Can the Dead Hear?

Probably not…at least not from Earth!  But when is a person really dead? 

I’ve thought a lot about that since my own Parallel Journey.  During at least four days of that experience I was in a clinically induced virtual coma.  Yet, during that time I was continually conscious of a different reality into which sounds and conversations from the physical world around me, at times, penetrated. 


I have surprising recall of the whole experience during that time: things I said, thought and prayed, things I saw and heard and even decisions I made.  Remember my post, entitled “The Furrowed Brow,” where I was clinching my teeth on the ventilator tube?  I had resolved in my parallel state to bite down on what I had perceived to be part of the visor on my track car because it was helping me to pass the eye trials.  Yet, I was considered totally unresponsive from a medical viewpoint.

What about people who have been considered clinically dead but have “come back to life?”  And, conversely, what about those whose vital signs indicate they are alive but remain in a “persistent vegetative state?”

So what is my point?  Simply, that what constitutes death is still, in part, a mystery that sometimes defies science.  This may seem a little spooky to us, but I believe it has profound implications for how we should treat and pray for those who may at some time come into our lives in a comatose or near-death condition. 

Here are my conclusions…

• An unconscious person may at times be able to hear you even though they appear totally unresponsive.   
• They may hear your words in the context of a very different world that the one you see them in. 
• It is important to identify yourself.   
• Tell them where they are and what is going on around them. 

If they have trusted in Jesus for their salvation…

• Assure them of His love for them, His presence with them and His promise of eternity. 

• Read encouraging passages from the Bible to them, especially from Psalms. 

• Pray for them and when you are in their presence say what you would if you knew they were hearing you. 

• Do these things as often as you have the opportunity.

 For a person whose relationship with Jesus is in doubt I would try to do the same things but add these important steps first…

• Pray that God would grant them the ears to hear the truth of salvation and the ability to respond (though you may never know on this side of eternity if they did). 

• If the opportunity becomes available, share the plan of salvation and encourage them to trust Jesus to rescue them.  

•  Assure them of His love for them and that He is ready and able to forgive their sins and to save them from whatever fearful condition they may be experiencing. 

• Ask them to call on Jesus by name and ask Him to save them.  

And remember…as long as there is life, there is hope!

I will never leave you nor forsake you – Heb 13:5b
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  – Acts 2:21