THERE ARE episodes in supernatural, mostly recent, events in this world that I enjoy recalling, reading and rereading. Yes, the enjoyment is also in the sharing. One of them pertains to accounts of people who had had near-death experiences (NDE) and were granted a limited experience of Heaven. There have been others who, still being healthy physically, were bodily taken to Heaven by the Blessed Mother for a short visit.
Many have seen the movie Heaven is Real or at least read the book of the same title relating the case of then four-year-old Colton Burpo who had NDE after a vehicular accident with his family. He lived on, still is healthily alive, to spread his encounters in Heaven.
He said: “Heaven is more amazing than you can imagine. I could hear beautiful music and see lots of colors. Big, bright rainbows are everywhere you look. The streets are gold, the gates are made of pearl, and shiny jewels are on the walls.”
The boy added: “Heaven is not scary – ever! There is no sun, but it never gets dark in heaven because the light of God is so bright. No one ever cries or is afraid in heaven. No one ever gets sad or mad. Everyone is happy there!”
It was in Heaven that he conversed with Jesus Himself and met his grandfather whom he never knew nor saw before. He later identified his late grandfather in an old family photo shown him by his dad.
But I don’t think anyone could beat the episode in Medjugorje where visionary Vicka and Jakov, both still very young on that wondrous day in October, 1981, when the Blessed Mother suddenly appeared to them in the home of Jakov.
The Blessed Mother then told the two that she would take them to Heaven that very moment. Jakov, thinking that meant he and Vicka would have to die to get to Heaven, pleaded to the Blessed Mother to take one of the other visionaries instead, reasoning he was an only child of his earthly mother. The Blessed Mother just fondly smiled, took both of the children by their hand and, together, they ascended.
Vicka later related that experience as follows:
“I was wondering how many days we would be traveling (to get to Heaven), and whether we would go through the sky or the ground. Our Lady took my right hand and Jakov’s left hand and took us with her. We saw the ceiling opening, giving us just enough space to go through, and within the wink of an eye, we found ourselves in heaven. Heaven is one huge endless space. It has a brilliant light which does not leave it. There is a special kind of life that does not exist on the earth at all. We saw people dressed in pink, yellow, and gray gowns. Nobody was older than 33 years old. They were walking, praying, and singing, and there were small angels circling around. We saw people praying and singing, together in groups, but we could not understand what they were saying. It must have been some heavenly language. We experienced a special indescribable joy. Our Lady told us to have a good look at how overjoyed all those who were in heaven were. It was a special kind of joy that cannot be experienced on the earth. Everything is definitely so much more beautiful. When you are entering heaven, you experience an enormous feeling of separation from this life and enter a special new life.”
The Blessed later told them: “All those who are faithful to God will have that. I did this so you could see the happiness which awaits those who love God.”
Jakov’s mother was witness to the physical travel of the children to Heaven. When she immediately noticed Jakov and Vicka missing, she searched for them in and outside the house for about 20 minutes. Then the children were suddenly there.
Regarding citizens of Heaven, I just love recalling the Medjugorje episode pertaining to visionary Ivanka when the Blessed Mother appeared to her on May 7, 1985.
She recalled: “I never saw Mary so beautiful as on this evening. She wore the most beautiful gown I have ever seen in my life. Her gown, veil, and crown had gold and silver sequins of light. There were two angels with her – I don’t have words to describe this! Our Lady asked me if I had some wish. I told her I would like to see my earthly mother (recently deceased). She smiled, nodded her head, and my mother immediately appeared. She was smiling. Our Lady told me to stand up. I did, and my mother embraced and kissed me, and said, ‘My child, I am so proud of you.’ Then she kissed me and disappeared. After this, I asked Our Lady if I could kiss Her. She nodded her head, and I kissed Our Lady. She blessed me, smiled, and said, ‘Go in God’s peace.’”
Ivanka related that her mother looked the same but much prettier.
Then she said: “Many people do not believe there is life after this life. But I am here as a living witness, and I can say there is life after life because I was able to see my Mom. This witnessing was not just for me, but for all mankind.” (45:127)
Vicka said that “nobody is older than 33 years old” in Heaven, an observation shared by Colton Burpo who also said: “One of the most wonderful things about heaven is that no one ever gets sick or hurt there. No one ever has bumps or bruises or skinned knees. No one needs glasses or wheelchairs. In heaven, no one is old; everyone is young and healthy. And no one dies in heaven. In heaven, you live forever with God!”
