Dr Richard Kent is a retired medical doctor. He has researched over 300 cases of Near Death Experiences, and this chapter contains the cumulative results of many years researching the subject. Although Richard has never had a Near Death Experience himself, the experiences of other people, combined with research in the Bible, have dramatically altered Richard's life.
DEATH
At the point of death patients describe their spirits leaving their bodies. It is not painful to die, but seems perfectly natural. In fact it is so natural that some patients do not even realise what has happened, and are surprised to find themselves in a spirit body, often looking at their physical body, which is, of course, now dead.
Sometimes people do not realise that they are dead until they see their own dead body! Surprisingly, not everyone recognises their own body, because none of us have actually seen ourselves as others see us. Sometimes people identify their own bodies by clothing or jewellery. Often it is a shock for people to realise that they are now dead.
A NEW SPIRIT BODY AT DEATH
As people become used to their new spirit body, they discover some new things about themselves. They look down and realise that their hands are glowing with a white "envelope". As they look down they realise that their whole body is clothed in the white luminescence, and that their new body is transparent, and seems to have lost its "firmness". They realise very quickly that they cannot actually touch anything, and that if they try to touch a physical body, their hands pass straight through it. Patients accurately report details of car accidents, operating theatres, emergency rooms, and hospital staff. Patients even report conversations whilst their heart has stopped and they are being resuscitated. Some patients have accurately reported details of drugs administered, the time on clocks, details about hospital staff who appeared on the scene only after they had a cardiac arrest, and even details of the roof of hospitals.
The spirit body is not the same as the resurrected body, which believers are still waiting to inherit.
HEIGHTENED MENTAL AWARENESS
Patients also record an awareness of changes in their mental faculties. Many patients have recorded an expansion of their mental faculties, so that they actually feel more alive than they did before. They feel that they can think much faster, and process information very much faster. Their sense of sight and hearing is vastly increased, as also is their ability to travel.
TRAVEL THROUGH A "TUNNEL OF LIGHT"
Many patients find themselves travelling very fast through a tunnel of light. As described in CHAPTER 41 these tunnels may be Einstein-Rosen Bridges, also known as "wormholes", which are probably communications between different areas of Space Time.
INSTANT COMMUNICATION
Patients also report a new ability to communicate without using speech, although they are perfectly free to use speech. In the spirit world, patients report a dramatically increased awareness of the thoughts of angels, and Jesus Christ in particular.
As patients come closer to Jesus Christ, or angels, they are almost invariably aware of their thoughts, which in the spirit world appear to be identical to speech. It is as though in the spirit world the normal process of speech is unnecessary, although patients report that they can speak if they want to, and have often heard others speak. These thoughts are, however, identical to speech, and make speech unnecessary. As patients come into the presence of Jesus Christ they are aware of these thoughts, similar to speech, and can both hear and see words.
Frequently patients are aware that angels or Jesus Christ are talking to them, even though neither the angels nor Jesus Christ appear to be speaking. They are simultaneously aware that their own thoughts are immediately clearly understood by both angels and by Jesus Christ. Equally, their replies to questions are thoughts, which are instantly "heard" by Jesus Christ, or angels. Communication is instant, and whole conversations can be undertaken in a fraction of a second, although time does not seem to apply in eternity.
INSTANT TRAVEL
Many patients have reported travelling at enormous speeds, either on this Earth, or to either Heaven or Hell. Many patients report instantaneously travelling hundreds of miles. Many have reported that they can travel to any destination simply by thinking about it. As they are travelling , they do not miss the details of the countryside and towns they travel through on Earth, or details of Heaven or Hell. Everything is recorded in great detail, and they also record greatly increased memory. VISITS FROM DEAD OR UNCONSCIOUS PATIENTS BY RELATIVES OR FRIENDS
Many patients have recorded the visits of relatives and friends to their dead bodies, or to their unconscious bodies before they actually died. It seems that unconscious patients can hear very well what friends and relatives are talking about! Perhaps people should be aware of this if they ever visit apparently unconscious relatives or friends in hospital.
