Just Before Dying?

Heading off to Heaven

Q: I have a question that's been on my mind since I lost a believing relative. Is it possible that before someone souls leaves their body, that "God is there" and the person is aware of of Him before they go home to be with the Lord?

A: God is always in the believer, and Scripture tells us absent from the body, present with the Lord.(1) At the moment of instant death we are in God's presence in eternity. It seems it will he like "in the twinkle of an eye" (like at the rapture event). 

Once the dying do step through deaths door into eternity, Scripture tells us, once there the former things are gone, passed away(2) and he will dry every tear(3), we won't think about the former things from the life in this sin stained place.(4) 

However prior to going to Heaven we see at the resurrection of Christ, the souls who were in the paradise side of sheol came up behind with Christ and were allowed to wander in town a short bit.(5) Highly likely that only a 1x event cuz they were seen by all; as it was a visial miracle accompanying His Resurrection.

I do not believe this means we can talk to dead people when they have just died as if they are in the room, or reachable afterwards as Scripture gives serious warning on that(6).

I will say, and not sure of what happens when it comes to just prior to, as Scripture doesnt really tell us that, however we were told some people in the Bible were allowed to see Heaven, and one, Stephen, had a glimpse  just before he was stoned to death. It was likely to give Glory to God and was done for several purposes.

I have a wonder about whether that actually happens to some others too. Granted Stephen was about to die and God gave Him an amazing gift before he passed into eternity by opening Heaven so he could see in. But it was recorded for us all to rejoice and ponder over too. 

I usually believe none of those things are possible today, since Scripture is completed, and all "the former things revealed to us were for our learning, faith and believing".(7)

However, if this can be believed, according to my uncle, 10 years ago, when my grandfather was in hospital, just shortly before he died we were told he had a look of amazement and said, "beautiful it's so beautiful" looking towards the wall. So perhaps as he was passing God showed this godly man the Heaven view he was about to enter. 

I tear up a lil bit any time I think of it because it is like I can envision it and I can hear him say it, so it boosts my faith a lil bit in the what might await. I currently cling to that lovely thought (that many believers might might get to see that) and that when I die perhaps I will get a glimpse into Heaven as Christ comes & takes my hand to lead me across that threshold and into Heaven.

May we all make sure we are saved so no matter how we die, we instantly arrive in Heaven and get to see our Lord and hear 

"Well done my good and faithful servant enter in...".  NeedGod.com.

Believers Resources

Footnotes

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8. "Well done my good and faithful servant enter in...".