A GLIMPSE OF HELL, A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN

The last message I shared before going into the hospital for a hiatus hernia repair was ‘It

Ain’t Over Till It’s Over”. Surgery would be laparoscopic; a two hour procedure and five

day stay in the hospital. Due to a blunder my oesophagus was punctured. I was placed on a

ventilator to assist my breathing. My family were told it was unlikely I would survive. I

would be in three hospitals over ten and a half months grappling with the most challenging

time of my life.

Having spent months in an induced coma experiencing respiratory failure numerous times, I

contracted MRSA which ravaged my body with infection, demanding the removal of part of

my left lung and three ribs. I already had a paralyzed left diaphragm due to a previous car

accident. I was left with an infectious open wound on my back which necessitated being

dressed three times weekly over three years at my local General Practitioner’s office. For

nine months I was fed through a tube in my stomach. No water or food allowed. A

tracheotomy prevented me from speaking. I lost the ability to walk from being bed bound for

most of the ten and a half months. But God touched my body and I was healed.

Being told I would need a feeding tube long term, as the wound would not heal and the

suggestion of giving up my home tried to generate fear, helplessness and depression as my

faith wavered at times. But with each setback I saw the faithfulness of God to perform

miracles, even angelic visitations to sustain and encourage me.

While in the coma, experiencing respiratory failure, I had an encounter with death where I

was taken to hell; then was led to heaven. I wasn’t aware of the amount of time which

elapsed in either place. Time did not seem relevant.

First, I could feel my arms being pulled back and forth between heaven and hell. It was much

like a tug-of-war as the devil was tugging one way and the Lord tugging another. I then

remember dying and coming up out of the ground in a very dark, secluded place, smelly

place. There was no light whatsoever; total darkness. It was a darkness I’ve never

experienced before. I was not in my body. I was a spirit. I did not see anything or anybody. I

was completely alone- like solitary confinement. I felt abandoned. I was frightened. There

was no trace of God! I knew instinctively I was in a portion of hell called outer darkness.

The thought of being alone for eternity; never seeing or talking with anyone else; no family

or friends, terrified me. Why was I here? What purpose did God have in sending me here?

These questions plagued my mind in torment.

A horrible stench was present. I can only liken it to rotten eggs, garbage or sulphur. The

stench was so strong I could actually taste it in my mouth. The taste was much more than I

could stand. How would I ever bear this? My mouth had an overwhelming thirst. It seemed

unquenchable. There was no water in sight. The Scripture passage in Luke 16 came to mind.

It is the story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man had an unquenchable thirst. He

said, “If I could only have one drop of water on my tongue.” It was so hot I felt like one drop

of water on my tongue would sizzle! The heat was so intense it was unbearable. All this

made me wonder how anyone could bear this for eternity! It was literally tormenting!

I knew I was in hell. There are two main descriptions of hell in the Bible: outer darkness and

the lake of fire. While sharing this experience with a minister friend he said my description

depicted outer darkness. That is what I was experiencing – outer darkness!

I felt alone, isolated and abandoned by God. Was this where I would spend eternity? And

why? My sins were forgiven and I had given my life to Christ. Suddenly a “being” appeared

and led me out of this abominable place. I could only see His back so I wasn’t sure at the

time who it was, although I felt a divine presence. I always thought it was an angel. A

couple years later in a prayer meeting before I ministered, the Lord revealed to me it was Him

who led me out.

It was Jesus! He was the one who led me out of hell into a beautiful place. I knew I was in

heaven. I was overjoyed. The trees were the most beautiful green I have ever seen. The skies

were a magnificent blue. There are no colours here on earth that can describe the intensity of

these colours. Colours here on earth seem faded compared with the colours in heaven. They

were bright, vivid and indescribable!

Scientists tell us that looking at the rainbow with the naked human eye we only see about

seven colours. With new technology they have found millions of variations of colour;

colours which are not readily seen on earth. It was a glorious place!

A fine midst blanketed me. I found such refreshment, contentment and peace as the midst

fell on me; encompassing and saturating my whole being. I felt safe, secure, cool, refreshed

and revived. I felt an overwhelming peace, joy and love surrounding me. I sensed the

presence of God in a new and more powerful way than ever before. What a stark difference

between what I had experienced in hell.

As I looked around I saw thousands of horses in a varying array of colours. I suddenly

looked down and realized I too was on a horse. As I reached down to touch its beautiful

mane. It felt like silk running through my fingers. Looking around I saw riders on the other

horses. I could not distinguish if they were male or female. We were all training the horses

for the return of Christ. What a glorious procession that will be!

What struck me was that everyone was working. Everyone seemed to have their own their

jobs. People were busy doing things, not just sitting on a cloud playing a harp which is often

depicted of those in heaven. Everyone was busy about the Father’s business. There was

peace, unity and harmony. You could just sense this as they went about their work.

As I looked to my right, Elizah was seated on a horse next to me. He had a stunning greyish

white beard and was dressed in a long flowing white robe. People often ask me how I knew

it was Elizah. I don’t know. I just knew. Although we were conversing, I don’t remember

much of what we were discussing. While we were talking, God interrupted us. He opened

the Book of Revelatiion chapter21:7-8.

It reads: “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My

son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers,

idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which is the second death.”

The Lord then said, “In my church there are people practicing such things. Go back and warn

them I am coming soon and if they don’t get their lives right, they won’t be going with Me.”

He then sent me back.

I could not speak at the time this experience occurred so I was unable to share this with

anyone. I shared my experience with Pastor Hugh Osgood several months later on one of his

visits. He said, “you will share this with many people,” which I have.

People have asked me why the Lord would send me to hell. What purpose did He have? I

asked Him. He shared with me there are men and women who preach the Gospel, yet do not

believe in heaven or hell. While I have always believed in heaven and hell because the Bible

talks about it, I now know they exist and can warn others. Isn’t this what the rich man

wanted; for Abraham to send someone to go and tell his family that hell truly exists!

They truly do! I have been there!