HEIGHTENED AWARENESS OF MOTIVES
If NDE patients are accompanied by angels, they report an increased awareness of the real motives behind events, such as the visits of friends and relatives. Patients report the early elements of a new knowledge, which they cannot really explain, of people's true motives. Not only do patients report this heightened perception about motives, but this heightened perception of motives seems to be a constant feature in the spirit world. For example, motives are constantly present during discussions in the spirit world with angels, or Jesus Christ. Patients often recall things said over their unconscious or dead bodies by friends or relatives with extraordinary detail, even though the patients were unconscious or dead at the time. Patients are not clear whether this heightened awareness of motives comes from their own minds, or from the minds of accompanying angels, which seems more likely.
AWARENESS OF HUMAN BEINGS
Whilst on this Earth they are aware that normal human beings cannot see them. However, they can see and hear normal human beings perfectly well. As before, they report the beginnings of an increased awareness of motives and inner thoughts of other people, which patients have difficulty explaining. In most cases patients report an awareness of other spirit beings around them. Patients frequently describe both angels and demons, which are discussed under a separate heading.
On rare occasions, as in the case of Dr George Ritchie, patients have been taken on a tour of Planet Earth either by an angel, or by Jesus Christ. Their comments are most extraordinary. Patients begin to see life on Planet Earth in a completely new light. They report seeing thousands of people going about their daily business, completely unaware of the activities in the spirit world around them. They do however report that some people are very aware of the spirit world, and that these people are attended by personal angels constantly.
ANGELS
As patients become accustomed to their new spirit bodies, with their luminescent glow, they become aware of other beings from the spirit world. Many patients have reported meeting their own personal angels. It is written in Psalm 91 that believers have personal angels, "For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone" (Psalm 91:11,12).
Very often patients feel that they know these angels, which is true, since these angels have often been protecting them for many years, since they became believers. Sometimes patients record more than one angel, and on occasions many angels. The angels are described as tall and very handsome, with very youthful masculine features. The angels are usually at least six feet tall, but often up to nine feet tall. The angels have much firmer physical bodies than the patients own transparent spirit bodies, and are clothed in white robes. The angels radiate light, and the light from their bodies appears to shine through their white clothing. Some angels have two large white wings, radiating light, and others do not. The angels leave a lasting impression of love, strength, gentleness, complete integrity, and total devotion to God.
Angels are very interested in the lives of human beings, and also give their total attention when asked questions. All questions are answered politely and gently, although frequently the answers are extremely hurtful to the patients. The answers often cause feelings of guilt and embarrassment. The angels seem to be highly intelligent, and give the impression of knowing a great deal more than they actually discuss with patients. They often escort patients to Heaven, either individually, or in groups.
HEAVEN
Dr Richard Kent comments in the movie THE FINAL FRONTIER viewable on this web site, that you can always tell if someone has really been to Heaven. All that they want to do is to get back there, and take as many people with them as possible! Paul himself said, in 1 Corinthians 2:9, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
Heaven is the most glorious place imaginable, and most patients simply cannot describe it. Their testimonies of Heaven are remarkably similar to each others, and also remarkably similar to the Bible's description of Heaven, which helps to confirm their authenticity.
Heaven is vast, and outside space time completely. The capital city of Heaven, the New Jerusalem, is approached often with angels, passing through the Tunnel of Light. Alternatively, individuals find themselves directly within Heaven, and never see the New Jerusalem from outside.
THE NEW JERUSALEM
Those who approach the New Jerusalem from outside describe a massive three dimensional city of light, emanating bright golden beams of light which light up everything around it as far as the eye can see. Patients have a definite feeling that the New Jerusalem is outside our present Universe.
The Bible describes the present Paradise as the Third Heaven (see 2 Corinthians 12 vv 2-4). The First Heaven is where the clouds are, and the birds fly. The Second Heaven is space, where the Sun, the stars, and the planets are. The Third Heaven is outside space time completely, and is where God lives now, although He will come to live on Planet Earth in the future (see Revelation 21).
Patients describe the New Jerusalem as a huge city of light. Unlike cities on Earth, the New Jerusalem is as tall as it is wide. The Bible in Revelation 21:15-17 states that the dimensions of the city are 1,500 miles high, broad and wide, and that the walls are 216 feet across (from figures converted to feet in The Living Bible).
Patients describe the walls of the New Jerusalem, with 12 layers, exactly as described in Revelation 21 vv 18-20. They describe the high walls made of horizontal layers of brilliantly glowing precious stones, which radiate rainbow colours, rather like a prism. The effect on the onlooker is remarkable, since nobody has ever seen anything like this before.
