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Understanding Biblical Context: Visions and Supernatural Encounters

The Bible does not explicitly address modern concepts like near-death experiences (NDEs) or out-of-body experiences (OBEs). However, it does record instances where individuals experienced visions or spiritual encounters. These biblical accounts often serve divine purposes, such as revealing God’s will or communicating prophetic messages, and must not be conflated with contemporary accounts of near-death experiences, which are often rooted in subjective interpretations.

The Vision of John in Revelation

The apostle John recounts a vivid experience in Revelation 4:1-2:
“After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.”

John’s vision was not a near-death experience but a supernatural encounter facilitated by God’s Spirit. It carried specific divine purposes, namely revealing God’s plan for the future and the ultimate victory of His kingdom. The text specifies that John was “in the Spirit,” highlighting that this was not a physical departure from his body but a spiritual revelation.

Ezekiel’s Vision of God’s Glory

Ezekiel’s encounter in Ezekiel 1:1-28 mirrors John’s in its supernatural origin. Ezekiel describes seeing “visions of God” as “the heavens were opened” (Ezek. 1:1). The intricate details of his vision—wheels within wheels, living creatures, and the throne of God—point to divine inspiration rather than human imagination or hallucinatory phenomena. Ezekiel’s experience served as a commissioning moment for his prophetic ministry, underscoring its purpose and divine origin.

Paul’s Experience in the Third Heaven

Paul provides an intriguing example in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4:
“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.”

Paul’s humility prevents him from identifying himself explicitly, but his experience reflects a genuine divine revelation. He is unsure whether it was bodily or spiritual, emphasizing his inability to explain it through natural means. Importantly, this revelation was not about affirming an afterlife but about validating his apostolic authority and strengthening the early church.

Examining Near-Death Experiences

Modern NDE accounts often describe individuals perceiving themselves outside their bodies, encountering light, or meeting deceased loved ones. These experiences are largely anecdotal, subjective, and vary widely across cultures and religious backgrounds.

Scientific Explanations

Medical and neurological studies have offered naturalistic explanations for NDEs and OBEs:

Physiological Stress on the Brain: Extreme conditions such as oxygen deprivation or chemical imbalances during cardiac arrest can trigger hallucinations or vivid dreams.
Neurological Responses: Stimulation of specific brain regions, such as the angular gyrus, has been shown to induce sensations of leaving the body.
Pharmacological Effects: Certain drugs and anesthetics have been known to produce experiences resembling OBEs.

These scientific explanations align with the Bible’s presentation of human nature as being composed of the physical body animated by the breath of life.

The Biblical Perspective on the Soul

What Is the Soul?

The Hebrew word nephesh and the Greek word psuche, both commonly translated as “soul,” refer to the whole person, encompassing the physical and immaterial aspects. Genesis 2:7 provides the foundational understanding:
“Then Jehovah God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living soul.”

Notice that Adam became a soul; he did not receive one as a separate, immaterial entity. Similarly, animals are referred to as souls in Genesis 1:20-24, underscoring that “soul” refers to living, breathing beings.

The Soul as Life

The Bible often uses “soul” synonymously with life itself. For example:

Genesis 35:18: Rachel’s soul departing at death refers to her life ending.
Psalm 146:4: When one’s breath departs, “he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.”

The soul ceases to exist when life ends, contradicting the notion of an immortal soul that lives on independently of the body.

Can the Soul Die?

The Bible clearly states that the soul is mortal and subject to death:

Ezekiel 18:4: “The soul who sins shall die.”
Matthew 10:28: “Fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

These passages affirm that the soul is not inherently immortal but depends on God’s sustaining power.

What Happens at Death?

The Bible consistently portrays death as a state of unconsciousness:

Ecclesiastes 9:5: “The living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing.”
Psalm 6:5: “For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?”

This aligns with the metaphor of sleep frequently used to describe death:

John 11:11-14: Jesus refers to Lazarus’s death as sleep, which he intends to “wake” through resurrection.
1 Thessalonians 4:13: Believers who have “fallen asleep” await Christ’s return.

The Resurrection Hope

Biblical hope lies not in an immortal soul but in the resurrection:

John 5:28-29: “All who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out.”
Acts 24:15: “There will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.”

Resurrection restores life by reuniting the person with a perfected body, made possible through Jesus Christ’s victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).

Refuting Immortality of the Soul

The concept of an immortal soul is foreign to Scripture. Instead, it reflects pagan philosophies that infiltrated early Christian thought, as Paul warned in Colossians 2:8:
“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

Biblical accounts of spiritual experiences—visions, revelations, and divine encounters—are distinct from modern claims of near-death or out-of-body experiences. These accounts serve specific divine purposes and align with Scripture’s teaching that life ceases entirely at death, with hope found only in the resurrection.

Exploring the Nature of Near-Death and Out-of-Body Experiences

Modern interpretations of near-death experiences (NDEs) and out-of-body experiences (OBEs) have led to widespread speculation about their significance in relation to the afterlife. However, any biblical evaluation must be grounded in Scripture, applying the historical-grammatical method of interpretation to discern whether such phenomena align with biblical teaching.

