Hundreds of people have recounted their near death experiences, or NDEs, as they are commonly called. Though there are many similarities among them, every one is unique and different in its own right. In short, an NDE is a powerful, psychological experience that someone may have due to a near death trauma or an extreme emotional experience that they are going through. Here are a few examples of people who have had NDEs.
Sharon Stone suffered a severe brain hemorrhage in 2001. In national interviews, she describes her experience as “a lot of white light and you see people that have passed on, and they talk to you, and then you pop right back into your body.” She described having a sense of “incredible well-being.” She described the feeling as beautiful and said, “It’s a very near and very safe ... and loving, and gentle, and okay [feeling], and there’s nothing to be afraid of.” As a result of her experience, she said, “I get to be not afraid of dying and I get to tell other people that it’s a fabulous thing and that death is a gift.”
Facts About What Comes After Death
The Bible says, “As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)). Those who are wise will fear a God who hates sin, for if they do not know the Lord as their Savior, they “shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone” (Revelation 21:88But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)). Death is not a gift! “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26). But God has given us a gift: “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)). Whose message are you going to believe?
Can We Bargain With God?
When Jane Seymour was 36 years old, she had a severe case of the flu and suffered an allergic reaction to a penicillin shot, which resulted in her NDE. She felt herself floating above her body, and she could see those working on her. She remembers not wanting to die because she did not want to leave her children. She remembers saying to God, “If You’re there, God, if You really exist and I survive, I will never take Your name in vain again.”
It is true that the Bible speaks against swearing: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain” (Deuteronomy 5:1111Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (Deuteronomy 5:11)). But it also says, “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:66But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)). No matter how hard we try, we will never be good enough in God’s sight — good works will NEVER save us. “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9)). We cannot bargain or behave ourselves into heaven.
Certainty?
After his NDE, Peter Sellers said of death: “I’ll never fear it again.” He, too, had experienced “an incredibly beautiful, bright, loving white light above me.” The result was that he trusted spiritualists above all others, and he even turned to yoga. He stated that the experience strengthened his conviction that he was a reincarnated soul, but that he did not know who he was or why he was on this earth. According to Walker, his biographer, Seller’s spirituality gave him some peace — but he still felt LOST! In 1977 he complained that yoga did nothing for him. Even though he had followed all of the rules and prayers for happiness and tranquility, his heart disease had only gotten worse. He died at the young age of 54 and so passed into eternity.
Let us always turn to the Word of God. “As it is appointed unto men ONCE to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)). In no way does the Bible teach reincarnation — it is Satan’s lie. The Bible is clear in condemning witchcraft, spiritualists, witches, wizards and those who observe times (astrologers). “There shall not be found among you ... that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch” (Deuteronomy 18:10-1210There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. (Deuteronomy 18:10‑12)). When Satan wanted Jesus to fall down and worship him, Jesus said, “Get thee behind Me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve” (Luke 4:88And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Luke 4:8)). In spite of his NDE, Peter Sellers spent a lifetime of “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:1212There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12)).
Elizabeth Taylor described seeing the spirit of her third husband after passing through a tunnel towards a brilliant white light. When Oprah Winfrey interviewed her, she stated that the experience caused her to have no fear of dying.
Is it possible to be deceived by an experience like these people had? Yes, absolutely! God warns us in 2 Corinthians 11:14: “No marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” No matter how dazzling and beautiful, no matter how warm, cozy and safe the feelings that you may have, unless you come to God His way, you are doomed for eternity! Don’t be deceived into thinking that you can pass over into the “Other Side” and then come back — it is appointed unto man “once to die.” Death is final!
Who Will You Trust?
Whose word are you going to trust? God’s Word, the Bible, tells us that Jesus said, “Thy Word is truth” (John 17:1717Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17)). The Bible tells us that there is only one way to be saved, and that is by “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:2121Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21)). We cannot enter into God’s holy presence clothed in the filthy rags of good works, good intentions or even with the most pure and holiest of thoughts. Tell God that you are a sinner and ask Him to forgive you. He sent His Son to bleed and die on Calvary’s cross for you. Jesus said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)).
Faith in Christ will save me;
Trust in Him, the risen One,
Trust the work that He has done;
To His arms I now may run;
Faith in Christ will save me.