A most interesting experiment was done by D. H. A. Woodward in his book "Gems from the City". His work is described in detail in THE BIBLE IS SUPERNATURAL on this web site. Mr Woodward performed a scientific study of the 28 precious and semiprecious stones known on Planet Earth. The 12 stones mentioned in Revelation 21:18-20 are the following: Jasper, Sapphire, Chalcedony, Emerald, Sardonyx, Sardius Chrysolite, Beryl, Topaz, Chrysoprase, Jacinth, and Amethyst.
Mr Woodward examined particles of all 28 stones found on Planet Earth under a microscope using plane polarised light. He found that the 12 precious stones that are the foundation stones of Heaven have the most unusual property that when they are illuminated with plane polarized light these 12 precious stones, and only these 12 stones, refract the light, giving off rainbow colours, exactly as described by patients following NDE's. Mr Woodward calculated that, on a purely mathematical basis, the chances of John picking the correct 12 gemstones, out of 28 gemstones are 1 in 30 million, proving the supernatural origin of the Bible.
Patients also describe the huge gates of Heaven, which are made of massive pearls, approximately 12 feet high. Pearls are made through the suffering of oysters, and perhaps the pearl gates are a portrayal that we only enter Heaven through the suffering of Jesus Christ. There are twelve gates, three on each of the four sides of the city, and they are permanently open.
A GARDEN PARADISE OF LIGHT AND MUSIC
As individuals enter the New Jerusalem people attempt to describe a Garden Paradise. However, words fail them completely, and people find it genuinely difficult to describe such a beautiful place. The first impressions upon entering Paradise are of entering a Garden Paradise where everything radiates light and music.
Light comes from the trees, the flowers, the grass, and in fact from everything, and also from the bodies of all the believers in Heaven. The appearance of Heaven is of a constantly changing myriad of bright phosphorescent light, of a bright translucent quality such as is never seen on Earth. Everything radiates light, of different intensities, and in different colours.
Patients describe the most beautiful vivid colours in Heaven, including some new colours which have never been seen before. The colours seem to be living colours, rather than the dead colours in a photograph or a picture. The colours have a luminous quality which is difficult for patients to describe. The colours are separate, and yet seem to merge into a whole uniformity of brightness and light. Every blade of grass is outlined in a beautiful phosphorescent green, of such brightness that the observer is astounded.
Patients describe flowers of such dramatic beauty that they are quite incapable of describing them. Each flower is absolutely perfect, and a work of art in its own right. Each flower radiates a light of its own causing a coloured hue all around the individual flower. Each flower is alive, and clearly moving, swaying gently. To observers astonishment each individual flower is a self contained orchestra of light and music. However, this music is music unlike any music that the observer has ever heard. This music spans many octaves simultaneously, and to the amazement of everyone, the music can be seen as well as heard.
A field of flowers, or a flower bed of flowers, provides and amazing encounter. Here is a field of flowers radiating light and music, and in Heaven the music can be clearly seen. There is a delicate hue over the entire field of flowers of living pulsating light and music. Perhaps this description gives new meaning to the Scripture in Isaiah 55:12, "The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands".
The observer is also instantly aware of the most beautiful perfumes arising from different parts of Heaven, mostly from the trees and the flowers. Patients describe a heightened awareness of smell, as well as all other senses. Many patients have said that the different perfumes in different parts of Heaven are their most lasting and beautiful memories of Heaven.
A GOLDEN CITY OF TRANSPARENT GOLD
The Bible states in Revelation 21:18 that "The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass". Patients who have actually seen the New Jerusalem comment that the city is predominantly constructed of a clear transparent gold. Many people have commented on walking on streets of clear transparent gold, which, like everything else in the city, radiates its own golden glow. The buildings are also constructed of gold, and many people have actually been taken to see their own homes in Heaven, often by angels or children.
Some people have commented on their own homes, saying how beautiful they are. Many have commented that their homes refract rainbow colours from the transparent gold and the jasper of which they are constructed. Patients have also commented on the beautiful fragrances from their homes, and the lack of bedrooms. Since there is no night in Heaven, and in their new bodies there is no need for sleep, there are no bedrooms.
