Zone1 "For Many are called, but few are chosen." [Jesus]

[DennisPTate]

Why did Jesus say that:
Matthew 22:14
"For many are called, but few are chosen."

I have to admit that this statement combined with some of the statements by Jesus regarding hell profoundly offended me back around 1990 as I began to find out that the Soul Sleep doctrine that I had believed in for about seventeen years by that time was seriously in error.

I am personally am hoping that some of the things that are not even lawful to be uttered that the Apostle Paul was shown will give all of us good news about the afterlife but for the moment I think that it is important to take a serious look at how few of us may well go directly into heaven at our deaths.


It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2;I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3;And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth

4;How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5;Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
2 Corinthians 12]

Howard Pittman's Near Death Experience​

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In 2015 Pastor Mark sat down with Howard Pittman and heard firsthand his near death experience. Howard shared what he experienced at the point of death when his spirit left his body and he crossed over into the spiritual realm. While having this experience Howard was taken by angels and given a tour of Satan's kingdom in the 2nd heaven. He also came the entrance of heaven and had a life changing conversation with God. We hope you are impacted by this testimony and that you are made even more aware of the reality of the spiritual realm all around us. Chapters:
00:00 - Pastor Mark's Intro
01:54 - The day Howard died
07:58 - Dying and entering a world of darkness (The Veil)
08:33 - Scripture coming out of the darkness
09:47 - Facing the realization of death
10:55 - The most beautiful voice in the world
13:08 - The Veil
13:52 - Satan's table/Satanic planning/Principalities
15:45 - Satan's master plan (Rev. 13:7-9)
17:32 - Spiritual warfare
19:38 - Hate and Fear
20:11 - Satan's ability
22:33 - Giant warring order of Demons
23:18 - Traveling to the Gates of Heaven
24:50 - Your Faith is Dead...
27:18 - The Compassion of God
28:34 - The 5 point message for the Church
32:47 - 97% of people going to Hell
34:32 - Tour of the 2nd Heaven

After Hours Ministries

Christian Author B.W. Melvin's Near Death Experience - Is Hell Real?

www.afterhoursministries.com

Personally, I lean toward the idea that Messiah Yeshua - Jesus has the power and the authority to resurrect all of the dead in any moment in time that Jesus wishes to replicate, and then I assume Jesus can spin off a new time line in which people get saved and prepared for life in heaven, even if they were lost spiritually in their first life time.

I personally suspect that Ezekiel chapter thirty seven can happen again and again and again and again, which might be at least a part of the unlawful information that the Apostle Paul and others were told that they could not reveal, yet!

Although I have a lot of hope for the future for our spirits or souls..... I do believe that what Pastor Howard Pittman was shown is true, and we do need to be aware of how serious all that Jesus said really is.

The after life realm of the unsaved, predatory and narcissistic former humans, is a scary place, that we should research and do what we need to avoid that place, [which is really a spiritual, soul and mental condition].

Former Atheist Howard Storm was shown how scary the afterlife can really be.

1. About Howard Storm​

Before his near-death experience, Howard Storm (www.howardstorm.com) was a Professor of Art at Northern Kentucky University, was not a very pleasant man by his own admission. He was an avowed atheist and was hostile to every form of religion and those who practiced it. He often would use rage to control everyone around him and he didn’t find joy in anything. Anything that wasn’t seen, touched or felt, he had no faith in. He knew with certainty that the material world was the full extent of everything that was. He considered all belief systems associated with religion to be fantasies for people to deceive themselves with. Beyond what science said, there was nothing else. But then on June 1, 1985, at the age of 38, Howard Storm’s had a near-death experience due to a perforation of the stomach and his life was since forever changed. His near-death experience is one of the most profound, if not the most profound, afterlife experience I have ever documented. His life was so immensely changed after his near-death experience, he resigned as a professor and devoted his time attending the United Theological Seminary to become a United Church of Christ minister. Today, Howard Storm is retired and presently happily married to his wife Marcia and was Pastor of the Covington United Church of Christ in Covington, Ohio. During his past time he has maintained his passion for painting but now, unlike in his past, he paints with a God state of mind which raises his paintings to a whole other level. On his website Pastor Storm shares a unique look at his paintings and the effect Jesus Christ has on his daily life and on his paintings. The following is the account of Pastor Howard Storm’s near-death experience reprinted by permission. To read his full testimony, read his outstanding book My Descent Into Death (2005). Storm’s other books include Lessons Learned: A Spiritual Journey (2014), It’s All Love (2014), Befriend God: Life with Jesus (2019), and Following Jesus: The Way, The Truth, and the Life (2024).

