Glimpse of Glory: Accounts of Near Death Experience

Is it truth or just a product of man's creative imagination or just a doctrine of a Universal religion. Life beyond death's door remains a great mystery to many for many are still alienated from it's reality.

So far the most credible reference to it is the Holy Bible. In the Book of Luke, chapter 16 verses 19 -31, Jesus narrates a story about the rich man and Lazarus . He relates how the rich man suffer in hell and how Lazarus is being comforted in paradise. With this passage, the Doctrine of Hell was firmly established in Christianity. In this article I present two accounts of near death experiences as encountered by two women who have strong personal relationship with JesusChrist.

The first account is narrated by Ms. Lita Gallardo, a 57-year old educational directress living in Manila.

"It was sometime in November, 2000, I had been experiencing chestpains and body numbness for several days , when suddenly I fell asleep and lost my consciousness. Then I found myself climbing several steps of seemingly never ending stair not knowing where to go. At the end of the stair, I felt I was flying and saw a space of clouds and sky. After I passed through a little darker space, I saw a concrete gate. Then I saw three doors , each door had a guard wearing white robes and royal blue sashes from the shoulder down to the waist. Their faces are unrecognizable. The atmosphere is neither hot nor cold. Upon entrance, a man blocked my way and I saw words at the top printed in fire. The words were read as PUNTO DEO
.

After this, a very tall man in white robe and blue sash stopped me from reading the message. He said 'wait'. He shew me another door and he instructed me to wait in front of thar door. I waited a few seconds, then that door opened. From that door came out a lady wearing a scarlet dress and a black veil covering her head. I caught her attention and she shew me her face. Her eyes were red due to intense weeping. Then I heard a voice saying, 'she has a NEVER ENDING SORROW' . She suddenly disappeared then I looked up back to the message written, SEGUNDO MIRAR. Then I woke up and regained my consciousness. When I woke up, the numbness and the chest pains were gone. I felt I was completely healed. This experience serves as a warning to me to walk in righteousness lest I will also have a NEVER ENDING SORROW just like the woman in scarlet dress. "

The second account is narrated by Miss Alicia Mercader, a 47-year old missionary teacher living in Manila.

"It was sometime in May, 1986, I was riding in a pedicab when a pick up van suddenly hit us. I was thrown out of the pedicab several blocks away and my face was rammed to the wall. I lost my consciousness and was put in a state of coma for three days. Then I found myself flying in a space. I felt myself moving upward higher and higher . Then I saw white clouds. As I drew nearer and nearer to the clouds, I heard angelic voices singing. Then the clouds slowly opened up . As the clouds opened up, I saw a great shining throne. Seated on it is a man dressed in white with unrecognizable brilliant face. He is dressed in an armour of light. I cannot see his face , for his face is shining in great brilliance. I heard the voice saying , 'go back, you have still a mission to do.' Then I regained my consciousness and woke up from a state of coma. After this experience, I was completely healed and renew my commitment to the Lord's work which is being weakened by the difficulties and struggles I am experiencing."

These are just two of the inenumerable accounts of near death experiences revealing that there is really life beyond death. As it is written in 2 Corinthians 4:18 ;

"as we look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal "

Whatever we see here on earth, everything from natural to unnatural are all temporary or fleeting things. The things we do not see, like the heaven, the spirits and the Kingdom of God are all eternal. Yes, there is really heaven and definitely there is life after death. As beloved apostle John wrote in his epistle in I John 5 :13;

"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God. That you may know you have ETERNAL LIFE ."