By RaeLynn DeAngelis
What are some of the things in life that motivate, inspire, or transform you? Things that don’t just alter what you believe, but change the way you think, act, and live?
Jesus? Absolutely!
Family and friends? You bet.
Experiences? Many times.
Recently I encountered something that has influenced me to such a degree, I find myself pondering it continuously. It’s causing me to not only think differently, but to live differently too.
What is it?
A book. But not just any book. If you are an avid reader like me, you will likely agree that some books have the power to change us. Perhaps you’re thinking, Well, of course, RaeLynn, we know which book you are referring to; it’s the Bible. We know you love God’s Word.
While I absolutely do love God’s Word, and it’s true, the Bible has been, and continues to be, without a doubt, the most influential book I have ever read, I’m actually referring to another book. A book that (dare I say) has been the second most influential book I’ve ever read.
This is a bold statement, but it’s true.
Imagine Heaven, written by John Burke, not only affirms the God of the Bible and includes hundreds of scriptures woven throughout, it is also filled with true stories of real people who have had near-death experiences (NDEs) and visited Heaven. These people (men, women, and children) come from all different walks of life with varying backgrounds, beliefs, cultures, and professions (doctors, bankers, pilots, professors) and yet, they have all experienced something incredibly similar. Many describe in detail what they saw, heard, felt, and experienced during their supernatural encounter. I believe these common descriptions give credibility and authenticity to their accounts.
After researching and interviewing more than 1,000 people with supernatural/near-death experiences, the picture John paints of Heaven is a masterpiece. Absolutely amazing. The love, joy, peace, and incredible beauty of Heaven is said to be nearly impossible to describe using our limited vocabulary. Even still, I find that each reported experience leaves me longing for Heaven all the more. Truthfully, I can’t wait to get there! Even those who have been blind their entire lives give testimony of what they saw and experienced. And amazingly, these testimonies match the others. Each story woven together creates a cohesive tapestry that is undeniable. Based on testimony after testimony, it’s increasingly clear that heaven is not at all boring. We will still learn, work, play, worship, and explore. We will interact with God and others. Death is not the end. It’s merely the doorway to eternal life–life that is said to be more real than anything we experience here on earth. Knowing all of this should bring us tremendous peace. There is no need to fear death when we have put our faith and trust in Jesus.
Some NDEs recount a hellish experience, feeling the full weight of darkness that is void of God. So traumatic is their experience that they cry out to Jesus to save them. The moment they do, Jesus is there in the fullness of God’s light and love to rescue them. It is a reminder that God does not wish that any would perish apart from Him, but that all would come to repentance (2 Peter 2:9).
Some may ask, how do we know these stories are true. Friends, God has given us His Word as a benchmark for truth. These stories line up with scripture beautifully. Many of those having these experiences had no prior Bible knowledge or even a faith background before their encounter. But you can bet they do now! How could they not? Perhaps God allows these divine visits to both save them and encourage us. “They triumphed over [the enemy] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (Revelation 12:11).
God calls us to fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen (1 Corinthians 4:18). I think we can all agree that we are closer to the “end” with each passing day. Let’s be sure that what we build in this life transfers over to the next. This book will prompt you to view life here through the lens of what’s to come, a lens that magnifies what is most important to God—LOVE. Love for God, and love for others. “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself'” (Matthew 22:37-39).
There is so much more that I could express concerning this book, but perhaps it is better to read it for yourself. I have full confidence that much like it did for me, Imagine Heaven will impact the way you think, act, and live.
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me” (Philippians 1:20-26).
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