I recently asked Nathan Wheeler, a believer in the Lord Jesus and a Near Death Experiencer, what he thought the dangers or concerns of Near Death Experience (NDE) testimonies were.
He said exactly what I hoped he would. First of all he said that the Bible says that love believes all things, so it is the loving thing to accept the testimony of people’s experience. Then we must pray for discernment, asking the Lord what He thinks of the testimony.
He then went on to say that his primary concern was for those who have never read the Bible or ever will they would take what NDE people say as Gospel… New Age gospel.
This too has been my main concern. Anything that minimizes or rejects or redefines Jesus is certainly satanic, right? (I wrote a blog called Is the New Age Satanic, Really?)
I have noticed from my extensive research into NDE’s that, to some, the testimonies of NDEers has practically become its own religion. Some (and even a small minority of experiencers) think that somehow NDE testimonies discredit the Bible or Jesus.
It reminded me of a story I heard about the first man in space, the Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who was purported by Soviet leaders to have said, “I went up to space, but I didn’t encounter God.” (The crazy thing is that,according to this source, Yuri was a believer in God and never said any such thing. )
My point is this: our worldview doesn’t change just because we had a supernatural experience.
In the same way, many of those NDEers who haven’t yet discovered the Joy who is Jesus, misinterpret their own experience and go astray. A few may have been shown a deception by the father of lies who “appears as an angel of light” just like the Bible says. Who knows, the enemy himself might just tell you he is Jesus Christ. If his words don’t match that of Scripture, the revealed word of God, then it is a lie and deception.
However, I am always saddened when I came across stories of when a Near Death Experiencer was rejected by the clergy (those who are “supposed to” represent God) and simply told there experiences were from Satan and a deception… when they were not. I would argue that most experiences are genuine. God is not into deceiving anyone and he is the One in charge. Other experiencers found little to no support for them in the church and so they turned elsewhere. As strange as this may sound to some, I have witnessed first hand how the established church is the last place to be open to the supernatural. While this is sad, we cannot be led astray by those claiming some special knowledge from the other side that conflicts with God’s Word. Souls hang in the balance and the Word of God reminds us to stay on the safe path.
I have written about Near Death Experiences before and would encourage you to read these blogs:
Missionaries teleporting across a raging river that they didn’t know how they would forge. A servant of God without a passport instructed by God to go into an airport bathroom in one city, worship God, and exit the bathroom in another city. A brother in Christ raising his hands and closing his eyes while leading a worship gathering in Florida opens his eyes to find himself in an elevator in China. A pastor while praying shoots up out of his body and spirit travels halfway across the world to pray for and release blessing and healing for someone. A man flying over Europe and down through the roof into an apartment acting as a comforting angel to a little girl. Chinese officials surrounding a meeting to capture the organizer for the event and the Holy Spirit whisks him hundreds of miles away.
These are just a few of the stories of what believers are experiencing around the world today.
My own journey in this started pretty young for me. I have a vague memory of flying to Mongolia as a child as a “missionary”. Or more recently flying over the ocean heading north toward England and being shown a man rock climbing simply for the sole purpose of praying for him:
In my dream I saw England and was flying over the sea toward it. It appeared as a hologram taking shape before me with all its topography (the lay of the land) and my attention was drawn to an area where people do rock climbing near the center of the country: http://www.climb-europe.com/RockClimbingEngland/Peak-District.html – and particularly toward one man who was ascending a small cliff face at that very moment.
I woke up and prayed for him.
I never knew the topography of England before. I went and checked topography maps on the internet and it was the same!
Was it “just a dream”? The word just is a four letter word we should use sparingly, don’t you think? What are you? Are you just a human? What does it mean to be human?
Before proceeding to read the rest of the article below, if you haven’t done so already, please read:
Both of these articles explain my position more clearly and the rest of this article below won’t make as much sense without this biblical foundation.
