As a many year Operating Room (OR) RN, I’ve always been intrigued by near death experience stories.
People who’ve had a near-death experience (NDE) report their soul leaving their physical body, yet they are still themselves with a spiritual body (like in 1 Corinthians 15:42-44). Consistently, they report being “up above” their bodies, observing what people did and said during their resuscitation. These verifiable observations have been studied, showing that 92% of their observations were completely accurate, 6% were mostly accurate, only 2% were inaccurate, yet they had no brainwaves. Oncologist Dr. Jeffrey Long and cardiologist Dr. Michael Sabom sought to scientifically dispel the experiences of NDE survivors. Instead, they discovered an abundance of evidence leading to their contributions to the more than 900 scholarly and peer-reviewed articles. Verifiable observations ground these experiences in our reality, giving proof that NDEs are not a brain-based phenomenon but evidence of the soul. (source)
If you have a terminal cancer, a severely broken relationship, have experienced the loss of all you hold dear, or are just struggling to make sense of this crazy world, let David Holt’s experience speak to you now.
This is one of the most extraordinary NDEs I’ve ever heard, and while I cannot vouch for this man’s testimony, it has the earmarks of authenticity. Thank you David B. Holt for having the courage to share how your very broken life was turned into one of faith in Jesus, hope, and purpose.
60 minutes. Please listen to the end! Amazing!
After David Holt’s profound near death experience in 2019, he was told that his gift was meant to be shared. Since then, he has dedicated his life to serving others, speaking with humility, love, and a power that resonates deeply in the hearts of those who hear him. He’s now been received back into his family, and he is a dedicated father of five and grandfather of seven. His life is living proof that no one is beyond God’s reach.
Agnostic to Believer
John Burke is the author of the New York Times #1 bestselling book Imagine Heaven. His newest book, Imagine the God of Heaven, covers 70 global Near Death Experiences (NDEs) that confirm the God of the Bible.
Burke first encountered near-death experiences as an agnostic. His father was dying of cancer when he noticed a book on his bedside table. It was the first study to popularize this phenomenon, and he read the book in a single night. It set him on a journey to faith in Christ. Over the past forty years, he’s interviewed or studied close to 1,500 cases of NDE. At first, he was confused by some NDE reports that appeared to conflict with the Bible. However, the more cases he studied alongside the biblical teachings on Heaven, the more he understood these conflicts and gained insight on the reasons to believe these testimonies are actually God’s global apologetic today. (source)
Here are several of Burke’s top reasons Christians should not ignore Near Death Experiences:
God of All Nations
“I’ve interviewed NDErs of diverse nationalities and religious backgrounds who report seeing God. Surprisingly, the God they consistently describe has the same characteristics, even though different from their own religious expectations. They encounter a very personal Being, not an impersonal force; a God who knows them intimately and whose presence they never want to leave. Their descriptions attest to the God of all nations who declared to Abraham, “All the families on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). That blessing happened when Jesus came, died, and rose again, proclaiming “repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations” (Luke 24:47 NIV). NDErs from all backgrounds testify to this God of all nations, who stands ready to forgive all who turn back to him.” (source)
Omniscience
In God’s presence, NDErs commonly report having a Life Review. NDErs say time is like what Peter describes, “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (2 Peter 3:8). Because of this, NDErs often re-live their entire lives in a panoramic, 3D viewing of every scene. The emphasis, they say, is on relationship. God cares most about how we love one another, and in this Life Review, they experience how every little act of kindness, or unkindness, affected the other person. Often God tells them what to go back and do, and that he has a purpose for the life they must return to.
God of Light, God of Jesus
In Imagine the God of Heaven, I report on 70 people I’ve interviewed from India, the Middle East, Asia, and across the globe. Despite diverse religious backgrounds, they report the same God. Sometimes God appears as a light brighter than the sun, but sometimes as a man of light they know to be God. This is precisely what the Apostle John describes of Heaven, “The glory of God illuminates the city…The nations will walk in its light…” (Rev. 21:23-24). To Bibi in Tehran, this man of light said in Persian, “I AM,” and she was back in her body with a peace and joy she’d never known. This sent her on a search to know the God who declared, “I AM.” Santosh, a Hindu engineer, perfectly described seeing the holy city of God, like in Revelation 21, and the Almighty on his throne. Santosh saw all twelve gates into the city were closed, but one “very narrow gate” was open to him. Bibi, Santosh, and many others returned from their NDEs seeking the God they encountered and found faith in Jesus. Occasionally, God is more direct. Dr. Rajiv Parti was the chief anesthesiologist at a major hospital when he had an NDE. He asked this brilliant God of light, “Who are you, Lord?” And just like Saul experienced on the Damascus Road, out of the light stepped a bearded man in a robe of light who said, “I am Jesus, your Savior.”
