First, a few words about the author. John Bunyan was a 17th-century English preacher who spent 12 years in prison because of his Christian faith and wrote over 40 books. The best known of his writings is *The Pilgrim’s Progress*, one of the most famous and popular books in the history of the world.

He wrote this work when he was still a young man, describing how an angel was sent by the Lord to show him heaven and hell. This is a book that presents a realistic account; it is not an allegory or a work of fiction. Understanding that all visions must be judged according to the Bible, what follows is very scriptural, helping the young John become a great man of God.

 Chapter 1. Planning Suicide

When people lead a life of sin and realize they have reason to fear God’s righteous judgment, they begin to wish that there were no God to punish them. Then, little by little, they deceive themselves by telling themselves that He does not exist and by seeking arguments to support their opinion. I had the unfortunate experience of knowing such a person, who always told me that there is no God, no devil, no heaven, and no hell.

The first time I heard him speak, I was shaken, but he kept saying it so often that I began to think about what he was saying. From that moment on, my mind became confused, so that I could no longer remember the truths about God that had previously been so clear to me. With the greatest dread, I nevertheless began to doubt the truth of His existence. Before, I wouldn’t have given up my hope of going to heaven for all the riches in the world, but now I was no longer sure that such a place even existed.

Growing increasingly confused, I went to one of my friends to seek help. He could only laugh at my fears, saying he pitied my weakness. My conversations with him, however, only made me more confused, to the point where life became a burden. It is impossible for me to describe the agony my soul was going through, as I reached the brink of despair.

I thought to myself, “Why should I wander between despair and hope? Wouldn’t it be better to end my life and find out the truth?” So I decided to commit suicide.

One morning, I went to a nearby forest, where I had planned to carry out my plan. But before I could take out the knife, I heard a mysterious whisper telling me:

– Do not condemn yourself to eternal punishment by giving satisfaction to the enemy of your soul. The fatal blow you are about to inflict upon yourself will seal your condemnation. If there is a God—and indeed there is—can you still hope to receive mercy from Him if you intentionally destroy yourself, who were created in His image?”

I do not know where this mysterious whisper came from, but I believe it was from God; for it came with such power that it made me throw down the knife, revealing to me the great evil of suicide. The horror of what I had been on the verge of doing made me tremble so violently that I could barely stand. I recognized that my deliverance had come from the Lord, and I began to show my gratitude by thanking Him. I knelt on the ground and worshiped Him, asking Him to remove the darkness from my soul so that I would never again doubt His existence or His great power, which I had just experienced.

Suddenly I was surrounded by a glorious light, brighter than anything I had ever seen before. I saw a glorious figure coming toward me, like a man, but surrounded by rays of light and glory that shone from him as he drew near. I tried to get up, but I had no strength, so I fell face down on the ground. As he lifted me up and strengthened me, I said to him:

“O my radiant savior, how should I show my gratitude and worship you?”

With majesty and gentleness, he replied:

“Give your praise to God, not to me, for I am only His servant, just as you are. I was sent by the One whose existence you have so often denied lately, to prevent you from falling into eternal ruin.”

I felt so unworthy that I could only cry out:

– Oh, I do not deserve this mercy and compassion!

The heavenly messenger replied:

“When God chose to have mercy on you, He did not look at your unworthiness, but at His boundless goodness and His immense love.” He saw how the great enemy of souls sought to destroy you, but He sustained you through His power. Thus, while Satan thought you were finished, your chains were broken, and you were set free. These words moved me to burst into song, praising my Savior and acknowledging that He alone is God.

Chapter 2. Beyond the Sun and the Stars

The heavenly messenger then said to me:

“So that you may never again doubt the reality of eternal things, I have come to show them to you, not only by faith but also by sight. I will show you things that have not yet been seen by mortal eyes, and for this, your eyes will be strengthened to behold heavenly things.”

I was very surprised by the angel’s words and doubted that I would be able to endure this experience. I said to him:

“Who would be able to bear such a sight?”

He replied:

“The joy of the Lord will be your strength!”

After saying these words, he took my hand and said:

“Do not be afraid, for I have been sent to show you things you have never seen before.” Then, before I could even realize it, I found myself high above the earth, which now seemed very small.

After that, I said to my radiant guide:

– Please don’t be upset if I ask you a question or two.

He replied:

“Speak. It is my duty to give you answers, for I am a spirit sent to serve you and those who will inherit salvation.”