One patient described the flowers in his home, and his description is most illuminating. He described the beautiful flowers in his home, which had been picked by children in a nearby meadow. The children had actually escorted this individual to his home in Heaven. The children then placed the live flowers on a live wooden table, where the promptly began to radiate light and music in unison! He explained that in Heaven nothing dies. So, if a flower is picked, it does not cease to live, but simply carries on living in a new location. There are wooden tables in Heaven, but there the similarity ends. On Earth we are familiar with wood constructed from dead trees. However, in Heaven there is no such thing as dead wood. The wood is very much alive, and radiates light and music with the flowers placed on it. He also commented that although you could see the light from the flowers and the table, which merged into a glorious phosphorescent glow, you could also both hear and see the music emanating from both the flowers and the table.
INSTANT TRANSPORT
Many patients comment on instant transport not only within the New Jerusalem, but also throughout the Third Heaven. The Third Heaven is very much larger than the Second Heaven, which we are familiar with, containing the Sun, the stars, the planets, and our planet Earth. Transport appears to be instantaneous, and is simply precipitated by a thought of wishing to travel to a destination, wherever it is. The patients are invariably accompanied by angels, and have travelled to distant mountain ranges instantaneously.
JESUS CHRIST
Very often patients describe an encounter with Jesus Christ. The main impressions are of brilliant bright light, and a sense of overpowering love. NDE patients say that there is no sun in Heaven. All the light comes from Jesus Christ, and He is far brighter than the sun. This is exactly what the Bible Matthew 17:2, "He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light".
NDE patients describe Jesus Christ as being nearly six feet tall, and radiating a brilliant white phosphorescent light, and love which is more powerful than any love previously experienced. Patients record an awareness of a Love that is totally indescribable in intensity. Seasoned soldiers have broken down in tears describing the Love that they felt in the presence of Jesus Christ, and is one of the main reasons why so many patients who have experienced NDE's long to return to Heaven.
The love is so overpowering that NDE patients find it extremely difficult to explain, having never encountered anything remotely similar before. This overpowering sensation of love is almost like a physical sensation, and often appear to come as waves, each wave more powerful than the last.
Brilliant light, brighter than the sun, appears to be radiating from Jesus' face, His arms, and His whole Body. He is usually wearing clothes appropriate to a Jewish rabbi, but the clothes are not easily discerned because the enormous quantity of light passing through His clothing obscures the details of the clothing. This is perhaps how Jesus Christ appeared to His disciples at the Transfiguration.
Many patients have commented that Jesus Christ has a band of gold around His chest, exactly as described in Revelation 1:13. As patients come closes to Him they are almost invariably aware of His thoughts, which, as previously described, are identical to speech. As patients come into the presence of Jesus Christ they are aware of Him speaking to them, although no words are actually spoken. Frequently patients have seen Bible verses actually written in their minds as Jesus Christ speaks to them.
Conversations with Jesus Christ are conducted at the speed of thought. Jesus Christ is instantly aware of patient's thoughts, and usually replies instantly. Communication is instant, and a whole conversation can be completed instantaneously, not only with individuals, such as Jesus Christ, but with large groups of people, such as angels.
As patients approach Jesus Christ they are instantly aware Who they are talking to, partly though this thought process. Patients frequently report words such as, "You are in the presence of the Son of God" appearing in their minds.
AN INSTANTANEOUS LIFE REVIEW
As patients approach Jesus Christ they frequently report seeing every single detail of their entire lives all present in their thought processes, with absolutely no detail missing at all. Patients are often unclear whether this life review proceeded from their own thought processes, or from the thought processes of Jesus Christ, because it all seems to happen so quickly, and so completely. Furthermore, all information is instantly shared by both parties. Many patients have commented that, whatever their lives revealed, there was absolutely no judgement passed at this point. The information was simply there as a background for discussion. Very frequently patients saw themselves judging others whilst here on Earth, and often had the uncomfortable feeling that their own words could be taken as evidence against themselves. This is exactly what Jesus Christ said, in Matthew 12:37, "By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Some patients positioned themselves closer to Jesus Christ than others, and noted that He still has the marks of Crucifixion in His wrists and His feet. It is interesting that patients should specifically comment on Jesus Christ's wrists rather than His hands, because the wrist is the correct site used by the Romans for Crucifixion, as indicated in the teaching THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS CHRIST on this web site.
