Neuroscientist Sees 'Proof of Heaven'

It's dinnertime at the Alexander home, in Lynchburg, Va.

Holley Alexander is serving chicken curry, 14-year-old Bond is hungry after soccer and the dad, Dr. Eben Alexander, leads the family in prayer.

In this home, saying grace is different these days. This family has been touched by a medical miracle — and maybe more.

"It was impossible after impossible after impossible that all these things happened," Alexander said in an interview with Nightline co-anchor Terry Moran.

Alexander, a Harvard neurosurgeon, nearly died four years ago when a ferocious E. coli meningitis infection attacked his brain and plunged him deep into a week-long coma. Brain scans showed his entire cortex — the parts of the brain that give us consciousness, thought, memory and understanding — was not functioning. Doctors gave him little chance to live and told his family that if he did survive he'd probably be brain-damaged for the rest of his life.

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Patricia Sickle

I think this message is exciting. It makes me know, I will some day see my beloved husband of 34 years. I miss him, my brothers and his Mom, and many friends who have gone before me! Pat
- philote
  
  You will see him under the following conditions:
  - He placed his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as payment for his sins, before he died
  - You place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as payment for your sins, before you die
  
  If both of those conditions are true, then yes, you will see him in Heaven. But honestly, that's going to be the last thing you're interested in. It's Heaven because JESUS is there! If you love the Lord, that's the only thing you're going to be concerned about. I know that's the only one I'm going to be thinking of – my SAVIOR, my KING, my LORD who died for me!
- http://profile.yahoo.com/HFMELPJ2QU37W53K2TKL4HJQGM Ted
  
  Some unusual things can happen when a person is very close to departing this life. I know, I've seen this too.
  My wife died at 7am on the 7th day of the week, in the 7th month, in the 7th year, 2007.
  And before she died, she was in conversation with someone we couldn't see. I now know who she was talking to…
Jerry R Wood

First of all people who have passed are NOT angels, if his sister is in heaven she is NOT an angel. Nice story, but we don't need it to verify God or heaven we have scripture where God has told us all we need to know to trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ to get us to heaven.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1815457097 Rhonda Renee Sessions
  
  TO him, she was an angel, so who are you to say otherwise. Besides, as more and more of these stories are bravely brought out into the open, it is nice to see that they are consistent in the details. All that does is REINFORCE Yahweh's Word! Is there nothing wrong with that?
- Nascent
  
  Okay, let's get practical here. The word 'angel' has been skewed and misinterpreted by ages of mysticism and good ol' public misconception until it's original meaning was all but lost. Here's a quick history / entomology lesson.
  
  "Angel" is derived from the Greek "angelos", which simply means messenger — the Hebrew word used in verses discussing angels is "mal'akh", which has the same meaning. This is clearly just a statement of purpose, as angels in scripture are almost always bearing some manner of tidings (notable exceptions being the angels who tended to Jesus in the wilderness and in the garden before He was arrested). The word simply establishes that these are beings sent forth by God with something to say — to assume they are a celestial race separate from humanity in *all* instances is a leap of logic. Put bluntly, being an angel is a job description.
  
  Yes, there are references in the Old and New Testament to "Satan and his angels", to cherubim and seraphim, enough to make it clear that there is a celestial species that God created separately from His material universe. But scripture tells us deliberately little about these beings and, honestly, given the plethora of mythos and even cultic interest in angelology, it's probably best we stick to the message of the Scripture and leave such things on the sidelines. My point being: there's nothing in Scripture saying one way or another that a departed soul cannot be sent forth as an angel — as a messenger — and a few passages in the Old Testament (Saul's encounter with the spirit of the prophet Samuel at Endor, for example) that suggest that it may very well happen on occasion.
  
  Ex Libris Veritas
  ~Nascent~
- mallen11
  
  Jerry, great comment. Everything God wants us to know about Him and His salvation for mankind is found in His Word; the Bible. Our faith and trust is in Him through the knowledge we receive in His Word.
  
  Heb 4:12For the word of God is alive and powerful sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
daves

If he is correct then it shows that you do not have to accept Jesus as your savior in order to get to heaven.

Don't yell at me, I am not saying one way or the other. It's just that he didn't believe before he died so he obviously had never accepted Jesus as savior.
- petroskhan
  
  True, he didn't believe before, and therefore could not have gone to heaven, for that reason, as well as the fact that the Bible is clear that no one goes to heaven.
  