2. An Invitation to​

[Howard Storm was in intense agony and dying.]

Struggling to say goodbye to my wife, I wrestled with my emotions. Telling her that I loved her very much was as much of a goodbye as I could utter because of my emotional distress. Sort of relaxing and closing my eyes, I waited for the end. This was it, I felt. This was the big nothing, the big blackout, the one you never wake up from, the end of existence. I had absolute certainty that there was nothing beyond this life – because that was how really smart people understood it.

While I was undergoing this stress, prayer or anything like that never occurred to me. I never once thought about it. If I mentioned God’s name at all it was only as a profanity. For a time there was a sense of being unconscious or asleep. I’m not sure how long it lasted, but I felt really strange, and I opened my eyes. To my surprise I was standing up next to the bed, and I was looking at my body laying in the bed. My first reaction was, “This is crazy! I can’t be standing here looking down at myself. That’s not possible.”

This wasn’t what I expected, this wasn’t right. Why was I still alive? I wanted oblivion. Yet I was looking at a thing that was my body, and it just didn’t have that much meaning to me. Now knowing what was happening, I became upset. I started yelling and screaming at my wife, and she just sat there like a stone. She didn’t look at me, she didn’t move – and I kept screaming profanities to get her to pay attention. Being confused, upset, and angry, I tried to get the attention of my room-mate, with the same result. He didn’t react. I wanted this to be a dream, and I kept saying to myself, “This has got to be a dream.”

Howard Storm - Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife

Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife profiles Howard Storm . Did you enjoy reading this post, we have more!

near-death.com

Former Atheist Rabbi Alon Anava was also shown that the afterlife can be pretty scary.

www.AlonAnava.com/


The Second Part of the Howard Pittman interview is powerful to say the least.

Howard Pittman PART 2 | Insights After a Near Death Experience​

1,072,764 views Dec 9, 2023 #NDE #neardeathexperience #heaven

Here are some of the segments from our interview with Howard Pittman that were not included in part 1. Howard had so many powerful revelations that he learned from his near death experience, and the work that The Lord did in his life after that experience. It was really insightful to sit with Howard, near the end of his life, after all he did to run his race, and hear these truths explained so clearly. Enjoy!To get more content like this, please visit https://MarkCowart.org
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:44 - Good Works
02:37 - The Wheat & Tares
06:41 - The Frog-like Spirit
09:44 - The True Baptism of the Holy Spirit
10:40 - Angels Unawares
15:42 - Jesus Knows What We Are
16:45 - Examine Your Own Life
17:50 - Closing

 

[MarathonMike]

What is the context of the statement "many are called, but few are chosen"? Is it specifically talking about Heaven or does the context leave it more vague than that?

 

[DennisPTate]

What is the context of the statement "many are called, but few are chosen"? Is it specifically talking about Heaven or does the context leave it more vague than that?

Now that is an excellent question that right off the top of my head I am not even certain how to answer but, to some degree I would say that the answer is yes, because of the full text of The Sermon on the Mount, where a scary afterlife condition is certainly referred to. Messiah Yeshua - Jesus often says something along the line of "many are called but few are chosen."

Matthew 20:16
"So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."


Luke 7:11
"And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people."

Messiah Yeshua - Jesus had a tendency to hit large crowds with pretty offensive information that would result in a high percentage of his listeners giving up on him and being offended? In a way it was a bit like how the Judge Gideon had to take a large number of volunteers down to only three hundred.

