NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES
So-called near-death experiences are supernatural events that have a strong emotional impact on people and are only partially explainable scientifically. There is no comparable example of such a phenomenon in the Bible. Most near-death experiences report what people allegedly saw and experienced in "heaven" and/or "hell." What many such accounts have in common is the description of a bright light, which people refer to as "God," in whose presence they felt peace and freedom, as well as happiness and perfect love. Many people who report such experiences expressed the wish to remain in this place forever. In some cases, the people were instructed to return to Earth and deliver a specific message. Shortly afterward, the individuals regained consciousness.
Near-death experience accounts often describe many details that, in most cases, cannot be confirmed by the Bible. While, for example, in some near-death experiences, people are tormented by demons in a burning underworld, the Bible teaches that both the devil and his angels, along with all people condemned by God, meet their end in the lake of fire, which symbolizes the second, eternal death. Contradictions with the Bible can also be found regarding reports about heaven. While people report seeing loved ones again in heaven, the Bible states that, to date, no human being other than Jesus has been resurrected to immortal life or ascended to God in heaven. The resurrection of the dead, which Christians await according to the promise, will not take place until the end of this earthly age. In the New Testament, the apostle mentions a person who was indeed caught up to God in heaven for a short time, but was not allowed to report anything he saw.
Those near-death experiences in which Jesus is mentioned also contain many contradictions. Some report journeys with Jesus into the "Stone Age" and, in this context, of "cavemen" (who, biblically speaking, did not exist). Others were given prophecies that never came true and therefore could not have come from God. In yet other reports, Jesus does not appear at all. Instead, people tell of encounters with dead figures such as Buddha, Mohammed, Mary, or some pagan "gods" in which they believe. There are also differing accounts regarding Jesus's physical appearance.
The Bible describes many supernatural events and miracles that were clearly performed by God. However, this does not mean that everything supernatural that people experienced then and now is necessarily from God. Even if some of these accounts may be authentic, the many contradictions with the Bible and other near-death accounts suggest that most of these phenomena do not have a divine origin. However, the influence of demons (fallen angels), whose goal is to deceive people and lead them away from God and the truth, cannot be ruled out.
No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.
Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed.
I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 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 and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.