  So, where did his "vision" come from? Either from some random neurons firing that his brain tried to make some sense of, or Satan. One or the other, it wasn't from God.
petroskhan

Read the whole story…

What a load of CRAP. Before people go off believing anything like this, crack open your Bible to read it what it says concerning the state of the dead. Also, a verse in there somewhere about "no man has ascended to heaven" ring any bells?

Malarkey. Pure and simple.
- elaine connelly
  
  You sir, are a moron.
  - petroskhan
    
    Actually, my IQ is quite high, thank you very much.
    
    Now, if you'd care to discuss the issue without unwarranted personal insults, I'd be happy to share my thoughts with you, if you're interested.
    
    My stand is based on the Bible, and its clear wording. What's yours based on?
  - philote
    
    Might I suggest practical application of this Biblical excerpt:
    
    Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Colossians 4:3)
    - petroskhan
      
      I'll go along with that.
- Gordon
  
  Sometimes the human need to understand things in limited terms becomes a huge obstacle to growth…and actually becomes an idolatry. Remember St; Paul's words in 1Cor. 13, "when I was a child I thought as a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child…". Real growth, understanding and enlightenment does not come from our own abilities, but as a gift from God.
- Jeff Dixon
  
  Just another contradiction in the bible is all. "Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kings 2:11
  - petroskhan
    
    You'll find a fairly decent treatment of this topic here:
    
    http://www.cgom.org/Publications/Booklets/Enoch_Elijah.htm
  - mallen11
    
    Jeff, this may help you understand…
    John 3:13 says, "And no one has ascended up to Heaven
    except He who came down from Heaven, the Son of Man who is in Heaven."
    This verse is somewhat difficult to interpret and is often misunderstood. It is
    also frequently used by those who want to find contradictions in the Bible. Looking
    at the verse in context, verses 10-12 especially, we see that Jesus is speaking
    on the subject of the authority and validity of His teaching. In verse 13,
    Jesus explains to Nicodemus why He alone is qualified to speak of these things,
    namely, because He is to only one who has ever gone to heaven and then come
    back with knowledge from heaven to teach to people.
- philote
  
  Pure and simple….in context:
  
  Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what WE KNOW, and bear witness to what WE HAVE SEEN; but you do not receive OUR testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man." John 3:10-13
  
  Jesus was not saying that Elijah and Enoch were not in Heaven – he was saying that no one had ascended to Heaven and come (descended) to tell you about it, to make known the unseen heavenly realities. Elijah and Enoch did not come down after ascending from heaven. Only Christ could speak from personal experience and therefore convey these eternal realities since he comes from heaven, from the very presence of God himself:
  
  "No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known." John 1:18
  
  "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me;" John 6:38
  
  "Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before?" John 6:62
  
  "He said to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.’" John 8:23-24
  
  "Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I proceeded and came forth from God; I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.’" John 8:42
  
  "Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God," John 13:3
  
  "for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from the Father. I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father." John 16:27-28
  
  "Thus it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being’; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual which is first but the physical, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven." 1 Corinthians 15:45-49
  
  Jesus, in John 3:13, was essentially responding to a series of rhetorical questions posed by an inspired writer centuries before Christ’s advent:
  
  "The words of Agur son of Jakeh of Massa. The man says to Ith'i-el, to Ith'i-el and Ucal: Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name,and what is his son's name? Surely you know!" Proverbs 30:1-4
  
  (some parts of this excerpted from "Answering Islam" at http://www.answering-islam.org/Shamoun/q_ascension.htm because it was worded much better than I might otherwise have been able to present it)
  - petroskhan
    
    "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man." John 3:10-13
    
    How can you quote that verse, then make a statement that goes completely against it?
    
    You claim "Jesus was not saying that Elijah and Enoch were not in Heaven – he was
    saying that no one had ascended to Heaven and come (descended) to tell
    you about it"
    
    WRONG. He is clearly saying that NO ONE has ascended to heaven, except He who CAME heaven. What's so confusing about that?
    
    Not one single verse that you've cited says a thing about people going to heaven when they die. There are many, many verses which state clearly that one does NOT go to heaven, and several which state that upon Christ's return, the dead shall be raised to join him in the clouds…if they're already with Him in heaven, what's the point of his return…what's the point of resurrecting those who were already with Him?
    
    Read your Bible. Stop wanting it to say what you to believe, and start wanting to believe what it says.
    - KentPerry
      
      OMG here you are again suggesting the same thing of Philote"
      Quote:"Read your Bible. Stop wanting it to say what you to believe, and start wanting to believe what it says."
      
      You just told Philote in all caps "WRONG" and the tell him where he made his mistake essentially the same way I do apparently. ha ha Petro,, You'd best steer clear of me, or Ill just sit this one out until I have mastered mallens patience.
      