Teleportation and Spirit Travel is a subject of particular interest to me. I can’t help but be fascinated that this stuff is real (which doesn’t necessarily make it always “good”) and can and is being employed by God and also (and perhaps a great deal more) by the dark side.
I have met and talked with many people who have experienced some pretty wild supernatural experiences with God. I’ve had some experiences myself.
I am here to interact with my fellow supernatural brothers and sisters in Christ and I refuse to allow ill-founded judgements to continue any longer. I am tired of being marginalized or viewed with suspicion or rejected by others for attempting to believe the Bible and exploring what it means to be a supernatural Christ follower.
Didn’t Jesus say we would do what he has done and even greater works?
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:12-14
Do we believe him?
I hope to open up the subject for discussion so we can all grow. Is this something Jesus has for his body to do? How do you know those dreams you discounted or don’t remember weren’t real?
I hope to inspire people with the truth that a relationship with God can be the most mysterious and most fun experience you could ever possibly dream of having. I was first attracted to Christianity because a Sunday school teacher wasn’t afraid to entertain the idea that aliens might very well exist. Her faith wasn’t threatened by all the other things that could be true in this mysterious universe.
I believe very strongly in the brotherhood and acceptance of the family of God even though we are quite a diverse bunch and we all have holes in our theology -two in the hands, two in the feet, and one in His side! We are all working toward becoming the One New Man (as the Scriptures put it) under the tutelage and guidance of Yeshua (Jesus – The Word of God), the Holy Scriptures (the word of God), and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is paramount in understanding and experiencing the things of God. Without him the things of God seem like foolishness.
“But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT)
I am telling you right now that sometimes some of the most learned Biblical scholars and “experts in the words of God” can sometimes be some of the most unspiritual people. Jesus bears witness to this time and again:
Jesus prayed, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!
My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Matthew 11:25-27 NLT
Reveal yourself to us Jesus!
Jesus said that for you to experience the kingdom you must become childlike. Open hearted, trusting, receiving, dependent children of God are the ones who get into the kingdom now and experience it… now!
Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.” – Jesus, Matthew 18:3 NLT
Jesus in this passage brings up another important point. Unless you turn from your sins you will not inherit the kingdom.
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
You will never participate in kingdom life (which may include legitimate spirit travel and teleporting) if you stubbornly cling to sins that Jesus died to set you free from (the devil will offer you illegitimate experiences if you choose to follow him), but if you confess and forsake your sins, you will find forgiveness and be cleansed from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9), and be fit for the kingdom’s work. Peter writes to “prepare your minds for action” because life in his kingdom is a flurry of holy and wonderful and downright exciting activity!
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”” 1 Peter 1:13-16 NASB
Don’t fret! Absolute holiness is something the Holy Spirit does for you as you allow him to and as you are willing to surrender to God and part ways with your sin! You, the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, are His Holy Temple in which God now resides! He has surrounded his temple with fire and filled you with his glory!
Holy means to be “set apart”, to be consecrated, to be wholly devoted. To be 100% his. To surrender ALL. This is what the Bible says is our Spiritual act of worship, our reasonable response to God is to give ourselves, specifically our bodies/temples, to him. This is the true way to worship him (see Romans 12:1-2). So now the kingdom’s power can and will be unleashed in your life. Prepare yourself for a great deal of excitement and joy!
Christ (which means “Anointing”) refers not only to Jesus himself but also to the Holy Spirit, our Teacher. The Holy Spirit’s job is to teach us and lead us into all truth (Truth=Jesus). He and He Alone is our Teacher. Of course He will often teach us through those whom he gifts as teachers to the church but they are not THE Teacher, the Holy Spirit is. The Bible says, “Let anyone who speaks, speak the oracles of God.” God, the Holy Spirit can speak through you. It’s the only way teaching ought to happen in the church. Here are a few Scriptures that point to what I’m saying:
Jesus said, “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah (or Christ).” Matthew 23:8-10 NIV
“…for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth.” 1 John 2:20 NLT
“But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true–it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.” 1 John 2:27 NLT
“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative–that is, the Holy Spirit–he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” John 14:26 NLT
These Scriptures reveal that the Holy Spirit is our source for all things spiritual. He is our “spirit guide”.
