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....and as with other patterns of existence, just how is it that those archetypes are near universal?

Good point, if for example Hindu's have had the same kind of NDE's. Their conception of God is very different. In fact, I don't think there's is no heaven in Hinduism. I don't think Nirvana is equivalent to heaven, i.e. a distinct place where God is that you (may) go to when you die.

Having said that, I don't know about this guy's and other NDE's. There's nothing Biblical about being able to be saved once you're dead.

There's nothing Biblical about being able to be saved once you're dead.

From "Biblegateway.com":

Matthew 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[ 16:18 Peter means rock.] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[ 16:18 Or hell] will not overcome it.[ 16:18 Or not prove stronger than it]

One of many similar verses. They're in there, you just have to be looking for them with "new eyes" so to speak. My opinion only, take it or leave it.

We don't know the mechanics nor Father's rules about the time of death.

We know that HE IS THE ULTIMATE JUDGE.

Roland Buck in ANGELS ON ASSIGNMENT noted that he'd taught all his life as an Assembly of God pastor that at the moment of death, all hope and possibility of choice is forever gone.

He learned on his trips to Heaven, that's not necessarily so--though he was quick to add--it's a grave and serious miscalculation to assume everyone gets another choice at the moment of death. Evidently MOST DO *NOT.*

Evidently some do.

We can make inferrences from Scriptures about such but we have too little 'scientific' information to make emphatic statements and claim they are Scriptural truth.

God is still THE BOSS in all matters, including this one.

lasereye writes:
Good point, if for example Hindu's have had the same kind of NDE's. Their conception of God is very different. In fact, I don't think there's is no heaven in Hinduism. I don't think Nirvana is equivalent to heaven, i.e. a distinct place where God is that you (may) go to when you die.

Some years ago, I read "Life After Life" by [I think] Raymond Moody. Probably still have that book around someplace, but not going looking for it now.

In his studies of near-death experiences, one factor Moody noted was the "commonality" of the experiences among the accounts that were relayed to him. This made little difference in _which_ religion the person having the near-death experience believed. It made little difference in the "depth" of the person's faith (i.e., "deeply-religious" vs. "mildly religious"). There was also little difference between those who had religious beliefs, and those who had no religious beliefs at all.

Regardless of the religious or cultural background from which they came, Moody wrote that individuals, in the first moments "after death", all traveled a remarkably "common path".

I would find it easy to reject the significance of near-death experiences, _IF NOT_ for the strange similarity of the recollections.

If the subject interests you, it's probably worth your while to read Moody's book. It's probably still available in paperback.

- John