      I got a short fuse and you like igniting fires.
      
      whether you admit it or not you may as well be Jeff Dixon, your effect on others is about the same. Take that for what its worth or keep doin what your doin cuz like Jeffery Dixon,, it ain't workin
      
      Later all
LibertysSon

What? A trip to heaven and no encounter with the Lord? The Loving Creator God? Our Savior? The thought that "You can do no wrong"? This sounds more like a wishful dream that gives license to a false promise…. there is no sin, no guilt, no redeemer, just bliss and heaven for all. I posit that, as was prophesied, that "In the end times even the elect will be decieved". Screwtape would be proud.
- Mexseiko
  
  We Christians tend to believe we have a grip on all spiritual matters. Sammuel was summoned by a witch and he came back after being dead. I don't believe an unsaved person is shown hell automatically, especially if it's not that person's time. Jesus loves every soul and He knows who will be saved. The Bible says if one does not have Christ is condemned already, but everything must happen until it's all complete.
  
  I had an experience when i was a teenager with an entity. I asked the entity if I was ok with God. the entity said I was ok and warmed me not to seek any more communication with them. I got saved 12 years later.
Mike

Hmmmm, sounds encouraging, but stay with me, I'll connect these momentarily. The Bible says Lucifer/Satan can disguise himself as light. The Bible also says palm readers, psychics, or anyone who says they can contact the dead are of the devil, so stay away from them. I'm not saying the doctor is of the devil, but he was duped. When we think we see or hear from the dead, either through mediums/psychics or unconscious thoughts, those are fallen angels/demons pretending to be the dead. Why; because Satan loves to give us false hope and take people to hell with him when he goes there. This false hope can distract us from the true hope of eternal life and considering the only true way to see passed relatives/friends again in heaven, which is, as the Bible says, admitting we are sinners, believing in and accepting Jesus payment for our sins on the cross, and we will go to heaven and see our fellow Christians there.
- mallen11
  
  At least you are Biblically correct in your comment.
- knowingChrist
  
  While what you're saying is true you are forgetting there have been times when there have been people that have talked to people that were dead that were in fact not devils nor evil. I speak of the time that the Medium called up the shade Of Samuel and Saul spoke to him before he went out for war.
John Adams

I cannot and do not believe this man was in Heaven and has come back to tell about it. God would not allow the Apostle Paul to speak of his vision of Heaven. Christians who go to Heaven do NOT become angels. He may (or may not) be sincere, but he is clearly WRONG!!
Gordon

Note that he did not actually die, and that he did not claim to have visited Heaven, but was given insight into it. He describes a heaven-sent messenger who appeared as a woman whom after his recovery and seeing the picture for the first time of his sister, he recognized as her. That was a huge message from God to him. The man could never be the same again after that. Remember that St.Paul humbly described his similar experience (whether in the body or out of the body, he did not know0 much the same way. He was shown things that were humanly impossible to describe!
Bret Stiles

Sounds like he was visited by the devil. Because the devil is the one who says you don't need a saviour and everything is just fine and peachy.
- http://profile.yahoo.com/HFMELPJ2QU37W53K2TKL4HJQGM Ted
  
  Could you give me a reference to this?
http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/QHRUML5XFH7AMSWH63TQH7F7E4 MalikTous

I can see this as substantial evidence for some sort of afterlife or metalife, but not 'proof' of any specific cosmology or faith. Whether we move from life to the Spirit Paths to find our next life in the Endless Gates, finish life and transfer to some nirvana/elysium/heaven, or transform from life to a next stage as entirely different beings, the only thing 'proven' is that there is something beyond the veil imposed by death. Furthermore, it's likely that what each of us sees will be based on our own specific faith – if we have one.
- philote
  
  True.
  If we believe in Jesus and put our faith in Him, we have God's promise that we will see Him and the Father in Heaven.
  
  If we believe in and put our faith in anything else, we'll see anything else but Jesus and the Father – and that ain't Heaven.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Ruth-Walker/528948232 Ruth Walker

Such silliness. As neuroscientist Sam Harris has pointed out, Eben Alexander is a neurosurgeon rather hat a neuroscientist. search it on the Internet.
simon says

Alexander…you are totally deluded !! your so called heavenly journey is not in accordance with the Gospel of Jesus Christ or that of the word of God.
Diana Neu

All of you are getting too wrapped up in RELIGiON. God meets us all at a point of contact where we are at. This person, obviously, had an opening for God to minister. It does not make any difference what he saw or whom, but that to him is was real and it changed his way of thinking concerning heaven and God. Let God sort out the facts and do His job; be happy that this person is now a believer.
- petroskhan
  
  "…be happy that this person is now a believer."
  
