Evading Death

By Steven W Long

Can people die, or have near-death experiences, and come back to life again?

Is it possible to experience the afterlife in advance or are such impressions merely the result of brain chemistry changes at the point of death?

With so many people claiming to have these kinds of encounters, shouldn't we investigate them?

In Evad

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Sep 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781647735654

Book preview

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Evading

Death

College Professor Experiences two Paths to Eternity

Dr. Steven W. Long

Trilogy Christian Publishers

TUSTIN, CA

Trilogy Christian Publishers

A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

2442 Michelle Drive

Tustin, CA 92780

Copyright © 2020 by Dr. Steven W. Long

Unless otherwise noted, all scriptures (NASB) are from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE ®, Copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM. Used by permission of Zondervan

Bracketed statements inserted in scriptures are commentaries or explanations by the author.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. Final responsibility for design, content, permissions, editorial accuracy, and doctrinal views, either expressed or implied, belongs to the author. Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals and the innocent.

Address all personal correspondence to Dr. Steven W. Long via the website

https://ndeisitreal.com or by email at [e-mail]

Individuals and groups may order books from Dr. Steven W. Long directly, or from the publisher. Bookstores and other retailers should refer to the Trilogy Publishing website for distribution information, as well as an online catalog of all our books.

For information, address Trilogy Christian Publishing, Rights Department, 2442 Michelle Drive, Tustin, Ca 92780.

Trilogy Christian Publishing/ TBN and colophon are trademarks of Trinity Broadcasting Network.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Trilogy Christian Publishing.

Manufactured in the United States of America

Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN 978-1-64773-564-7

ISBN 978-1-64773-565-4 (ebook)

Contents

Dedication v

Foreword vii

Endorsements ix

Acknowledgements xv

Introduction xvii

Prologue. First Brush with Death xxi

Dead Now Alive 1

The Battle: Mayday on May Day 11

Conflicting Kingdoms, Violet Spiritual Realities 21

Benevolent Dictator, Malevolent Foe 33

Who We Are 45

Two Paths—Two Destinations 55

Destination Darkness: The End of the Other Path 75

The Place of Intense, Stunning Light 111

Dumb Ways to Die 127

So How? 143

Suggested Answers 155

Epilogue. On Death’s Edge 173

Appendix 185

Endnotes 195

Bibliography 197

About the Author 199

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all those who are seeking to know if God is real, to those in need of healing, and to those involved in helping others receive healing, both medically and spiritually. May this book encourage and inspire you to press forward with more passion to see the captives set free from the bondages of sin, sickness, and death through the supernatural power of God, His word, and His people.

Foreword

When we see and/or hear on the internet, TV, or radio news reports about the numbers of people who die every day due to pandemics, violence, riots, wars, destructive weather and deadly accidents, it can be overwhelming. We might even find ourselves wondering about the afterlife and where all those people went after they died.

In times of personal crisis, our thoughts, concerns, and questions also reflect a change of interest and focus. For example, during a pandemic or upon getting a negative diagnosis from a doctor, it can cause us to ask tougher questions about life and death and heaven and hell.

During times of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger with possibilities of recovery or death, there is a significant increase in people looking for answers about the afterlife.

Questions arise like:

What happens when we die?

Will we become a spirit or ghost?

Are heaven and/or hell real?

Do we just cease to exist in any form?

Are we reincarnated?

Do we become angels?

For those who have questions about the afterlife, we believe it is important for you to get answers to those tough questions. This topic is so important since all of us will die sooner or later. We need to be prepared for what we will encounter on the other side of life here on earth.

In this book, you will learn about Dr. Steve’s near-death experiences. It is a very exciting adventure into the world of life after death. Plus, there are accounts of other people’s encounters with entering into the afterlife.

You will also find answers to your questions through the presentations of important resources that dig deeper into explaining the complexities of this topic in simple, understandable language.

We believe this is a timely topic as we confront a global pandemic that is taking the lives of thousands of people worldwide. It is like an invisible enemy that is lurking around causing fear and stress. You can find peace, hope, and encouragement in the pages of this book to empower you to face death with no fear.

Endorsements

To read Evading Death is to become enlightened. Dr. Long’s detailed account of his return from the other side is extremely memorable to me. There is so much to be learned from Steve’s book, especially by those who question the existence of spiritual warfare and God’s omnipotence.

Glenn Chrisman

Editor of Sunset Magazine

Enjoyed this book immensely from a number of standpoints. Steve’s renditions of the NDE’s, especially his personal one, was very provocative and challenging. His command and presentation of the Christian doctrines plus scriptural documentation was extremely instructive, humble, and persuasive...excellent primer for any of us...New Jerusalem, heaven, spiritual warfare discussions, helpful appendices, and the Q and A sections likewise, very helpful to anyone, new or old in theology. In short, this book really turned me on!

