Imagine Heaven!

Insights From John Burke's Biblically-based Book on Heaven and Life After Death

Contemplating Heaven

What if near-death and afterlife experiences really give us a glimpse of heaven?

After all the family events from last week quieted down, I’ve had a chance to slow down, process, and contemplate heaven.

I’ve now walked 4 parents and 2 grandparents home to heaven—mostly in the last twelve years. Because of this, and in thinking about eternity, I’ve been captivated by near-death experiences (NDE), where people encounter Jesus as a being of light, life, and incredible love, or catch a glimpse of heaven in all of it’s glory.

(Be sure to check out my Spotlight section at the end of this post for another recommendation!)

Imagine Heaven Book

Recently, I’ve been reading John Burke’s book Imagine Heaven*, which I discovered from a Focus on the Family interview.

John Burke is a bestselling Christian author and speaker, and pastor of Gateway Church in Austin, Texas. I’ve found this book-study on near-death experiences, heaven, and the afterlife one of the most comprehensive Christian studies I’ve read to date.

In this book, John shares scripture alongside what NDE’s report, to show us how often the most common experiences align with what the Bible tells us about heaven.

There are so many little dots that this book seems to be connecting for me that I wanted to share a few nuggets with you, dear readers (and I’m only 2/3 of the way through!)

Hope Beyond Death:

• Most of the time, people who’ve claimed to have a glimpse of heaven do NOT want to come back, but report they are sent back or choose to return because God still has a purpose for them here.

• Most NDE’s report that we will feel young and full of energy again!

• Many accounts speak to the amazing magnification of our senses in heaven—superpowered sight, sound, hearing; and also better comprehension and understanding.

• The intimacy in heaven seems to be far beyond anything we can have or imagine here. Communication seems to happen instantaneously and telepathically, as people just seem to “know” one another’s thoughts (within parameters of permission).

• The question of why God still allows both good and evil on the earth is also addressed—because we need to know the difference between good behavior and evil behavior (what life is like without God) to choose God. Also, it is mentioned that humans are teaching the angels about good/evil as we live for and choose Him down here on earth!

• Jesus’ heart is for ALL of his children to be with him. Every last one of us humans.

• And negative NDE give us a glimpse into how literal the biblical concept “gnashing of teeth” in hell may be! (Scary! These experiences often serve as a warning for the person returning to earth.)

Interesting Quotes:

Dr. Mary Neal, a spinal surgeon who drowned in a kayaking accident and came back, wrote her own book called To Heaven and Back*. In Imagine Heaven, she talked about the fact that even though she was underwater, she “never experienced any air hunger or panic; on the contrary. . . I felt great, more alive than I ever have.” (p. 54). The moment she turned to Jesus, she felt calm and held, and remarked that “God’s world is exponentially more colorful and intense” than our current one (p. 55). These are sentiments often repeated by other NDEs, and I found this section comforting after the recent Guadalupe River drownings in Texas.

Reach for the Light!

Dr. Eben Alexander, a neurosurgeon who has written about his own NDE in Proof of Heaven (along with other books), says the central message he received as a NDE was that “You are loved. . . none of us are ever unloved. Each and every one of us is deeply known and cared for by a Creator who cherishes us beyond any ability we have to comprehend.” (p. 148). So important for us to share this with everyone we come into contact!!

There are so many questions and insights addressed in this book that my short introduction here will not do it justice. But if you’ve ever wondered about what heaven might be like, this would be a good biblically-supported book to read.

What other good books about Heaven have you read and recommend?

Spotlight: Julie Bonn Blank

I’m also excited to introduce you to Julie Bonn Blank, a fellow Substack writer and gifted author. Julie pens Heaven, Hope, and Healing, where she recently shared her powerful afterlife experience from last August 24th—an unforgettable encounter with heaven. She is currently finishing up her own book about heaven, which I’m excited to read. And recently, she posted an amazing story about angels that will encourage you as well!

Julie’s also a Christian author. She’s published a fiction trilogy to shine light on the realities of human trafficking through compelling characters and action-packed storytelling. (Book 1—Innocent Lives—will be free on Amazon as an ebook this weekend 8/23, 24, and 25!), Book 2 is Innocent Voices, and Book 3 is Innocent Souls on Amazon*). You can check out her stories on her website and grab Glimpses of Heaven (a freebie on her blog) as well!

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn a (tiny!) commission from qualifying purchases, at no additional expense to you. I only recommend those things I would read or find useful. Thank you for your support!

For Worship:

Well, this will come as no surprise! I Can Only Imagine :) by Mercy Me

Photos above by 1) Aakanksha Panwar and 2) Cristian Palmer on Unsplash