‘Angels Escorted Me to the Gates of Heaven. What Happened Next Changed My Life...’
The two angels who guided me appeared delighted at my joy in each discovery.
They directed me to arrive at this location near the gate, at this exact time. There was an expectancy in their faces—as though something was preparing to announce itself. I moved toward the stunning entrance that graced the wall like a crown jewel.
The Gate
The opening through the wall was opalescent in color and texture. It had the appearance of being coated in pearl, as if millions of these flawless gems had been liquefied and poured over the surface of the entire gateway and into the opening for as far as I could see. Wrapped around the entrance, embedded into the iridescent lining, was an intricate array of jewels interlaced with gold. It was a breathtaking framework of ornamentation, reminding me of an elaborate gold and jeweled crown.
The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl (Revelation 21:21).
The light that shone through the mesmerizing pearl substance, like all the light I’d seen so far, was hypnotic. Every color imaginable gyrated in the atmosphere. The light shone and refracted through the jeweled stones to create a rainbow orb that filled the entire opening.
A single arched line of large gold letters was inlayed above the gateway, vibrating and shimmering with life. Embedded within the walkway that led into the gate were several additional lines of lettering made with transparent amber-colored gems. Though I could not read the words, I knew instinctively that they were important.
To the right of the entrance stood a majestic angel. He was towering—about nine feet tall—which made him larger than the angels who were accompanying me. This angelic guard exuded strength from his masculine frame. He was dressed similar to my escorts, in a long seamless white robe, but with a notable difference. Wrapped around his lower chest was a wide golden belt embossed with a large emblem in place of a buckle. His pale-colored hair, contrasting with his bronze complexion, was longer, falling almost to his shoulders. Another notable attribute of this imposing guardian of the gate was the light and love that radiated from him.
Visiting Heaven
Captain Dale Black
Our eyes met, and his welcoming expression seemed to indicate that I had been expected. I use the masculine gender only because the angels that I saw looked masculine, even though they were neither male nor female.
As I stepped toward the gate, the angel moved to the center of the opening, blocking my intended path. He stood firmly planted with his feet apart and with one arm outstretched, palm facing toward me, indicating that I was not allowed to proceed into the entrance.
I searched the angel’s face for clues as to what was happening. But I saw only joy and acceptance. His eyes were full of kindness. His countenance radiated love. Then he pointed toward the right side of the opening where a columned pedestal stood.
Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there)…. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:25-27).
The Book of Life
Resting atop the golden stand was a massive book, the likes of which I had never seen. I don’t know how I hadn’t noticed it before. The book was astoundingly beautiful, bound in a cover made of solid pearl with gold lattice wrapped around the edges. Light poured out of it like vapor. As usual, my description is grossly inadequate, but what I’m trying to tell you is that light is not sup- posed to behave this way. Nevertheless, it did. The book was filled with living light that shone from within its cover and radiated from each page. For a moment, I wondered what this great volume could be and why the angel had directed me to it. But again, as quickly as the questions formed in my mind, my heart understood.
This was the Book of Life. Inside were the names of those allowed to enter Heaven. Unless my name was in this book, entry would not be permitted. Not now, not ever. Somehow I knew this as truth, and suddenly nothing was more crucial than finding my own name written within the pages of this book. Literally nothing was more important.
And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15 ESV).
I moved toward the golden stand, studying the cover of the book. I wondered about my own fate, Is my name inside? Then in a fluid movement the book opened itself to the one page where I could see my name written. There it was. My full name—first, middle, and last. Truthfully, I was a bit shocked. I knew that in recent years I’d become astoundingly selfish. I had begun putting my own desires ahead of God’s. My mind questioned, Do I really deserve to have my name in this book?
In my youth, I had sincerely asked Jesus into my heart, and since that time had stayed in agreement with that decision. Waves of gratitude washed over me as I vividly remembered the night that I asked Jesus Christ into my life.
Several numbers were inscribed next to my name. Each char- acter glistened and shimmered, scrolling across the page from right to left. Though many other names were present, and each page seemed filled, I couldn’t read them. They looked faded and blurred, like they were grayed out. The only name that I found legible was my own: Dale Russell Black.
But I was confused by the numbers that were next to my name. Immediately, I thought there must be some mistake. I was born on January 1, 1950. This didn’t correspond to the number I saw in the book. Uh-oh. Maybe this isn’t my name after all. Maybe it’s a different Dale Black, and I’m not really in the book.
And just like before, the answer was provided directly to my heart. In this case, the angel standing next to the book cleared my confusion. “No, Dale, not the day of your earthly birth. The first number is the day you were created by God—the day you were given life.”
I paused and thought about what I had just learned. I contemplated the ramifications and the significance. In Heaven, the day of conception is what is important, not the day I was physically born.
“What about the other date?” I asked the angel.
“Do you not remember, Dale? Don’t you recall the time when you invited Jesus into your heart? That is the day you were reborn. This is your spiritual birthday: June 29, 1961, the day you were born again.”
I stared in awe at the numbers and my name. Oh, how glad I was that I had made that life-changing decision during the evening chapel service at summer camp when I was in the fifth grade.
Then a thought hit me. I gazed back at the book wondering why there was not a date for my death. Clearly, I died—didn’t I?
Once again, the answer came. “You are eternal, Dale; you are not dead. You will never die.” As I contemplated this response, I had to admit that, since I’d left my body, I sure didn’t feel dead! In fact, I had never felt more alive.
There was great delight in the face of the gate’s guardian. His smile turned to a grin as he stepped aside and motioned that I was permitted to enter the city of Heaven. Instinctively, I gave him a slight nod, then raised my arms, thanking God for this great and awesome privilege.
To my relief, my very own name was in this Book of Life. I had seen it and have forever been grateful and humbled.
The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels (Revelation 3:5 NIV).
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Before I share more of the wonders of Heaven with you, you’ll want to know how I arrived at such a glorious place so you can understand why it had such a profound effect on me. You’ll want to know what my life was like and why it was permanently changed. And by understanding these details, it’s possible that your life might also be changed.
“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!