NDEs offer compelling evidence of God’s existence and the reality of the afterlife, but they are also a part of a larger walk of faith. They invite us on a personal journey as we seek to know the God of of all creation who beckons us toward eternal truth, love, and life with Him.
God not only appears to people in NDEs, but He also appears to people in Dreams and Visions in Muslim countries where missionaries or Gospel witnesses are routinely killed. Jesus Himself brings the Gospel to the nations. Read Visions & Dreams To Muslims Around The World That Can’t Be Dismissed.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” ~2 Peter 3:9
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Lyn
The problem with tbese ‘died and came back to life’ stories is they don’t line up with the word of God — 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment Hebrews 9
The definition of ‘once’ – Strong’s Definitions: ἅπαξ hápax, hap’-ax; probably from G537; “one (or a single) time”.
You simply do not ‘die’ then come back to life.
Those who have an ‘out of body’ experience may be a result of the drugs and anesthesia they are under.
When Paul had an out of body experience, he accurately recorded it in 2 Cor. 13:3 And I knew such a man, (***whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell***: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Paul goes on to say – Of such a one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
Then he was given a thorn in his side. Paul did not dare to utter what he heard and saw, for it was not lawful to do so.
Granted, this was not a near death event as many today claim. Yes, there is a spiritual realm, those who claim near death visions like seeing a light and other such things are the result of not being in the physical realm on a temporal basis. Slipping in and out of physical consciousness while under the influence of drugs is more than likely the only reason they claim what they claim. It is not biblically possible to die and come back to life per Hebrews 9:27. Obviously the gentleman in the video was not dead, what he claims he saw was simply what his mind believed and became like a vision while he was out. No one goes to heaven then returns. If this gentleman was not saved prior to what he claims he saw, there’s no way his vision makes sense. For flesh and blood cannot enter Gods kingdom per 1 Corinthians 15:50.
I have seen many of these types of ‘testimonials’ and stand on Gods word to dismantle such testimonials.
Jacqueline
Lyn, I will not argue the fine points with you other than to say I do not believe that he technically died because it wasn’t ‘final’, and God in His sovereignty, chose to bring him back to full life. So Hebrews 9:27 or 1 Corinthians 15:50 aren’t applicable in this case. When he does finally die, afterward there WILL be judgement. I choose to believe that this nuance can and does happen and that we must not put Almighty God in a human-sized box. God did transform his life and he bears the fruit in his life now. It is clear that he repented of his sin and past life choices.
Your discussion about Paul is not really comparable. (I know and agree that God’s Word does not change). David H’s experience (to me a true “vision”) was in Jail, where Jesus literally grabs his heart.
The video is titled “What he saw in Jail will change you”…so, Jesus appeared to Him in Jail, not heaven. Starts at ~17:30. Maybe watch it! 😉
Thankfully, God in His mercy and grace also appears in person to Muslim unbelievers, turning most of them (not all) into Muslim background believers (MBBs) who go on a journey to seek Jesus and are gladly willing to die for their faith. And many have!
Thank you, though, for your comment. Always good food (meat) for thought and discussion! I am going to let readers make up their own minds and pray that our Redeemer will use it to convict hearts of sin so they repent and follow Jesus with their whole life until they one day die and go to be with Christ in heaven.
Blessings, and Happy New year,
Jacque
Lyn
I won’t argue truth either, I don’t consider any of it ‘fine points’.
As for him ‘repenting of sin’, God puts no conditions on salvation. He saves completely by grace.
Nowhere does the Bible equate repentance with ceasing from sin. To repent in the Greek means ‘to think differently, afterwards.