The Historical Roots of the Immortal Soul Doctrine

The Influence of Greek Philosophy

The idea of an immortal soul is deeply rooted in ancient Greek philosophy, particularly in the teachings of Plato. Plato described the soul as a separate, immaterial essence that preexists and survives the body. This notion influenced early Christian thinkers like Augustine, who incorporated Platonic concepts into their theological frameworks.

However, this blending of Greek philosophy with biblical doctrine introduces contradictions. The Bible does not support the Platonic view of an immortal soul but instead teaches that human beings are unified beings—body and soul are inseparably linked. At death, the body returns to the dust, and life ceases until the resurrection.

The Biblical Contrast

The Hebrew Scriptures, written long before Greek philosophy gained prominence, reflect an entirely different understanding. The term nephesh consistently refers to the whole person, whether human or animal. This holistic view is reinforced in the New Testament, where the Greek term psuche is similarly used to denote life or the individual person.

Genesis 2:7: Humanity becomes a living soul when God breathes the breath of life into the body.
Ecclesiastes 12:7: At death, “the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it,” referring to the cessation of life.

Evaluating Common Claims About Near-Death Experiences

Are NDEs Evidence of the Afterlife?

Proponents of NDEs often interpret these phenomena as proof of life after death. Individuals report vivid perceptions of leaving their bodies, encountering divine beings, or journeying toward a bright light. However, these subjective experiences must be tested against the objective truth of Scripture.

The Bible does not portray death as a transition into immediate conscious existence in another realm. Instead, death is likened to sleep, a state of unconsciousness in which the dead await resurrection. The apostle Paul affirms this in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52:
“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”

If death were an immediate passage to heaven or hell, the necessity of resurrection would be undermined.

NDEs and Hallucinations

Scientific research provides compelling evidence that many NDEs are hallucinatory. Physiological factors such as oxygen deprivation, neurological stress, or drug-induced states can create vivid but illusory experiences. The Bible affirms that the human mind, while remarkable, is limited and susceptible to deception.

Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”

This highlights the need for discernment in evaluating subjective claims, particularly when they contradict clear biblical teaching.

The Biblical Account of the Afterlife

Sheol and Hades

The Old Testament term Sheol and its New Testament counterpart Hades both refer to the grave or the realm of the dead. These terms do not describe a place of torment or conscious existence but rather the condition of death itself.

Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”
Acts 2:31: Speaking of Christ, Peter says, “He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.”

Both verses affirm that Sheol and Hades represent the state of death, devoid of activity or consciousness.

Gehenna and the Lake of Fire

The term Gehenna, often mistranslated as “hell,” refers to a place of destruction rather than eternal torment. Jesus used Gehenna to symbolize the complete annihilation of the wicked, as seen in Matthew 10:28:
“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.”

Similarly, the lake of fire in Revelation represents the second death, a final and irreversible destruction of those who reject God. This imagery emphasizes the total eradication of evil, not perpetual suffering.

Revelation 20:14-15: “Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

The Hope of the Resurrection

The Bible consistently points to resurrection as the ultimate hope for humanity. Unlike the concept of an immortal soul that persists after death, resurrection involves a complete restoration of life through God’s power.

John 11:25-26: Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”
Daniel 12:2: “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”

Resurrection assures believers of eternal life in a new creation, free from sin and death (Revelation 21:3-4).

The Role of Visions in God’s Plan

Distinguishing Visions from NDEs

The visions experienced by biblical figures like John, Ezekiel, and Paul served specific divine purposes. These were not subjective or physiological events but supernatural encounters initiated by God.

Acts 10:9-16: Peter’s vision of unclean animals symbolized the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s salvation plan.
Revelation 1:10: John was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” when he received prophetic revelations for the church.

Visions in Scripture are always accompanied by divine instruction or revelation, distinguishing them from the ambiguous and often contradictory accounts of NDEs.

Testing Spiritual Experiences

The Bible warns against accepting spiritual experiences uncritically:

1 John 4:1: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
2 Corinthians 11:14: “Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

Believers must evaluate all claims against the unchanging truth of Scripture.

Modern Misinterpretations and Biblical Clarity

The Dangers of Unbiblical Teachings

The popularization of NDEs and OBEs has led to widespread misconceptions about the afterlife. Books, movies, and personal testimonies often promote ideas that contradict biblical teaching, such as universal salvation or reincarnation. These distortions can lead people away from the truth of the gospel.

Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

Upholding Scriptural Authority

As followers of Christ, believers must remain grounded in Scripture, rejecting speculative or mystical interpretations of death and the afterlife. The Bible provides all the knowledge necessary for faith and salvation.

2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Biblical Truth vs. Subjective Experience

Near-death and out-of-body experiences, while intriguing, cannot serve as reliable sources of truth about the afterlife. The Bible teaches that death is a state of unconsciousness, with resurrection as the ultimate hope for humanity. Any spiritual claims must be tested against Scripture, which alone provides the authoritative revelation of God’s will and purpose.

