23 minutes in hell (10 page)

Dr. Robert Dick Wilson said, “I have made it an invariable habit never to accept an objection to a statement of the Old Testament without subjecting it to a most thorough investigation, linguistically and factually.”[4] He holds a PhD from Princeton and is author of “A Scientific Investigation of the Old Testament.”[5] Without missing a single syllable, he can repeat from memory the entire New Testament in Hebrew and can do the same with large portions of the Old Testament. He speaks forty-five languages.

Henry M. Morris, PhD, a respected scientist, points out, “It must be extremely significant that, in view of the great mass of corroborative evidence regarding the Biblical history of these periods, there exists today not one unquestionable find of archeology that proves the Bible to be in error at any point.”[6]

If you still are unsure about the credibility of the Bible as God’s Word, I encourage you to look in the bibliography for some recommended books.

Many of the founding fathers of this great country believed in the absolute truth of God’s Word. Here is a sampling of their comments:

You do well to wish to learn our arts and way of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ… . Congress will do everything they can to assist you in this wise intention.[7]

—George Washington

The first and almost the only book deserving of universal attention is the Bible.[8]

—John Quincy Adams

History will also afford frequent opportunities of showing the necessity of a public religion… and the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern.[9]

—Benjamin Franklin

[The Bible] is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed.[10]

—Patrick Henry

Bibles are strong entrenchments. Where they abound, men cannot pursue wicked courses.[11]

—James McHenry, signer of the Constitution

The Bible… is the one supreme source of revelation of the meaning of life, the nature of God and spiritual nature and need of men. It is the only guide of life which really leads the spirit in the way of peace and salvation.[12]

—Woodrow Wilson

The Bible is not just “a” book, but a collection of sixty-six books written by at least forty authors over approximately a fifteen-hundred-year period. The authors were historians, military generals, prophets, kings, politicians, a doctor, a rabbi, fishermen, and even a tax collector. It was written on three continents and in three different languages: Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic.[13] They all wrote about the coming Savior. Every word was inspired by God.[14] The famous poet Voltaire said that within one hundred years of his time, Christianity would be “swept from existence and passed into history.” Yet fifty years after his death, the Geneva Bible Society used his house and printing press to produce stacks of Bibles.[15] Jesus Himself made this statement: “…My words will by no means pass away” (Mark 13:31). Dr. H. L. Hastings, a well-known writer, is cited saying, “If this book had not been the book of God, men would have destroyed it long ago. Emperors and popes, kings and priests, princes and rulers have all tried their hand at it; they die and the book still lives.”[16]

There are more than three hundred prophecies in the Old Testament in regard to the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. No other book has been written foretelling the future with such accuracy. Professor Wilber Smith, DD, who taught at Fuller Theological Seminary and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, said, “Not in the entire gamut of Greek and Latin literature… can we find any real specific prophecy of a great historic event to come in the distant future, nor any prophecy of a Savior to arise in the human race… neither can the founders of any cult in this country rightly identify any ancient text specifically foretelling their future.”[17] The Bible “is the only volume ever produced by man, or a group of men, in which is to be found a large body of prophecies relating to individual nations, to Israel, to all the peoples of the earth, to certain cities, and to the coming of One who was to be the Messiah.”[18]

Many books have been written by some of the most competent scholars and well-educated individuals proving the validity of the Bible. Several are listed in the bibliography. In his book “Evidence That Demands a Verdict,” Josh McDowell, a graduate of Wheaton College and magna cum laude graduate of Talbot Theological Seminary, gives us an interesting comparison:

There are now more than 5,300 known Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. Add over 10,000 Latin Vulgate and at least 9,300 other early versions (MSS) and we have more than 24,000 manuscript copies of portions of the New Testament in existence today. No other document of antiquity even begins to approach such numbers and attestation. In comparison, the “Iliad” by Homer is second with only 643 manuscripts that still survive.[19]

Does God use dreams and visions?

I have had several dreams from the Lord in regard to the Bible. Even in very realistic dreams, they are not analogous to an actual visit to hell.