God must grant repentance, from 2,Timothy 2- 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; ***if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth***. The evidence one has been granted repentance is they now understand truth. A changed life isn’t evidence of salvation, sinners always look to the flesh for evidence of salvation. This is what dead works from Hebrews 6:1 speaks of.
Those born from above put to death the deeds of the flesh by the Spirit (Roman’s 8:13), not the flesh, which profits nothing.
I have heard many testimonies where the sinner points to what they do/dont do…it reminds me of Luke 18— God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
One relied on his flesh/dead works, the other threw himself on the mercy of God….
Jacqueline
Lyn, apparently, you still haven’t listened to the video and his own words of testimony. He didn’t even use the word ‘repent’, I did, but you seem to want to continue on and on about it. God clearly changed Mr. Holt’s heart and he does “think differently” thereafter, praise God! As you mention in 2 Timothy 2-24 and 25, Mr. Holt’s attitude is one of humility. We all can take a lesson from that.
Here is my old post on biblical repentance: https://deeprootsathome.com/12-signs-that-someone-is-repentant/.
I’m trying not to take offense, but I am just wondering why you often (not always) wish to pick things apart when you comment here? This isn’t the first time… ~J
Katie
Hi Lyn,
There are many stories in the Bible of God resurrecting people who were physically dead, both in the Old and New Testaments – the widow’s son who died, Lazarus who was dead 4 days before Jesus raised him up. Paul himself was very likely killed by stoning and that may have been when he received the heavenly vision which he was commanded not to disclose.
I believe someone who believes the Bible can (should?) believe that there are near death experiences when the Bible itself has people being raised from the dead.
Just my two cents!
Katie
Marcella
I cannot thank you enough for sharing this now. It truly answered many personal needs that I had at the exact time I watched it! I know it has and will bless so many! Thank you!
Jacqueline
Hi, Marcella,
I praise God that He is at work in your heart and soul. Also, I recommend reading (or rereading) the Gospel of John. It never ceases to move my heart and get my mind back and centered on Christ!
May the Lord be with you and bless you!
Happy New Year!
Jacqueline
Marcella
Thank you. I am a lifelong follower of Christ. I walked in faith to have ten babies (plus a few losses) so this has been such a burst of encouragement that is much needed. (8 yrs to homeschool retirement💪🏼 30 behind me)
We know Enoch and Elijah were taken (seemingly without dying). While Lazurus, the son of the widow in Nain, Jairus’ daughter, and all who came out of their graves at Jesus’ resurrection do not fit the idea of “man is appointed once to die.” So I trust God. Looking at all the other ways that God and Jesus have tried to break up human legalism helps me to stay focused on the main command that we love God, love others and share His Gospel❤️ We can call it near death, a miracle, a Lazurus experience, but in every case I’ve heard the one who is shown our future is blessed beyond words and becomes one of the most loving people I’ve ever listened to. So as Jesus said, a tree is judged by its fruit. This is the sweetest fruit! I showed it to my kids at home and sent it to my mom bc one of my sisters has been in and out of jail since 18. She is 45! And she has unique gifts too! We believe God will be faithful to accomplish His will should she let Him “be the busdriver” too!🙏🏼
Jacqueline
Oh, Marcella, Yes! I love what you shared and agree with it all, including the legalism part. God did not make trusting him (having faith) super complicated… I am thinking of a drowning man calling out to God to save him before he dies and still entering heaven (like the thief on the cross). Also the parable of the workers, some coming early in the morning, some at midday, and some at the end of the day and still getting full wages. Some workers didn’t understand that, did they?! Faith is all about trusting our Almighty, Sovereign God, loving others, and sharing His Gospel until we go to be with Him..
Thank you!! ~Jacque
Diana
Thank you for posting this, Jacqueline! I am looking forward to watching the video. I used to think that near-death experiences were just silliness, and completely false, but I finally realized that the evidence for them is undeniable. (For example, people who have been unconscious accurately describing things that they would have had to see – such as what a certain person in the room was wearing.) Now I find them super-interesting, and very inspiring.
Love the blog! Thank you!
Jacqueline
Thank you, Diana,
I’m with you there. Even as an OR nurse, I seldom paid attention back then, but the evidence (and often the accuracy) is overwhelming for a great number of them. ~Jacque