So how do we Teleport and spirit travel? It should go without saying that our primary pursuit is not the stuff we get to do in the kingdom (miracles, healings, and possibly even teleporting) but to pursue the King Himself! If Jesus is not our first love, then we have fallen from a great height!
I am not interested in diverting people’s attention from Christ and the Gospel.
This loving relationship with Papa, Son, and Holy Spirit is what we were all made for! If we miss that, then we miss everything! I’ll say it again, if we aren’t grounded in our intimate union with the Trinity, then we are missing what we are made for!
Pray with me:
Holy Spirit, will you help me to receive the Love that Papa, Jesus and you have for me? Will you restore me to my first love? Bathe me right now in your liquid love that I may become infused with love and compassion for others and grow in affection for Jesus. Help me to grow into the realization of who Christ is in me and who I am in you and all that you pulled off for us at the cross and resurrection.
I tend to believe that our desires to experience more of the supernatural are in you for a reason. Pray for it! I think the Lord appreciates us taking a little initiative and gumption and going for something that we are interested in. Research and seek the Lord about these matters and launch into the deep with God!
As William G.T. Shedd said:
‘A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.’
So do this. He will not disappoint if our hearts are pure and sincere.
A few Christians who have experienced teleporting and spirit travel.
Check out the following interview and testimony of Bruce Allen who I believe God specifically chose to bring this message to the church.
If you are interested to find some stories of Christians having these kind of adventures, I would recommend watching Sid Roth (search YouTube) who investigates and interviews those with these kinds of stories.
He talked about being teleported around the world to help others in need. He had stories like helping a woman and her kids find safety in a war zone to visiting and healing a Christian brother who had just been tortured for his faith in a Muslim prison. While this may sound crazy to the uninitiated, if you are familiar with the Bible, you know that this sort of thing isn’t that far-fetched at all. The truth often is stranger than fiction.
And finally the “How to” secret:
Live a life of love! Know Jesus! Be obedient and cultivate a life of prayer! Ask to experience God for yourself and keep on asking! Seek the Lord with all your heart and keep seeking! Paul writes to earnestly desire spiritual gifts. Dreams and visions from the Lord are part of what he has for his kids.
The Bible says happy is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. We have to be careful. I will tell you again, going out-of-body without the unction and moving of the Holy Spirit is extremely dangerous! The Bible does warn us of sorcery, witchcraft, and divination. It also warns of necromancy (communicating with the dead). That is likely to happen as the dead will often be the ones to greet you if you aren’t under Christ’s protection and guidance. They will also deceive you. The demons have manufactured all sorts of lies (alien visitations, star seeds, etc..) they are peddling to anyone who will listen. Any old lie will do if it keeps you from coming to and fully surrendering to Jesus Christ. Their agenda is against Christ. To marginalize and ignore him. But if you care about truth at all you can’t afford to ignore the One who is Truth (John 14:6).
Yes, I have been told that what I am teaching is dangerous and scary. Yes, I certainly hope it is dangerous and scary… to the enemy and all the dark forces! Dangerous to the kingdom of hell that surrounds us!
So yes I am in favor of doing this with and in submission to the Holy Spirit! Wouldn’t it be awesome to see an army of missionaries teleporting and spirit traveling around the planet lighting fires wherever they go ministering to the lost and hurting and broken out of their union, fellowship, and partnership with the Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit?
I just want to close again with this Scripture:
“In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.” Acts 2:17 NLT
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UPDATE!!!
The same day I posted this a friend of mine who is in active ministry called me up and told me they listened to some testimonies on this subject (you can find some on YouTube). They told me that right after they listened to it and then lost themselves in some worship songs they were “caught away by the Spirit.” I know this will be hard for some of you to believe unless you are already familiar with this sort of thing, but she found herself in a jungle in Ecuador ministering to a young girl who was alone and sobbing on a jungle trail. She was instructed by Jesus about her situation and what to do to comfort her. Right after that she was whisked away to Vietnam to comfort a young boy who was cold in a hut and very afraid.
