Theological column by Adrienne Greene
Q:
Dear Pastor,
Two weeks before my husband died, we both saw a bright light in the corner of our bedroom. It came again the following week and he died soon after. What was that?
A:
First, I’m so sorry for the loss of your husband. Please know that the Lord is near to widows and orphans. He has a special place in his heart for them (Jeremiah 49:11.) As strange as it may seem, press your broken heart toward Jesus and ask him to fill up the void that death has left inside you; your home and your world. As we all know, death is a part of life. But it’s the worst part.
I was a Chaplain for many years in a hospital near Terre Haute, Indiana. As a result, I saw many supernatural things occur as I made my rounds down the hospital hallways and into the rooms of those who needing spiritual assistance. I know exactly what you and your husband saw: the entrance to heaven and/or the appearance of heavenly hosts. This phenomenon, which is not a mirage, a fantasy, a ghostly specter or a psychotic vision, is almost always present when a believer in Christ dies. Heaven comes to retrieve those who belong to Jesus. He himself appears to his beloved…or he sends the angelic hosts to help the departing cross-over. As I sat next to the bedsides of folks who were dying, these unusual sights of light or angels or Jesus himself, occurred. If the person could still speak, they would often talk about what they saw. Sometimes, only the dying could see the light. Other times, everyone in the room… those whose spirits were filled with the Holy Spirit through salvation in Jesus Christ…could observe this strange experience.
Hymns have been written about this heavenly light as the saints of old reminded us about God’s sparkling presence. People who die and come back often remember a blinding light that guided them and helped them to return. God himself is made up of this light, so wherever heaven breaks in, there is always light: “And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:5, NASB95.)
There are many episodes documented in the Bible where heaven meets earth and light breaks out. But there is no specific scripture for what I’m saying. I’m simply relaying to you what I know from personal experience: heaven comes down to retrieve its own. The light was observed by both you and your husband as a mercy from our Lord. He may have sent an angel to open the heavenly portal that your husband would soon pass through. The light may have helped to prepare you for what was to come.
That said, not every person who reads my commentary and writes to me, are Christians. If your home is not Christian, then that changes things a bit. The Bible says this: “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) This means that God never sends anyone to hell. No, people choose it for themselves when they reject the cross of Christ. God’s desire is for everyone to be saved and to come with him to heaven when they die. If you and your husband were not believers, this light is God’s pursuit of your souls.
It is my belief that our God stalks unbelievers throughout their lives…even to their last breath. Jesus comes to the bedside of the dying to ask one last time if they will accept him as their Savior. That light could have been the precursor to that moment, if your husband was not a Christian. The angelic beings were paving the way for the Savior to visit on that final time. For you, if you are not yet receiving Christ, you now have the information, through my response here, to understand that God is good, he loves you and he yearns for you to believe in him. Either way, your light was God. The heavenly realm entered your room. I would praise the Lord in deep worship for this privilege of seeing something so magnificent.
Do you have a question or comment for Pastor Adrienne? Send your inquiries to: info@adriennewgreene.com or write to P.O. Box 214, Harrison, OH 45030. For more information and resources, please visit www.askpastoradrienne.com or the “Ask Pastor Adrienne” YouTube channel for videos and insights.
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