Is There a Realm of the Near-Dead?

What is the near-death condition really all about?  Is there some kind of realm of the near-dead? 

As I have explained earlier, I believe that what I experienced was a reality in its own right.  I quickly want to add a warning, though, that my comprehension of everything that was going on remains very limited, and I find that I am still learning from the experience and growing in understanding as time goes on.  

I cannot speak dogmatically, but my overall perception is that God allowed me a peek into the spiritual realm during the transitional state that often seems to accompany the dying process.  Many people have recounted such experiences.  In my case, I believe that it was permitted to give me a deeper understanding of the full consciousness that one has spiritually during this time and an awareness of the spiritual battle between the forces of light and the forces of darkness that may be waging.  Even more, it has sharpened my focus to be more passionate about telling others of the urgency to trust in Jesus for their eternal salvation.

One of my discoveries was that many things that I had perceived as being designed to harass or torture me were actually being done in the physical realm to help me.   For example, when I thought they were trying to force something nasty into my mouth, one of my nurses was trying to brush my teeth and clean my mouth to prevent sores from the buildup of bacteria.  Also, many of the prayers and Scripture readings that I had heard and dismissed as being done by imposters to mock me really were the voices of my sons and my wife Sherril.

One of the big mysteries was the active involvement of my son James, who as a PA was giving suggestions and advice to my supposed tormentors.   Later, I would learn that his alertness and professional assessment had been helping with my treatment and was responsible at one point for actually saving my life! 
So what about those voices yelling at me to open my eyes?  Yes, they were members of the hospital staff trying to get me to come out of the medically induced paralytic state I had been placed in for several days.  Even the exact words, “Are you playing possum, or what?” were confirmed as having been said by the male nurse who took such good care of me right after I awakened!

So then, I see that while there was a life-and-death struggle over me happening in the physical realm, so there was also a parallel fight going on in the spiritual.   But in the case of the spiritual, the outcome (that I would be rescued) was already certain because of my trust in Jesus even though in those moments when the “welcome” announcements were made and the “electrodes” started to connect, things looked very dark.
  In fact, it was at the very darkest moment when death seemed just moments away on the giant moving wheel that I was rescued by the Light that totally dispels all darkness and was snatched from the very entrance to the gates of Hell and restored to the physical realm.  And what was that awesome Light? 

So many Scriptures help answer that question.  Here are some of my favorites:…on this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. – Matthew 16:18b (ESV)

In Him was life: and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness: and the darkness did not comprehend it. -- John 1:4,5 (NASB)

Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world; he how follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life. – John 8:12 (NASB)

And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all -- 1 John 1:5 (NASB)

…thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.  For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins . – Colossians 1:12-14 (NASB)