The Apostle Paul adds an interesting comment on this theme.

1 Corinthians 1:26
"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:"

John in Revelation also uses this theme that fits with the parable of the marriage supper of a prince that Jesus used. In a way all of us are called to be at the marriage supper of the Lamb, but many of us will likely be offended and will give up before then.


Revelation 19:9
"And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God."

Matthew chapter 5 does a good job of explaining how even though many are called, most of us are not willing to rise up, [or should I say lower the self], to the type of behaviour that Messiah Yeshua - Jesus does actually demand, if we wish to be "chosen."

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2;And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3;Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4;Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5;Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6;Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7;Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8;Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9;Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10;Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11;Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12;Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

13;Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14;Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15;Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16;Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 5 - King James Version

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are...

www.biblegateway.com

In order to go from merely being "called" to being chosen, we have to choose to really go against the idol of "SELF" that this world teaches us to put first.

In John chapter six Jesus starts off with a huge crowd but then he certainly thins them out by what he teaches at that time.

"And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased." [John 6:2]

....

Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

15;When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

[John 6]

.....

But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

65;And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

66;From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Bible Gateway passage: John 6 - King James Version

After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the passover, a feast of the...

www.biblegateway.com

 

[DennisPTate]

What is the context of the statement "many are called, but few are chosen"? Is it specifically talking about Heaven or does the context leave it more vague than that?

I just listened to another sermon by near death experiencer Howard Pittman and he was shown that the majority of us would be deceived. Howard was shown that TV is something that Satan is using to prepare the world to prepare them for a time of amazing miracles, but they will be deceptive.

Howard Pittman -Preparing for the Enemy​

 

[onefour1]

A revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1839 addresses this very topic. It is found in Doctrine and Covenants 121. Here is the part that addresses the concept of many being called but few chosen.

34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—

36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.

39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.

40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.

41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.

45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

 

[MarathonMike]

A revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1839 addresses this very topic. It is found in Doctrine and Covenants 121. Here is the part that addresses the concept of many being called but few chosen.

34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—

36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.

39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.

40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.

41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.

45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

It must be a huge bummer to get to the Pearly Gates thinking you were a devout Christian all your life only to find out you didn't make the cut.

 

[onefour1]

It must be a huge bummer to get to the Pearly Gates thinking you were a devout Christian all your life only to find out you didn't make the cut.

Will those who don't make the cut truly believe that they were devout Christians or will they know deep in their hearts that they were not faithful but were deceptive and did not truly follow Christ in truth and righteousness? We all need his mercy and grace, but we also need to make an effort to repent be righteous and honest with other and ourselves.

 

[MarathonMike]

Will those who don't make the cut truly believe that they were devout Christians or will they know deep in their hearts that they were not faithful but were deceptive and did not truly follow Christ in truth and righteousness? We all need his mercy and grace, but we also need to make an effort to repent be righteous and honest with other and ourselves.

What does "faithful" mean? What does "deceptive" mean". What does "did not truly follow Christ in truth and righteousness" mean?" If the person fails to meet these standards at any time in their life, is that it? You don't make the cut?

 

[onefour1]

What does "faithful" mean? What does "deceptive" mean". What does "did not truly follow Christ in truth and righteousness" mean?" If the person fails to meet these standards at any time in their life, is that it? You don't make the cut?

Well, the mission of Jesus was to come to earth and show mankind how to gain entrance into the kingdom of heaven. He died and suffered for our sins and will grant unto us forgiveness if we seek to follow his commandments and repent of our sins. We are imperfect beings and God knows and understands this. This is why he has sacrificed himself for us and made a way for us to repent and be forgiven. However, Jesus taught the following:

Matthew 7:21
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

I think Jesus, after going through all the pain and suffering that he bore, is ready and willing to have mercy and forgive us of our sins. But he requires of us to make an effort and try to become good beings. If we just sit back and say to ourselves that we can sin all we want and Christ will cover our sins, then we are deceiving ourselves. This is not what Christ taught. Jesus taught the following:

Luke 13:23-24
23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Matthew 7:14
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

He has made a way for all of us to gain entrance into his kingdom and without his sacrifice and grace nobody would be saved. However, he does require of us to have faith in him and believe and follow his teachings. Yes, we may flub up and make mistakes at times but the more we abide in this path of righteousness, the more strength he will give us to overcome our weaknesses. But if we ignore these verses and make no effort on our part to gain his forgiveness and grace, then we will be among those who do not find the straight gate and narrow way.

