Before my operation a doctor, called an anesthetist, came to me to explain how she would put me to sleep for the operation. She told me she would inject something called sodium pentothal, and in about twenty seconds I would be “out” in a deep sleep. When I got the injection, it wasn’t long until the ceiling started looking blurry to me, and then I didn’t remember another thing. I was completely unconscious in a very deep sleep. That was so I would not feel any pain while the doctor operated on me.
An hour later I woke up. I was lying on my side, even though I had fallen asleep on my back. I was still sleepy, but I knew where I was. I was in the “Recovery Room.” That is a special room where doctors and nurses watch patients carefully for several hours after they wake up when their operations are over.
Later at home someone asked, “Is that what it is like when you die?”
I answered, “I don’t think so. I didn’t know anything that happened during that hour.”
What is it like when you die?
In Luke 16:19-31 There is a story of two men who died. One was a believer and the other was an unbeliever. (A believer is a person who admits that he is a sinner and believes that Jesus Christ died on the cross for his sins. Because he truly believes this, his sins are washed away. He will be in heaven with the Lord Jesus when he dies. An unbeliever is a person who has not admitted that he is a sinner and does not believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for his sins. He still has every one of his sins. And because of this, he cannot go to heaven when he dies; instead, he will be cast into the lake of fire.) In the story of the two men, when the unbeliever died he was in torment (terrible pain). Four times in the story the word torment is used. It also says he could remember things he had done in his life, but he was so miserable he did not want his brothers to have to “come into this place of torment.”
While I was in that deep sleep in the operating room, the doctor was working on me, but I was not in torment. I am so thankful that I did not feel anything or even remember that they had turned me over onto my side. How awful it would be to die in your sins and remember them for all eternity! You will also remember your Sunday school verses, the gospel meetings, and the many times you could have had your sins forgiven but didn’t. You will know it is too late then, and it is your own fault! How awful!
What is it like for the believer to die? In Luke 23:39-4239And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. (Luke 23:39‑42) we have the story of the dying thief who was crucified right beside the Lord Jesus. He turned to Jesus and said, “Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with Me in paradise [heaven].” He was not going to be in a deep sleep and not know what was going on, like I was in the operating room. He was going to be completely awake with Jesus in that wonderful place Jesus called paradise. He would know Jesus and be so happy with Him.
When a believer dies, 2 Corin-thians 5:8 describes it like this: “We are confident [sure]... and willing rather to be absent from the body [to die], and to be present with the Lord.”
When death comes to you, will you be in torment, or will you be in paradise with Christ which is far better?
The following inscription is on a tombstone in Lorneville, New Brunswick: If you do nothing, you are refusing the Lord Jesus Christ. Torment is ahead for you. To confess to Him that you are a sinner and accept Him as your Saviour will take you to paradise to be with Him forever.
Remember, friend, as you pass by,
As you are now, so once was I;
As I am now, soon you will be;
Prepare in time to follow me.
ML-10/13/1991