Then I said to him:

– Please tell me about that dark place below, which grew smaller and smaller as we ascended to heaven and which seems much darker now that we have reached this realm of light.

My guide replied:

“That tiny speck, which now seems so dark and despised, is the world in which you lived. To gain a small part of that place on earth, many people have risked and lost their immortal souls; souls so precious that the Prince of Peace said that even if a man were to gain the whole world, it would not equal such a great loss. As you rose higher toward heaven, the world appeared increasingly insignificant, and so it will be for all who lift their hearts above it through faith. If the sons of men could see the world as it truly is, they would no longer covet its things as they do now; but, unfortunately, they are in a state of darkness. And what is worse—they enjoy walking in this darkness. Although the Prince of Light came among them and showed them the true light of life, they continue to walk in darkness and do not turn toward the light, because their deeds are evil.

I then asked him:

“What are those multitudes of black and hideous forms floating in the air above the world?” I would have been very afraid of them, but I saw that as you passed through their midst, they fled—perhaps because they could not bear your radiance.

To this, he replied:

“They are the fallen angels who, because of their pride and rebellion, were cast out of heaven. They are permitted to roam through the air by a decree of the Almighty, but they are being held in reserve for the great day of judgment. They are permitted to descend into the world, both to test the elect and to condemn the wicked. And although you see that they now have black and hideous forms, they were once sons of light. They were clothed in glorious robes of splendor, like the one you see me wearing. The loss of their dignity, though it was the result of their willful sin, fills them with anger and hatred toward the blessed God, whose power and majesty they fear.

“Tell me,” I said, “do they have no hope of being reconciled with God again, after a certain period of time, at least some of them?”

“No, not at all. They are lost forever. They were the first to sin, without any tempter, and they were all cast out of heaven at once.” Furthermore, the Son of God, the blessed Messiah—the only one through whom salvation can be attained—did not take upon Himself the nature of the angels. He allowed the fallen angels to perish entirely, taking upon Himself only the seed of Abraham. This is why they harbor such hatred toward the sons of men—because it is a torment for them to see them made heirs of heaven, while they themselves are destined for hell.

Meanwhile, we had reached the sun. My guide told me that this mighty ball of fire is one of God’s great works. Nevertheless, the stars were no less marvelous; the great distance at which they lie makes them appear as tiny lights to our eyes. They remain in their places, without any support. Nothing, apart from His Word, which first created them, could sustain them in this way.

“These words are enough,” I told my guide, to convince someone of the Creator’s great power and to show the harm caused by unbelief, which calls into question the very existence of God, who has left so much evidence of His power. If people were nothing more than beasts, seeking only earthly things, they would be helpless; but they have the ability to know His great power and wisdom.

“That is true,” he replied. “You will see things far greater than these. These are merely the foundations of the place where the blessed ones above dwell. You will be given an overview of this place, to the extent that you are able to understand.”

In a few moments, I realized that everything my guide had told me was true. I had arrived in heaven, where I saw things impossible to describe and heard songs of extraordinary beauty, which I could never sing myself. Those who have not seen that glory can only speak of it, but imperfectly, and those who have seen it cannot describe even a thousandth of it.

I will try, as much as possible, to give you the best account of what I saw and heard.

Chapter 3. Elijah Explains

When I was first brought near the abode of glory, I saw the hosts—countless attendants of light—who welcomed me into this blessed place of bliss. I saw the perfect light, which one cannot approach, that transforms all things into its own nature, so that the souls of the glorified saints become radiant. They are not illuminated by the sun, but by the radiance of divine glory. In comparison to this, the light of the sun seems like darkness, and the brilliance of the most sparkling jewels is nothing more than a smoldering coal. That is why it is called “the throne of God’s glory,” where divine majesty is revealed most clearly.

God was too brilliant for me to look upon, exalted on the throne of His glory, while a multitude of angels and saints sang “Hallelujah!” and praises to Him without ceasing. He can be called “the God of glory” because, through His presence, He makes heaven what it is. Enchanting rivers flow ceaselessly thanks to the divine presence, radiating joy, gladness, and splendor to all the blessed inhabitants of heaven.

As for me, I was too weak to bear even a single ray of glory streaming from that eternal spring of Light, which sat upon the throne. I was compelled to cry out to my angel:

“The sight of such great glory is too much for me to bear, yet it is so invigorating and enchanting that I would wish to gaze upon it, even if I were to die!”

