I watched the following video about a rodeo champion who fell off his horse and “died” at a competition. Several onlookers administered CPR until an ambulance arrived while the rest of them prayed. The ambulance rushed him to the hospital and electrically stimulated his heart several times. It looked grim and they surmised that even if he did survive he would have serious brain damage. During the time he was “dead” he visited heaven and spent some time with God. He was allowed to see the many prayers being offered by his friends and family on his behalf as he fought for his life. Eventually God sent him back telling him his time had not yet come.
www.cbn.com/media/player/index.aspx?s=/mp4/AR99v2_WS
He did not suffer brain damage and his experience was exceedingly good and comforting and when he regained consciousness in the hospital he wanted to go back to heaven. He realized that God sent him back to this world for a purpose including sharing his experience. He loves his family and realized that he needed to be with them for a while longer and also that he needed to become a witness for God. He was, (and is), obedient to that call, but he looks forward to the day when God will call him back home, and this time allow him to stay.
I had an opposite experience as described in my book, Miracle on Luckie Street. I had a terrible car wreck and nearly died from my serious injuries and while in extremely critical condition in a coma, I experienced death and going to hell. It was horrifically nightmarish and I can assure you that when I regained consciousness I did not want to go back to revisit hell.
Currently I’m writing a novel and the main character tried to commit suicide and had a near death experience whereby he was allowed to visit his family (that had been murdered) in heaven. Then he was sent back to this world. After experiencing heaven and spending time with his family he definitely wanted to go back to heaven and also enable others to do likewise.
I’ve often wondered why God doesn’t allow us a first-hand look at heaven, and then open a window and allow us a peek into hell. I wonder if people could actually visit heaven and hell and see them with their own eyes if they wouldn’t change their lifestyles and become obedient to God.
It turns out I’m not the only person who ever thought about this scenario. There is a story recorded in the Bible where a poor beggar dies and ends up in heaven, and the rich man whose gate he used to beg in front of died and ended up in hell.
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ “ Luke 16:14
Hmmm . . . The Bible is inerrant. That means that it is correct in every way and can be considered pure truth. What the above verses states is that if the Bible is not enough to convince us, then we will not be convinced, (even if someone were to return from the dead to warn us about the horror of hell and enrich us about the glory of heaven).
It is hard to have faith in something that we have not bothered to read and study. Have you ever read the Bible? If you cannot answer that affirmatively, then why not start reading it today? Barring a near death experience it is likely that the only direct communique from God that you will ever enjoy will be reading the Bible, (but it is available 24/7).
Personally I enjoy my time in the Bible very much. It’s hard to understand how a book can be alive, but it’s easy to recognize. I can be upset about something and open my Bible right to the passage that I need for comfort. I can read a passage and glean one understanding and read the very same passage the next day and understand it even more clearly as God opens more of it to my understanding.
I urge you to get in on the fun. Open your Bible and take your time and converse with your Creator. You will be glad you did. Pray for understanding as you read and God will open the eyes of your heart and allow you to see Him (without a near death experience).
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.