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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Aug 1115 min read

What Do The Near-Death Experiences Not Mean?

The Popularity and Perception of Near-Death Experiences


Near-death experiences (NDEs) have garnered significant attention in modern culture, often being interpreted as evidence of life after death. Individuals who have undergone these experiences frequently report sensations of being separated from their bodies, encountering a bright light, or finding themselves in a place of overwhelming beauty and peace. Such accounts have led many to conclude that these experiences are glimpses of an afterlife, offering a preview of what awaits beyond death. However, while these experiences are compelling and deeply personal, it is essential to evaluate them in light of biblical truth.


The Bible provides the ultimate standard for understanding life, death, and the afterlife. Although the Scriptures do not explicitly address the phenomenon of NDEs, they contain fundamental truths that help us discern what these experiences do not mean. In particular, the Bible teaches that the dead are unconscious, which challenges the common interpretation of NDEs as glimpses of heaven, hell, or some other postmortem existence.



The State of the Dead: Biblical Teaching


The Bible is unequivocal in its teaching about the state of the dead. Ecclesiastes 9:5 states, "For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten." This verse makes it clear that the dead are not conscious of anything. They do not continue to exist in some other plane of reality, nor do they have any awareness or experiences after death. This teaching is consistent throughout Scripture and stands in stark contrast to the notion of an immortal soul that persists beyond physical death.


The idea that the dead are unconscious is further reinforced in Psalm 146:4, which says, "When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing." The cessation of consciousness at death is a fundamental aspect of the biblical view of humanity. Unlike the popular belief in an immortal soul, the Bible teaches that death is the end of all conscious thought and activity.


Ezekiel 18:4 also dispels the notion of an immortal soul by declaring, "The soul who sins shall die." The Hebrew word for "soul" (nephesh) in this context refers to the whole person, not an immaterial part that survives death. This teaching directly contradicts the widespread belief, rooted in various religious and philosophical traditions, that the soul is immortal and continues to live on after the body dies.


Discover what the Bible and historical texts reveal about death, the soul, and immortality. Uncover surprising insights.



The Account of Lazarus: A Biblical Perspective on Death


One of the most significant biblical accounts that sheds light on the state of the dead is the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11:38-44. Lazarus had been dead for four days before Jesus arrived at his tomb. Jesus called Lazarus back to life, and he emerged from the tomb alive. This event provides a clear biblical perspective on death and the afterlife—or the lack thereof.


If Lazarus had been experiencing some form of conscious existence in an afterlife during those four days, it would have been expected that he would speak of his experiences after being resurrected. However, the Bible records no such account. Lazarus did not describe any visions of heaven, hell, or any other realm. Instead, his silence on the matter aligns with the biblical teaching that the dead are unconscious. Jesus' description of Lazarus' condition as "sleep" further supports this view. In John 11:11-14, Jesus said, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up." The disciples misunderstood Jesus' statement, thinking He meant natural sleep, so He clarified, "Lazarus is dead."


Jesus' choice of the metaphor "sleep" to describe death is significant. Sleep is a state of unconsciousness, a temporary cessation of activity, from which one can be awakened. This metaphor aligns with the biblical understanding that death is a state of unconsciousness, awaiting the resurrection at the end of the age.



The Near-Death Experience: Evidence of Immortality or a Misinterpretation?


The belief in the immortality of the soul is not a new concept; it has been a pervasive idea throughout human history. Philosophers such as Plato, who declared, "The soul of man is immortal and imperishable," and cultural figures like Shakespeare and Goethe have expressed confidence in the soul's eternal existence. Even in more recent times, individuals like Thomas Edison have echoed this sentiment, believing that our personality survives in the next life.


However, while the belief in an immortal soul is widespread, it is not a biblical teaching. The Bible does not support the idea that the soul is inherently immortal. Instead, it teaches that immortality is a gift granted by God to those who are in Christ, to be realized at the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:53-54).