 

[MarathonMike]

For me, Judaism makes more sense. How you conduct your life and treat others is what is important, not which deity you believe in.

 

[onefour1]

For me, Judaism makes more sense. How you conduct your life and treat others is what is important, not which deity you believe in.

In true Christianity, how you conduct your life and treat others is important and is part of being on the straight and narrow path. From a Christian perspective, we believe that Jesus was Jehovah of the Old Testament.

 

[DennisPTate]

In true Christianity, how you conduct your life and treat others is important and is part of being on the straight and narrow path. From a Christian perspective, we believe that Jesus was Jehovah of the Old Testament.

Exactly!

If the Disciple known as John was a genuine "Christian Prophet" then the soul of "The Spirit of Moshiach stored in Gan Eden" either entered Rabbi Yeshua - Jesus and turned Him into Messiah Yeshua - Jesus at conception, or perhaps at birth, or perhaps at the unusual event of the Holy Spirit coming upon Rabbi Yeshua - Jesus like a "dove" when He was baptized by John the Baptist at the River Jordan?

I personally no longer know for certain exactly when Rabbi Yeshua - Jesus became "Messiah the Passover Lamb - Messiah Son of David," was it even before conception? Was it at His birth? Or was it when He was Baptized by John the Baptist? The full answer to this topic is above my own Security Clearance Level and Pay Scale with Messiah Yeshua - Jesus, [and incidentally when Messiah Yeshua - Jesus appears as The Being of Light of near death experience fame], He often tells whoever He meets about a major piece of the puzzle and then tells them to NOT TELL ANYBODY, what He just showed them was a major piece of the "Genius Master Plan," [as former Atheist and near death experiencer Rabbi Alon Anava terms what the G-d of Abraham has set up for all eight billion of us]?

Here is an article from a Jewish website that has the power to revolutionize the relationship between the vast majority of Christians, [including Pope Leo himself], with ten million Israelis, [or at least with the leading Rabbi's in Israel]?

The Personality of Mashiach​

https://www.chabad.org/5785261
By J. Immanuel Schochet
From the Sichos in English Collection

B. Mashiach In Every Generation​

Any time is a potential time for the coming of Mashiach.7 This does not mean, however, that at the appropriate time he will suddenly emerge from Heaven to appear on earth.8 On the contrary: Mashiach is already on earth, a human being of great saintly status (a tzadik) appearing and existing in every generation. “In every generation is born a progeny of Judah fit to be Israel’s Mashiach!”9

On the particular day that marks the end of the galut, when Mashiach will redeem Israel, the unique pre-existing soul of Mashiach ‘stored’ in Gan Eden from aforetimes will descend and be bestowed upon that tzadik.10 R. Mosheh Sofer summarizes this principle in his responsa:11

“As for the coming of the scion of David, I need to posit the following premise: Moses the first redeemer of Israel, reached the age of eighty years and did not know or sense that he would redeem Israel. Even when the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, ‘Come and I will send you to Pharao…’ (Exodus 3:10), he declined and did not want to accept that mission. So it will be with the final redeemer.

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/101679/jewish/The-Personality-of-Mashiach.htm

So now after reading this article we can begin to ask questions that will make much more sense out of the seemingly blasphemous statements that were made by the Disciple John regarding the Pre-Existence of Rabbi Yeshua - Jesus, [the Prophet Isa to Muslims, Shalom be upon Him]?

