Seeing The Light - Soul Choice Ministries

Why do some people who have had a near death experience see a bright light when leaving their body? Even those who were not Christians? Does that mean all go people will go to heaven?

There are two possibilities for seeing that light. First, Ecclesiastes 12:7 says, “The spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” And Ecclesiastes 3:21 says, “The spirit of man that goes upward.” So we see that man’s spirit goes upward and returns to God who gave it. Now, it could be that the person who was dying was heading that direction and saw the light, because 1 John 1:5 said, “God is light.” But perhaps they never traveled all the way up to that light. Some have stated that they continued further until they reached that light, and then they were ordered by a heavenly being to go in another direction, heading downward in a tunnel of darkness.

The second possibility for some seeing this light might be found in 2 Corinthians 11:14 which says, “For Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” They could be seeing Satan or an angel of light to deceive them into thinking all is well after one dies, no matter what their belief. Since the Bible says in 1 John 1:5 that God is light and the spirit returns to God, it is scriptural for those people to have seen a bright light, but that doesn’t mean they were all going to heaven. I’ve read several books that document many of these near death experiences, and those who were near death were extremely afraid of what lied ahead. These people were not Christians.

I’ve also talked with several of these people who were atheists and agnostics, and they were terrified as they were slipping out of their bodies and heading to hell. They were so thankful to hear what they must do to stay out of that dark and horrid place. I have visited with some of them in the hospital while on their deathbeds. Many others mentioned in my book that heard loud screams, smelled the burning sulfur and foul odors, saw hideous demons, and raging flames.

Dr. Maurice Rawlings is a renowned cardiologist who has investigated thousands of these near death experiences. In his book, To Hell And Back (page 32) he stated, “Most people are definitely afraid of dying, but I have never heard one of them say, ‘Doctor, I’m afraid of the judgment.’ And judgment is the main concern of patients who have been there and returned to tell about it.”

Of course, not everyone will be on their deathbed and have that opportunity to repent. Acts 4:12 states, “There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved, the name of Jesus.” Jesus said in Luke 13:3, “Unless a man repent, you shall all likewise perish.” He is the only way to heaven. I choose to believe His words, what about you?