“No, no!” said my guide. “Death cannot enter this blessed place; neither sin nor pain can remain here. The glory of this blissful place frees us forever from all that is evil; otherwise, our happiness would be imperfect.” Come with me; I’ll take you to someone who is here in the flesh, just like you! Talk with him for a while before you return to earth.

– “Rather,” I said eagerly, “let me stay here! There’s no need to pitch tents, because the heavenly dwellings are already prepared.”

My radiant messenger replied:

– Soon you will be here forever, but the divine will must first be obeyed.

Swift as thought, he led me through a multitude of angels and introduced me to that great saint, the prophet Elijah. Although he had lived in the world hundreds of years ago, I recognized him at first sight.

“Here is one,” my guide said to Elijah, “who, by the authority of the Imperial Throne, has been permitted to visit these realms of light, and I have brought him here to learn from you.”

“I will gladly teach him,” said the prophet, “for our food and drink here is to do the will of God and the Lamb, to sing His praises, crying out: ‘Blessing, honor, glory, and power be to Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, for He has redeemed us for God, through His blood, from every tribe, language, and nation, and has made us a kingdom and priests for our God! Amen!”

I, too, added, “Amen!” to what the holy prophet had said. The prophet then asked me why this great privilege had been granted to me in particular. (From what I understand, the saints in heaven are not aware of what is happening on earth, so how could prayers be addressed to them directly?) Then I recounted to him the events I have already written about here, at which the prophet burst into praise:

– Glory be given only to the One who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, for His boundless goodness and for showing such great kindness toward the weakness of a poor sinner!

After this, he added:

– Now, pay very close attention to what I am about to tell you! What you have already seen and heard, I am certain, cannot be fully understood by those who have not yet been brought to this glorious place, who have not yet been freed from their earthly bodies. The fact that I am here in the flesh does not cast any doubt on what I say; for, although it has not been subjected to death, my body has been transformed. It has been made a spiritual body and can no longer suffer. Even so, in this state of perfect bliss, I could not express all that I delight in, nor do I know exactly what I will rejoice in next, for here our bliss is ever renewed.

Chapter 4. The Bliss of Heaven

The prophet continued:

“I will briefly describe our bliss here, for although we have spent ages in this state, it is only the beginning. So that you may have the best understanding, I will first explain from what exactly the redeemed souls have been freed, and then I will show you the happiness they enjoy here.

– First of all, the souls of all the blessed are forever freed from everything that could defile them; that is, they are above all sin. Sin brought unhappiness into creation. The Blessed God created all things perfect, just as He Himself is. If sin had not marred the beauty of His work, neither angels nor humans would ever have known what suffering is. It was sin that cast the rebellious angels into hell and marred the beauty of the world below. It distorted the image of God in the human soul and turned those who were to be the masters of creation into slaves to their own desires. Sin can also cast them into an ocean of eternal shame, from which there is no redemption. We are granted priceless mercy, for in this blessed place all the saints are eternally freed from sin through the blood of our Savior. On earth, souls were distorted and defiled by sin, but here, illuminated by the Lord who is blessed forever and ever, they are presented to the Father “without spot or wrinkle.” These are some of the things that make our souls happy. However, the happiness of the saints in heaven will not be complete until their bodies are raised and united with their souls. I will therefore show you what a resurrected body will be like. First of all, they will be spiritual bodies, like mine. You can understand this better not only by seeing it but also by touching it. (After saying this, the holy prophet was delighted to shake my hand.) They will be bodies cleansed of all corruption, yet they will have substance. They will not be like the wind or the air, as some people on earth sometimes foolishly imagine.

“Have you not read,” said the prophet, “that the blessed Jesus, after His resurrection, appeared in the flesh to His disciples when they were gathered in a room with the doors locked? Yet, He called on Thomas to stretch out his hand and place it in His side, which shows that His body had substance. Resurrected bodies are immortal, incapable of dying again. On earth, bodies are mortal, subject to turning to dust, but here they will be incorruptible and freed from death, for what is perishable will be clothed in imperishability, and mortality will be swallowed up by life.

Chapter 5. We Will Know One Another

While I was speaking with the prophet, a radiant form approached. It was one of the redeemed. He told me that he had left his body below, resting in hope until the resurrection, and that he could not be touched by a mortal. Then he added:

    “Here we behold the blessed Lamb of God, the glorious Savior. We see Him in His royal dwelling, as King of kings and Lord of lords. Heaven is far more than I could have expected, finding Him reigning here—He who suffered so much for me in the world below. The great joy of our Redeemer increases our own joy when He calls every faithful servant to share in the joy of his Master.

