‘I Met Jesus Face-to-Face, and He Told Me This…’
When I approached the center of the city in Heaven, I could see the concentration of light in front of and above me.
Ahead, a massive stairway had come into view. Although it was still in the distance, I could see it perfectly, as if it were close enough to touch.
My visual sense, like my other senses, was enhanced and perfected. Nothing ever looked faded or blurry. Whatever I focused on was immediately visible in perfect detail, from the nearest flower to the farthest mountain top. It was the same way with the staircase I was approaching.
I quickened my pace and arrived at the bottom step, eager to ascend. The light was more brilliant at the stairway—more than anywhere else I had yet seen. Light behaved so differently in Heaven, almost as if it had weight and substance. It drifted down the stairs from above, making me think of the way smoke flows.
Every color imaginable was in the light. It started as the purest of white but also looked to me as though it had been fractured by a prism. I could identify seven distinct colors—but that was just the start. These seven colors were altered into additional shades and hues, creating an infinite number of colors. I have not seen anything close to it before or since.
This colorful light hovered on the staircase, moving slowly and gracefully downward until it surrounded the bottom of the stairs and diffused into the lush gardens. It was the most colorful and elegant visual display of light I had yet witnessed, and reassured me I was getting closer to the source. With every step I took, my anticipation grew. I wondered, Will I see Jesus?
The wide and regal staircase was the most beautiful I had ever imagined. Its width was at least half the length of a football field. And each step was deep, allowing plenty of room for many to stand and fellowship wherever they chose. The stairs were made of white marble with veins of gold threaded through them. The stairway curved gently as it ascended until it disappeared into the light above.
A golden railing of intricate design bordered each side of the stairway. Living, flowering vines wove their way through the rails, wrapping and embracing the golden lattice.
On earth at age nineteen, when all this took place, I had never been one to pay much attention to things like flowers or intricate details of creation. I was more of a “machine” kind of guy and loved working on anything mechanical. My comfort zone had always included things that were logical and physical. But Heaven changed me. There, I was in awe of the intricacies and the perfection in all God’s creation. Every detail captured my attention and revealed more of God to my spirit. For example, the soft fragrance of the flowers that accessorized the stairway mesmerized me and filled me with joy.
The Stairway
Visiting Heaven
Captain Dale Black
For a moment, I stopped to soak in the beauty of the stairway and the activity on it. Dozens of angels and saints were traversing up and down the steps in both directions. Some stopped to interact with others as they passed. At the same time, from my perspective, all of them seemed to have a distinct purpose in their planned destination.
It was obvious that people had plans and missions in Heaven. There were things to do and tasks to complete. Each effort strengthened the community and further enhanced what was already perfect. Angels also had assignments to serve God and man. They faithfully fulfilled their purpose both in Heaven and on earth.
No one was in a hurry. And even though hundreds were moving up and down the stairway simultaneously, it did not look crowded. There was harmony in everyone’s movements, and perfect unity did exist—indescribable unity!
This is the part I noticed first and loved the most. Unity.
Being in one accord. It was glorious.
A large angel was positioned at the bottom of the stairway. Dressed somewhat like the angel who had greeted me at the gate’s entrance, he looked magnificent. This angel no doubt possessed great authority. As our eyes met, he smiled in recognition. I could tell he was expecting me.
Inside my heart, I had a natural, compulsive desire to ascend the stairway toward the source of the brilliant, pure, white light. No one told me who or what was up the stairs. But again, there was a “knowing.” Somehow I knew it would be the throne of God. Jesus would reside there also.
I understood that God was the source of the light that filled Heaven and that the light contained within it love and life. I knew the origin of the light was up the magnificent stairway.
Imagining that Jesus would be there gave me a profound desire to ascend, but I also realized approval from the angel was needed to advance. Once again, communication was exchanged heart to heart. In this way, the transference of thoughts and ideas remained pure. Nothing was misunderstood. Nothing needed was left out. That was part of the reason it was so concerning when I received the angel’s message. “No, Dale. You are not allowed to go up.”
What? Pardon me? Really? Then I spoke, “May I ask why not?” I felt compelled to ascend the stairway. I needed to go up. Everything had been drawing me to the origin of the light since I had arrived in Heaven.
The angel responded lovingly and patiently, “You can’t go up and still go back.”
My mind began racing. Go back? Go back? What are you talking about? Everything I had ever known—family, friends, school, flying—had been of no importance to me since I had arrived in Heaven. I hadn’t thought even once about my life back on earth. All I wanted or needed was here in this glorious place.
Earth life is just a testing ground. It’s preparation for Heaven. Sadly, most on earth never understand this and get this fact thought backwards. I sure did before my heavenly journey. My earth life was like the front porch of a glorious house full of bright light, music and wonderful people who loved me. Once inside, I never gave the front porch another thought.
