On the Other Side?

It once was said that the key to publishing a bestselling book was to either write a biography of Abraham Lincoln, a story about a doctor, or a book about dogs. Presumably, a book about Lincoln’s doctor’s dog would be a guaranteed winner!

Today, however, there’s another surefire way to hit the bestseller lists: write a book about how you (or, better still, your young child) died, went to heaven, and returned to life. The happier the descriptions about life “over there” you can throw in, the better. At least one Hollywood movie, Heaven Is for Real, hit the silver screens after a book of the same name sold millions of copies.

But all is not floating on a cloud in the realm of afterlife memoirs. In 2015, a major Christian publisher withdrew The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven after its protagonist, Alex Malarkey, said he had not returned from a celestial sojourn in 2004.

In an uncertain world like our own, people want something to cling to in the face of death and its loss and separation. Books detailing an afterlife, television shows featuring “conversations” with the dead, and people offering to connect you with a departed loved one—all these will increase as the end draws near. (See 1 John 4:1.)

Don’t be deceived, however. The dead “know nothing” (Ecclesiastes 9:5) and can’t communicate with the living. That’s one reason why it’s important to, as much as possible, maintain close relationships with loved ones while they’re still with us.

Apply It:

People will offer ways to connect with those “on the other side.” Do not be taken in by the notion; remain sure of what God has said.

Dig Deeper:

Psalm 146:4; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 16:13, 14

Key Bible Texts

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. (Revelation 16:13 KJV)