One patient, Dr Richard Eby, was actually hugged by Jesus Christ. Dr Eby commented in his book that Jesus Christ's Resurrection Body is quite different to our Earthly bodies, being much more firm, and lacking the softness of normal human flesh.
RECOGNITION OF RELATIVES AND BIBLICAL CHARACTERS
NDE patients frequently record meeting previously dead relatives in Heaven, who were believers whilst on Earth. The recognition was more of a spirit recognition than a physical recognition, because the dead relatives usually looked very much younger in Heaven than they did on Earth. Everyone in Heaven is in their absolute prime of health and physical condition. Patients frequently report that dead parents now look thirty or forty years younger than they did last time they saw them, and in absolute prime physical condition. Patients have also reported meeting Biblical characters such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, amongst others. One of the remarkable things reported is instant knowledge of who each character was. This is actually entirely Biblical.
The Transfiguration is described in Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2. On this occasion, when Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John, two Old Testament prophets, Moses and Elijah, appeared alongside Jesus Christ, very much alive.
Peter, James and John immediately knew who Moses and Elijah were, although no introductions were made. In the same way, NDE patients knew exactly who everybody was in Heaven, and furthermore, everyone knew exactly who the NDE patients were.
The Transfiguration is discussed in detail on this web site in THE SHROUD OF TURIN PROVES THE RESURRECTION
THE THRONE OF GOD
Many patients have commented that the New Jerusalem is as high as it is wide and deep, and that the Throne of God is in the uppermost part of the City. Some patients gave actually seen the Throne of God, and remember the very bright white light, and the rainbow over the Throne, and the sea of glass in front of the Throne. However, they have been so awe struck by the spectacle that they have been unable to describe it in detail.
The Throne of God is described in Revelation 4:2-6, "Instantly I was in spirit there in Heaven and saw-oh, the glory of it!-a throne and someone sitting on it! Great bursts of light flashed forth from him as from a glittering diamond or from a shining ruby, and a rainbow glowing like an emerald encircled his throne. Twenty-four smaller thrones surrounded his, with twenty-four Elders sitting on them; all were clothed in white, with golden crowns upon their heads. Lightning and thunder issued from the throne, and there were voices in the thunder. Directly in front of his throne were seven lighted lamps representing the seven-fold Spirit of God. Spread out before it was a shiny crystal sea." TLB
THE RIVER OF LIFE
Many patients have seen the River of Life which is described in the Books of Genesis and Revelation. The River of Life flows from the Throne of God down throughout the City, with the Trees of Life planted on both river banks.
THE BOOK OF LIFE
Many patients have actually seen their names written in a very large book, the Book of Life. According to Revelation 21:27 only those whose names are recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life may enter the City.
NO CHURCHES IN HEAVEN
One of the very great surprises is that there are no churches in Heaven. There is a great deal of singing throughout Heaven, and spontaneous outbreaks of praise, but no actual churches. It seems that the divide between "sacred and secular" is completely absent in Heaven, and every person and every angel incorporates their full knowledge of God, and obeying His laws, into every aspect of life in Heaven. As on Earth in some Christian families, it is as normal to talk about the things of God as anything else, and He, or reference to Him, are included in all conversations.
ONE FAMILY IN HEAVEN
The second most memorable thing for virtually everyone who has genuinely visited Heaven is a feeling of belonging. On Earth we are used to having a family, with whom we have a different, closer, relationship than everyone else. Evidently in Heaven, according to NDE patients, there is only one family, the family of Jesus Christ Everyone belongs to one family, and there is an intense personal bond between everyone in Heaven. This is also entirely scriptural, as demonstrated in Ephesians 3:14, "the great family of God, some of them already in Heaven and some down here on Earth", TLB
JOY IN HEAVEN
The single most memorable feature of most NDE patients who have actually visited Heaven is the unspeakable joy of Heaven. Heaven appears to be the most happy and joyful place imaginable. There are millions of children in Heaven, and their laughter is heard everyone. Everybody loves the children, and the children are felt to belong to the whole family of God. However, this special affection for children is no greater than the affection felt for every single person in Heaven, and every single person feels very much part of the happiest family in the Universe, which they are.
On Earth Christians can often feel isolated in a secular world that often rejects them. However, in Heaven all believers instantly find a welcoming family who totally understand and love them, and who know their name without being introduced. NDE patients have reported a feeling of instant belonging, and this is perhaps the most memorable aspect of Heaven. Heaven is home for believers, and every NDE patient who has genuinely seen Heaven longs to return.
