No. “Near Death Experiences,” or “NDE” are commonly understood to be confirmation of life after death, because those who have had these experiences generally express a common feeling of goodness, moving toward a light, seeing the Lord, or some similar experience. These are not evidence to prove life after death, however, due to their very nature. They are “near death,” not “after death,” and they are simply “experiences.” They are completely subjective, what people feel has happened, and have no real objective validity. Although some who have gone through these experiences may have been pronounced dead by some medical criterion [stopped breathing, no heartbeat, etc.], they were not in fact dead in the Biblical sense. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). The daughter of Jairus (Mark 5), the widow’s son (Luke 7), and Lazarus (John 11) were raised from the dead, but no one is raising the dead today.

The main danger of pinning beliefs on NDE is that they provide no objective basis for understanding life after death. Frequently the experiences are embellished with more and more details as they are explained, and while those who have had the NDE often say what they have experienced is “indescribable,” they none the less describe the indescribable. The Bible, on the other hand, provides an objective basis for believing in life after death. The life, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ are described in detail in the Bible by credible witnesses. These witnesses give real evidence that what Jesus promised is true. He said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3). Perhaps the most complete picture of life after death is given in Revelation 21-22, John’s vision of heaven for the redeemed, and eternal condemnation for the wicked.

Paul spoke of a man, perhaps himself, who was “caught up to the third heaven” and “caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2 Corinthians 12:2-3). While this may have actually been a NDE, Paul indicates “it is not lawful for a man to utter” what he saw and heard. Lazarus was not just “near death,” but actually dead for four days (John 11:39). What did Lazarus see on “the other side”? The scriptures are absolutely silent about what he may have seen or heard. Perhaps God did not intend for us to know more.

Many different explanations have been suggested for the frequently positive feelings of those who believe they have had a NDE. A medical condition called “cerebral anoxia,” caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain when near death, could cause a person to have an altered state of consciousness. Medication administered near death, or the natural release of endorphins by the body could also produce hallucinations later interpreted as NDE. Other explanations could also be given which have no relationship to life after death.

One danger of relying on a positive feeling from a NDE is that while heaven is promised to the faithful, the Bible also warns that hell awaits the wicked. Though the righteous need have no fear of death, “the last enemy” (1 Corinthians 15:26), “the Lord Jesus shall be revealed … taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Some may be lulled into a false sense of security, or even contemplate suicide as an easy way out. Unfortunately, not all are prepared for death. Now is the time to prepare!