 

[MarathonMike]

In true Christianity, how you conduct your life and treat others is important and is part of being on the straight and narrow path. From a Christian perspective, we believe that Jesus was Jehovah of the Old Testament.

I was raised Christian and I believe that is true. But to me it is very significant that two such closely related religions would have such disparate views on Jesus with regard to the Afterlife.

 

[BreezeWood]

"For Many are called , but few are chosen." [Jesus]​

I have to admit that this statement combined with some of the statements by Jesus regarding hell profoundly offended me

worry not, such as the above is never spoken by jesus or found anywhere is the spoken journals of the 1st century events.

 

[DennisPTate]

"For Many are called, but few are chosen." [Jesus]​

worry not, such as the above is never spoken by jesus or found anywhere is the spoken journals of the 1st century events.

I have to admit that I would be happy if you were correct but my research into near death experience accounts does give lots of evidence that there is a scary afterlife realm that could fit with the Roman Catholic idea of "Purgatory" or even hell.

Basically, if we decide to become narcissistic, predatory, sociopathic and a pathological liar, we may well end up in an afterlife realm with people very much like we were while we were here in four dimensional space and time.

[Near death experiencer, Howard Storm] :
"This wasn’t what I expected, this wasn’t right. Why was I still alive? I wanted oblivion. Yet I was looking at a thing that was my body, and it just didn’t have that much meaning to me. Now knowing what was happening, I became upset. I started yelling and screaming at my wife, and she just sat there like a stone. She didn’t look at me, she didn’t move – and I kept screaming profanities to get her to pay attention. Being confused, upset, and angry, I tried to get the attention of my room-mate, with the same result. He didn’t react. I wanted this to be a dream, and I kept saying to myself, “This has got to be a dream.”"
...

A wild orgy of frenzied taunting, screaming and hitting ensued. I fought like a wild man. All the while it was obvious that they were having great fun. It seemed to be, almost, a game for them, with me as the center-piece of their amusement. My pain became their pleasure. They seemed to want to make me hurt by clawing at me and biting me. Whenever I would get one off me, there were five more to replace the one.

....

Exactly what happened was … and I’m not going to try and explain this. From inside of me I felt a voice, my voice, say, “Pray to God.” My mind responded to that, “I don’t pray. I don’t know how to pray.” This is a guy lying on the ground in the darkness surrounded by what appeared to be dozens if not hundreds and hundreds of vicious creatures who had just torn him up. The situation seemed utterly hopeless, and I seemed beyond any possible help whether I believed in God or not. The voice again told me to pray to God. It was a dilemma since I didn’t know how. The voice told me a third time to pray to God. I started saying things like, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want … God bless America” and anything else that seemed to have a religious connotation. And these people went into a frenzy, as if I had thrown boiling oil all over them. They began yelling and screaming at me, telling me to quit, that there was no God, and no one could hear me. While they screamed and yelled obscenities, they also began backing away from me as if I were poison. As they were retreating, they became more rabid, cursing and screaming that what I was saying was worthless and that I was a coward. I screamed back at them, “Our Father who art in heaven,” and similar ideas. This continued for some time until, suddenly, I was aware that they had left. It was dark, and I was alone yelling things that sounded churchy. It was pleasing to me that these churchy sayings had such an effect on those awful beings.

Lying there for a long time, I was in such a state of hopelessness, and blackness, and despair, that I had no way of measuring how long it was. I was just lying there in an unknown place all torn and ripped. And I had no strength; it was all gone. It seemed as if I were sort of fading out, that any effort on my part would expend the last energy I had. My conscious sense was that I was perishing, or just sinking into the darkness.

3. A Rescue from Hell by Jesus Christ​

Howard Storm - Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife

Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife profiles Howard Storm . Did you enjoy reading this post, we have more!

near-death.com

 

[DennisPTate]

I was raised Christian and I believe that is true. But to me it is very significant that two such closely related religions would have such disparate views on Jesus with regard to the Afterlife.

Apparently the Roman Catholic church borrowed the idea of "Purgatory" from Judaism.