  A believer, yes. But in what? Theories and ideas that run counter to the word of God? I'm sorry, I can't be happy about that.
- philote
  
  Please tell me where in God's Word we find that "God meets us all at a point of contact where we are at".
  
  Also, this man is not a believer. Where does he mention that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father? Where does he say Christ died for his sins?
  
  God has already sorted out the facts, and shared this with us, and with Eben, from His Word.
  
  - Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.
  
  - There is no other name under heaven by which you must be saved.
  
  - I (Jesus) am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the Father but by [belief in and trust in] Me.
  
  There's no other way. Unless Eben declares with his mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believes in his heart that God raised Jesus from the dead [proof that Jesus death paid it all and death, the result of sin, was now conquered so that we in Christ have eternal life] – until that occurs Eben is not saved.
Scoutertale

In my memory none of these accounts mention the Lord Jesus Christ except those who were Christians before the experience.
mallen11

I
Thess 4:13-18
- KentPerry
  
  If there is a place we go to first like say Ellis Island was for immigrants, I would imagine heaven being so grandiose, so much more beautiful than our finite little planet, that perhaps without seeing the actual place, dimension we know as Heaven, It just may be that even the processing place we go before actually being in Heaven itself, is also, so much more than anything here while still being a lot less than Heaven itself. Wouldn't one THINK it is heaven nevertheless?
  - petroskhan
    
    Except for the fact that there is no such place. NO ONE GOES TO HEAVEN. It's right there, in your Bible. No "waiting room", no "Heavenly foyer"…when you die, you're DEAD.
    
    Upon Christ's return, THEN those who've died will be raised. Not before. Do some reading in your Bible, and stop following ridiculous catholic nonsense.
    - philote
      
      To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. (2 Cor 5:8)
      
      And where is the Lord now?
      
      He is at the right hand of God. In Heaven.
      
      “Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56)
      - petroskhan
        
        It seems as though you're trying to make some point that those who die go to heaven…is that right? If so, the Bible (and Jesus) disagree with you.
        
        Psalms 115:17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
        Psalms 146:4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish
        Ecclesiastes 9:5,6 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
        Isaiah 38:18-19, "For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth."
        
        John 5:28-29, "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
        
        John 11:23,24 "Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
        
        Job 14:12 "So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep."
        
        1 Corinthians 15:20-23 "But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming."
        
        I'm pretty sure I can find more. Shall I keep searching?
      - petroskhan
        
        Quote the whole verse,
        
        "this is why we are fully confident, and think it good rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with our Master" Note that this is simply an expression of preference, not a statement of fact or a promise of a specific time.
        
        Now hold in mind that verse above with all of the others I've quoted, as well as many others which you could find concerning God's plan. A quick and simple Google search will yield a great deal of information concerning what the Bible has to say concerning the state of the dead.
      - (old) Polly
        
        I like you, philote. You have a gift of putting the right words in the right place. It is uplifting to read your solid comments.
    - mallen11
      
      Well, I found "heaven" mentioned 259 times from Matthew through Revelation. Here are a few…
      Matthew 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
      Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
      Matthew 5:34 But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,
      Matthew 5:45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
      Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
      Mark 16:19 So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
      Luke 10:20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”
      Acts 1:11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
      Acts 7:55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God;
      
      There is no "soul sleep" — we die and we meet the Lord face to face in heaven in an interim state.
      - petroskhan
        
        Now find a single verse that supports your contention. I've shown several that prove you DON'T go to heaven immediately after death.
        
        "There is no "soul sleep" — we die and we meet the Lord face to face in heaven in an interim state." Show me where that is in the Bible. The verses I've cited say you're wrong. So, I can believe you, or the Bible. Guess which I'll chose?
        
        And as for the verses you've cited stating that rewards will be received in heaven…yes…but WHEN? Look at the verses I've quoted, and ask yourself what they're telling you, in combination with the ones you've quoted.
      - mallen11
        
        I totally disagree with you and have no idea why you want to distort the Word of God the way you do and I will not argue with you but am giving my final viewpoint:
        
        For the believer in Jesus Christ, the Bible tells us that after death believers’ souls/spirits are taken to heaven, because their sins are forgiven by having received Christ as Savior (John 3:16, 18, 36). For believers, death is to be “away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23). However, passages such as 1 Corinthians 15:50-54 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 describe believers being resurrected and given glorified bodies. If believers go to be with Christ immediately after death, what is the purpose of this resurrection? It seems that while the souls/spirits of believers go to be with Christ immediately after death, the physical body remains in the grave or dust if burned up or cremated. At the resurrection of believers, the physical body is resurrected, glorified, and then reunited with the soul/spirit. This reunited and glorified body-soul-spirit will be the possession of believers for eternity in the new
        heavens and new earth (Revelation 21-22).
        