     – Here we see not only Christ, but also our friends and relatives. Although Elijah lived in the lower world long before you, you recognized him as soon as you saw him. Here, with the purest delight, we share with one another a sincere, burning love that unites us. And oh, how blissful this state of love is! Where such love exists, everyone is filled with delight. How could it be otherwise, since in this blessed fellowship there is a continuous mutual exchange of love and joy?

     I have given you a brief overview of our heavenly Canaan. It is not even a thousandth part of what could be said, but it is enough for you to see that it is a land “flowing with milk and honey.” In this blissful place, worldly relationships cease to exist. There are no men and women; rather, all are like angels, for souls cannot be divided by gender.

          He did not speak to me again until he took my hand. Then, much faster than an arrow from a bow, we passed by several radiant forms clothed in the robe of immortality, who gazed at me as I passed through their midst. As we parted, he said to me:

          “Farewell, my friend! Your guardian angel will come shortly and take you back to the world below.” I approached one of the radiant figures—a redeemed soul standing before me, who looked exceedingly glorious, surrounded by rays of blinding light. I could barely see him because of the intense light on his face. He said to me:

          “To Him who sits on the throne be all praise and glory for what He has made me to be! The robe of glory you see me wearing is merely a reflection of His radiant rays!”

          “You seem to be a soul who feels the intense joys you speak of.”

          He replied:

          – It shouldn’t seem strange to you. The mighty wonders of divine love and grace will forever be the subject of our songs. Here, all human relationships cease, being absorbed into God, who is the one great Father of the entire heavenly family. As for the family members I left behind down in the world, I have entrusted them to God. I will be glad to see them all receive their blessed inheritance as well. But if they join the great enemy of souls and refuse the grace offered to them, thus perishing in their unbelief, God will be glorified through His righteousness, and I will continue to rejoice.

Chapter 6. Led into Hell

     Then the messenger who had taken me to heaven returned:

“I have been given authority to take you back to earth, from where I took you, after we first visit some places belonging to the prince of darkness. There you will see the wages of sin and what Justice has prepared as judgment for those who exalt themselves above the throne of the Most High.”

It was extremely disappointing for me to leave heaven to return to earth. I felt shaken to my very core, knowing that I had to leave heaven to go to hell! However, when I realized that this was God’s good will, I calmed down a little, so I said to my guide:

“I will always be willing to obey what God has commanded. Even if I end up in hell, I will not be afraid if I have His presence with me there.”

My guardian replied:

“Whenever the blessed God assures His presence, there is heaven; and even while we are in hell, He will be with us.”

This time I descended to the lowest parts of the world. There I saw a multitude of hideous forms and gloomy apparitions of darkness, which fled from the radiant presence of my luminous guardian. I said to him:

“These are surely some of the vanguard forces of hell, so black and terrifying are their forms.”

My guide replied:

“We are now at the borders of hell, and these are some of the apostate spirits who roam about like roaring lions.”

Shortly thereafter, we were enveloped in a darkness far blacker than night and a stench more suffocating than that of brimstone. My ears were filled with the horrible screams of the damned spirits, which, in comparison, would make even the most discordant notes on earth sound like beautiful music.

“Now,” said my guardian angel, “you are at the edge of hell, but do not fear the power of the Destroyer. My authority from the Imperial Throne protects you against any danger. You will hear from the demons and the damned souls the causes of their endless ruin. When you ask them a question, they will answer you. The demons cannot harm you, though they would like to, because they are bound by the One who has empowered me.

I was then taken to the realm of hell, located in the caverns of the underworld, deep within the center of the earth. There, in a sulfurous lake of liquid fire, Lucifer sat upon a throne of flames. His hideous eyes glowed with infernal fury. I saw that the demons who had fled from us as we approached heaven had brought him word of our arrival. This threw all of hell into an uproar and caused Lucifer to utter terrible blasphemies against the Blessed God, with an air full of arrogance and pride:

“What more does the Thunderer want?” he said. “He already has my heaven, whose radiant scepter this bold hand should hold. Instead of those realms full of color and light, He confines me to stay here, in this house darkened by death, pain, and sorrow!” What, does He want to take even hell from me, to insult me even here? Ah! If only I could have one more day to try, I would shake the heavens and make His luminous throne tremble. I would not fear even His greatest power, though He used flames fiercer than these to cast me here. Even though I lost the battle that day, it was not my fault! No winged spirit in heaven strove harder for victory than I did.

