Visions of Heaven and Hell: Real or Just Stories?

Good morning, church!

Today, we’re going to talk about a topic that’s got people curious, confused, and sometimes even a little obsessed—people claiming they’ve seen heaven or hell. You’ve probably heard the stories:

• “I saw a bright light and walked through the gates of heaven!”

• “I died for a few minutes and was taken to hell, and I’m here to warn you!”

These stories can be powerful. Emotional. Convincing. But as believers, we have to ask: What does the Bible say? Can people really visit heaven or hell while still alive, or are these just personal experiences?

Test Everything Against Scripture

The Bible is our ultimate truth, right? Not just personal experiences or YouTube testimonies.

1 John 4:1 says:

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”

That means we can’t just accept every wild story without comparing it to God’s Word.

Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12, talked about a man who was caught up to the third heaven, but he was humble and didn’t even say it was himself at first! And guess what? He was silent about the details. No dramatic storytelling. No best-sellers. Why? Because it was sacred.

The Bible’s Clear Descriptions of Heaven and Hell

Heaven isn’t a vague misty place or clouds with baby angels playing harps. Revelation 21 gives us a crystal-clear picture:

• Streets of gold.

• No more pain or tears.

• God’s presence illuminating everything.

Hell, on the other hand? Jesus Himself spoke about it:

• A place of weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:50).

• Eternal separation from God (2 Thessalonians 1:9).

• A real place, not just a bad dream.

So yes—both places exist. But can people visit them while alive?

Near-Death Experiences: Real or Misleading?

Look, I’m not saying people who share these stories are all lying. Some experiences feel very real. The brain is powerful, and science shows us that near-death experiences can trigger powerful visions.

But here’s the thing: God doesn’t need to send you to hell for five minutes to scare you straight. The cross is proof enough.

Faith Comes From the Word, Not Experiences

Romans 10:17 says: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

• Not faith by visions.

• Not faith by goosebumps.

• Faith by truth.

If seeing heaven or hell was necessary for belief, then why didn’t Jesus show everyone a tour when He rose from the dead? Instead, He said:

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

5. The Danger of Chasing Experiences

People love excitement. Sensational stories. But there’s a danger when we chase the experience over the truth.

• If someone claims they saw hell but contradicts the Bible?

• If someone says heaven was all about them and forgets God’s glory?

Experiences fade. God’s Word remains forever.

So What Do We Do With These Stories?

1. Listen Carefully, but Compare with Scripture.

2. Stay Rooted in God’s Word, Not Sensationalism.

3. Remember, Our Job Is to Live by Faith, Not Sight.

Church, our hope isn’t in someone else’s vision. It’s in Jesus Christ, the One who died and rose again so we don’t HAVE to see hell to know it’s real.

Let’s pray,

Lord, help us stay grounded in Your Word. Give us discernment to separate truth from emotional storytelling. We trust You, not in signs or wonders, but in the finished work of the cross. May our faith be strong, rooted in what You have revealed in Scripture. Amen.

Now go and live like heaven is real—because it is. And live like hell is real—because it is. But most of all, live like Jesus is coming back—because He is.