There is no distinct line that can be drawn between pleasant and distressing NDE’s. Recall also that the NDE visitor is not being assigned to Heaven, Hell or Purgatory, they are visitors only. “The Handbook of Near Death Experiences” reports that of 1369 subjects, in twelve studies, 23 percent had disturbing NDE’s, this seems to be at the high end, most other studies place this figure at 15% –20%.
The mildest possible NDE is one in which we see our failings and feel remorse; this is typical of the life review. The most distressing includes all the classic Hellish elements.
Professor, now Reverend Howard Storm’s NDE is a classic: www.near-death.com, notable NDE’s, Rev. Howard Storm.
Howard Storm is one of many NDE patients who experienced the distress of visiting Hell and Purgatory, then knowing (in small part) the overwhelming love of Heaven.
NDE’s, the book of Revelation, and other private revelations
NDE’s are most significant in the revelations made to the NDE patient. In Catholicism, these come under the heading of private revelations, and they have been part of the Church for 2000 years. The most common form of private revelation is God revealing his will in the moral conscience of the individual. The record of private revelation (to the saints for example) may help in defining and better understanding the public revelation of the gospel. Private revelation may even become dogma, as in the case of the Marian apparition given to Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes, France, which became the dogma of the immaculate conception. NDE’s are in this same category of private revelation.
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The prophecies contained in the biblical book of Revelation are remarkably confirmed and expanded upon by a number of NDE’s. Most of these NDE patients had never read the book of Revelation, but what they were shown by Jesus or the angels is astoundingly similar.
The book of Revelation makes prophecy of a final worldwide destruction, and a following period of peace on earth, where God himself will come down from Heaven to make union with his people.IIII Evil will either be conquered or separated from our world, and there will be no more death, want or war.
This final period of “Heaven on earth” seems to be a restoration of God’s original plan. The original plan had us making divine union with Christ in this life on earth, (CCC 398).
Humanity would have worked toward perfection while awaiting the Christ, God who would become man. Jesus Christ would have come as planned, but no obstacle of sin would exist and he would make communion with the people via the Eucharist. This was the original plan and the book of Revelation has it being restored. NDE’s confirm this plan of restoration, and also the many chastisements written of in the book of Revelation.74
Modern Marian apparitions at Fatima, Garabandal and Medjugorje speak of warnings.75 The Garabandal and Medjugorje apparitions foretell a worldwide revelation of moral conscious for each person, and a permanent divine sign left on earth.JJJJ
NDE patients George Ritchie and Howard Storm were given knowledge of a coming perfection of our earthly realm.
IIII The massive destruction and disorder must have its effect within creation, and better on the bodies, rather than souls.
JJJJ The Marian apparitions at Garabandal and Medjugorje speak of a world wide spiritual revelation. Each person will see himself compared to his intended divine perfection, and will make efforts to realize it. Once we make such moral and spiritual perfection, we may directly and fully participate in Christ. Will we make the change in time to avert the calamities?
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Both accounts first have earth suffering horribly prior to its perfection. These two prophecies are similar to those spoken of in the book of Revelation. As to the following perfection, God has been calling us to such heights of being since the beginning.
Jesus and the apostles speak of Christ’s return to earth (Rev 21), preceded by extensive calamities on earth.
George Ritchie’s classic NDE dating from 1943 speaks briefly of calamitous weather, earthquakes and volcano eruptions; increasing arrogance among people, and explosions of an incredible magnitude. This destruction is followed by peace and brotherhood.76
Howard Storm’s NDE is more detailed and puts the period of peace and perfection 200 years in the future, (from
1985).77 His angelic guide speaks of chastisement, and the following period of peace when all persons will attain a perfection comparable to the saints, to the point where
“miracles” are just a part of daily life when deeply sharing in God.
The daily miracles spoken of by Howard Storm are in line with a person’s “participation in the divine nature” of God, (2Pet 1:4), which will be the norm, when Christ returns to earth to live with his children.
An account from the IANDS website, “…another male figure appeared in front of me. In his arms and on his shoulders sat dozens of small babies or cherubs. He pointed at me, and they all seemed very interested to see me. I remember wondering who he was and who the children were. Eventually, he pulled the blind down and they all disappeared.”
“After the man and cherubs disappeared behind the blind I found myself floating outside of the window in my bedroom. What I saw before me was a world that was completely destroyed as if from a nuclear bomb. Everything was 113
burnt and lay in rubble. Suddenly, a large crucifix raised from the rubble with Jesus on the cross. The crucifix and Jesus stood miles high.”
“After a moment the crucifix sunk into the ground. Soon thereafter, the world began to replenish and grow. Trees began to bloom and everything turned green before my eyes. Even monkeys appeared and swung from the trees. ” 78
From the book of Revelation itself, “Then I saw a new Heaven and a new earth, for the first Heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.””, (Rev 21:1-4). This is effectively the end of the bible, and the end of creation, and the start of eternity for all creation.