Job said, “Then You scare me with dreams and terrify me with visions” (Job 7:14). The Book of Joel also mentions dreams and visions.[20] There are many examples where God gave a dream or a vision to someone for direction or warning. I believe my experience fits into the classification of a vision. In 2 Corinthians 12:1–2, Paul, in being “caught up to the third heaven,” said, “I will come to visions… whether in the body… or whether out of the body I do not know.”

At the time of his stoning and death, Stephen, looking up to heaven saw “the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56). He had not died yet when he saw the vision. Paul was on the road to Damascus when, “Suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’” (Acts 9:3–4).

Erwin W. Lutzer, who has graduate degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary, Loyola University, and Simon Greenleaf School of Law, said, “If Stephen saw our Lord before he died, and if Paul died and was caught up into paradise, it is just possible that other believers might also have such a vision.… We should not expect such experiences, but they could happen.”[21]

In Revelation 1:10, John said: “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day.” Now the Lord gave visions to these great men, and, although my experience is not in any way to be compared to them, the Bible says that “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34). He will give a dream or a vision to anyone. In the Book of Job, chapter 33, verses 14–15, we read: “For God may speak… in a dream, in a vision of the night.” In Numbers 24:4, Balaam was described as one who “hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty.” Daniel 2:19 tells us that “the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision.” Obadiah 1 mentions, “The vision of Obadiah.” Habakkuk 2:2 states: “Then the LORD answered me and said: ‘Write the vision and make it plain.’”

Dr. Lester Sumrall had a vision from God in which he saw all of humanity walking down a very long, wide highway. He says:

God lifted me up until I was looking down upon that uncountable multitude of humankind. He took me far down the highway until I saw the end of the road. It ended abruptly at a precipice towering above a bottomless inferno. When the tremendous unending procession of people came to the end of the highway, I could see them falling off into eternity. As they neared the pit and saw the fate that awaited them, I could see their desperate but vain struggle to push back against the unrelenting pressure of those to the rear. The great surging river of humanity swept them ever forward. God opened my ears to hear the screams of damned souls sinking into hell…. I could see their faces distorted with terror. Their hands flailed wildly, clawing at the air.[22]

God told him that he would be responsible if he did not warn the people about their wicked ways.[23] That responsibility falls on all those who know Him. Dr. Lester Sumrall was a well-respected evangelist and pastor who established many churches, fed the poor on a large scale, preached the gospel for more than sixty-five years, and had many other accomplishments.

Has anyone in the Bible experienced hell?

I wanted to know if there was any person in the Bible who had an experience in hell (Sheol).

Some theologians think that Jonah was in hell. Others think he was only at the “gates of hell.” In Jonah 2:2, Jonah states: “I cried by reason of my affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice” (KJV). Then he continues: “The earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God” (v. 6, KJV). The word “bars” in Greek is “bariyach,” which means, “a relatively long, ridged piece of any solid material used for support or barrier.” Whether he was at the gates or inside the gates is not the important issue. The fact is that he was there; that is what is relevant. This is not to place my experience on a level with Jonah, by no means. This is only to see what the Bible had to say about hell and his experience.

Has anyone else experienced hell?

There are others who were taken to hell or have had a glimpse of hell on their deathbed. Some of them have documented their experience through videos and books. These books are listed in the bibliography. I had no idea that these people existed. I had never heard of anyone having these experiences prior to my research. Their experiences are amazing. They seem to be reputable individuals, some doctors, and other professionals. I am not endorsing their testimonies, neither am I disagreeing with them. They are most interesting. Below is one example.