Dr. William H. Targgart

The urgency of choosing wisely for eternity has never been presented more forcefully than in Dr. Steven Long’s new book, Evading Death. Beginning with a riveting account of a 2014 heart attack and subsequent NDE’s that changed and refocused his entire life, Steve goes on to present in the starkest terms possible the consequences of choosing for God—and choosing against Him. Steve’s message couldn’t be clearer—don’t wait until you’re in your own white room to get your eternal destiny settled. Do it today. Highly recommended.

Edward Schmeichel

Professor (emeritus), San Jose University

Steve Long returned from more than twenty years in Taiwan to head the International Students Christian Outreach program at Stanford. It was being sponsored by our church in nearby Menlo Park. He joined the men’s fellowship group at the church where we became friends. Even prior to his near-death experience, Steve had a fascinating life. In the two decades he and his wife Vicky lived in Taiwan, they created a program for the schools called Global Champions. This program, taught in middle school, enhanced the lives of more than three million children there. They now are working to bring this program to U.S. schools. Steve’s experiences escaping death is an awe-inspiring story that awakens new vistas in your thinking. I think you will enjoy this book very much.

Paul Ely

Retired management executive, Hewlett Packard

If you’ve ever wondered what happens after death as we know it, you’ve got to hear about it from someone who’s experienced it! Steve’s genuine narrative implores the reader to give important thought to the implications of our present choices on our eternal future, and challenges everyone to choose the path to light over darkness.

Audrey K. Bowden, PhD

Assistant professor, E.E., Stanford University

Dr. Steven Long’s book Evading Death is one the most important books that a believer or non-believer can read. The author had his own Near-Death Experience (NDE) which he details for the readers. And he did extensive research on other people NDEs. He reasonably concludes that destiny (eternal life) is not a matter of chance; it’s a matter of choice. Ours!

Duane E. Clapp Jr.

Retired lawyer, Menlo Park, California

If you have even a passing interest in eternal life, Near Death Experiences (NDEs), and good and evil, you should read Evading Death, by Dr. Steven W. Long. Dr. Long vividly writes about his journey of faith—from skeptic to follower of Christ—and how his experience with an NDE and other’s experiences helped form a biblically consistent framework to consider for eternal life and the battle between good and evil in the world. Faith is a decision. Reading Evading Death may be just what you need to make that decision.

Skip Vaccarello

Business leader, author of Finding God in Silicon Valley

This book will provoke you to consider a sobering reality... everyone on earth will live forever! It’s a revelation we must explore before it’s too late, and Steve’s firsthand experience, along with countless others he has researched, should draw you to believe there is much more to our existence than a good career, relationships, and even charity. I believe God imparted these visions to Steve for the purpose of changing many more lives than his own, and this book is part of it fulfilling it. Steve’s life is a witness to what is written inside these pages. Praise God for all that He will do through this book!

Grace Yanni Han

Stanford University master’s student

Gracefully interweaving Scripture while interspersing his own personal account as well as the experiences of others, Steve poses poignant questions which lead the reader to reflect on their own experience of God...love unites our tripartite nature: our spirit, our soul, and our body. Steve’s near loss of his bodily self provides him a unique vantage point from which he considers the forever-living aspects of our being: own spirit and our soul. Ultimately, the book is not as much a depiction of Steve’s near-death experience as it is a meditation on living a Christ-centered life. Gone, but not gone, Steve describes his near-death experience as a regeneration; born again into a new beginning from above.

Professor Doug Leigh

Pepperdine University, California

Acknowledgements

We want to acknowledge all those who participated in Dr. Steve’s fight for life because of an out-of-hospital massive heart attack while in Taiwan. Only around 12 percent who have heart attacks outside of medical facilities survive. We are eternally grateful to all those who helped Steve survive a life-threatening traumatic crisis. There were so many involved in this intervention.

Thanks to the medical teams: paramedic team, Intensive Care Unit, doctors, surgeons, nurses, hospital administration and staff, hospital interns, and volunteers.

Thanks to those who prayed for Steve. Most of all, thanks to God who spared and extended his life.

We know that the love and power of God brought Steve through. It takes teamwork to bring healing to those in crisis. Steve is more than a survivor. He is a miracle!

Victoria Lynn Long

Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord...we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:6–8

Introduction

Your heartbeat has weakened. The heart monitor is recording your heart’s failure. Your heart has just stopped beating. You are now leaving earth for the journey beyond the physical boundaries of this world.

Welcome to join our adventure into exploring the reality of what happens after death. Everyone will die. No one escapes the change we call death. Therefore, it is important to grasp an understanding about what death will be like so you can be prepared.

We begin with Dr. Steven Long’s account of what happened during his massive heart attack, ambulance ride to the hospital, emergency room prep for a triple bypass open heart surgery, seven days in intensive care, and total of twenty-three days in the hospital plus his recovery time.

Additionally, you will enter into the actual experiences of others who have crossed