        Therefore, after death, a person resides in a “temporary” heaven if a believer or hell if an unbeliever. After this temporary realm, at the final resurrection, a person’s eternal destiny will not change. The precise “location” of that eternal destiny is what changes. Believers will ultimately be granted entrance into the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1). Unbelievers will ultimately be sent to
        the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). These are the final, eternal destinations of all people—based entirely on whether or not they had trusted Jesus Christ alone for salvation (Matthew 25:46; John 3:36).
      - petroskhan
        
        "I totally disagree with you and have no idea why you want to distort the Word of God the way you do…" Disagreement is good, I've always felt, because it spurs us to dig deeper into the subject, in order to prove whether or not a given viewpoint is right.
        
        I understand that you don't want to "argue" about it. I thought it was a discussion, and was approaching it that way. We both believe that Christ died for us, right? We both agree that we will see Him someday, don't we? We have a minor disagreement over WHEN, is all. I feel that digging deeper into Scripture, and taking God's Word at it's..well, word, is where we will find the truth.
        
        If you don't mind too much, could you tell me how you think I've "distorted the Word of God"? I really do feel that I've simply quoted the Bible, and left my own biases out of it, taking it literally and trusting that it says what it means. But, no one is perfect, and I may have looked at something the wrong way, and would love to hear how I may have done this.
        
        I'm not looking to argue any more than you are, but an open discussion would be most welcome.
      - mallen11
        
        One more time…
        Yes, we both believe in Jesus Christ and we will see Him as soon as we die face to face in heaven. It is morbid to me to think that the Lord would leave our soul and Spirit in limbo somewhere. Thank God, He does not.
        If the thief on the cross was told by Christ that he would be with Him paradise that day; then as a believer he was until paradise was removed to heaven during the three days and nights Jesus went to Hades and the thief did too (all OT saints were removed) — Luke 23:43, Acts 2:27, Acts 2:31 & Eph 4:7-9.
        I have given enough information in all my comments on this subject yesterday and today to cover your questions. Look up the verses: seek and find.
        
        Luke 16:22, Luke 16:19-31
      - KentPerry
        
        Your response to Mallen, Quote:"I understand that you don't want to "argue" about it. I thought it was a discussion, and was approaching it that way. "
        
        Gee,, Petroskan,, coming off confrontational?? Isn't that unusual… hehe
        
        So it isn't just me lol
    - KentPerry
      
      I wasn't referring to purgatory Petro and I had no idea you had such intimate knowledge or first hand experience being DEAD. If your physical body is dead and the soul cannot be un-created or destroyed,, where is it until Christ's return?
      - petroskhan
        
        " If your physical body is dead and the soul cannot be un-created or destroyed,, where is it until Christ's return?"
        First off, who said your soul cannot be destroyed? According to the Bible, it CAN be destroyed, by the same One who made it.
        
        Secondly, according to Scripture, until Christ's return, your soul "sleeps" until all are resurrected to their final reward.
    - KentPerry
      
      Hey your argument isn't with us, it's with Jesus Christ. I guess he must have had old lazarus in stasis somewhere eh, Hoss?
      - petroskhan
        
        I have no argument with Jesus. I'm agreeing with Him, and His words as stated in the Bible. I suggest reading it with a more open mind and heart, instead of trying to "interpret" it to mean what you want it to.
        
        As for Lazarus, Jesus Himself said, "Lazarus is dead."
      - KentPerry
        
        I suggest you stop projecting your own problem with scripture on other people petro and take your own damned advice because you seem to be MOST guilty of that yourself. Yes Lazarus is dead but where was his soul? Did he get a new one? where was it for four days? Did he yank him out of heaven? You see I'm not the one suggesting in the same terminally self righteous tone what the answers to questions like these are, but YOU on the other hand have been not suggesting answers but TELLING EVERYONE THE ONLY ANSWER THEY COULD POSSIBLY BE! I have seen you do it with everyone you confront. Yeah CONFRONT is what it looks like. You can keep using that tact if you like but you'll only piss off the very ears you are trying to persuade. So if you got issues thinking additional questions mean someone thinks you're wrong and you got all kinds of shame attached to being wrong,,, don't take it personal, everyone boils at different degrees petro and not everyone is at your staggering level of biblical understanding but I don't see anyone here mistaking you for Jesus either.
        