Perhaps someday soon, you will be called upon to be someones angel as well. Even as I write that I realize how important our service to one another in the “ordinary” day-to-day world is. We DO get to be God’s angels (divine messengers) everyday to a very hurting world – most of whom won’t and can’t relate to you if you start talking about spirit travel and teleporting… so lets keep it our little secret. So let’s continue to tangibly love and serve our neighbors with God’s love!
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Again, If you wish to read my articles that led to the biblical framework for my thinking, don’t forget to read:
I hope this opens your eyes and heart to how big God is – “With God, nothing is impossible” and “Nothing is impossible for those who believe” ~ Jesus said. We ought to love and accept all our brothers and sisters in the faith, no matter how strange or eccentric. I want to impress upon you the need for being grounded in God’s Word. There is a great deal of deception out there and we live in perilous times!
As always, don’t hesitate to challenge me on any point! Ask me questions. Remember? I need you! You might just need me too!
“Seek the Lord while you can find him.
Call on him now while he is near.
Let the wicked change their ways
and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.
Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.”
~ Isaiah 55:6-7
Teleporting. Spirit Travel. Translation by faith. Trans-relocation. Bilocation. Isn’t this just the stuff of science fiction?
Below is an interview I conducted with Dr Bruce Allen about this phenomenon including some personal testimony of Dr Bruce Allen and some really amazing things he has received from Jesus on this topic:
Well, you might be surprised to learn that teleporting and spirit travel is throughout the Bible and is an ability that God has and will still sometimes employ for those in service of the King, Yehoshua (aka Jesus)… and sometimes maybe just for fun! God is a Happy and fun-loving God!
I came to soon realize after exploring this topic that this is apparently a controversial subject among Christians and some react quite negatively toward this idea of being able to travel through space (and time!) either as a spirit or even in a physical body. I thought I would just share what the Holy Scriptures have to say on the subject to alleviate the fears and concerns that some may have about this topic of Teleportation and Spirit travel. I expect that even the most staunchly conservative people of faith will have to submit to God’s Word on this one?
We will explore in this blog how the prophets, saints, and the apostles experienced spirit travel and teleporting and how this just might become your experience as well as you grow in fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
There are numerous places in Scripture where we see people being teleported or translated while others travel great distances as a spirit in what I like to refer to as “Spirit travel”. The apostle Paul didn’t know whether he was in the body or in the spirit on some of his spiritual adventures. This is often what is meant by “visions” in the Scripture – you go into the spirit realm and are shown spiritual truths in wild dreamlike pictures, ever read the book of Revelation? (These prophetic visions must be tested by the standard for all truth! God’s holy Word!). Visions are to be expected among all of humanity really and most especially by his children:
“It will come about after this
That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind;
And your sons and daughters will prophesy,
Your old men will dream dreams,
Your young men will see visions.
“Even on the male and female servants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.” Joel 2:28-29 NASB
“Those days” were initiated when the outpouring of the Holy Spirit began at Pentecost. (See Acts 2)
It was Jesus who said, “With God all things are possible for those who believe.” Teleporting and spirit travel are just some of those “things” possible through faith by the Spirit of God. There is no limit to what God can do!
I am aware that this sort of thing isn’t on most Christians radar at all, and if they have heard of it they will likely reject it outright without a second thought and label it “new age” or some such nonsense. This seems to be what most people do when they are afraid. But will we wrestle through the Word to see if these things are so, like the Bereans did?
“Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11 NASB
Let’s dive in and see for ourselves what the Scripture has to say:
Scriptures on Teleportation:
The following Scripture gives us clues that Elijah likely had experienced teleportation:
“ As the Lord your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my master has not sent to search for you; and when they said, ‘He is not here,’ he made the kingdom or nation swear that they could not find you. 11 And now you are saying, ‘Go, say to your master, “Behold, Elijah is here.”’ 12 It will come about when I leave you that the Spirit of the Lord will carry you where I do not know; so when I come and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me, although I your servant have feared the Lord from my youth.”
