They Died and Came Back To Tell About it!

1. They Died and Came Back To Tell About it! What’s a Lutheran to Think?

4. What do we do with these things? There is this old Lutheran saying: 1 John 4:1: 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. [ESV] TEXT PLEASE?!

5. We only know FOR SURE… By what the Bible says… 1 Corinthians 4:6: 6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. [ESV]

6. 1 Peter 4:7–11: 7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. [ESV]

7. Yes, what does the Bible say about this topic? • How about the Old Testament? • Who died and came back to life? • Widow’s son (1 Kings 17:17-24) • Samuel? (1 Samuel 28)

8. Yes, what does the Bible say about this topic? • What about the New Testament? • Who came back from the dead? • Jairus’ 12 Year old daughter • Widow’s son of Nain • Lazarus • Young man (Eutychus) while St. Paul was preaching (Acts 20:7-12)

9. BIG QUESTION: NO!!!!! DID ANYONE TALK ABOUT IT? NOT ONCE!

10. Let’s take a look at each tale…

12. Caught up into Paradise… “One moment with a flesh restricted mind, the next with a heaven-released mind whose speed of function was that of light” [Pg. 202-02]

13. Caught up into Paradise… • Describes music as coming from no where, and yet Scripture tells us the angels, and all the company of heaven sings… • Described as uniform perfect! That sin caused diversity! [pg 204-05]. • No organs and he compares his body to be “like Jesus” – and says no need for food—yet Jesus ate after He rose [pg 205]. • He says God “thought” [pg. 205] things into existence, but the Bible say He SPOKE….

14. So if… • He was there…and this was true… • Why then… Doesn’t it quite line up with the Bible?

16. 90 Minutes in Heaven… • The description of the music in heaven… “As I stood before the gate, I didn’t think of it, but later I realized that I didn’t hear such songs as ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ Or ‘The Nail-Scarred Hands.’ None of the hymns that filled the air were about Jesus’ sacrifice or death. I heard no sad songs and instinctively knew that there are no sad songs in heaven. Why would there be? All were praises about Christ’s reign as King of Kings and our joyful worship for all he has done for us and how wonderful he is.” [Page 31].

17. What is wrong here? Isn’t Jesus’ suffering and death a glorious and wonderful thing He has done for us? Is St. John wrong in what he saw?

19. Revelation 5: 1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain… 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” 11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. [ESV]

20. There is more… • Jesus is referred to as the “Crucified one” – the one who IS crucified! • That Revelation text uses the same way of speaking – “The one who IS slain” • Jesus still had His marks– hands, feet and side.

22. Heaven is for Real… • Everyone has wings in heaven? • Not even all the angels are described as having wings…[pg. 72] • And the M.D. from “Caught up” – knowing anatomy very well—in fact he states that God have him time to look at himself [pg. 203], does not describe wings at all!

23. What else? • A mother asks if her still-born was in heaven? [pg. 146] • Because God loves children (and not so much adults…I guess…)…He brings them to heaven automatically? • It takes a vision to get people to believe in heaven? [pg. 149-50] • “If you don’t go to heaven you don’t get a new body”? [pg. 136]

24. We have just looked at 3 tales… • Anyone know of others? • What has been your impression? • Why or why not?

25. Over all?This is what you get… • As with all “dreams” many things are “symbolic” – “odd” and distorted… • Everyone who has one of these “visions” fits with the denomination of the one who died. • Why would they be different and lack consistency?

26. What do we think or say? • First, we have to be careful…on what people claim… Matthew 24:11–14: And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. [ESV] Matthew 24:23–28: Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. [ESV]

27. And… 1 Corinthians 2:9: But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— [ESV] 2 Corinthians 5:7: for we walk by faith, not by sight. [ESV]

28. The big problem really is… Luke 16:19–31: 19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores…22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ” [ESV]

30. There were visions, sure…BUT… • They were not after being severely injured. • They were instructed to tell what they saw...OR • NOT AT ALL! • Some of what St. Paul saw he was not to tell… What was the purpose of what they (in the Bible) saw?

31. John 5:39:You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, [ESV] Here is the point:

32. John 20:30–31: Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. [ESV] 1 John 5:13: I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. [ESV]

33. So why then? Why do people see these things? 2 Peter 2:1–3: 1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. [ESV] 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. [ESV]

35. This is why too… Matthew 12:39–40: But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. [ESV]

36. This is the sign of Jonah…

37. This too is the sign of Jonah…

38. What should these visions be speaking of? • Jesus, of course… • …but which one… • …how is He described? • The Gospel, of course… • …but which one • …and how is this described?

39. Luke 24:47:…and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. [ESV] 1 Corinthians 9:16: …woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! [ESV]

40. Galatians 1:6–10: I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. [ESV]

41. What is the Pure Gospel? Ephesians 2:5–10: …even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. [ESV]

42. This though…is not what these visions teach us! • It is not the Word of God alone that brings faith… It is… • Experience, choice, decision, election, combination…works • …and the Sacraments have so little, if no part at all…. They say:

43. Again… • Signs and Wonders do not bring faith… Hear Jesus: Luke 16:19–31: He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ” [ESV]

44. But we are called blessed who: • Believe even though we have not seen • Hold to the Word of God and not the word of men (or their experiences) • Have all we need for this life to get us into the next—this in Word and Sacrament

46. So that… We can be REALLY HUMAN again… like Jesus is… And live with Him on EARTH – the new one…

48. 1 Corinthians 2:9:But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— [ESV]

49. And How do we know? Why are we so sure?