Near-death experiences are often cited as evidence of the soul's immortality. Those who have undergone NDEs frequently report a decreased fear of death and an increased belief in an afterlife. For instance, Dr. Michael Sabom, a physician and professor of medicine, found that many individuals who had an NDE reported a stronger belief in an afterlife after their experience. Similarly, psychiatrist Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, after studying over a thousand cases of NDEs, concluded that death is "the end before another beginning" and that the physical body is merely a "cocoon" from which the immortal soul is released.


Dr. Kenneth Ring, a professor of psychology and author of Life at Death, also views NDEs as evidence of continued conscious existence after physical death. He regards these experiences as "revelatory" and akin to mystical or religious experiences. This perspective has led some to interpret NDEs as confirmation of the soul's immortality and the existence of an afterlife.


However, while these interpretations are popular and appealing, they are not consistent with biblical teaching. The Bible clearly teaches that the dead are unconscious and that there is no continued conscious existence after death. Therefore, NDEs cannot be glimpses of an afterlife or evidence of an immortal soul.


Discover what the Bible and historical texts reveal about death, the soul, and immortality. Uncover surprising insights.


A Different Interpretation: Psychological and Physiological Explanations


Given the biblical teaching on the state of the dead, how should we understand near-death experiences? One possible explanation is that NDEs are psychological and physiological phenomena that occur in the brain during extreme stress or trauma.


Psychologist Ronald Siegel suggests that NDEs are similar to other altered states of consciousness, such as those induced by drugs like LSD, sensory deprivation, or extreme stress. According to Siegel, these experiences are produced by the brain's response to these conditions, resulting in vivid images and sensations that are interpreted as glimpses of the afterlife. Siegel argues that the similarity of NDEs across different cultures and individuals can be attributed to the fact that all human brains are wired similarly to process information.


Dr. Richard Blacher of Tufts University School of Medicine offers a similar explanation, suggesting that NDEs are the result of a hypoxic state (oxygen deficiency) in the brain. During such a state, the brain may generate vivid and comforting images as a way of coping with the anxiety and fear associated with the medical procedures and the proximity to death. Blacher emphasizes that these experiences are "the fantasy of death, not with death itself." He cautions against interpreting these psychological phenomena as scientific evidence of an afterlife.


One of the key characteristics of NDEs that supports the psychological interpretation is the fact that the "visions" experienced during these episodes often reflect the individual's background, culture, and personal experiences. For example, a man from Texas described his NDE as involving a barbed-wire fence separating a barren landscape from a lush, green pasture. This image clearly reflects the man's life experiences and environment rather than providing a genuine glimpse of an afterlife.


Similarly, the identification of the "being of light" seen during NDEs varies according to the individual's religious background. Dr. Raymond Moody, in his book Life After Life, notes that Christians often identify the light as Christ, while Jews may identify it as an angel. This variability suggests that these experiences are influenced by the individual's beliefs and expectations rather than being objective encounters with the divine.



The Role of Demonic Deception


While psychological and physiological explanations can account for many aspects of NDEs, it is also important to consider the possibility of demonic deception. The Bible teaches that Satan is a master deceiver, who can masquerade as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). His primary goal is to lead people away from the truth of God's Word and to perpetuate lies that distort the biblical understanding of life, death, and the afterlife.


Dr. Moody briefly acknowledges the possibility of demonic involvement in NDEs but dismisses it on the grounds that those who have had NDEs typically report positive, uplifting experiences rather than feelings of fear or evil. However, this reasoning overlooks the fact that Satan's deception often comes in the guise of light and righteousness. By presenting a false sense of peace and comfort, Satan can subtly reinforce the lie that the soul is immortal and that death is merely a transition to another form of conscious existence.


This deception is rooted in the original lie that Satan told to Eve in the Garden of Eden: "You shall not surely die" (Genesis 3:4). This lie has been perpetuated throughout history, manifesting in various forms, including the belief in an immortal soul and the misinterpretation of NDEs as evidence of life after death. By convincing people that they do not truly die but continue to exist in some other form, Satan undermines the biblical teaching on the finality of death and the need for resurrection.


Paul warns believers in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 that the "god of this world" has blinded the minds of unbelievers, preventing them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. This blinding influence can take many forms, including the misinterpretation of NDEs. The positive and seemingly spiritual nature of these experiences can make them particularly persuasive, leading people to place their faith in an unbiblical concept of the afterlife.