Traditional Judaism does not believe in the Catholic doctrine of purgatory, but does have a similar, temporary, and non-eternal concept known as Gehinnom (or Gehenna). This is understood as a spiritual, purification process, lasting no more than 11 months, where the soul is cleansed before ascending to Gan Eden.
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Key Aspects of the Jewish View on Post-Death Purification:

• Temporary Purification: Unlike the concept of eternal hell, Gehinnom is a temporary, restorative, or purgative process, not a punishment.
• The 11-Month Period: It is widely believed that the soul spends a maximum of 11 months in this state to cleanse itself of impurities.
• Purpose of Mourner's Kaddish:
  The mourner’s Kaddish prayer is recited for 11 months after a loved one's passing, based on the belief that this aids the soul in its purification process.
  • Gehinnom vs. Purgatory: While often compared to purgatory, Gehinnom is generally viewed as a necessary, transformative journey for the soul rather than a place of torment.
    
    
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While some interpretations in rabbinic literature might differ on the specifics, the idea of a, generally, 11-month period for a soul's purification is a core, traditional belief.

It is rather interesting that near death experiencer Bryan Melvin, during his 1982 brush with death saw Adolf Hitler in a truly terrifying "Purgatory" like condition that was also somewhat like a "Life Review."

He Died & Saw HITLER in Hell. What Came Next Will Shock You​

 

[TemplarKormac]

Why did Jesus say that:
Matthew 22:14
"For many are called, but few are chosen."

I have to admit that this statement combined with some of the statements by Jesus regarding hell profoundly offended me back around 1990 as I began to find out that the Soul Sleep doctrine that I had believed in for about seventeen years by that time was seriously in error.

I am personally am hoping that some of the things that are not even lawful to be uttered that the Apostle Paul was shown will give all of us good news about the afterlife but for the moment I think that it is important to take a serious look at how few of us may well go directly into heaven at our deaths.


It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Howard Pittman's Near Death Experience​

After Hours Ministries

Christian Author B.W. Melvin's Near Death Experience - Is Hell Real?

www.afterhoursministries.com

Personally, I lean toward the idea that Messiah Yeshua - Jesus has the power and the authority to resurrect all of the dead in any moment in time that Jesus wishes to replicate, and then I assume Jesus can spin off a new time line in which people get saved and prepared for life in heaven, even if they were lost spiritually in their first life time.

I personally suspect that Ezekiel chapter thirty seven can happen again and again and again and again, which might be at least a part of the unlawful information that the Apostle Paul and others were told that they could not reveal, yet!

Although I have a lot of hope for the future for our spirits or souls..... I do believe that what Pastor Howard Pittman was shown is true, and we do need to be aware of how serious all that Jesus said really is.

The after life realm of the unsaved, predatory and narcissistic former humans, is a scary place, that we should research and do what we need to avoid that place, [which is really a spiritual, soul and mental condition].

Former Atheist Howard Storm was shown how scary the afterlife can really be.



Former Atheist Rabbi Alon Anava was also shown that the afterlife can be pretty scary.

www.AlonAnava.com/


The Second Part of the Howard Pittman interview is powerful to say the least.

Howard Pittman PART 2 | Insights After a Near Death Experience​

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38, ESV)

 

[MarathonMike]

Apparently the Roman Catholic church borrowed the idea of "Purgatory" from Judaism.




It is rather interesting that near death experiencer Bryan Melvin, during his 1982 brush with death saw Adolf Hitler in a truly terrifying "Purgatory" like condition that was also somewhat like a "Life Review."

He Died & Saw HITLER in Hell. What Came Next Will Shock You​

I was referring to the fundamental differences between Judaism and Christianity with respect to Jesus as Savior and the requirement to believe in him to receive everlasting life. I realize there are many people who experience NDE's but it is at least a possibility that these NDE's are a creation of chemical releases and reactions in the brain in death. With all due respect, these experiences are not proof of Hell.