So, does this prove that Elijah had teleported? Well, Obadiah, the man speaking here, believed that Elijah could be or had been carried away by the Spirit (teleported). Interestingly I had heard of a story of this very thing happening to a Christian leader in the church in China.
Here is a very clear account that Jesus teleported with his disciples:
“Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17 and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. 19 Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they *saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. 20 But He *said to them, “It is I; [my footnote says, or: “The I AM is here”] do not be afraid.” 21 So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.”
So the boat immediately arrives at the destination when Jesus entered the boat. They were only three to four miles across an eight mile wide lake. Pretty wild!
Here is another clear example of Philip the Evangelist teleporting:
“And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.”
This is by far one of the most clear passages about teleportation. Philip, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, is translated by the Spirit thirty miles North. I see absolutely no reason that anyone who is full of faith and the Holy Spirit, would not at some point possibly experience the same. Do you?
God didn’t have to spare Philip the thirty mile walk. Perhaps he did this just for the sheer fun of it? How playful and fun is God with his kids? My experience tells me it’s a great deal more than we think.
I find it baffling that people can accept that Philip was teleported, but that it could not happen today? Instead I know that signs and wonders and miracles and supernatural experiences of God will only increase in the end times. God is still pouring out His Spirit on all mankind (Acts 2) and I choose to believe what Jesus says to those who follow him:
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”
As citizens of both heaven and earth we can do as the Lord Jesus says and “come in and go out ands find good pasture.”
Jesus says in John 3:13 “No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man (Some manuscripts add here: who lives in heaven.) has come down from heaven.”
I don’t believe I am out of line to think that the phrase, “who lives in heaven” is legitimate. It appeared in some manuscripts for a reason. Jesus lived simultaneously in heaven and on earth at the same time. Those who have entered through the narrow gate of Jesus Christ into the Kingdom now live in both realms as well. Up until that time, Jesus revealed that no one had ever gone into heaven and returned. How things have changed since then!
The Apostle Paul records a trip into Paradise:
“… I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.
Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!”
Paul is humbly referring to himself in the third person here. He talks of visiting Paradise and hearing inexpressible words. Was he in his body or out of it? He didn’t know.
To keep Paul humble, the Lord allowed a messenger of Satan to torment him! Paul goes on to say he pleaded with the Lord three times to remove it. Christ’s response was, “My grace is sufficient for you.”
Scriptures on “Spirit Travel”
“But Elisha asked him, “Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you?””
Elisha was “there in spirit” keeping an eye on Gehazi his servant. The truth is, If the consciousness of God is everywhere, and we are One with him as Jesus declares in John 14:20, then it stands to reason that we are everywhere as well. Our conscious Divine observation point can literally be moved to anywhere God is. I remember once texting a friend: “Why don’t you pick up a visiting application for me while you’re there.” Little did I know that he was at that very moment at the jail getting a visitor application form.
Here is an account of Ezekiel spirit traveling:
“It came about in the sixth year, on the fifth day of the sixth month, as I was sitting in my house with the elders of Judah sitting before me, that the hand of the Lord God fell on me there. Then I looked, and behold, a likeness as the appearance of a man; from His loins and downward there was the appearance of fire, and from His loins and upward the appearance of brightness, like the appearance of glowing metal. He stretched out the form of a hand and caught me by a lock of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the idol of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy, was located. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there.”
Ezekiel is lifted up into the sky by the Spirit and transported to Jerusalem in a vision from God and was taken to the north gate of the inner courtyard of the Temple. He is taken on a journey of about 500 miles as the crow flies from Babylon to Jerusalem. In the phrase “visions from God” indicates to me that he is in a spiritual form but taken to to a very real physical place, the temple. I see this as spirit travel. What do you think?
