There have been many that claim to have been to Hell and Heaven and came back or were sent back to tell us about it. Atheists have been to Hell and Heaven. Professing Christians also have been to Heaven or Hell. Are these valid experiences or things to distract people from the real Gospel and look to second chances or adapt an attitude of fatalism?
The story of the rich man and Lazarus would refute these experiences. We have the Word of God and if that is not enough then they will not believe even if one comes back from the dead.
Luke 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. KJV
Many of the Hell accounts speak of the demons having great joy in tormenting the damned souls. Note that the rich man is tormented by the flames, not demons as they will have no pleasure in Hell either. The flames and the mental torment of having seen Jesus, having all their lusts but not being able to fulfill them and a life of memories that are perfect to constantly condemn them as well as seeing clearly their opportunities to be saved will be enough torment.
If the person is really dead they are not coming back. Jesus' resurrection is the only sign that a wicked and adulterous generation gets. If Moses and the NT are not enough for them then no amount of testimonies of people who came back from Heaven or Hell is going to change them. Faith is to be in Him and the Word not the experience of another person.
As someone once said, “If you die and go to Heaven you will not want to come back. If you go to Hell, you cannot come back.”
Heb 9:27-28
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. KJV
Once you are dead you are judged and awaiting final disposition to either Glory or the Lake of Fire. Hell as we know it is only a holding cell until they appear before the Judge at the Great White Throne judgment and then sent to the real prison. Even those who are now with Christ have not received their full reward. That will come at the Bema. No one is coming back except the saints at the Second Coming and not before.
The stories of these people may be sincere, but not Scriptural. Many have tried to describe Hell and Heaven over the years in text and art but all fail. If eye hath not seen nor ear heard what God has in store for the saints then the same is true for Hell. Whatever we can imagine about either is not going to be accurate.
The key is to be saved and avoid Hell. Then it will not matter what it is like there since you will not be going and will do what you can to keep others from going as well. It is too late for those that have passed over. Take heed while you still breathe. Maranatha!!!
