6 Minute Read
Prepare Your Heart
To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.
Read God’s Word
A Verse for Today
Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.
Luke 16:31 (CSB): “But he told him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.’”
Reflecting on God’s Word
More than a few books and movies have been written and produced in the last 15 years that describe what it’s like (supposedly) in Heaven. People have supposedly died, traveled to Heaven, and then been allowed to come back to Earth to tell us about it. (Notice my use of the word “supposedly.”)
Here are a few books and movies that come to mind:
- “Heaven is for Real” by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent (Book & Movie)
- “90 Minutes in Heaven” by Don Piper and Cecil Murphey (Book & Movie)
- “The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven” by Kevin & Alex Malarkey (Book)
The last book on the above list was written by a couple with a last name that fits this genre of books and movies. They’re all a bunch of malarkey.
There are more than a few Christians who would take issue with what I’ve just said. I’ve heard more than a few tell me that these books are a gift to Christianity. They supposedly muster the interest of unbelievers, we are told. Others tell us that they are great evangelistic tools.
I don’t question the experience of those who claim to have died and come back. I’m just questioning their interpretation of what they experienced. And I have every right to do so. “Why?” you may ask. My answer: the Bible says so!
As we look at the back-and-forth of the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, Jesus was putting words in Abraham’s and the rich man’s mouths. As the parable was coming to an end, the rich man in hell asked if Abraham would send someone back from the dead (a.k.a. someone with an out-of-body experience).
Luke 16:27-28 (CSB): “‘Father,’ he said, ‘then I beg you to send him to my father’s house – because I have five brothers – to warn them, so that they won’t also come to this place of torment.’”
The rich man in hell agreed with many Christians when he suggested that someone have an out-of-body experience to return to earth and warn his brothers. He believed having someone return from the dead would be a great evangelistic tool.
Now, let’s look to see if Abraham agreed with his logic. In other words, does Abraham believe it would be an incredible evangelistic event to have someone come back from the dead to warn others about Hell? Or did Abraham believe in a higher authority?
Luke 16:29 (CSB): “But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’”
Moses and the Old Testament prophets had been dead for a very long time. So, what was Abraham referring to? Simply put, the Scriptures. The Old Testament scriptures were written by Moses and by other men who were given the prophetic gift to speak/write as the Holy Spirit gave them the words.
“Moses and the prophets” = the Bible!
So, we realize that Abraham does not see the benefit of someone going to heaven, coming back, and then telling people about heaven and hell. Instead, Abraham is convinced of the authority and power of the Holy Scriptures.
Now, let’s ask the question: do people in hell believe in the authority and power of the scripture, particularly to save a lost soul? 
Luke 16:30 (CSB): “ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said. ‘But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’”
Clearly, people in hell do not value the Bible. Out-of-body experiences, yes. But the word of God, no.
So, as the man in hell continued to plead for someone to go back from the dead to warn his brothers about hell, what did Abraham think about it? What are Abraham’s final comments as this parable comes to an end?
Luke 16:31 (CSB): “But he told him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.’ ”
Simply put, people in heaven are convinced that if someone isn’t responsive to the Scriptures, then someone who claims to have come back from the other side of death to warn them will definitely do them no good. If anyone finds themselves disagreeing with this logic and arguing for the value of books and movies like “Heaven is for Real,” then they have taken the side of someone who is in hell and who doesn’t value God’s Word.
People in heaven believe in the authority and power of the Scripture. People in hell do not see the value of God’s Word.
So when the next book or movie comes out that claims that someone has been to heaven or hell and has come back to tell us about it (and make a boatload of money with a book/movie deal), don’t give them a second thought. See them as Abraham would have seen them. That genre has more to do with the mindset of people in hell than those in heaven.
Again, I’m not saying that out-of-body experiences don’t happen. I just don’t believe we can interpret them with any degree of certainty. It appears that Paul may have had an out-of-body experience that he spoke about in 1 Corinthians 12:1-4. But he waited 14 years to talk about it, humbly spoke of himself in the third person, and made it abundantly clear that he wasn’t exactly sure what he experienced.
So, out-of-body experiences may occur. But we cannot be sure what they are and they must not be seen as a source of truth or an aid to evangelism. The Bible does not see that kind of value in them.
Spend Time in Prayer
- Ask God to help you see the Bible as authoritative and sufficient in your life.
- Ask God to help you think and behave like the Bible is your ultimate source of truth.
Going Deeper
If you want to dig a little deeper into what the Bible says about out-of-body experiences, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:
What does the Bible say about an out of body experience / astral projection?
Sharing
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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com)
Matt’s Musings 