He is shown the idolatry that is persisting in Jerusalem and thus the cause for the coming judgement.
I wonder if any of us would be up for such a vision. To be shown the sin of America and all the detestable things that America has done and the cause for its coming judgement. What if you or I were to be called upon to deliver the kinds of messages the prophets did? Visions are certainly not just fun and games. It is truly sobering that we live among such sin and in an evil culture all around us.
Aren’t you the least bit curious to know what God might speak or show to you? Would you be willing to experience what Ezekiel did? He was called upon to do some downright uncomfortable things as a prophet, like lay on one side for over a year without moving having the same meal every day cooked over dung (the Lord had first told him human dung but Ezekiel talked him into using cow dung). If you want to know why, then read Ezekiel!
“After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne. 3 And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.
5 Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; 6 and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.”
So here John is in the Spirit in heaven itself witnessing One sitting on the throne in glory. Wow! Interestingly the Shema Yisrael says, “Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is One”. Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” and then Jesus himself invites us into this “oneness” with God!
“In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was taken, on that same day the hand of the Lord was upon me and He brought me there. 2 In the visions of God He brought me into the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, and on it to the south there was a structure like a city. 3 So He brought me there; and behold, there was a man whose appearance was like the appearance of bronze, with a line of flax and a measuring rod in his hand; and he was standing in the gateway. 4 The man said to me, “Son of man, see with your eyes, hear with your ears, and give attention to all that I am going to show you; for you have been brought here in order to show it to you. Declare to the house of Israel all that you see.”
The above Scriptures are just some of the examples of a book (the Bible) that is entirely crammed full of supernatural experiences of God! Dreams and visions and miracles abound! I suppose I like to geek out over what visions exactly are. A vision is happening in the spirit realm and might just involve a trip outside of your physical body (Out of Body Experience). I ask myself what would that be like, to be taken out of your body like Ezekiel was by the Spirit and flown 500 miles to Jerusalem? How was Philip teleported? What was that like?
It would be next to impossible to tell my own walk with God without including how dreams and visions have been such a big part of my journey. It saddens me that there are those in the church who, out of their own fear, will judge, reject, and marginalize those who experience dreams and visions from God – a direct result of experiencing the Spirit of God.
Have you experienced a vision or a dream from God? I am here to tell you it’s alright to ask God for them. Don’t let anyone steal your crown, bully or intimidate you from experiencing God for yourself. Keep yourself immersed in the Word of God and keep seeking him!
“Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6
I have taken down this post and put it back up a few times already. Why? Because first of all, I suppose I don’t trust people (not you obviously) to read part 1 like I requested. Even a pastor friend of mine did that once to Nathan Wheelers testimony and got all kinds of crazy and mistaken ideas by picking a story up in the middle.
The other reason I have taken it down is that I don’t want to undermine or seem to contradict what I had said previously in Part 1.
Yet another reason is that the more you tend to open up and be vulnerable, the more people judge and reject you. Why do I even have a blog? This is insanity!
Unfortunately, (or fortunately – depending how you look at it), no one cares what I have to say anyway. I had like a total of six views on my NDE part 1 post and no comments anyway. Why do I even bother? The afterlife is obviously something no one is interested in.
Throwing caution to the wind here is part 2:
It must be said that while in my previous post on the subject at hand I have a lot of warnings and kind of give a bleak outlook about most NDE’s, I don’t really believe the tone of how I related those warnings. I suppose what I mean to say is that I try to believe the best about whosoever’s stories I am hearing. I keep an open mind. I give everyone the benefit of the doubt. In my mind everyone is truly “innocent until proven guilty”. I assume the best about every last person and their story until they say something that clearly and directly contradicts the Word of God.
However, it must be said also that a contradiction may just be with my or your own interpretation of the Word of God. And I suppose it also must be said that we can perceive contradictions from our pre-conceived interpretations of the Word of God. Case in point: the video I linked to from David Platt in my last post on the subject. He based an ill founded conclusion based on his interpretation of Scripture.
