Bob Prichard

Topic(s): Death, Eternity & Judgment

No. Those who have had “near-death experiences,” or “NDE” generally express a feeling of goodness, moving toward a light, seeing the Lord, or some similar experience. These are not evidence of life after death, however, because they are “near-death,” not “after-death,” and they are simply “experiences.” NDE are subjective, what people believe has happened, but they cannot be tested objectively. Although some who have gone through these experiences may have been pronounced dead by some medical criterion [stopped breathing, no heartbeat, etc.], they were not dead in the Biblical sense. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). The daughter of Jairus (Mark 5), the widow’s son (Luke 7), and Lazarus (John 11) were raised from the dead, but no one is raising the dead today.

The main danger of pinning beliefs on NDE is that they provide no objective basis for understanding life after death. Those who have had NDE often say what they have experienced is “indescribable,” but they nonetheless describe the indescribable. The Bible, on the other hand, provides an objective basis for believing in life after death. Credible Bible witnesses describe the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ in detail. These witnesses give real evidence that what Jesus promised is true. “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3). Revelation 21-22 describes John’s vision of heaven for the redeemed, and eternal condemnation for the wicked.

Paul spoke of a man, perhaps himself, “caught up to the third heaven . . . caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2 Corinthians 12:2-3). This may have been a NDE, but Paul indicates “it is not lawful for a man to utter” what he saw and heard. Lazarus was not “near-death,” but actually dead for four days (John 11:39). The scriptures are absolutely silent about what Lazarus may have seen or heard on “the other side.” Perhaps God did not intend for us to know more.

“Cerebral anoxia,” a common medical condition caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain when near death, could cause a person to have an altered state of consciousness interpreted as a NDE. Medication administered near death, or the natural release of endorphins by the body could also produce hallucinations later interpreted as NDE.

One danger of relying on positive feelings from a NDE is that while heaven awaits the faithful, the Bible also warns that hell awaits the wicked. Though the righteous need have no fear of death, “the last enemy” (1 Corinthians 15:26), “the Lord Jesus shall be revealed . . . taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Some may find false assurance, or even contemplate suicide as an easy way out.