        I can certainly sympathise with why people go selectively deaf when listening to you however, seeing the tact you use comes from your ego and not your heart whenever your need to be RIGHT, is in jeopardy.
        
        Or so it appears to this reader anyway.
        
        Here is a tip if you are humble enough to even consider it.
        
        You can suggest an answer but if I am asking the question and YOU insisting the answer and in your case, THE ONLY POSSIBLE ONE mind you,, then don't accuse ME of interpreting it to mean what I want it to mean because If I knew THAT much, I wouldn't have asked for another interpretation which my question inherently implied.
      - petroskhan
        
        Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I'm detecting a slight hint of hostility.
        
        Look, if you think I'm being confrontational, that's on you. I don't mean it to come out that way, but maybe if you take it that way, either I need to be a bit more careful, or you might have a slight chip on your shoulder. Either way…I will try to pay more attention to how I phrase things. Just in case it IS my fault.
        
        On the subject which was the subject…I have stated that my stand is based on Scripture. I don't see how that translates in me having a "problem with Scripture". Perhaps you could explain that?
        
        "You see I'm not the one suggesting in the same terminally self righteous
        tone what the answers to questions like these are, but YOU on the other
        hand have been not suggesting answers but TELLING EVERYONE THE ONLY
        ANSWER THEY COULD POSSIBLY BE!"
        
        Two things, here. One, if I were to "suggest" an answer, and not seem convinced of it myself, how much weight should anyone give my answer? If my answers amounted to "I dunno…maybe 'this'?" why would you even consider it? If I sound certain that my answer is correct, maybe it's because I am certain? Maybe I've thought, prayed and studied, and am thoroughly convinced that what I say is correct? And if one reads…really READS what the Bible says, isn't it fair to say that there IS only one correct answer? I mean, the Bible is pretty clear; a given stand on an issue is either supported by the Bible or it's not.
        
        I hope that clears up where I'm coming from. I am sorry if I came on a bit strong, but religion is a topic on which I feel a great deal of passion. Perhaps that is what comes across to you as me being "confrontational". But your criticism is noted.
        
        God Bless.
      - KentPerry
        
        Quote:" I have stated that my stand is based on Scripture. I don't see how that translates in me having a "problem with Scripture". Perhaps you could explain that?"
        
        Really? was it not your belief that part of MY problem was interpreting the scripture the way I wanted to when I wasn't interpreting anything yet, I was asking a question and BOY am I sorry I asked. Oh and when someone says suggest an answer, how is it YOU interpret the word suggest to mean offer one you are ambivalent about? That wouldn't be suggesting an "answer" now would it? It would be suggesting your opinion. Since I don't know you HAVE an answer before I ask, is WHY I chose the word "Suggest" an answer. It was you who added the extra, Quote: "and not seem convinced of it myself, how much weight should anyone give my answer?"
        
        Quote:" Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I'm detecting a slight hint of hostility".
        
        Welcome to my world. That is exactly what I was sensing about you. I thought I made that clear, sorry if I didn't. As for the hostility, Mmmm perhaps but just a little. It gets frustrating when someone tells me how I arrived at my conclusions interpreting things the way I want when I haven't offered anything but questions that again, you still haven't answered and I don't believe there is an answer in scripture that says where Lazarus soul went during his brief death and resurrection.
        
        Secondly, when did I ask you to suggest anything you aren't to convinced of yourself? You see even now you just can't admit to this adding some superfluous meaning to the word "suggest". The reason you did, was to change the argument to one I have never made and the reason you did was obvious. You're simply wrong again and will weasle out it even if you have misrepresent your opposing interlocutor superimposing your own understanding of the word "suggest". Hence the reason I suggested you take your own advice.
        
        Oh and by the way, when I say I "suggest" you take your own advice, I don't mean the advice I'm not sure about. Just so we understand each other. sheesh.
        
        If I knew you had THEE answer, I would simply ask for one. Not knowing you, and seeing as many believers getting told what to think with you saying there are no other ways to interpret this, I have to wonder, why so many do.
        
        But your presumptuous comment would have been taken much more casually had I actually interpreted the whole Bible like you assumed I did. We were only talking about the issue at hand and I may or may not have the correct interpretation on a great many parts of the Bible. Having been a student at southwestern Bible College, I learned I didn't always and am still finding out I have much to learn.
        
