Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You

by John Burke

Just think, the New Jerusalem could have our earth’s atmosphere, with something like our sky and clouds that make up our seven-mile-high troposphere, and be two hundred “atmospheric stories” high.

8]. A beautiful, crystal clear river of water flowed directly in front of me. My eyes followed the river that flowed from the throne of God! It was an awesome sight to see the source of the river that was the throne of almighty God! . . .

Scripture hints that those in Heaven still have knowledge of earth’s happenings (Luke 15:7; Revelation 6:10–11). In light of Heaven’s joys, all of earth’s sorrows will gain new context within the knowledge of God’s perfect plan.

Four people spoke of swimming in the River of Life and reported the same mysterious discovery: “As we walked into the river it got deeper and deeper until finally the surface of the river was over the top of our head[s], we were still breathing and so then I got the understanding, this is the flowing of the Spirit of God; it is a manifestation of the Spirit of God.”

God says through Jeremiah the prophet, “They have forsaken me, the spring of living water” (Jeremiah 2:13). Is that why Jesus equated the Holy Spirit with Living Water?

“I can breathe!” I said, astonished. I spoke to the angel underwater, in clear tones without the words sounding bubbly. “You are standing in the River of Life. It is of the Spirit of God. It washes away the scars of sin. . . . You shall never thirst with this water. It flows from the Spirit of the Living God, feeding the Trees of Life.” As we emerged from the

face and hair I realized that I would need no towel or brush. My flesh, my hair, and even my beautiful garments, were soft and dry as before the water touched them. . . . I turned and looked back at the shining river flowing on tranquilly. “Frank, what has that water done for me?” I said. “I feel as though I could fly.” He looked at me with earnest, tender eyes, as he answered gently, “It has washed away the last of the earthlife, and fitted you for the new life upon which you have entered.” “It is divine!” I whispered. “Yes, it is divine,” he said.18

. and his eyes were as liquid love. He communicated by looking at me.22

Heaven will be a thriving, joyful, festive place, where families and friends work together and then gather for feasts and parties to celebrate and enjoy life with the Giver of Life. It will give God great joy as we enjoy him together.

God enjoys us enjoying him and each other, and the prophets looked forward to Heaven’s parties.

The LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples,

[And you will] eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom’” (Luke 22:17–18, 30 NLT).

us. Jesus told us, “The servants who are ready and waiting for [the King’s] return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself [Jesus] will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!” (Luke 12:37 NLT).

Heaven will be a creative, artistic celebration of God. You’ve already heard how the music of Heaven amazes everyone. Some will write songs, some will dance dances, and others will bring gifts of creativity or discoveries that magnify the Creator. You’ll never miss the cultural creativity, learning, or exploration of earth because this is merely a foretaste of Heaven.

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb [Jesus]. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!” . . . Then [one of the twenty-four elders] said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.

amazing not just for its physical beauty, but for the mystery, wonder, and awe created by the very presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—there’s no place imaginable you would rather be. The

Coming from a Dutch Reformed tradition, Marv admitted he would never be one to even raise his hands in worship, but he said, “In Heaven, you won’t be able to help yourself.” The sights and wonders and emotions of God’s presence make it impossible not to shout for joy. “Yes,

and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. . . . He looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him” (Ezekiel

saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and

carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. . . . In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal” (Revelation 4:2–3, 6 NLT).

Somehow the music in heaven calibrated everything. . . . Music was everywhere. The worship of God was the heart and focus of the music, and everywhere the joy of the music could be felt. The deepest part of my heart resonated with it, made me want to be a part of it forever. I never wanted it to stop. . . . I had the feeling—and it was the most satisfying of feelings—that I was made for the music, as if each muscle in my body were a taut string of some finely tuned instrument, created to play the most beautiful music ever composed. I felt part of the music. One with it. Full of joy and wonder and worship.

Perhaps this is what love sounds like when put to music. . . . I felt all this, every ecstatic moment of it. And I never wanted it to end.28

The life you always knew you were meant to live—that Life is just beginning. The most wonderful experiences imaginable lie before you. Imagine Heaven! Live for it now!

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I

The fact that people from all cultures and across all demographics have conveyed similar experiences cannot be explained, nor can scientists determine why some people have an NDE while most people cannot recall anything from the period they were unconscious after a life-threatening crisis (if they don’t have an NDE).