The Biblical Understanding of the Soul and Immortality


Given the prevalence of the belief in an immortal soul, it is crucial to examine what the Bible actually says about the soul and immortality. The concept of the soul in the Bible is very different from the philosophical idea of an immortal, indestructible essence that lives on after the body dies.


In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for "soul" is nephesh, which is used to refer to the whole person, including their physical and emotional life. Nephesh is used in contexts that describe living beings, both human and animal, as living souls. For example, Genesis 2:7 states, "Then Jehovah God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being [nephesh]." The soul is not something separate from the body; rather, it is the person as a whole, a living being.


The New Testament also reflects this understanding. The Greek word for soul, psyche, is similarly used to refer to the whole person. For example, in Matthew 16:25-26, Jesus says, "For whoever would save his life [psyche] will lose it, but whoever loses his life [psyche] for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul [psyche]? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul [psyche]?" In this passage, the soul is synonymous with life itself, not a separate, immortal entity.



The Bible does teach about immortality, but it is important to note that immortality is not inherent in the human soul. Instead, immortality is a gift that God bestows on believers through Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:53-54, Paul writes, "For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'" Immortality is something that believers will receive at the resurrection, not something they possess by nature.


Furthermore, 1 Timothy 6:15-16 declares that God "alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see." This passage clearly indicates that immortality is an attribute of God alone. Human beings do not possess immortality in and of themselves; it is a gift granted by God through the resurrection.



The Hope of Resurrection: The Biblical Solution to Death


The biblical solution to the problem of death is not the survival of an immortal soul but the hope of resurrection. The resurrection is the central hope of the Christian faith, rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is described as the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep"[1] (1 Corinthians 15:20). The resurrection is the promise that those who have died in Christ will be raised to new life at His return.


[1] Asleep in death: In the Scriptures, we find the expressions “sleep” (κοιμάω koimaō) and “fall asleep” (κοιμάω koimaō), with both referring to physical sleep and the sleep of death. (Matthew 28:13; Acts 7:60) When the context refers to death, Bible translators can use a footnote to express to “fall asleep in death.” The same is true in the Hebrew (פֶּן־אִישַׁ֥ן הַמָּֽוֶת׃ pen-isān) “sleep in death” (Psa. 13:3). “David slept (שָׁכַב shakab) with his forefathers.” (1 Ki 2:10) Jesus said to the disciples, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep (κεκοίμηται kekoimētai), but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep (κεκοίμηται kekoimētai), he will get well.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death (θάνατος thanatos), but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. (ὕπνος hupnos). Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died (ἀποθνῄσκω apothnēskō) …” (John 11:11–13) Some have argued that the dynamic equivalent thought-for-thought translations, for example, (Then David died and was buried, NLT) are conveying the idea more clearly and immediately, but is this really the case? Retaining the literal rendering, the metaphorical use of the word sleep is best because of the similarities between physical sleep and the sleep of death. Without the literal rendering, this would be lost on the reader. Retaining the literal rendering, “slept,” and adding the phrase “in death” in a footnote completes the sense in the English text. Sense: to be asleep in death; the figurative extension of the physical sleep in the sense of being at rest and at peace; the person in the sleep of death exists in God’s memory as they sleep in death; it is only temporary for those who are physically asleep, so it will be true of those who are asleep in death. The idea that death is like a deep sleep that one awakens from at some future point is made by multiple authors and Jesus Christ when talking about Lazarus.—1 Kings 2:10; Psa. 13:3; Matt 28:13; John 11:11; Acts 7:60; 1 Cor 7:39; 1 Thess. 4:13; 2 Pet 3:4.


This hope of resurrection is a consistent theme throughout the New Testament. In John 5:28-29, Jesus speaks of a future resurrection: "Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment." The resurrection is not a continuation of the soul's existence in another realm but a restoration of life in a new, glorified body.


Paul elaborates on the nature of the resurrection body in 1 Corinthians 15:42-44: "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised up in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body." The resurrection body is imperishable, glorified, powerful, and spiritual—transformed from the natural, mortal body into a body suited for eternal life.


