Currently, I am reading “Imagine Heaven”, a book revealing stories and insights from people who have had Near Death Experiences (NDEs). The experiences are gathered from researchers around the globe who have and are studying what people, who have been pronounced dead yet came back to life encountered.
Many NDErs explain a greater brighter white light than ever experienced on earth, exuding love and warmth beyond human comprehension. They share of seeing friends and family, even describing family members they have never met. Colors more brilliant and in many more varieties than on earth. These explanations leave the reader with a desire, a longing for experiencing heaven.
However, researchers have also spoken with people who did not experience heaven like qualities. While they are a small number compared to the wonderful heavenly visions, researchers believe there are many more, but it is too painful to speak about. Yet, even some of those were given a second chance to come back and trust and follow the Lord Jesus Christ in obedience.
One fascinating topic of NDErs is how many of them describe what is referred to as their Life Review. Whether they were not living for five minutes or forty-five minutes, they share of this Life Review. The big take-away for each person is their relationships with others on earth. They watched in disappointment of their failures and shortcomings within their relationships on earth.
No one said they felt condemned for their shortcomings, rather, they felt the ever-present love and compassion while being made aware of where they had fallen short of God’s expectations. Some said they were waiting thinking, but what about all this good I’ve done, yet that was not what they remembered or what was pivotal in their Life Review. Each one, when returned to this life remembered and realized their need to improve how they treated all relationships.
It’s all about relationships, several NDErs recalled. Perhaps Jesus was trying to instill this in us as recorded in Matthew 25:40-45.
“And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ 41 Then He will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels!
42 For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger and you didn’t take Me in; I was naked and you didn’t clothe Me, sick and in prison and you didn’t take care of Me.’
44 “Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help You?’ 45 “Then He will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me either.’
It’s All About Relationships. Not only your best friends, what about your least liked co-worker or neighbor or that particular ethnic group? How do your relationships compare to God’s compassion for you and everyone you meet?
George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.