What happens when the stories do not match up? For example, Jesus looked Jewish; we know this because the Bible says so. Every picture I’ve every seen of him has him as American looking. So how does on recognize Jesus in heaven?
Furthermore, What happens when two people have conflicting stories? Would an 11 year old kid lie? What about adults who go on TV to tell their story? Are they getting paid? Is there incentive for all these stories?
GOD IS HERE FOR US SO WE SHOULD NOT GIVE UP EVEN THOUGH WE CANT SEE HIM HE IS OUR FATHER GOD SAVED Colton Burpo if your enemy of JESUS BUT GOD STILL LOVES YOU SHOULD LOVE YOUR ENEMY
The NDE people could not been in heaven because the Father dwells there in an unapproachable light that sinful man cannot dwell. And no man hath ascended up to heaven,
but he that came down from heaven,
even the Son of man which is in heaven.
John 3:13
Your point seems valid except I would interject that anyone covered by the blood of Jesus would be free of sin. It’s basically the whole reason he does for us.
I know these testimonies aren’t fake because lots of people dedicate there lives to these expierences by writing books or even a whole movie like in coltons case!
You, I think over time my opinion has changed in these NDEs. I believe many people have real encounters with the other side. However, I find Colton’s case suspicious. Mostly the white Jesus thing is hard for me to get over.
I have always shied away from ‘heaven’ stories, but I will say this regarding stories not matching: Perhaps they do not match because they are different perspectives from different people. It stands to reason that Jesus would me more Mediterranean looking than Caucasian, but what frame of reference would an American artist have? This I do not know, but I do know this: we will recognize Jesus in heaven because we know Him, we know His heart and it matters not so much what He looks like physically, but what He looks like spiritually, if that makes sense. Much like we can know when someone we love is walking toward us, even from a mile away. Because we know them, we know their walk, their voice, even their scent. Intimacy is the key to recognizing Jesus.
Genuine people who tell their stories do so because something grand has happened to them and they must share it with the world. We do this all the time with movies we see or restraunts we go to. Whether or not the people on tv get compensated for their stories is something I cannot answer. I am sure some do, but if I could say it to you this way: In one of my favorite animated films, ‘Anastasia’, Dimitri is a reformed scam artist who falls in love with Anya (Anastasia) Long story short Dimitri is offered a large sum of money for restoring Anastasia back to her long lost grandmother. Dimitri declines the offer because its not about the money anymore, its about the love he found for Anastasia. I said all that to say this: love is the greater motivator.
“will recognize Jesus in heaven because we know Him”
That is a good point. I heard someone say once that they just knew stuff. Like infinite knowledge was immediately aware to him. He did not have to think about things, he just one thing or another. However, this Colton kid seems to have a different take on things. I am curious to know if perhaps their differing experiences is on purpose. They are all different individuals and their NDE’s were all differing and have different purposes.
I believe their differing experiences are on purpose. Different stories will reach different people. Much like a souled out Christian with tattoos will reach a different crowd than someone else, if that makes sense.