Question from a reader:

Do you think it’s possible that when a person is passing and they don’t seem to be lucid, perhaps God is guiding them along, explaining what’s happening and who’s with them, or do you think it’s just all explained after they’re in Heaven? I’m sure none of this is explained in the Bible, but maybe you can share your beliefs with me. I think God wanted me to witness the death of a loved one to increase my faith, which it certainly has. After seeing the determined expression on her face of wanting to leave, I believe she saw God, angels, a glimpse of Heaven, or something spiritual that was very comforting and inviting to her. I feel so blessed by God for allowing me the privilege of being with her.

Answer from Randy Alcorn:

I agree that God’s timing was perfect and He is the one who prompted you to be with your loved one when she died. I was with my father when he died, and my closest friend from childhood when he died, and would never have been there that moment if not for a completely odd set of events. I was reading Scripture to him when he died, and in fact based a scene (the death of Finney) from my novel Deadline on Jerry’s death.

I think she probably did know you were with her. I firmly believe people are aware of far more than we think, as testified to by people who’ve been in comas, and then when revived remember all kinds of things said by others when they were supposedly unconscious. Yes, God may help them understand, and you’re right, it’s not explained in the Bible, but it makes sense to me.

Likely you truly did see your loved one catch a glimpse of Heaven, God, angels and/or the spiritual realm. She might have seen the face of a loved one already with the Lord, as others have just before dying.

Anyway, it is truly precious to be with a loved one when they die. We were with my close friend, my father, and my wife’s mother when they died, and I will never forget the privilege of it. All loved God, and all we will see again in a far better place.

For more information on the subject of Heaven, see Randy Alcorn’s book Heaven.