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852
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webpage
NDERF 871 Thomas R NDE 2657
https://nderf.org/Experiences/1thomas_r_nde.html
1971
1971-12-24
2006
M
Thomas, a Navy serviceman, experienced an NDE on December 24, 1971, following a severe bicycle accident in San Diego. While taking a shortcut on a freeway on-ramp, his front tire fell into a storm drain with parallel bars, throwing him over the handlebars. He landed directly on the left side of his face, sustaining severe facial trauma. He has no memory of the actual accident, only learning details afterward from others and visiting the accident site after recovery.
During emergency treatment, Thomas found himself floating above a hospital bed, observing his own body lying below. This realization caused no distress; instead, he felt totally at peace and comfortable. He watched two medical personnel enter and begin discussing whether to debride his facial wound with a copper brush or water. From his elevated position, he thought to himself that if he were still in that body, he would prefer they use water. He discovered he could move at will simply by thinking about it, floating up to hover just above the ceiling light fixture where he read a small identification sticker on the upper side of the lamp. The out-of-body state was characterized by complete peace, absence of pain, and a sense of joy at being able to float freely. He described being surrounded by a "friendly gray fog" with no visible boundaries or objects, experiencing no fear whatsoever. He found it entertaining to float around and read mundane things like the lamp sticker from his elevated vantage point. The experience ended when he awoke in recovery with his face completely bandaged. When Thomas told the doctor he had heard their discussion about the copper brush versus water and knew exactly where the sticker was located on top of the overhead light, the physician dismissed these observations, saying Thomas "could not know that" and had merely been dreaming after nearly not being revived. However, Thomas remains certain of the experience's reality. Before this event, he had feared death more than anything, avoiding all funerals. Since the NDE, he has never again feared death, understanding with absolute certainty that consciousness continues and that the transition is pleasant. --- Biblical Summary --- Biblical elements: The experience aligns with several biblical concepts. The out-of-body experience parallels Paul's description in 2 Corinthians 12:2-3 of being "caught up" whether in or out of the body. The complete peace and absence of pain reflect biblical promises about the afterlife state (Revelation 21:4). The ability to observe earthly events from a spiritual vantage point has precedent in biblical visions. The transformation from extreme death fear to complete peace about mortality reflects the spiritual transformation described in Hebrews 2:15, freeing those who through fear of death were subject to bondage. Unbiblical elements: The experience lacks typical biblical NDE elements such as encounters with divine beings, life review, heaven or hell imagery, or moral/spiritual instruction. The "friendly gray fog" environment doesn't match biblical descriptions of spiritual realms. No mention of God, Jesus, angels, or deceased individuals appears. The experience was purely observational without divine commission or purpose revealed. While not contradicting scripture, the experience's limited scope provides minimal theological content.
5
Hospital
5
15
24
Moderate Evidence
4
Severe facial trauma from bicycle accident, near death mentioned
Heard specific medical discussion about copper brush vs water, saw sticker location on lamp
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4/22/2025
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