In my search for truth as a child of God, I believe my Papa is watching out for me. I depend on his protection and correction. He is faithful to provide both. This means we are free as his kids to be open hearted, trusting (as long as your trust is in the right place), and curious! This is what being childlike in your faith is all about and is absolutely required, according to Jesus, to even enter the kingdom of God.
Exploring the afterlife/spirit world will open your mind to a whole new world. I now entertain a host of ideas that I previously would have never dreamed of. It’s scandalous to even mention them because most of them vandalize our preconceived notions of reality. My thought now is that if the Bible doesn’t absolutely rule something out then I put it in the “could be” category. That is a happier way to live in my opinion because, as I told my daughter just tonight:
“With God all things are possible.”
A few of the “possibles” that come to mind which are documented time and again throughout Scripture are: spirit travel (Out of body experiences), teleportation (I just read about one to my daughter in Acts chapter 8), time travel, healing, knowing things you couldn’t possibly have naturally known, and all manner of other miracles. I have experienced some in this list myself and I’m sure many of you have as well.
The First NDE (Once you start you can’t stop)
It all started in the beginning of 2014. The year started out with a rapture dream, I shared in my post about it that I thought they had made a mistake by taking me.
A couple days later I watched one of my first NDE stories of Howard Storm. I found it so compelling and similar to my own story of Jesus saving me. He even thought exactly what I did, that Jesus was making a mistake by taking him. Jesus responded, “We don’t make mistakes”.
He was an “athiest” art teacher in Paris and had a stomach rupture. In incredible pain he was told he’d have to wait till the next day before the surgeon would arrive. He died that night and was led away by what he called kindred spirits – disembodied people who were just like him. They were taking him to hell and at a certain point they turned on him and mercilessly abused him. Eventually he cried out to Jesus to save him and Jesus came and rescued him.
He said that Jesus first appeared as a tiny pin prick of light in the sky that grew and grew as he approached. Jesus finally came to him and scooped him up in his arms. All the filth and horrible wounds of his condition fell like dust off of him and he was whisked out of there at great speed.
He was then given an audience with Jesus and the angels for a life review and to ask questions. He was shown and taught many things… none of which I see that clearly contradicts the revealed Word of God.
After his experience he came back, of course as a believer in Jesus and went on to dedicate his life to following and serving Jesus. He is now a pastor in Ohio.
His story is one that I talked most about with others and would recommend to anyone. There are elements of things that the angels and Jesus showed him that were difficult for him to accept. If that is the case for him, how much more you or I?
I was so emotionally moved by his story that a couple days after I watched it I shared the whole story with my wife as I just sobbed while driving down the freeway.
The absolute most important thing that I gleaned from his story was when Jesus told him his great plan to change the world:
“Love the person you are with in the moment.”
Research Howard Storm on Youtube if you are interested in his story.
THE LIFE REVIEW
One thing common to most NDE’s is the life review. You and God go over how you did in your life.
Over all, it didn’t go well for Howard Storm. BUT, Jesus did highlight a few times he showed genuine selfless love and Jesus was so proud. I loved that!
How will it go for you?
This is something worth thinking about for each and every one of us.
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The Dangers of NDE’s
The Dangers? Well, you could die. But really, is dying all that dangerous? Well… it could be.
I find some NDE’s sometimes downright disturbing. One account of someone’s experience of hell had me shaken and I needed to pray to recover enough to go to work. I don’t like to talk about hell. I don’t like to think about hell. But I know it is real. I know it’s real because Jesus said it is real. He shared this story recorded in Lukes Gospel:
Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.
22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.
24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’
25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’
27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’
29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’
30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’
31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’” (Luke 16 NLT)
When I woke up this morning this was the first Scripture I read. Nice way to start the day don’t you think?
I get depressed if I think about hell too much. In an effort to cheer me up I reach for the “Christian drug of choice” to comfort my distressed soul… coffee. Which I then proceed to have too much of and ruin my day even further.
