Question and Answer
I just finished a book on a near-death experience in which a lady died, went to heaven, experienced a number of beautiful things, and returned to earth. What does the Bible say about these types of experiences?
The Bible says, “It is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment” (Heb. 9:27). There were a few exceptions to this general rule—people like the widow of Zarephath’s son (1 Kings 17:17–24) or Lazarus (John 11:1–44) and some others who were resurrected from the dead in both the Old and the New Testaments. Yet, none of these people ever related their experiences after death. Although this is an argument from silence, it seems their lack of any message about heaven indicates that they did not recall their heavenly experience. Only the Lord Jesus, who was resurrected to immortality, could speak of heaven and teach about it.
BY Dr. Michael Rydelnik
Dr. Michael Rydelnik is a professor of Jewish Studies at Moody Bible Institute and the host of Moody Radio’s Open Line with Michael Rydelnik. He is the author of 50 Most Important Bible Questions inspired by both his radio show and his columns for Today in the Word. Michael served on the translation team of the Holman CSB Bible and contributed to several other books and study Bibles. Michael also appeared in the Lee Stroebel video The Case for Christ. Michael and his wife, Eva, have two adult sons. The Rydelniks live in Chicago, Ill.