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Ardent_Fire
Guest
The art looks to be from the medieval period, so that’s how the artist would have depicted it given the context of how people feared and understood hell at the time.
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Dan_Defender
Guest
My own mother had a NDE. So I don’t need to be persuaded. Nor do I need to persuade anyone. The main point is yes, there is an afterlife so better be prepared for it.
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JimR-OCDS
Guest
Many Catholics are so focused on hell, they lack the joy of having hope in their salvation. Their lack of hope and joy is transmitted to non-believers and probably drives more souls away from God than anything else.
The opposite of evil isn’t good, but hope.
Jim
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Techno2000
Guest
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.
2 Corinthians 12
2 Corinthians 12
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WileyC1949
Guest
Mine was not a NDE but rather an OBE, but it was one which I was able to prove was real.
When I was a Brother I was engaged in the Prayer of Centering on the porch of the retreat house where my community was staying. I don’t know if it was because of the sun or what but I was deep into my prayer. I then had the odd sensation that I was looking down on myself.
There was an odd duality…I was there on the porch engaged in prayer but I also realized that I was “free”. I heard voices from inside the house and went towards it. I found that I could pass through the doors and was now inside the house and listened for a minute as the Superior and the Treasurer discussed the budget. I knew that was none of my business and so I turned around and went back to me still on the porch in prayer.
I looked around and did see the “tunnel of light” As I approached I saw figures of light which almost looked dark in comparison to the brightness of the tunnel. For some reason I identified these as deceased family and friends. At the entrance to the tunnel, off to the side I saw a figure of the most dazzling bright light I had ever experienced but I had no problem looking at it. My mind said “That is Christ”, but I could easily see how people of other faiths could have seen Him as someone else. In my mind I heard Him clearly say “It is not yet your time.” and so I turned around. I was in total awe of what I saw but knew I had to put it behind me.
I went back to the porch and there I was, still engaged in prayer. It was then I decided to explore and so “flew” to the top of a tree at the edge of the property. I found that I could see long distances and saw two other Brothers walking along the beach about a half a mile away. I went down and was moving along behind them as they spoke for a little while. I then went back to the porch where a strange fight took place.
My physical self was trying to come out of the meditation but my other self would not let him because I still wanted to be free. There was a few times when my other self literally popped back out. It was if I were wrestling a calf, but finally after a while I succeeded and came out of the meditation somewhat exhausted. Just at that moment the two Brothers whom I had seen walking along the beach came through the gate. I went down to them and asked if they were walking along the beach and they confirmed that. I then asked them if they spoke about (whatever it was they were speaking about… I forget what it was… the incident took place in the late '70s ) and with an extremely puzzled look as to how I would know they confirmed that as well. I then went into the house and found the Treasurer and asked him if he was in a specific room with the Superior talking about the budget to which he said that the conversation was private and I shouldn’t have been listening in.
Because I realized that had I continued down the tunnel I would have died and because of the tough time I had pulling myself together I did not engage in the Centering Prayer for a long time after that. But what I experienced that day convinced me of the absolute truth of Christ, the afterlife and our spiritual souls.
When I was a Brother I was engaged in the Prayer of Centering on the porch of the retreat house where my community was staying. I don’t know if it was because of the sun or what but I was deep into my prayer. I then had the odd sensation that I was looking down on myself.
There was an odd duality…I was there on the porch engaged in prayer but I also realized that I was “free”. I heard voices from inside the house and went towards it. I found that I could pass through the doors and was now inside the house and listened for a minute as the Superior and the Treasurer discussed the budget. I knew that was none of my business and so I turned around and went back to me still on the porch in prayer.
I looked around and did see the “tunnel of light” As I approached I saw figures of light which almost looked dark in comparison to the brightness of the tunnel. For some reason I identified these as deceased family and friends. At the entrance to the tunnel, off to the side I saw a figure of the most dazzling bright light I had ever experienced but I had no problem looking at it. My mind said “That is Christ”, but I could easily see how people of other faiths could have seen Him as someone else. In my mind I heard Him clearly say “It is not yet your time.” and so I turned around. I was in total awe of what I saw but knew I had to put it behind me.
I went back to the porch and there I was, still engaged in prayer. It was then I decided to explore and so “flew” to the top of a tree at the edge of the property. I found that I could see long distances and saw two other Brothers walking along the beach about a half a mile away. I went down and was moving along behind them as they spoke for a little while. I then went back to the porch where a strange fight took place.
My physical self was trying to come out of the meditation but my other self would not let him because I still wanted to be free. There was a few times when my other self literally popped back out. It was if I were wrestling a calf, but finally after a while I succeeded and came out of the meditation somewhat exhausted. Just at that moment the two Brothers whom I had seen walking along the beach came through the gate. I went down to them and asked if they were walking along the beach and they confirmed that. I then asked them if they spoke about (whatever it was they were speaking about… I forget what it was… the incident took place in the late '70s ) and with an extremely puzzled look as to how I would know they confirmed that as well. I then went into the house and found the Treasurer and asked him if he was in a specific room with the Superior talking about the budget to which he said that the conversation was private and I shouldn’t have been listening in.
Because I realized that had I continued down the tunnel I would have died and because of the tough time I had pulling myself together I did not engage in the Centering Prayer for a long time after that. But what I experienced that day convinced me of the absolute truth of Christ, the afterlife and our spiritual souls.
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steve-b
Guest
All I’m saying,steve-b:
Well, I had what our society/culture refers to as an NDE. That’s all I am claiming here. I was bleeding to death and I had the experience. I don’t know what criteria you use for an NDE, I can only speak from my experience.
