Proof of Heaven, Heaven is for Real. Some of the book titles on this popular subject give the impression that the evidence is finally in, that Heaven is, sure enough, a real place. Seriously though, we ought to raise some very different questions. What kind of reality do these accounts represent? If they are dreams or visions, in what sense are they true? Do they respect the Biblical parameters on the subject, or do the authors actually claim authority on the subject equal to, or greater than, Biblical revelation?

If these are legitimate, has the Bible been incomplete? If these experiences are actual crossovers to the “other side,” then obviously this gets into the spirit world. Some apparently come back with information about loved ones, the manner in which they died, their appearance, activities, etc.,— things that they could not have known except that it was shown them while out of the body. So we’re not prepared to argue against the “reality” of such experiences. The sobering question is whether these revelations are from God. The Bible teaches that Satan does masquerade as an angel of light. Perhaps, instead of taking assurance and consolation, we ought to consider the possibility that these revelations could be part of the spiritual deception of the times—and be thoroughly alarmed. Idle curiosity and seeking truth outside of Biblical parameters is perilous. It is also the sign of a faithless generation (Matthew 17:17).

Going to Heaven is a big step—from time to eternity. Biblically, the information on Heaven is adequate, but far from exhaustive. On the other hand, the steps to actually reaching one’s eternal abode (whether Heaven or Hell) are addressed in crystal clarity. Everyone is either saved or lost. Everyone has an appointment with death, followed by an inescapable judgment before God, followed by a verdict from God. The options are but two—Come Ye Blessed or Depart Ye Cursed. How is it then that these authors reflect little concern whatsoever for a practical guide to readers on how to get to Heaven? So a little research and consideration should be time well spent. We will first note the tenor of Scripture in relation to Heaven, which should quickly reveal whether the modern stories are correlations of the same.

Jesus, in the story of the rich man in Hell, seeing Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom, clarifies two things. First, that signs and miracles are of no avail with people who reject Scripture. It also teaches that the perimeters of Heaven will be absolutely secure. (There is a great gulf fixed that none can cross. Yet in two separate near-death accounts, both related by preschool boys, Heaven is threatened by terrifying beasts, demonic forces, or both.)

In Acts 9, we have the account of Stephen who, at his martyr death, “looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul speaks of a man in Christ (very probably himself) caught up to the third heaven (the Heaven that is for real), yet if description were possible, it was also “unlawful to utter.” (Have these authors never seen that?) If Paul was not permitted to describe Heaven, then who is?

The most extensive revelation of the glory-world is that of the Apostle John. His tour of Heaven begins in Revelation 4. The first thing he saw was a throne and the One that sat upon it. Around the throne were four and twenty elders. (These are not your next of kin: grandparents, cousins, or playmates, but representatives of the saints.) He also sees four living creatures around the throne. These have no rest 24/7, saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.” When these give glory, honor, and thanks to God, the four and twenty elders fall down and worship Him who lives forever and ever.

This introduction sets the tone of God-centered reverence and awe that permeate the whole of John’s experience, and any other experience in the New Testament. The popular accounts that describe practically anything except the holiness of God—joking angels, wrestling, bear hunting, cow herding, or doing homework, should get no quarter from serious seekers of Heaven. If it sounds like a family reunion, it’s probably not the true Heaven where the saints adore and worship the One who redeemed them.

Most of the information thus far, I have gleaned from reviews. I simply fail to see these books as worth the time to read them. What follows, however, is the exception:

In Proof of Heaven, the offerings change quite dramatically. I bought and studied it after seeing a favorable review. The book is scholarly and “credible.” This is the account of a Virginia neurosurgeon’s experiences while in a deep coma from which there was no medical hope of recovery. The doctor is now convinced that the essence of being human will continue beyond physical death. (One of the few things on which I would agree.) His out-of-the-body experience brings him into a place of indescribable beauty among creatures of unspeakable joy.

He is guided on his tour by a glorious female escort. (She was his deceased sister. Having been adopted, he had never met her but identified her from a photograph after the coma experience.)

Communication was understood without words. (Speech giving way to actualization.) She conveyed to him (page 71), a threefold message:

• You are loved and cherished.
• You have nothing to fear.
• There is nothing you can do wrong.

Also he was contacted by a psychic while in the deep coma (page 87).

This doctor claimed to be in the presence of God via a “divine link.” He didn’t so much “see” God. It was more like being one with Him. This “divine presence is with us at all times ... loving us without conditions.” Apparently people are also interconnected as one, through our “divine link with God” (page 261). (I take this to mean that all people are connected to one another, and together, to God.)

It sounds so good to have everyone going to Heaven. To be told we’re unconditionally loved. That we can do no wrong. That we have nothing to fear. On a personal level, who wouldn’t want to say, “bring it on”?

However, this gets really problematic before you even compare it to the Gospel. This concept does away with evil by denying its existence. But in reality, such a Heaven would be worse than the earth we came from. On earth there are at least token efforts to identify and isolate evil. Who would want to be “one” with Jeffrey Dahmer who ate people or Adolph Hitler who killed millions of Jews? We do and should abhor rape, murder, and the molesting of children. In fact, most of us will still admit that even lying, stealing, and cheating ought not to happen. In that, we confess that we all rightly face an appointment with justice. The problem is that apart from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit through regeneration, no one is in union with God.

Because of the “reality” of the experience, this doctor has highjacked and counterfeited the really glorious truth of the Gospel. Indeed, Heaven has done away with evil—not by denying it or excusing it, but by paying the price of it with the blood of Christ. Heaven is not for those who can do no wrong, but for those who through repentance and faith have been washed, cleansed, and sanctified.

The doctor has presented a false sense of unity with God and with people. It is forgiveness and peace with God that brings unity and fellowship with the saints. “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another . . . and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:7, 3).

The old spiritual declares that “not everyone talkin’ about Heaven is a-goin’ there.” That does coincide with Biblical teaching. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

From: Reaching Out

Language

English

Author

Lester Troyer

Publisher

Reaching Out

Topics

Doctrine

Heaven