The resurrection is also the ultimate defeat of death. In 1 Corinthians 15:26, Paul declares, "The last enemy that will be abolished is death." Through the resurrection of Jesus, death has been conquered, and the final victory over death will be realized when believers are raised to eternal life. This victory over death is the hope that sustains Christians in the face of mortality, providing assurance that death is not the end but a temporary state awaiting the resurrection.



The Role of Scripture in Understanding Life and Death


Given the prevalence of near-death experiences and the various interpretations surrounding them, it is essential for Christians to turn to Scripture as the ultimate authority on matters of life, death, and the afterlife. The Bible provides clear and consistent teaching on these topics, offering a firm foundation for understanding what near-death experiences do not mean.


Scripture emphasizes that the dead are unconscious, that the soul is not inherently immortal, and that the hope of the believer lies in the resurrection. These teachings stand in contrast to the popular interpretations of near-death experiences as glimpses of the afterlife or evidence of the soul's immortality.


As Christians, it is crucial to approach near-death experiences with discernment, evaluating them in light of biblical truth. While these experiences may be deeply meaningful to those who have had them, they should not be taken as authoritative revelations about the afterlife. Instead, believers should ground their understanding of life, death, and eternity in the clear teachings of God's Word.


The Bible also warns against seeking knowledge of the afterlife through means that are not rooted in Scripture. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 warns against practices such as divination, sorcery, and communication with the dead, stating, "There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to Jehovah." Seeking knowledge of the afterlife through near-death experiences or other unbiblical means can lead to deception and error.


Instead, Christians are called to trust in the promises of God as revealed in Scripture. The Bible provides the true and reliable answer to the questions of life, death, and what lies beyond. Through its pages, believers can find the hope of resurrection, the assurance of eternal life in Christ, and the confidence that God alone holds the keys to life and death (Revelation 1:18).



The Danger of Deception and the Call to Discernment


In light of the biblical teachings on life and death, it is essential to recognize the danger of deception when it comes to interpreting near-death experiences. Satan is described in the Bible as "a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44), and he uses deception as a primary tool to lead people away from the truth of God's Word.


One of the ways Satan deceives is by perpetuating the lie of an immortal soul, a belief that has been embraced by many throughout history and is often reinforced by near-death experiences. By convincing people that they continue to exist consciously after death, Satan undermines the biblical teaching on the finality of death and the necessity of the resurrection.

In 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12, Paul warns of the coming of the lawless one, who will use "all power and signs and false wonders, and with every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing." This deception will be so powerful that it will lead many away from the truth. Near-death experiences, when interpreted as evidence of an afterlife, can serve as a form of deception that leads people to place their trust in a lie rather than in the promises of God.


Christians are called to discernment, to "test the spirits to see whether they are from God" (1 John 4:1). This discernment involves evaluating all experiences, teachings, and beliefs against the standard of Scripture. Near-death experiences, while compelling, must be weighed against the clear teaching of the Bible. When these experiences contradict biblical truth, they must be rejected as deceptive and misleading.


In this age of spiritual confusion and deception, the call to discernment is more important than ever. Believers must be vigilant in guarding their minds and hearts against false teachings and deceptive experiences. By grounding themselves in the truth of God's Word, they can stand firm against the lies of the enemy and hold fast to the hope of the resurrection and eternal life in Christ.



The Final Authority of Scripture


In conclusion, near-death experiences, while fascinating and often deeply moving, do not provide a reliable basis for understanding the afterlife or the nature of the soul. The Bible, as the inspired and authoritative Word of God, must be the final authority on matters of life, death, and eternity.


The Scriptures teach that the dead are unconscious, that the soul is not inherently immortal, and that the hope of the believer lies in the resurrection. These truths stand in stark contrast to the popular interpretations of near-death experiences as glimpses of the afterlife or evidence of the soul's immortality.


As Christians, it is essential to approach near-death experiences with discernment, evaluating them in light of the clear teachings of Scripture. By doing so, believers can avoid the dangers of deception and stand firm in the truth of God's Word. The Bible provides the true and reliable answer to the questions of life, death, and what lies beyond, offering the hope of resurrection and eternal life in Christ.


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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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