DEMONS
Although demons are very rarely discussed in churches, they are very commonly observed by NDE patients. Of course, demons are frequently referred to in the Bible, and Jesus Christ spent much of His ministry casting them out. They are referred to in the Bible as fallen angels. Demons are described as grotesque in appearance, often quite small, but occasionally large. They do not radiate light as angels do, and appear very dark. There are different types of demons, each type evidently having an interest in its particular rebellious nature. Unlike angels they are not at all human in shape, having hideous features. Demons are not only offensive to look at, but utter very offensive language, using all of the swear words commonly used. Unlike angels, they do not have any sort of intuition, and communication with demons is not straightforward, as with angels. Demons are most unpleasant, and have been described as abusing the spirit bodies of NDE patients both verbally and physically.
Many NDE patients have found that discussing the activities of demons so revolting that they would simply prefer not to. This may be, in part, because such patients are embarrassed to have such knowledge of demons.
Although demons are answerable to Satan, they are much more frightened of angels, and Jesus Christ in particular. One NDE patient described observing demons attempting to enter the bodies of living human beings when the humans, in this case sailors, were drunk.
Demons summon the spirits of the departed to Hell, initially by deception, but eventually by force. They seem to enjoy their taunting activity, and prefer to act in groups rather than individually. They have far less spiritual ability than angels, which is perhaps why they prefer to act in groups rather than individually. The author does not feel comfortable discussing the activities of demons, and would much prefer to discuss the more uplifting activity of angels. The main point made by NDE patients is that demons certainly exist, as also does Hell and Satan.
HELL
Dr Richard Kent found in his discussions with patients who had experienced NDE's that an alarming number reported Hell experiences. This was also noted by Dr Maurice Rawlings who has written the introduction to this book.
In the UK, where Richard lives, most churches do not discuss the existence of Hell at all. However, Hell experiences were very commonly reported. Jesus Christ actually spoke more about Hell than He did about Heaven, and indicated that it was very much a place to be avoided.
In general patients describe Hell as somewhere very dark, hot and oppressive, and somewhere deep down below us. The Bible teaches that the location of Hell is somewhere in the "heart of the Earth". This is discussed in the chapter, "WHAT ARE HEAVEN AND HELL REALLY LIKE?"
NDE patients say that there are thousands of demons there, and also millions of people in torment. This is not a pleasant fact to report, and the author does not want to spend too long on the unpleasant fact of Hell. However, the issue of Hell cannot be avoided, although most churches seem to go out of their way to do so.
Many NDE patients are very reluctant to discuss their own experiences of Hell, perhaps through not wishing to relive a most unpleasant experience, or perhaps because of embarrassment, or perhaps through fear of ridicule.
Dr Maurice Rawlings has researched thousands of NDE cases. He reports that many patients reported Hellish experiences if interviewed immediately after a cardiac arrest, or other life threatening illness or injury. However, he also notes that if he asked the same patients about their experiences only three days later, many of the patients could not remember the experience. He concluded that perhaps the experience was so traumatic that the subconscious part of the human brain had blocked out these memories completely.
NDE patients report that they were escorted, very often against their will, down into the depths of this Earth. Patients report that demons entice them at first using deception, but eventually using verbal and physical abuse, down to a place that is so horrific that they have genuine difficulty describing it.
NDE patients report a sea of fire, and within the flames are clearly visible human spirits, in deep anguish and torment. These human spirits still resemble their physical forms whilst on Earth, but lack some aspects of their human physical bodies. They are spirits, so they are indestructible, unlike human bodies. Unlike spirits on their way to Heaven, these spirits do not have a spirit body that is clothed in light. They appear very dark, by comparison.
These human spirits are not actually consumed by the fires, since they are spirits. They are, however, in great distress, both physically and mentally. They are in full possession of their mental faculties, and apparently have the rest of eternity to regret their life on Earth.
When Jesus taught using a parable, He invariably indicated that he was using a parable. However, the story of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:27-28 was NOT described as a parable. In the event described by Jesus, the rich man says to Abraham, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him (Lazarus) to my father's house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' From this description, we can clearly see that those in Hell have full memory of their life on Earth.
