without it. How can it be wrong when it feels so right? Why can’t I do this and love you also?

You can’t do it because it is WRONG!! It is sooooo wrong! It is against God’s law. It is a sin. We can’t go on deliberately sinning and claim that we love God. When we do so we become lovers of ourselves. We love what we want and disregard

Don't disregard His Sacrifice!

what God wants for us and from us. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God (Hebrews 10:26, 27). We can’t just set God aside when something we want to do doesn’t agree with His law or His will for us. When we do so we are sinning.

As a Christian counselor I have had people say to me; I know what I am doing is wrong, but I am going to do it anyway. I will just have to ask God to forgive me later. The person who makes a statement like this loves himself more than God. He is letting his sinful nature control his life. This attitude will only lead to disaster, disappointment and heartache.

So, all that being said, I would like to now answer the questions posed at the beginning of this writing.

1. Does God love people who are gay?
 

The answer of course is “yes”. God loves all people. God our Savior...wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3). God doesn’t want to see any of His people perish. He is a loving God, but He is also a just God. He does not tolerate sin. All who come to Jesus with a repentant heart are forgiven through faith. The blood of Jesus covers their sin and makes them holy in God’s sight. But when people are living in a lifestyle that God does not approve of and feel no remorse for it, they are not forgiven. If they die in that sin they will perish.

2. Is there forgiveness for people who are gay?

There most certainly is! Anyone who comes to Jesus with a sincerely repentant heart is forgiven. Sincere repentance would be seen in a lifestyle change. If there is no change there is no forgiveness because there was never sincere repentance.

God does not give us as humans the ability to truly know another person’s heart therefore we cannot judge hearts.  We must leave that in His hands. But remember, even though a person may be able to hide his/her sin from others, nothing is hidden from God. If you are living a sinful lifestyle, no matter what that lifestyle may be, through faith and prayer, God will give you the strength and the ability to overcome your sin.

3. Should we as Christians allow people who are gay to become members of our churches?
   

The answer to that is “no”. By allowing those who are openly gay to be members of our churches we are saying they are in fellowship with us. By allowing them to be in fellowship with us, we are saying that their lifestyle is okay and that we believe as they do. This is misleading and may lead others into thinking the sin of homosexuality is okay in God’s eyes.

Although we would not allow them to become members, we would welcome them to attend our church. By allowing them to attend our services we are giving the Holy Spirit the opportunity to work in their hearts through the word. Only God can change hearts. We would pray that as they hear and learn what God expects of them and of all people, they would make a positive change in their lives – a change that would honor God.

5. Should we as Christians love those who are gay?

Yes, God wants us to love all people. We should encourage them toward a lifestyle which honors God and support any effort they make to do so. We should also pray for them.

In summary, God loves everyone including those who live the homosexual lifestyle and we should love them also, but He wants them to realize their sin. Where there is sincere repentance and visible change, there is forgiveness.

We would not knowingly allow them to be members of our churches, but we would welcome them to attend and pray that God through His word would change their hearts and motivate them to honor Him by making better lifestyle choices.

Gay marriage and gay lifestyles are detestable to God and therefore should also be detestable to all sincere Christians. Our government is wrong and going against God’s will when they allow gay marriage to be legal. Be reminded of the words of Peter; ‘We must obey God rather than men! (Acts 5:29).

As Christians we need to lovingly speak up for the truth and be an example for others. We should also pray for God to give our government officials the courage to stand up for what is good and holy, and help them to make laws which honor God and in turn benefit the people. Beyond that it is in God’s hands.

If you are close to someone who is gay, they must first be presented with the law. They need to know that their lifestyle is a sin. Once they realize their sin and repent, they should be presented with the precious life saving Gospel, the gift of God’s grace through faith in Jesus. Through repentance all are covered and washed by the blood of Jesus, and holy in God’s eyes.

If you yourself are gay, no matter what the reason, know that God loves you. He will give you the power to overcome your sin. You must deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Him. You cannot serve your sinful nature and serve God also. When you deny your sinful nature, God will give you the strength to move forward. When you put Him first He will bless you. You will be free to serve Him. You will have everything you need for this life and when your life here on earth is over and He calls you home, you will live with Him eternally in glory.

If you are one of the unfortunate people who were born with physical and/or hormonal issues which make you homosexual or unsure of your sexual orientation there is help for you. Being born with physical sexual problems is not a sin and it is not your fault. But when you as an adult act on sinful sexual preferences knowing your actions are wrong, you are sinning. Through prayer God will help you to be strong and guide you to lead a life which honors Him. Sex is not the end all in life. You can lead a happy and fulfilling life here on earth without it.

Be proud of who you are. Live your life in service to God and your fellowman. When you put God first He will bless you. He will help you to be in tune with Him and comfortable with who you are. It may not always be easy, but it can be done. And when your life here on earth is over you will receive blessings beyond measure. Don’t forfeit your soul for eternity trying to be happy in the here and now. It is not worth it.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him (James 1:12).

Gloria Dei! – To God be all glory! Amen

By Kristeen