In his book “Caught Up Into Paradise,” Dr. Richard Eby mentions an experience where God gave him a two-minute vision of hell in which he was placed in a pit. He was told that two minutes was all he could endure. He said, “Instantly I realized I was a dead sinner being taken to the lowest bowels of the earth. A sense of absolute terror gripped my being.” In this pit, small spider-like demons were crawling all over him in total darkness and isolation. He said he knew he would never see another person, he would never get out. Demons would taunt him, “Damn God! Damn people! And the smell! Horrid, nasty, stale, fetid, rotten and evil… mixed together and concentrated. Stinking, crawling demons mentally delighting in making me wretched. My terror mounted until I was ready to collapse into utter hopelessness, crushing despair, abysmal loneliness. I was an eternally lost soul by my own choosing… The clammy wet walls held me crushed for eternity without escape.”[24]

As I have mentioned, there have been others who have experienced hell. I am not unique. However, any spiritual experience should be viewed in light of the Scriptures.

Why would God take me to hell?

I believe that the only reason God took me to hell was to draw attention to His Word on this subject. It is not that He needs my help, or anybody else’s. However, I believe time is getting short, and there are some unusual things God is doing in the earth today to help people awaken to the truth. He is imploring people to listen to His Word. This is not a condemning message, but a warning message. God does not want anyone to go down the heavily traveled road that many are on.[25]

For the most part, hell is not a popular subject in churches today. Many churches do not even believe or teach that hell is a literal burning place. The pastors in these churches do not want to offend their people by telling them there is a real hell to shun. Other people are offended by a message about hell and think Christians should keep their beliefs to themselves. I can understand that, and we should be very respectful of the beliefs of others. However, should we just be respectful and not give them warning? Try and look at it this way: You are sleeping in a hotel room, and it’s very early in the morning. Someone starts yelling, “Fire! Fire!” You not only wouldn’t mind that person waking you up, but also you would be extremely grateful for the warning if there was a real fire. The inconvenience would be welcomed in exchange for your life. Some people just don’t realize there is a real fire to avoid.

Chapter 7 Notes

1. Chuck Missler, “Heaven and Hell—What Happens When You Die,” Supplemental Notes to 66/40 Radio Broadcast with Chuck Missler, 2003, available as an audio CD, VHS Video, or DVD from Koinonia House Online, http://www.khouse.org/articles/2003/491 (accessed August 1, 2005).

2. John Ankerberg and John Weldon, “Knowing the Truth About the Reliability of the Bible” (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1998), 24.

3. Ibid., 25.

4. Ibid., 26.

5. Robert Dick Wilson, “A Scientific Investigation of the Old Testament” (Chicago, IL: Moody Bible Institute, 1959).

6. Ankerberg and Weldon, “Knowing the Truth About the Reliability of the Bible,” 22.

7. David Barton, “Original Intent” (Aledo, TX: WallBuilder Press, 2004), 168.

8. Arthur S. DeMoss, “The Rebirth of America” (West Palm Beach, FL: Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation, 1986), 37.

9. Barton, “Original Intent,” 168.

10. Ibid., 163.

11. Ibid., 164.

12. DeMoss “The Rebirth of America,” 37.

13. Josh McDowell, “Evidence That Demands a Verdict, “(Nashville, TN: Nelson Reference, 1999), 15–17.

14. 2 Timothy 3:16.

15. McDowell, “Evidence that Demands a Verdict,” 20.

16. Ibid., 21.

17. Ibid., 22.

18. Ibid.

19. Ibid., 39.

20. Joel 2:28.

21. Lutzer, “One Minute After You Die,” 25.

22. Lester Sumrall, “Run With the Vision” (South Bend, IN: Sumrall Publishing, 1986), 32–33.

23. See Ezekiel 3:18; Acts 20:26–28.

24. Richard Eby, “Caught Up Into Paradise” (Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1990), 229–230.

25. See Matthew 7:13.

Chapter 8

Important Facts About Hell

Why would God allow me to experience pain in hell?

God blocked much of the pain I could have experienced in hell. However, He wanted me to be able to tell others that there will be literal pain felt in hell. If that twenty-three minutes could motivate me enough to win more people to Christ, then that would serve His purpose. And it did motivate me to do just that! God does not want us to suffer pain, and He does not inflict us. The devil does that. God desires to bless us. Jesus said in John 10:10: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”