Judy L
Father's Experience
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Experience description:
I
was about 10 or 11 years old, and the year was about 1958 or 1959. My mom, dad,
and I had come home from church that Sunday morning. We had had our Sunday
dinner, and my dad and I were relaxing in the living room reading the paper. All
of a sudden my dad rolled off the easy chair he was sitting on and onto the
floor between the chair and the end table which was next to the chair. The chair
did not have an "arm" on that side. He was still and silent for what seemed
several minutes. I was surprised that this had happened, and I was wondering why
Dad didn't get up. A few more minutes passed, and I got up to see if my Dad was
all right. I was pretty scared at this point, and I thought about calling out to
Mom to come see what was wrong with Dad. Then just as quickly as Dad had fallen
to the floor, he all of a sudden got up from the floor. Dad told me he had been
in heaven, outside a garden wall talking to Jesus. He said that Jesus told him
that He was sending him back and to tell everyone about Him and that He was
coming very soon. From that point on my dad obeyed what Jesus told him to do and
became a layperson evangelist. Many people accepted the Lord Jesus as their
personal Savior and Lord because of what Dad told them about Jesus.
Many of our family members were uncomfortable with this change in Dad; they
thought him weird, overzealous. Some of our relatives shunned Dad, and two of
them said he was no longer welcome in their home. This was discouraging to my
parents, but it didn't slow Dad's willingness to obey the Lord.
I
know the Lord was pleased with the work Dad did. He died 37 years later. My mom,
my husband and I, and a former pastor of theirs came to the hospital the night
before Dad died. He had been suffering with a cardiac condition for about 21
years and had had at least two heart attacks during that time. But God was
merciful and extended Dad's life each of those times. As far as I know, Dad
never had another near-death experience. The last thing I remember Dad saying
was, "The Lord is coming soon and is already at the door!" He died the next
morning while he was singing songs of praise to the Lord. He was a very precious
man.
I share this story because I've just finished John W. Price's book, Revealing
Heaven: The Christian Case for Near-Death Experiences. The book reminded me of
Dad's trip to heaven and of Jesus' commission to Dad, "Tell everyone about Me. I
am coming very soon!" I wanted to share this story with Rev. Price.
At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event?
No
Was
the experience difficult to express in words?
No
At
what time during the experience were you at your highest level of
consciousness and alertness?
I was conscious during the whole episode, but my dad was not.
How
did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience
compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness?
More
consciousness and alertness than normal My dad said that it was the most real
experience he had ever had.
Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that
you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.
Dad's vision was heightened.
Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that
you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.
Dad
was able to hear everything clearly.
Did you see or hear any earthly events that were occurring during a time that
your consciousness / awareness was apart from your physical / earthly body?
Uncertain I don't know. Dad did not tell me every detail.
What emotions did you feel during the experience?
I
was scared. Dad seemed to be more alert, excited.
Did
you pass into or through a tunnel?
No
Did
you see an unearthly light?
Yes
Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an
unidentifiable voice?
I encountered a
definite being, or a voice clearly of mystical or unearthly origin
Dad saw Jesus and spoke with Him.
Did
you encounter or become aware of any beings who previously lived on earth who
are described by name in religions (for example: Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha,
etc.)?
No
Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings?
No
Did you become aware of past events in your life during your experience?
No
Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world?
A clearly
mystical or unearthly realm
Dad
was in heaven, outside the garden wall. He was outside the wall because Jesus
was sending Dad back to earth.
Did time seem to speed up or slow down?
Everything seemed to be happening at once; or time stopped or lost all meaning
Did you suddenly seem to understand everything?
No
I don't know what Dad would say about that.
Did
you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?
Yes
The garden wall in heaven.
Did you come to a border or point of no return?
I came to a
barrier that I was not permitted to cross; or was "sent back" against my will
Dad knew he had to return to life on earth to carry out the Lord's command.
Did
scenes from the future come to you?
No
During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness
suggesting that there either is (or is not) continued existence after earthly
life (�life after death�)?
Yes Dad knew where he was without any doubt. He knew he was in heaven. He was
not allowed to enter heaven because it was not his time. Jesus gave him
instructions and returned him back to his life.
During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness
that God or a supreme being either does (or does not) exist?
Yes Dad was right there in heaven speaking to Jesus.
During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness
that you either did (or did not) exist prior to this lifetime?
No
During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness
that a mystical universal connection or unity/oneness either does (or does not)
exist?
No
During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness
regarding earthly life�s meaning or purpose?
No
Dad did not mention that.
During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness
regarding earthly life�s difficulties, challenges, or hardships?
Uncertain Dad did not mention that.
During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness
regarding love?
Yes Although Dad didn't tell me specifically about that, when he returned to
his body he became more understanding and loving than he had been before--and he
was already a loving person.
During your experience, did you encounter any other specific information /
awareness that you have not shared in other questions that is relevant to living
our earthly lives?
No
Dad didn't share any other details with me.
Did
you have a sense of knowing special knowledge or purpose?
Yes Jesus told Dad that He was sending him back to earth to tell everyone
about Him and that He was coming very soon.
What occurred during your experience included:
Content that was entirely consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of
your experience
How
accurately do you remember the experience in comparison to other life events
that occurred around the time of the experience?
I
remember the experience more accurately than other life events that occurred
around the time of the experience Dad remembered his experience when he was
older just like it was yesterday.
Discuss any changes that might have occurred in your life after your
experience:
Dad
became more patient and understanding, compassionate and loving.
My experience directly resulted in:
Large changes in my life
Did you have any changes in your values or beliefs after the experience that
occurred as a result of the experience?
Yes Dad seemed to value people much more than he did before. He understood his
purpose for living more.
Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your
experience that you did not have before the experience?
No
Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful
or significant to you?
Being there face to face with Jesus was the most meaningful to Dad.
Have you ever shared this experience with others?
Uncertain I don't know if Dad shared his experience with anyone other than me,
but I think he must have shared it with Mom because she looked at him
differently after it happened. I don't know if she really believed that it
happened or if he dreamed it. I was right there when it happened, so I knew for
sure it was real. And Dad never lied to anyone.
Did
you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your
experience?
No
What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to
weeks) after it happened:
Experience was definitely real Dad never spoke about it to me again.
What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time:
Experience was definitely real Dad knew it was real. He was there in heaven
talking with Jesus.
Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?
Yes
Dad
was more open after his experience and sought out what people thought about
life.
Have your religious beliefs/spiritual practices changed specifically as a result
of your experience?
Yes
Dad
was closer to Jesus after the experience he had with Him.
At
any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the
experience?
Uncertain Dad didn't share that with me.
Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and
comprehensively describe your experience?
Uncertain Mostly, but you should add a selection for sharing another person's
experience.
Are
there any other questions that we could ask to help you communicate your
experience?
Instead of the word "mystical" couldn't you use another word, perhaps
"spiritual" in its place? "Mystical" conjures up the thoughts of sorcery.