The Soul, the Spirit, and Biblical Anthropology

Understanding the nature of humanity as presented in Scripture is essential for addressing questions about near-death and out-of-body experiences. The Bible offers a clear, cohesive view of the human condition, the relationship between body and spirit, and the ultimate destiny of humanity. This biblical anthropology stands in stark contrast to the popular notions influenced by mysticism and secular philosophy.

The Soul (Nephesh and Psuche): A Living Being

The Creation of Humanity

In Genesis 2:7, humanity’s creation is described in strikingly simple yet profound terms:
“Then Jehovah God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.”

Here, the Hebrew term nephesh is rendered as “soul,” but its broader meaning encompasses the entire living being. Adam was not given a separate, immaterial “soul”; rather, he became a living soul when God breathed the breath of life into his physical body. This holistic view of humanity is reinforced throughout Scripture, where nephesh and its Greek equivalent, psuche, are used to describe people, animals, and life itself.

Genesis 1:20: “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures [nephesh].”
Matthew 16:25: “For whoever would save his life [psuche] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

These passages highlight that “soul” refers to the individual as a whole, not an immortal component.

The Mortality of the Soul

The Bible explicitly states that the soul is mortal, capable of dying or being destroyed:

Ezekiel 18:4: “The soul who sins shall die.”
Matthew 10:28: “Fear him who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.”

This consistent testimony undermines the notion of an inherently immortal soul and aligns with the biblical teaching that eternal life is a gift from God, not a natural attribute of humanity.

The Spirit (Ruach and Pneuma): The Breath of Life

The Breath That Sustains Life

The Hebrew word ruach and its Greek counterpart pneuma are commonly translated as “spirit.” While these terms can refer to the Holy Spirit or the human spirit, they also denote the breath or animating force that sustains life. For example:

Job 27:3: “As long as my breath [ruach] is in me, and the spirit [neshamah] of God is in my nostrils.”
Ecclesiastes 3:19-20: “For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same. As one dies so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath [ruach].”

These passages emphasize the physical and temporary nature of the spirit as the life force given by God. When a person dies, this breath of life returns to God, signifying the cessation of existence.

Ecclesiastes 12:7: “The dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit [ruach] returns to God who gave it.”

The Spirit in Relation to the Mind

At times, ruach and pneuma refer to the inner disposition or character of a person. For example:

Psalm 51:10: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit [ruach] within me.”
Romans 8:16: “The Spirit [of God] himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

In these contexts, the spirit represents a person’s inner self, reflecting their thoughts, attitudes, and relationship with God.

The Unity of Body and Spirit

Humanity as a Unified Whole

Scripture portrays humans as unified beings, where the body, soul, and spirit are integrally connected. This holistic view counters the dualistic philosophy that separates the body and soul into distinct, independent entities. The Bible affirms that physical death results in the cessation of the whole person until the resurrection.

Psalm 104:29-30: “When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.”

Here, the life force (ruach) is inseparable from the body, emphasizing that life ceases entirely without God’s sustaining breath.

The Resurrection: Restoration of Life

The hope of resurrection is foundational to biblical anthropology. Far from suggesting an immortal soul that persists after death, Scripture teaches that life is restored through resurrection at the appointed time.

1 Corinthians 15:42-44: “So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 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.”

Paul’s description of the “spiritual body” underscores the transformation that occurs in resurrection, not the continuation of an immaterial soul.

The Fallacy of Eternal Consciousness in Death

Misinterpretations of Key Texts

Some passages are often misinterpreted to support the idea of eternal consciousness after death. A closer examination of these texts reveals their true meaning within the biblical framework.

Luke 16:19-31: The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
This parable is frequently cited to argue for conscious torment after death. However, it is a symbolic story that uses vivid imagery to convey moral and spiritual lessons. The context reveals that Jesus was addressing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, not providing a literal description of the afterlife.
Philippians 1:23: “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.”
Paul’s statement reflects his deep longing for the resurrection and union with Christ, not an immediate transition to heaven upon death. The broader context of his writings confirms that Paul expected to be raised at Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

The Silence of Death

The Bible repeatedly affirms that the dead are unconscious, awaiting the resurrection:

Ecclesiastes 9:5-6: “The dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished.”
Psalm 115:17: “The dead do not praise Jehovah, nor do any who go down into silence.”

These passages emphasize the complete cessation of activity and consciousness in death.

The Resurrection: The Ultimate Hope

The Centrality of the Resurrection

The resurrection is the culmination of God’s redemptive plan, restoring life to the faithful. Jesus’ resurrection serves as both the foundation and guarantee of this hope:

1 Corinthians 15:20-22: “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”

The Final Judgment

The resurrection leads to the final judgment, where all are held accountable before God:

John 5:28-29: “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.”

This judgment underscores the ultimate destiny of humanity, determined by faith and obedience to God.

Concluding Thoughts

Near-death and out-of-body experiences, while fascinating, cannot serve as reliable indicators of the afterlife. The Bible presents a clear and consistent message: death is a state of unconsciousness, and the hope of eternal life lies in the resurrection through Jesus Christ. Any interpretation of NDEs or OBEs must be tested against this unchanging truth, ensuring that believers remain firmly rooted in God’s Word.

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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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