Does the Bible Support NDEs?
I find stories of near death experiences (NDE) fascinating. I’ve watched documentaries and read books on the topic. One book I read that also became a movie was called, Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back.
I believe in Heaven and look forward to the day when I will join friends and family members in eternity. However, I’m not convinced that NDEs are scriptural.
John’s Gospel records Jesus’ words to Nicodemus where He explained that no human had ascended to heaven from earth and returned to tell about it. He is the only One who came from heaven and so can teach people about heaven.
No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven — the Son of Man (John 3:13, NIV).
The writer of Proverbs 30:4 asked questions to highlight that only God has the wisdom and understanding of heaven.
Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know (Proverbs 30:4, NIV)!
Both Isaiah and Ezekiel wrote about angels and heaven. And the Apostle John describes heaven in the Book of Revelation. But these were visions, not near death experiences.
And I’ve always thought it interesting that of all those people recorded in the Bible whom Jesus raised from the dead (the widow of Nain’s son, Jairus’ daughter and Lazarus of Bethany) nothing was ever said about their experience of dying and being brought back to life.
Although I am intrigued by near death experiences, I do not rely on them to inform me of what heaven will be like. I do not believe something about heaven from someone who claims to know more about it than revealed to me in the Bible — the only true source.
You may also like The Reality of Heaven
Want to go deeper? You’ll find this story—and so many others that shine Scripture’s light on the unseen realm—in Heaven, Hell, Angels & Demons, available now on Amazon.