I have become fascinated with the accounts of “Near-Death Experiences,” when a person dies and returns to life, having witnessed something resembling a route to Heaven, or Paradise itself. I have been reading a curated summary of findings over the last few decades in Imagine Heaven by John Burke, mentioned in earlier blog posts. I say curated, because he claims (and it appears so) to discuss only those accounts that have greater credibility, i.e., from doctors or others that would not have a reason to make these up. There are many common threads and many differences as well. There are children’s accounts that can only be truthful. There are atheists’ accounts that completely cure their unbelief, conversions that change them forever.
The interest has led me to a website, International Association for Near Death Studies (IANDS) and their YouTube channel that collects these stories. In browsing through this wealth of information, I soon appreciated the curated version of John Burke, for their are millions. While I don’t think some are exaggerating or even lying (for whatever reason), some simply seem more about the life of the person telling it (video queens and kings, etc.) than the experience in Heaven or traveling there.
At the end of the day, and perhaps as I near the end of my life (no, I’m not sick, just 76), I have become greatly reassured that I will be taken in hand immediately, literally holding the hand of Our Lord or guided by his angels, so that there is no fear of losing one’s way or falling or disappearing… there is no fear at all, only delight and wonderment.
Through it all, and I am continuing the study (plot alert in terms of this blog…), I had a question I wanted answered. I finally found the answer(s). The question was, what about sin in Heaven? If we have free will, and we are told we must be free in order to love God and our fellows, then do we have it in Heaven? And if we do, what keeps us from sinning again? What protects us from other sinners? The problem of freedom and love was a nagging one. I found a good answer on an online site called “GotQuestions.org” a Christian (probably Protestant) compendium of answers by knowledgeable pastors and scholars, with Scriptural backing. The answer was enough for me not to worry about it, making perfect sense. (Hint – it’s all about sanctification here on Earth). Check it out.
I had been thinking about judgment as well. The NDE’ers (as they are called) speak of a “life review” but not so much a judgment. I came to the conclusion that it might be that we judge our own misdeeds as we see the review. We repent. For us to be sorry, of course, will require that we have educated consciences, know right from wrong, know the commandments, and then be humble enough to admit/confess, and say those key words, “I’m sorry.” With every sorry, the slate is cleaned and we become sanctified, able to live in Heaven with others who desire love and peace the worship of God Almighty.
That “life review” reminds me of the early accounts of “seeing my life pass before me”, always a curious description of dying. Why, I often wondered, did the brain and the memory paint such a picture at the end? Now I know. It’s way more than the brain and the memory. It’s God leading us to Heaven. He reaches for our hand. Our Lord Jesus says, “Fear not. Welcome home. Enter into the glory of Paradise.”
For we will be transformed and transfigured, just as Christ was on Mount Tabor with Elijah and Moses in today’s Gospel (Luke 9:28+, BCP 248) with the light and love of God. We will enter that “cloud,” be filled with Christ’s love, and be carried to a better world that awaits us. In the meantime on Earth, we experience a taste of that transfiguration when we worship together, when we sing and praise God. For in time we are transformed, sanctified, made ready for our final journey outside of time.
I did work a bit on my novel this week, The Music of the Mountain. Alas, my characters are still sorting books in the basement of St. Joseph’s Seminary, but fear not, they are getting to know one another and working hard to save the written word and Western Civilization. In the process, I considered my recent heavenly research, and may include a near death experience in the second half. We will call Part 1, Earth, and Part 2, Heaven. But which experience will I recount and make a part of my professor’s life in these pages? That remains to be seen. Probably a bit of many. A collage. Just like my characters, combinations of many friends I have come to know and love.
Fear not! Life is good. God is good. All is grace! Be transformed so you will be transfigured, and we will one day gather by the river that runs by the throne of God. Get thee to church and begin (or resume) your journey now.
Christine Sunderland
Christine Sunderland 