Is it possible that, after death, one’s relationship with God can be improved? Among Christian religions, only the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican-Episcopal Church, and certain Orthodox churches 
believe that, after the body’s death, one’s Soul may be “purified” in preparation to enter Heaven. However, Judaism also teaches that purification of the Soul might be possible. The concept of purgatory is closely tied with purification. Purgatory is the “place” where one’s Soul exists in a “state” between death and final judgment. It is viewed as a “time” of cleansing. Of course, Heaven is a timeless realm. There is literally no dimension of time – or even an awareness of such earthly limits and restrictions. Yet, the need for purification and cleansing implies that one’s Soul is not quite ready to accept or to receive God’s love. And if that’s the case, what might actually take place as one’s Spirit is made ready to embrace our Creator?
Those looking to the Bible for help will find that, while quite a lot is written about Hell, very little is said about Heaven, and purgatory receives no specific mention at all. Nonetheless, the Bible provides assurance that, in God’s Kingdom, there shall be no more “death or mourning or crying or pain.” In other words, there is no sense of suffering or lack in Heaven. Somewhat more descriptive, but still cryptic, are the words Jesus spoke to his disciples: “My Father’s house has many rooms.” But there are countless ways to interpret this Scripture. For example, I envision a heavenly realm that has an infinite number of “rooms” and each is infinite in size. This implies an infinite number of heavenly experiences as well. Is it unreasonable to think that, as these experiences unfold, one’s Spirit may grow closer to God? And being creative in nature, perhaps human Souls have a hand in shaping their afterlife. If this is true, then one’s purification process might be largely self-determined, yet wholly within God’s plan for salvation. But could our Creator’s perfect plan also include pain and despair? Does torment reside in some of the “rooms” available for the Soul’s cleansing?
Most people have read or heard about near-death experiences. They typically include one or more of the following: a feeling of profound peace; the presence of a brilliant white light; a greeting by “dead” relatives; and a message stating that it is not yet “their time.” Generally, I have high regard for people’s near-death testimonies. After all, there’s little to be gained by deliberately misrepresenting what they believe happened to them. Still, some near-death experiences are wildly different, and Howard Storm’s narrative is an excellent case in point.
Storm was an art professor at Northern Kentucky University. He was also a devout atheist. In fact, he took delight in ridiculing those who believed in a higher power. Looking back, Storm has acknowledged that, at this point in his life, he was angry, bitter, hateful, and rude. Then, while vacationing in Europe, Storm became violently ill. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where his diagnosis was a perforated stomach, a condition both life-threatening and excruciatingly painful. Confined to a hospital bed, Storm was alarmed after suddenly realizing that he was no longer living in his body. Instead, he was hovering above it. And what happened next was anything but peaceful. Storm was guided to what he later described as a “timeless realm of complete darkness.” From there, a horrific journey unfolded. He endured intense pain, suffering, torment, guilt, shame, and despair. Most significant, however, is that his experience didn’t end there. Ultimately, Storm received divine rescue, grace, forgiveness, salvation, and an unfathomable love which was offered unconditionally.
Storm explains that the full impact of God’s love is beyond human comprehension. For Storm, it was overwhelming – literally debilitating – to the point that his emotional recovery took many months longer than his body’s healing. He was instantly, completely, and permanently transformed. Storm never returned to his job as a college art teacher. Instead, he entered seminary, became an ordained minister, and served as pastor for a United Church of Christ congregation located in Cincinnati. About a year ago, I had the pleasure of visiting Storm. We talked for several hours, and he shared details of his afterlife odyssey and its profound consequences. I found his riveting account to be exceptionally genuine. You can learn more about Storm by searching the Internet, and the complete story of his near-death experience is chronicled in his book My Descent into Death: A Second Chance at Life.
Storm’s extraordinary account, in my opinion, contains an important theological possibility. Moreover, his story can be seen as a beacon of hope. That is, every human being may have a final opportunity – even after death – to accept God’s love and receive salvation. Does this mean everyone will choose to accept the gift of divine love? Of course not; for God never forces anyone to praise Him, follow His commandments, or for that matter, to even accept His existence. Indeed, these are issues of choice, faith, and free will. Those opting to turn their backs on God’s light, choosing to dwell in self-created shadows, will no doubt experience unimaginable pain and despair.
But is Hell’s suffering eternal? Theologians hold differing views. Some insist the anguish of Hell lasts forever. Others believe the Souls of those who reject God are eventually annihilated – they permanently cease to exist. This suggests a more merciful God who imposes limits on human suffering. But is there a third possibility? Could it be that, after experiencing unthinkable torment, one could still choose again – that there might be yet another chance to accept God’s love and salvation? Could this be the divine plan of a loving, gracious Creator?
Universalists believe that everyone shall receive an opportunity for final salvation. Mormons and Unitarians, among others, embrace this theology. Perhaps you’ve heard about the Unitarian who died and, on his way to the afterlife, encountered a fork in the road where there were two signs. The first one read “This way to find Heaven” and the second read “This way to find how to enter Heaven.” It’s a comical scenario, but humor often contains an element of truth. I’ve learned, too, that there are occasions when personal beliefs should be kept to oneself. For instance, I recently had a widow tell me that, while standing next to her husband’s coffin, a distant relative approached her and proclaimed, “Your husband wasn’t ‘saved’ and he’s burning in Hell right now.” Not only was it an incredibly cruel thing to say, it was grossly arrogant to assume the outcome of Supreme Judgment.
From a global perspective, Eastern religions and philosophies view reincarnation as the means by which one’s Soul, over eons of time, prepares for Nirvana – an eternal state of wholeness, bliss, and oneness. Judgment is therefore not part of the Soul’s evolutionary journey according to followers of Hinduism and Buddhism. In stark contrast, most Protestant faiths teach that divine judgment takes place directly following the body’s death; and immediately after judgment, the Soul enters one of two eternal realms: Heaven or Hell. But Christianity embraces a broad range of beliefs, and some theologians posit that, in reality, there is no judgment in the afterlife.
My opening question asks, is it possible that, after death, one’s relationship with God can be improved? My response: That’s for you to decide. Is it a view compatible with a God of infinite love, a Creator whose grace has no boundaries? It’s a prospect which merits reflection. The New Testament teaches that God is love. I’m also reminded of a line spoken in a movie. Though the film’s name escapes me, the words remain etched in my memory: God has never had to forgive, because He has never judged. And in A Course in Miracles, it is written, “You need not fear a Judge whose eyes see only innocence.” Please take a moment to ponder the following spiritual queries. How would God’s grace be best expressed in an eternal afterlife? What might happen to Souls that are not yet ready to accept God’s love? And finally, may salvation be found after the earthly body’s death?
Saint Paul wrote this Scripture, also worthy of contemplation: “We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:3-5)
John