        I may have a chip on my shoulder but it's just a little one. You see I get tired of people telling me I interpret the Bible the way I want to believe it in the same day they interpret the words "Suggest a an answer" to mean something, they want it to mean having no clue to the intended meaning. Now when you consider 66 books of the Bible all written by different personalities over hundreds of years over the entire length and breadth of the Middle east, I would EXPECT to hear many ideas as to how it MIGHT be interpreted but I would be remiss in my responsibility to myself knowing the kind of forces out there causing confusion and the egos to whom these opinions come from, the lengths man goes out of his way to protect them etc,. the possibility for a "Place" a soul exists after death
        
        Of course there are two we know of Heaven and Hell but for you to assume their is no "waiting area" or birthing area where the soul sleeps merely because the Bible doesn't expressly say there is, doesn't mean it isn't true and it doesn't mean questions regarding where Lazarus soul went should not be asked or assumed the one asking is interpreting the Bible the way they want.
        
        What did Jesus Christ mean, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul"? Who is able to destroy both soul and body? What does Matthew 10:28 teach about our soul?
        
        Matthew 10:28, says, Quote: "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
        
        The word "soul" in this context implies "the capacity to live." That is, another human being may be able to take away our life, but we still have the capacity to live again. God can always bring us back to life in the resurrection. So, though we naturally fear people who can cause our physical death, Jesus was giving us the true, eternal perspective.
        
        My Natural conclusion is, we should not fear man, but God.
        
        Only God has the authority to deny bringing us back to life destroying the capacity to live ever again. "Hell" in this verse refers to the gehenna garbage heap fire burning in the valley outside of Jerusalem. It's symbolic of what the Bible calls "the lake of fire." If we die "the second death" in the lake of fire, there remains no hope of a resurrection. You are great with citing scripture that supports your argument but does it really? You claimed this is the only way to interpret this understanding of the soul but you are flat wrong again and there are many reasons for questions like I have seen being asked that may make you reconsider.
        
        From the first page of the Bible until the last, Scripture consistently teaches that humans have an immaterial part that will last forever. It is not possible for the soul, or spirit, to be destroyed. We will cite just a few examples of the biblical teaching on the subject. (Revelation 21:8).
        
        From the blue letter Bible a cursory read on the subject substantiates this very clear to me. When judgment was pronounced upon Adam for sinning against the Lord, it was his body that was judged to go back to its original elements.
        
        By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return (Genesis 3:19).
        
        The spirit, however, was not judged to return to dust because it was breathed into Adam by the breath of God. The body became dust but the spirit went elsewhere. Never do we find the Bible teaching that the spirit can be annihilated or become extinct.
        
        Made For Eternity
        
        Scripture teaches that we have been made for eternity.
        
        He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of humans; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
        
        One part of us, our soul, has been made to live forever.
        
        Implies Continual Life
        
        The distinction that the Bible makes between the body and the spirit is taught in such a way as to imply continual life of the spirit after the body dies. The Bible says.
        
        and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7).
        
        Existence Of A Place Of The Dead
        
        The fact that the Scriptures speak of a place where the dead exist shows they have not been utterly annihilated. Isaiah the prophet said.
        
        The grave below is all astir to meet you at your coming; it rouses the spirits of the departed to greet you – all those who were leaders in the world; it makes them rise from their thrones – all those who were kings over the nations (Isaiah 14:9).
        
        Enoch And Elijah
        
        Two Old Testament characters, Enoch and Elijah, did not die, but rather went to be with God.
        
        Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away (Genesis 5:24).
        
        Of Elijah it was said.
        
        As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven (2 Kings 2:11).
        
        This certainly implies existence beyond the grave. Since they did not die, something must have happened to them and their bodies.
        
        New Testament
        
        Jesus promised eternal life to those who believe in Him.
        
        Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in Me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25,26).
        
        Clearly this speaks of life after this life. Obviously He was not talking about physical death when He said those who believed in Him would never die.
        
        Abraham, Isaac, And Jacob
        
        In a dialogue with the Sadducees, Jesus spoke of the existence of those who had previously died.
        
        But about the resurrection of the dead — have you not read what God said to you, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living (Matthew 22:31,32).
        
        Though Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had been long since dead when God spoke to Moses, God said to him, "I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." He did not say "I was their God." According to Jesus, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were still living, though they had died physically.
        
        Judgment
        
        Jesus also spoke of the judgment of all humanity.
        
        Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out – those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned (John 5:28,29).
        
        If the dead are going to be judged when the graves are opened, then obviously life does not end with physical death. There is some type of existence beyond the grave.
        
        Soul Cannot Die
        
        The Scripture says the spirit, or soul, cannot be annihilated. Though the body may die, the spirit will live on. Death, therefore is not the end of conscious life. It is the separation of the body and the spirit. The spirit, however, lives on in another realm. The body is only the temporary residence of humans. Jesus said.
        
        Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28).
        
        Destroy has the idea of punish, not annihilate. The destruction of the soul means separation from the life of God. Though living, the soul of the unbeliever has no connection whatsoever to God.
        
        Souls Under Altar
        
        The Bible speaks of souls of the dead being under the altar.
        
        When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained (Revelation 6:9).
        
        They were still existing after their physical death.
        
        Second Death
        
        If death were the end of existence, then why does the Bible speak of the second death of unbelievers?
        
        Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Whoever conquers will not be harmed by the second death (Revelation 2:11).
        
        The idea of a second death for unbelievers is another indication that physical death is not the end of existence.
        
        Transfiguration
        
        At the transfiguration of Jesus, Moses and Elijah appeared.
        
        Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him (Matthew 17:3).
        
        This gives further testimony to life after death. Moses had been dead for over a thousand years and Elijah had been taken up in a chariot of fire hundreds of years earlier.
        
        Be With Christ
        
        Paul wrote to the Philippians that He wanted to be with Christ.
        
        I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better (Philippians 1:23).
        
        This is another indication of continued existence after death.
        
        Desire To Live Forever
        
        The Bible also says that the great saints of Scripture were looking to a better existence beyond this life. The writer to the Hebrews said.
        
        All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them (Hebrews 11:13-16).
        
        Nothing Can Separate
        
        Finally, the Bible says that nothing will separate the believer from the love of God – not even death.
        
        For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38,39).
  - mallen11
    
    When we pass through death to eternal life we meet the Lord Jesus Christ face to face. That is the greatest thing I can think of about heaven is when I die; to see my Lord and savior face to face. There is very little in the Bible about heaven because our finite minds would not be able to grasp it.
    
    John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears MY word, and believes Him who sent ME, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
    
    1 Cor 5:8 …we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
    
    When the Lord Jesus Christ calls all church age believers home at the Rapture, we will all receive our resurrection body…
    
    I Cor 15:52-54 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
    For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on
    immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.
- KentPerry
  
  Thank you mallen that answered my question.
RN

As an old nurse, I have spoken with several patients who have been resuscitated successfully, who have had similar stories. They saw a white light, felt incredible calm and love, and knew they were not staying. They expressed to me that they no longer feared death.
- philote
  
  And since they did not fear death, they did not repent of sin (for the wages of sin is death) and seek forgiveness from the only One who can give life. How sad. Deceived by Satan, illusion or hallucination into neglecting so great a salvation as God is offering through Jesus. And only through Jesus for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.
  - A. Reginald
    
    Don't be too ready to make assmptions. You weren't there and people do not necessarily report all. You are in no position to determine what anyone's relationship is with Christ unless he/she tells you explicitly. Christ has told us "Judge not that you be not judged." (paraphrase)
- mallen11
  
  No believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should fear death.
philote

It certainly wasn't a hallucination. It was an illusion, however.

You see, when a "being from heaven" tells you that everything is fine and "you can do no wrong", then you know that being isn't God, nor an angel who serves God, nor any spirit of a dead person who serves God. Because God is clear – we have sinned (and He's sad and angry about that). But because He loved us, while we were still doing all the wrong and sinful things, He sent Christ to die for us – to take the punishment we deserve. And if we want that payment applied to our debt, then He tells us we must change our minds and agree with Him that "all have sinned", and that we can't fix this because "by the works of the law [that is, doing something like good deeds or good behavior] no flesh will be justified". That changing of the mind is called REPENTANCE. He tells us then that we need to believe on the name of Jesus [ Jesus, translated means "God saves" or "God is salvations"]…that means to believe that God, through Jesus saved ME. And that belief. That trust in what Christ accomplished when He died to pay the penalty for my sins (and for you it's your sins) is all God requires of us to assign to us His Son's payment and declare us FREE and promise us that we "shall not come under condemnation", that we have "passed from death [due us because of sin] to life [because Jesus paid it and there's no payment required of us any longer.]

Now, who was the being showing up as bright light. That was the deceiver, who is so bent on preventing us from receiving God's free gift that he "masquerades as an angel of light".

Time to get out the Bible and read it, Eben, if you really want to make sense out of what you think happened during your week in a coma.
AfterburnerF14

As if the Internet can be the trusted, non-arguable authoritative resource for proving or disproving every kind of claim and proclamation in a vast sea of "information." Sam Harris is an avowed atheist, on top of his medical vocation, and you've bought into this secular humanist gobbley-gook!
villian157

He lost me at "my sister is my guardian angel". By the 6th paragraph I knew there was going to be a new book for sale.