Everyone who has seen heaven does not want to leave. The beauty is literally “out of this world!” The beauty, the animated flowers, the delicious fruit, the amazing music, the architecture, the mansions, the water, the mountains, the colors, and more are all awesome. Nothing ever dies, fruit never spoils, leaves never turn brown and fall, everyone loves everyone and all are part of one big family, God’s family. But what impresses them more than all of that is the total acceptance, the fantastic love, the inexpressible joy, and the intimate fellowship with God and Jesus, all of which is more than they have ever experienced on Earth. It is the fulfillment of everything they have longed for all their lives. But obviously some did not stay. Otherwise, we would not have their testimonies.
Ian McCormack’s experience encapsulates this dichotomy as well as any. He was an atheist until the last few seconds of life when he prayed for forgiveness. He looked through a circular shaped opening behind Jesus and saw a whole new world of meadows, fields, grass, a crystal stream, mountains, clear blue sky, rolling green hills, and flowers. But he could also see everything he had ever done. He wanted to hide or go back down the tunnel because of seeing his sinful past, but wave after wave of pure light and love started flooding over him, love that was pure, unadulterated, clean, uninhibited, and undeserved. It was filling him up from the inside out making his hands and body tingle. He began to weep uncontrollably as the love became stronger and stronger. Everything he thought was love on Earth was nothing compared to the love he was feeling. He wanted to say goodbye to the old world he had left, but then he saw his mother’s face looking at him. She had prayed for him every day of his life and had tried to show him the way of God. If he never returned she would never know of his radical change. He knew he had to go back. Also God showed him his family and thousands of people, whom God said would not come to Him if he didn’t go back.
So what motivates some to give up what they have sought all their lives and never or only partially found? There are two scenarios. Sometimes the person is told it is not his or her time and he or she must go back. Jesus told some their work for Him on Earth was not complete yet. They need to finish the work God has for them and then they could come back to stay. In some cases, family members the person met told him or her to go back. Sometimes the person chooses to come back for the sake of his or her family or others that need him or her even though he or she could choose to stay.
Samaa Habib was a converted Muslim whose family were not saved yet and who would have grieved the loss of her 17-year-old life. She chose to come back for them. When she said she wanted to come back, God told her to tell all His people about Him. He said, “His people are her people.” Betty Malz needed to go back for her family. She heard her father saying, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” when he arrived at the hospital a few minutes after she died and knelt at her bedside alone grieving. So when the angel asked if she wanted to go in, she said she wanted to go back. Jeanne Enstad decided to come back when she saw her three children around her hospital bed praying she would live. Amid all the beauty and love, Dawn Cypret knew she had to go back home. Jesus told her heaven is her home. She then explained why she needed to go back. Marisa Vallbona told God she was too young to die, and ask if she could she go back and make a difference with her life.
Some were told by family members to go back. Abby Cleghorn’s mother told her this was not her time; she had to go back for her kids and grandbabies. Her sister, Patty Lynn, who had died in childbirth, reminded her of what her mother had said and told Abby to quit talking and get going. Willie Agnes Chennault saw her mother standing on the other side of the river. She told Willie she had to go back; it was not her time. Jeff Olsen was in a terrible roll-over auto accident. He, his wife, Tamara, and infant son, Griffin died in the crash. His slightly older son survived. In heaven, Tamara said, “You can’t stay here. You have to go back. You can’t be here.” Crying she said, “You can’t come. You cannot stay.” He still couldn’t figure out what was happening, but he knew he did not want to leave this place of joy in the presence of his dear wife. She continued insisting he had to go back for their other young son, who had not died. Three-year-old Paul Eicke drowned in a swimming pool, and in heaven his grandma said he had to go home.
Jesus told some they needed to go back. Richard Sigmund had a worldwide ministry waiting for him. Jesus said the same thing to Ian McCormack. He ended up having a worldwide ministry also in which thousands gave their lives to Christ. Tony Davis heard a voice say, “It’s not your time, go back.” He argued with the voice and was told he still had work to do, and eventually with a whoosh and a breath he was back in his body in spite of his protests. Jim Woodford was told to go back and tell his brothers and sisters the wonders Jesus had shown him. Jesus told George Ritchie he had to go back and tell others. Jesus told Jim Woodford it is not his time. He was to go back and tell his brothers and sisters the wonders He had shown him. Jesus asked Dr. Reggie Anderson’s patient Eunice to come back to give Dr. Anderson the answer to his prayer and she could soon come back to stay. She lived another seven years and always reminded Dr. Anderson of what Jesus had told him and told everyone she met those seven years about heaven.