At the stairway, I understood. My entire existence was for one purpose: to have eternal life with God in Heaven. Plus, the most wonderful family to be a part of was here. My heavenly family! I belonged here. Life in Heaven was the only thing that mattered to me.
But with the angel’s words came a fleeting memory of my earthly life rushing back into my mind. I had no desire for it. This new perfect life was where I belonged now. I was made for Heaven. Heaven was made for me. I did not ever want to leave this place.
The Lamb of God
Then the angel moved one large step to the side, revealing the One behind him. Before me stood the most regal and beautiful man I had ever seen or could imagine. His piercing eyes penetrated my heart. They were filled with wisdom, gentleness, and kindness. Agape love exuded from those deep eyes of pure good- ness. There are no eyes on earth like them. In His eyes were total authority and total acceptance.
He was the source of the light I had been searching for. He smiled as He greeted me, His face radiating living light.
Gradually, I became aware that this was not the first time we’d met. I knew Him. He knew me. I knew some things about Him. He knew everything about me. He knew even the deepest parts of me! This was Jesus—my Savior and Friend! This was the Lamb of God. Jesus! Jesus my Lord!
My knees buckled. I couldn’t stand. My legs lost their strength, and I collapsed. Both my hands embraced His feet. I remained motionless on my face before Him, holding His feet.
Such majesty. Such authority. Such holiness. The power.
The love.
Just then, I felt unworthy. I was experiencing inner conflict as I became aware of my personal inadequacy to be in such a glorious, sinless place with the Son of God. Of course, I’m unworthy. Look at this place. I’m nobody, a nobody of the tallest order.
He knew my thoughts. At the same instance that I felt unworthy, I was filled with images of His sacrifice. I saw how His blood had covered and washed me clean. My sin had been pardoned by Jesus. Jesus, the Messiah, had given me right standing with God.
In the fifth grade, when I was eleven, I had heard the gospel of Jesus. The Bible taught that He sacrificed His life for my sin. That was when I had repented and been forgiven of my sins and turned the control of my life over to Jesus. That was when Jesus Christ had become my Savior and Lord.
I was worthy to stand boldly and without shame—because of Jesus. Apart from believing and repenting, my worthiness wasn’t because of anything I had done. It was because I had accepted what Jesus had done for me. As part of the family of God, I had become an heir of salvation and inherited the benefits He provides—which include eternal life in Heaven.
The assurance that I belonged there was clear. It was all because of the One standing before me. His presence was like air. Jesus was my everything in that moment. Fifty years later, He is still my everything.
Both my hands continued to hold Jesus’s feet. I stared, surprised to see the damage from the nails. There were no scars, only holes in His feet with brilliant light emanating from them.
One thought coursed through my mind over and over: How could You love me this much? Why would You love me this much? My second thought was, I owe You everything!
In a somewhat feeble way, I worshipped the Lord. Not raising my head, I clung to His feet, not wanting to let go.
He leaned down close to my bowed head and spoke, “Do you love me, Dale?”
I tried to speak but couldn’t open my mouth. I was overwhelmed. I wanted to speak out of my mouth what my heart believed, Oh, yes! Yes, I love You, Lord. I know who You are and what You did for me. You gave me life. I’m sorry I’ve been so selfish and such a disappointment. But instead, I didn’t utter a syllable. For that moment, my mouth ceased to work, but my heart ached with worship.
Then He bent down further, moving closer to my ear. I can still feel and smell His sweet breath on my face. In a reverberating voice, He whispered, “What will you do with the life I give you?”
Saint Joseph’s Hospital—Burbank, California
In my first waking memory, I found myself lying in a hospital bed as the sound of glorious music faded away.
The old me was dead. That old Dale Black, the highly driven, self-centered, arrogant young athlete and pilot, was dead.
Now I could truly live.
“I spent 3 days in Heaven… and it changed my life forever!”
Driven by ambition, Dale Black's entire life was fixated on personal success… until the day when everything changed. As the only survivor of a horrific plane crash, he encountered the spectacular glories of Heaven. After regaining consciousness, Dale made a supernatural physical recovery, and against all odds went on to become a jet pilot, aviation safety specialist, and award-winning airline pilot instructor.
Today, he inspires people worldwide by sharing about the glories of Heaven and the love of God which he encountered during his life-changing visit to Heaven.
“Those who truly love God will love Heaven. Heaven is not meant to be an amusement park destination, but a purposeful lifestyle that is designed to bless and benefit all who reside there. In Heaven you fulfill your predestined purpose while being empowered by the Light and Life and Love of God which exudes from the Throne.”
Dale’s incredible story will stir a passion for eternity now as you…
Gain clarity about how life continues on after death
Understand God’s awesome plan for your life
Discover how valuable your life really is
Gain greater purpose and clarity today, in light of eternity
Learn why the glories of Heaven help prepare you for the future
Strap in for the ride of your life as Dale Black shares his journey to Heaven. It changed him forever, and it’s sure to change you!