Judaism as I understand it believes in Purgatory which is a 12 month cleansing of the soul. Judaism does not have a concept of Hell and does not require submission to Jesus as Lord and Savior. You know more details than I about religion so let me know if that is incorrect.

 

[DennisPTate]

I was referring to the fundamental differences between Judaism and Christianity with respect to Jesus as Savior and the requirement to believe in him to receive everlasting life. I realize there are many people who experience NDE's but it is at least a possibility that these NDE's are a creation of chemical releases and reactions in the brain in death. With all due respect, these experiences are not proof of Hell.

Judaism as I understand it believes in Purgatory which is a 12 month cleansing of the soul. Judaism does not have a concept of Hell and does not require submission to Jesus as Lord and Savior. You know more details than I about religion so let me know if that is incorrect.

You might find the explanation by former Atheist and near death experiencer Rabbi Alon Anava for his seven minute brush with death in 2001 to be interesting. Rabbi Alon does explain how what he experienced fitted with the teachings of many Rabbi's from history.

www.AlonAnava.com/

About Rabbi Anava​

Rabbi Alon Anava was born and raised in Israel. He grew up in Ra’anana in a very secular family without any Torah education or knowledge. He grew up hating religion and anything that had to do with it. He did not believe in G-od and the Torah and lived life as a secular Jew. In 1998, he moved to New York and soon after, on a very special day, the morning of Passover 2001 he had a Near Death Experience due to a sudden cardiac arrest. This event has changed his life for the GOOD!!!

Before his life-altering experience, Alon would describe himself as simply put, ‘not a nice guy..’ but after facing death, and realizing the purpose of life, Alon transformed his very being and since then dedicates his life to serving G-od and Torah observance. Soon After his Near Death Experience he diligently attended Yeshiva studying every day, exploring the depths of Torah, refining and elevating himself on a daily basis for over a decade. Rabbi Alon Anava attended his Rabbinical studies at Yeshivah Kol Ya’akov – Hadar Hatorah in Brooklyn, New York.

After seven years of Yeshivah studies, Rabbi Anava started sharing his Near Death Experience with the public lecturing all around the world at Schools, Synagogues, Yeshivahs, outreach programs and organizations, private sessions and much more, reaching tens of thousands of people at over 2,500 lectures in the past fifteen years. In the past 8 years Rabbi Anava has expanded his out reach efforts through the internet reaching tens of thousands of people resulting with over 500,000 followers worldwide on the internet and social networks. With over 25,000,000 views to his videos, over 1,000,000 DVDs and CDs distributed, his followers enjoy daily Torah studying on his websites, social networks, videos, podcasts, live streaming and live Torah classes and lectures. Rabbi Anava’s followers enjoy his undivided attention through daily phone calls, skype meetings, personal and group meetings along with coaching and assistance. Rabbi Anava and his wife opens their home for hundreds of guests that enjoy their warm and loving hospitality and uplifting Shabbat and holiday meals.

Alon has come back with a gift. He is able to connect to our creator in a very intimate way, allowing him to also connect intimately with others and really help them overcome their questions and concerns and lead and teach them to the right path of Torah observance.

Alon devotes his life to spreading G-od wisdom by teaching Torah every day at lectures, seminars, home gatherings, schools etc., and sharing his personal life changing experience all over the world. He spends his time sharing his story in an attempt to make it as real for you as it is for him. Our hope is that you as the listener will absorb Alon’s story and wake up to the reality of this world. We hope that you will have the strength within you to rise above what seems like the prevailing darkness and choose light. We encourage you to connect to your maker and begin your spiritual journey to better yourself and humanity as a whole. We encourage you to see the miracle of you!

 

[MarathonMike]

You might find the explanation by former Atheist and near death experiencer Rabbi Alon Anava for his seven minute brush with death in 2001 to be interesting. Rabbi Alon does explain how what he experienced fitted with the teachings of many Rabbi's from history.

www.AlonAnava.com/

Again, with all due respect NDEs are interesting but they are not proof of anything.