Joe prefers to remain anonymous. He was raised by his dad after his mother died giving birth to him. His dad was a great parent and worked hard to provide for his family. He stayed at his grandparents’ house quite often while his dad was at work. His grandmother insisted to bring him to church with her twice a week. Nevertheless, he was not fully sold on the idea that the Bible was true.
Fast forward 24 years and he was living in California and trying to become an actor while serving tables and doing odd jobs to scrape by. One fateful night came by at the restaurant he worked and his life was changed forever. One particularly rowdy group of people came in and began disturbing the other diners with profanity. His manager and him approached them and asked them to leave. Finally, his manager said he was going to call the police. Hearing that they left but not before throwing a few more threats to them.
After closing, Joe walked to where his car was parked and had the strangest feeling as if someone was watching him. Just as he was about to get into his car, something hit him in the head. He then found out it was a bat and the person who swung it was the loudest of the bunch that had been asked to leave.
Joe may have went unconscious for a few seconds. He’s really not sure .When he looked up from the ground, he could see the guy swinging the bat again. He curled into the fetal position and began to scream for help as the guy swung time and time again until he lost consciousness completely. The next thing He knew was he was standing in a huge room that was entirely white. He saw no doors, no windows & no real definition of walls or ceiling. Assuming he was dead, he called out hello. There was no reply and he waited for what seemed like a really long time.
Finally, he remembered what his grandmother always told him that if he ever finds himself in a situation he can't get out of, just pray to Jesus and He will save him. That's exactly what he did. He dropped to his knees, closed his eyes and began to pray. He didn't even know how long he prayed. After some time, he heard a gentle voice tell him to stand up. He opened his eyes and there stood Jesus right in front of him. Jesus had dark hair and looked of Middle Eastern heritage. He was wearing a simple white robe that had a simple brown belt tied at the waist. He had so many questions to ask Him but the first one that came to mind was, “Is this Heaven?”
“No”, Jesus replied with a smile that could light up the universe. Joe realized His lips did not move. He just heard His words inside his head. “You are only here temporarily.” Jesus further told him that someone wanted to meet him. In the blink of an eye, there was a woman standing next to Jesus. Joe thought he should know her. Then, it hit him that she was his mother! Joe had been shown her picture countless times by his father.
Joe felt an abundance of Love radiating from Jesus in her and he felt like he was home. “Mom!” he exclaimed. She stepped forward and embraced me with a hug that was almost electric. Instead of getting a shock, love flowed through his body from hers. She finally spoke telepathically. He heard the words inside his head. She told him to stop blaming himself for her death. She was happy and they would be together for eternity soon. Joe would soon be leaving as his life on Earth was not finished.
Joe looked to Jesus and asked Him to let him stay as he didn’t want to go back. Jesus told him that just as a river must run its course until it reaches the ocean, his course was also predetermined. Joe had to complete it. Then, He smiled again and told him that there was something important he had to do during this life. Jesus promise him that it would make the pains of living on Earth worth it. Then, Jesus reached out His hand and touched his head. Joe began getting so many images in his head. It was almost like watching a movie of his own future. Joe asked Jesus, “Is that my future?” Jesus replied, “That is one possible future of yours. You still have free will and there will be several times when you have a choice to alter the path.” The one he had seen was the most likely based on his choices so far.
“Will I remember that if I go back?” Joe asked. Jesus answered, “You may find times when you feel as if you know what is going to happen next but you won't remember the details.” Joe felt like an obligation whether that be to himself, his dad or possibly someone else he didn't know. Somehow Joe felt the need to return. His mother again hugged him with an electrifying love and told him that they would meet again soon. Then, she vanished. Jesus also gave him a hug that wrapped him in pure love and told Joe that He loved him.
Then, Joe awoke in the hospital room. His manager from the restaurant was there with him as he had heard his screams for help and rushed to his defense. In the process, he too had been hit in his shoulder before wrestling it away from his attacker who ran away. The doctor came in and told Joe that he had suffered a concussion and several broken ribs and would be staying overnight for observation. If all went well, he would be released the next day.
After Joe recovered and got out of the hospital, he still had a ringing in his ears that he had not complained about for fear of the doctor making him stay in the hospital longer. It continued for several weeks. So, he dropped to his knees again and prayed. When he woke the next morning, the ringing was gone.
Joe has no idea what his future holds but he knows
something about it persuaded him to come back here. He had not used to believe
in the Bible but he does now. He knows
Jesus Christ is real and that there is a God. He is still longing to return
to the other side. No matter what, Joe hopes his
experience would bring some comfort to his listeners.
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