Are Near Death Experiences Glimpses of the Afterlife?
Or Deception?
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I’m Mark, and this space is for the wanderers, the worn out, and the ones still wrestling with God at 2 a.m. I don’t have all the answers, but I know the One who does—and I’m learning to trust Him more.
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“I saw Jesus.”
That’s not the kind of thing you expect to hear from someone who just flatlined. But thousands have said it. And in a world where CPR, defibrillators, and medical advances are reviving more people than ever, these testimonies are pouring in—stories of floating above hospital beds, seeing light, experiencing peace, and yes, even meeting God.
While skeptics often chalk it up to brain chemistry or hallucinations, there's a growing number of scientists and believers alike who think there’s more to the story. And as followers of Jesus, we shouldn’t be surprised.
Because the same God who parted seas and raised the dead is still at work today. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” If He gave people heavenly visions in Scripture, why wouldn’t He still do it now?
Modern Science Can’t Explain It All
Organizations like the European Academy of Neurology and researchers in the field of neuroethics have examined cases where patients had no measurable brain activity—yet later recalled vivid experiences.
Sources:
Greyson, B. (2003). The Near-Death Experience Scale. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease.
European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2022 – studies on cortical activity following cardiac arrest.
Vicente, R., et al. (2023). Surge of gamma activity in the dying brain. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.
Even when there is no detectable heartbeat or brainwave, patients describe seeing and hearing events around them—and sometimes far beyond the room they were in.
When People Meet Jesus After Flatlining
Many survivors of NDEs come back with a singular, unforgettable moment: meeting Jesus. Not a vague being. Not a light without form. Jesus Christ Himself.
They describe His scars, His words, His peace. Some are told, “It’s not your time. Go and tell them I’m real.” Many come back forever changed—not just emotionally, but spiritually.
Sources:
Burke, John. Imagine Heaven. 2015.
Long, Jeffrey. Evidence of the Afterlife. HarperOne, 2010.
But Not All NDEs Are Good: A Biblical Warning
While some NDEs seem to reflect genuine encounters with the Lord, others take a darker turn. The Bible warns us not to believe every spiritual experience blindly. In 1 John 4:1, we are told, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”
Even Paul warned in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that “Satan himself transforms into an angel of light.”
That brings us to Howard Pittman, a former Baptist preacher who had an NDE during a massive internal hemorrhage. In his testimony, he described meeting a radiant being of light who claimed to be “god.” But through the Holy Spirit’s prompting, Pittman realized this was not the God of the Bible—it was Satan masquerading as an angel of light.
Pittman’s experience is a sobering reminder that not every NDE is a ticket to heaven—some are traps meant to deceive.
Watch Howard Pittman’s full NDE testimony here:
Paul, John, and the Biblical Blueprint for Out-of-Body Encounters
Scripture records genuine spiritual encounters with heaven. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:2–4 that he was “caught up to the third heaven.” John in Revelation 4:2 was “in the Spirit” and found himself before God's throne. And Stephen, in Acts 7, saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God as he died.
These weren’t hallucinations. These were holy moments given by God. But even they were tested by Scripture and aligned with truth—something every NDE must be held accountable to.
Hezekiah Got More Time—So Can You
In 2 Kings 20, God granted King Hezekiah an extra 15 years after he wept and prayed. God literally paused death and changed the outcome.
If He did it for Hezekiah, He can do it for others. Some NDEs may be moments of mercy—where God allows one more chance to turn back before eternity is sealed.
Even Plato Had a Glimpse
Plato’s Republic, Book X, includes the Myth of Er—a soldier who died in battle and returned during his funeral. Er told of soul judgments, afterlife assignments, and a spiritual reality beyond the grave.
Even in ancient pagan philosophy, we hear echoes of truth. Not all NDEs point directly to Christ, but they often point to eternity—and that makes it urgent to discern who you’re meeting on the other side.
Source:
Plato, The Republic, Book X
God Is Still Speaking
Let’s be clear—our faith isn’t built on near-death stories. It’s built on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But some of these experiences might be glimpses into eternity, warnings of judgment, or calls to repentance.
Jesus is alive. He still reveals Himself. And eternity is real—whether you believe it or not.
Acts 4:12 says, “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” That name is Jesus.
Call to Repentance
If you’ve been trying to earn your way into heaven, it’s time to stop striving and start surrendering. Today can be the day everything changes. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Don’t wait for a better moment. Turn from your sin, believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and receive the gift of eternal life. He is calling—respond to Him today.
Call to Action
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