I don’t understand the last part of your comment.
God knows the exact moment of everyone’s death.
That said,
obviously it wasn’t your turn to die. Obviously you recovered, you’re still here and no illumination … yet, of your
eternal destiny because God knew you wouldn’t die in this particular episode… That said, that is NOT to say, God gives everyone a preview of things to come. NOR does it mean if God doesn’t give a NDE to EVERYONE that He doesn’t treat everyone equally. God’s grace is available to everyone. No BODY is left out.
All I’m saying
God can give certain people a particular grace that He doesn’t give everyone else IN THAT MEDIUM… That’s all I’m saying
The Catholic Church teaches no one is required to believe in NDE’s. One is free to believe.
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steve-b
Guest
At the wedding feast of Cana, whose request did Jesus listen to? Mary’s request.
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steve-b
Guest
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JimR-OCDS
Guest
Mary gave Jesus the info about the wine running out.
It’s a far different analogy in what Fr Scheier said happened to him.
Jesus knew what his sins were and was convicting him to eternal damnation. Mary’s mercy was greater that Jesus, who is God the Son, which is why I have a problem with his story.
Jim
It’s a far different analogy in what Fr Scheier said happened to him.
Jesus knew what his sins were and was convicting him to eternal damnation. Mary’s mercy was greater that Jesus, who is God the Son, which is why I have a problem with his story.
Jim
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JimR-OCDS
Guest
I’m referring to practicing Catholics. There lack of hope and joy is enough to drive most away, especially lapsed Catholics.
Jim
Jim
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Calliope
Guest
In my NDE, I was given the choice to continue on to death or to come back and live. I had just given birth to my second son and felt like my husband needed me there to help him raise those two little boys, so I chose to return.
Of course, ultimately I don’t know if this choice was really mine or not. It felt like I made it and shortly after making it I “came to” to a lot of chaos and havoc as midwives were working on my body. They were in a panic, but I told them it was going to be fine, I was going to be alright.
I did not meet any beings or go to heaven, but I experienced something I refer to as the “Great OKness” where everything was really OK, no matter how it might seem from a human perspective.
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steve-b
Guest
God knew from before creation, what is going to happen for each person created down to the last person to be born… Everything in scripture , every story God knew EVERYTHING before the creation of the world what would happen. So why even have scripture if God knows everything before it happens? It’s for OUR education NOT His. Same with with the NDE’s we see. It’s for OUR education, NOT HIS. You don’t think Jesus knew ahead of time, they were out of wine and would be asking Mary for assistance? He sent a message in this story for US.
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steve-b
Guest
Well, what did Jesus say about the few vs everyone else?
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steve-b
Guest
steve-b:
In my NDE, I was given the choice to continue on to death or to come back and live. I had just given birth to my second son and felt like my husband needed me there to help him raise those two little boys, so I chose to return.
Of course, ultimately I don’t know if this choice was really mine or not. It felt like I made it and shortly after making it I “came to” to a lot of chaos and havoc as midwives were working on my body. They were in a panic, but I told them it was going to be fine, I was going to be alright.
I did not meet any beings or go to heaven, but I experienced something I refer to as the “Great OKness” where everything was really OK, no matter how it might seem from a human perspective.
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JimR-OCDS
Guest
So you’re going to tell us what God thinks and knows ? 
Jim
Jim
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JimR-OCDS
Guest
And you sound like you know who the few are verses the others. 
Jim
Jim
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steve-b
Guest
How small a god do you believe in? God knows EVERYTHING. There are no surprises. God knows everything from beginning to end. Before He created the world He knew we would have this back and forth.So you’re going to tell us what God thinks and knows ?
Jim
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JimR-OCDS
Guest
Ya, we know God is omnipresent, omnipotent, but we also know that you don’t know all that God knows
Jim
Jim
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steve-b
Guest
I’m validating what Jesus taught making a very strong conditional statement.And you sound like you know who the few are verses the others.
Jim
Jn 6:53-54…
" unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; 54 he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
Jesus is talking about the Eucharist.
AND
Heb 10: 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 26 For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful prospect of judgment,and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries. 28 A man who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy at the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by the man who has spurned the Son of God, and profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace?30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
Unpacking that
deliberate Failure to meet on the Day, is already a sin with huge consequences
Why?
“the Day” = the LORD’S DAY / Sunday/ the Day Our Lord Resurrected
“sacrifice for sin”, & “blood of the covenant” = the words Our Lord spoke instituting the
Eucharist
Matthew 26:28 , Mt 26:28 RSVCE - for this is my blood of the covenant, - Bible Gateway
Mark 14:24 , Mark 14:24 RSVCE - And he said to them, “This is my - Bible Gateway
i.e. They are celebrating the Mass (the Eucharist) when they meet
THAT’s why
those who deliberately fail to celebrate Mass (the Eucharist) on Sunday after being given the knowledge of truth,
◦ there no longer remains for Them, a sacrifice for sin
◦ They Spurn the Son of God
◦ They outrage the spirit of grace
◦ a fearful prospect of judgement awaits Them
◦ and a fury of fire will consume these adversaries
Does that sound like it’s only a suggestion to attend Mass on Sunday, or a command? It’s a command
Does it sound like a venial sin to deliberately miss Mass on Sunday or a mortal sin? It’s mortal sin
Those consequences DESCRIBE HELL for one who dies in mortal sin
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steve-b
Guest
I never suggested I did. I’m rebutting those who don’t consider in their argument, that He is all knowing.
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