I was pondering Lazarus this morning. He was so afflicted. I imagined him to be the poorest of bums who is driven mad by harassing demons, respected by no one, mentally ill, diseased in both mind and body, and helpless hopeless mess in the worlds eyes. It reminded me that this is the sort of people the Lord chooses. Consider this:
Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29 NLT)
He then gives those he chooses (the ragamuffins) many trials to work the kind of character that he can trust in the work that he will have us doing in eternity in all the realms and worlds and dimensions and places we will be experiencing beyond this life… for those who trust in Jesus.
“Heaven is not a place for good people, but for forgiven people.”
Have you heard that before? It would make a nice bumper sticker but I was thinking about the fact that being forgiven the way God forgives (if you have actually experienced it) actually makes you good… so, heaven actually is a place for good people.
This morning I came across a video by Bob Olson of Afterlife TV where he mostly interviews people on the subject of the afterlife and offers his conclusions. I was interested in what he would say in his video what happens to those who commit suicide. He said it would be a hard lesson for those who did commit suicide and they would have to live with the legacy of pain they caused but they would be warmly embraced by loving souls who would care for them. I’ve heard from other accounts that suicides will be like ghosts and can’t leave the people they have hurt, experiencing every pain their decision has brought, always expressing how sorry to people who can’t hear them… until when exactly?
Bob Olson goes as far as to say there is no hell. He hasn’t found any evidence for it. I left this comment on his YouTube video:
I am confused. You say you have been researching this for how long and have encountered no evidence of hell? I have been researching for a few weeks and have encountered many many stories of people experiencing such a place. Jesus talked about it a great deal. I am beginning to wonder if you ever mention Jesus or do you simply pretend he doesn’t exist? What do you consider “evidence”? First hand accounts seemingly aren’t enough to warrant belief in hell, but NDE accounts of something pleasant are considered convincing “evidence”?
In my research of NDE’s I came accross a story of a lady who died and experienced a place that appeared “paradise-like” only the colors were all muted and shadowy. Her father approached her and told her it wasn’t her time and told her that nothing she did in this life mattered once you are on the other side so don’t worry.
Really?
The fact of the matter there is little difference in my mind between many of what NDEers experience and dreams. And dreams are no good for basing truth on. If you remember from my first blog on this topic, I stressed that quite a bit. What is your source of Truth? Scripture has this to say on the topic:
…7just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. 8Yet in the same way these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties. 9But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”… (Jude 1:7-9 NASB)
So they defile the flesh “also by dreaming”?
This reminds of of the kind of defiling things people choose to do when they are lucid dreaming. It’s not all innocent just flying around but engaging in all kinds of sexual encounters with anyone you can imagine. So, you can use your dreams to sin?
My NLT translation puts it “claiming authority from their dreams” which is kind of different idea altogether from the very literal NASB don’t you think? I’m beginning to question the validity and soundness of some of our English translations. I tend to think they just have to say things differently than the literal Greek translation because it has already been said that way by another translation. They aren’t able to render it acurately due to copyright laws. But this is getting off topic isn’t it?
I was actually trying to prove a point using the NLT rendering but that is proving difficult now that I have seen how other and more accurate translations render it… never mind I guess.
Dreams are figments of your imagination. You can manifest worlds and situations and I suppose it would be true that you cannot claim authority from your dreams… don’t you think?
Anyway, how do I even wrap up these ramblings? What can I leave you with that will inspire you and transform your life for the better? By the way, if you ever come across something like that, send it my way!
I guess I’ll just say that if you want to avoid hell, and who doesn’t? Then pursue Jesus. He is the gatekeeper and is our Salvation. Please pray for me to pursue and experience more of him myself. Life is a depressing hopeless mess without the hope that is Jesus.
I recently asked Nathan Wheeler, a believer in the Lord Jesus and a Near Death Experiencer, what he thought the dangers or concerns of Near Death Experience (NDE) testimonies were.
Daniel Lovett 