It is also recorded in Revelation 14:11, "The smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image".
It is popular in some church circles to believe in the Annihilation Theory. According to this belief, spirits in Hell are destroyed. However, this is not the truth, as both the Bible and the accounts of NDE patients record.
NDE patients who have seen Hell recoil in horror at what they have seen there. Some people have seen Satan there, and some people have actually had conversations with Satan. Conversations with Satan are reported to be in the mind, as all conversations in the spirit world are. No NDE patient has, to the authors' knowledge, actually described the physical appearance of Satan.
NDE patients have had conversations with demons there, and report that demons habitually swear using the most dreadful language, using all the commonly used swearwords, and other new ones.
NDE patients record that Hell is extremely noisy, with a great deal of screaming. Popular notions of "having a party with your friends in Hell" are ridiculous. There are no parties in Hell, and the overriding features are a place of sorrow, loneliness, fear, despair, regret, and anguish for loved ones left behind. Hell is a tragedy, and a place that was originally intended only for Satan and his demons. A greater tragedy is the large number of humans there for eternity.
UNBELIEVERS ON EARTH END UP IN HELL, WHERE THEY BECOME BELIEVERS TOO LATE
There are no unbelievers in Hell. This is clearly written in Philippians 2:10-11, "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in Heaven, and of those on Earth, and of those under the Earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father". Paul has clearly recorded that even those "under the Earth", (i.e. those in Hell) will one day bow their knees to Jesus Christ, and also confess that "Jesus Christ is Lord". Revelation 21:8-9 teaches that "The cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
In Revelation 21:8-9 the "unbelieving" end up in Hell. The Greek word used here is "apistois" and simply means "a disbelieving person". The true meaning of this word "apistois" can be readily discerned by comparing its use elsewhere in the New Testament. In John 20:27Jesus said to "Doubting Thomas", "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving (Greek word, "apistois") but believing."
It is widely believed that "only really wicked people, like mass murderers, end up in Hell, and that virtually everybody else ends up in Heaven, if such a place actually exists". The author has a wide experience of discussing this very issue with people all over the world, and can assure the reader that this is what most people actually believe!
According to the New Testament nothing could be further from the truth! All that is required to end up in Hell is to be an unbeliever. In other words, the default is Hell.
Jesus warned, very seriously, in Matthew 7:13-14, that, "Heaven can be entered only through the narrow gate! The highway to Hell is broad, and its gate is wide enough for all the multitudes who choose its easy way. But the Gateway to Life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it," TLB.
The truth is that a great many people are "unbelievers" in the New Testament sense of the word. The author would not like to estimate how many fit into this category, but certainly Jesus Christ warned that "multitudes" end up in Hell.
The truth is that a Holy God can, and does, send very many people to Hell. The whole purpose of this book and web site is to warn people everywhere of the existence of Hell, and how to avoid it.
As Dr Maurice Rawlings said, who wrote the introduction of this book, "You are on to a subject that is important to every individual present. Is it safe to die? Do I know where I am going before I get there? That is the question."
PURGATORY
With the greatest respect to Roman Catholics, no NDE patient has, to our knowledge, ever described a place called Purgatory. Purgatory is simply not described in the Bible at all.
ADDITIONAL FREE INFORMATION
For many years after he became a Christian in 1974, Richard was seeking some means of conveying the urgency of the situation to family, friends, and anyone who would listen!
There is very little information freely available about Near Death Experiences, and how to avoid Hell. The secular Western world has largely abandoned Christianity, probably as a direct consequence of teaching on Evolution. For our teaching on Evolution please visit EVOLUTION IS IMPOSSIBLE on this web site. For this reason, there is a considerable amount of free information available on our web site:
TWO FREE BOOKS
Richard has co-authored two books on the subject. These books THE FINAL FRONTIER and BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER are viewable and downloadable entirely free on this web site.
TWO FREE MOVIES
Richard has also participated in two movies on Near Death Experiences, THE FINAL FRONTIER and THE LAZARUS PHENOMENON-THE MOVIE both freely available on this web site.
"As the name "Near Death Experiences" implies, these people have some event in which they are severely physically compromised. Generally there is a severe physical malady which occurs very suddenly, or at the end of a chronic illness. Near Death Experiences are very frequently associated with the cessation of heart function or cessation of breathing function, and very often both.