“But, ah!” he continued in a changed voice, “that day is lost, and I am forever condemned to remain in these dark realms! It is, however, comforting to know at least that humanity’s suffering depends on me. And since I cannot fight the Thunderer, I will do everything in my power to ensure that my unbridled fury falls upon mankind.

I stood there in astonishment at his wicked speech and felt the need to say to my guide:

“He is rightly receiving his just deserts for his blasphemies!”

“What you have heard from this damned spirit expresses both his sin and his punishment; with every blasphemy, he rebels against heaven, causing hell to burn ever more fiercely.”

We then moved on to witness more sorrowful scenes. I saw two wretched souls, tormented by a demon. He continually plunged them into liquid fire and brimstone, while at the same time they accused and cursed one another. One of the souls said to his tormented companion:

– Cursed be your face, for I dared to set my eyes on you! My punishment is your doing. I should thank you for this, because it was your convictions alone that brought me here. You tempted me; you were the one who lured me into this. It was your greed, your deceit, and your oppression of the poor that brought me here. If you had been as good an example as you were evil, we would now be in heaven. Oh, how foolish I was! Because I followed in your footsteps, you have destroyed me forever. Oh, if only I had never seen your face, or if only you had never been born!

The other wretch replied:

– Do you think I couldn’t blame you too? Do you remember how, at a certain time and in a certain place, you tempted me to go with you? I was minding my own business when you called me, so you’re just as guilty as I am. Although I was greedy for money, you were proud. Even though you learned to cheat from me, you taught me to covet, to lie, to get drunk, and to mock kindness. So, although I dragged you into some things, you, in turn, drew me into many others. If you blame me, I can condemn you just as much. I wish we had never ended up here: just the sight of you wounds my soul, reminding me once again of my sins. You were the one with whom I sinned. How much pain I feel now! If I could not avoid your company on earth, oh, if only I could be without it at least here!

From this sad conversation, I learned that those who are partners in sin on earth will be punished together in hell. I believe this was the reason why the rich man was so kind to his brothers (Luke 16:27–28). He did not want them to end up in hell; it was so that his own torments would not increase.

Chapter 7. The Torments of Hell

     There were other tragic scenes as well, which I witnessed after I walked away from the two condemned beings who were accusing one another. A tormenting spirit was forcibly and ceaselessly pouring a flame of brimstone down a woman’s throat. He was doing this with such horrific cruelty and insolence that I said to him:

“Why do you take such delight in tormenting this damned woman by pouring that infernal fiery liquid down her throat?”

“She is receiving a more than just reward,” replied the demon. “This woman, during her lifetime, was a greedy wretch who, though she had a great deal of gold, could never be satisfied.” Therefore, I am now pouring it down her throat. She didn’t care whom she ruined, as long as she got their gold. Although she had amassed a treasure so great that she could never have spent it all, her love of money prevented her from spending enough time to meet her basic daily needs. She often went out on an empty stomach, even though her bags were full of money. She didn’t keep a home of her own so she wouldn’t have to pay taxes, and she didn’t take any of her treasure with her, for fear of being robbed. She did not invest her money in bonds or real estate, for fear of being cheated—even though she herself cheated anyone she could at every opportunity. She was such a great cheat that she deprived her own body of food and her soul of mercy. Since gold was her god on earth, is it not a just reward for her to have her stomach filled with it in hell?

When her tormentor finished speaking, I asked her if it was true. To this, she replied:

– No, to my despair, it is not true!

– But what is the truth? And why are you so angry?

– Because if what my tormentor says were true, I’d be satisfied. He tells you that he’s pouring gold down my throat; but he’s a lying, deceitful devil. If it were gold, I wouldn’t complain, but he’s mocking me, and instead of gold, he’s giving me only this horrible sulfur. If I had my gold, I would still be happy, because I value it so much that I wouldn’t give it up, even if I could buy my way into heaven with it.

“If the wicked people on earth could hear for just a moment the terrible screams of the damned souls, they would never love sin again!” I said.

The angel replied:

“The Eternal Truth has declared that those who do not fear His servants and pay no heed to His Word will not repent, even if someone from hell were to come to them.”

We hadn’t gone far when we saw before us a wretched soul lying on a bed of burning steel, nearly suffocated by brimstone. He let out such a terrible and desperate cry that I asked my guide to wait. I then heard him say:

– Ah, I am a wretched wretch! I am doomed forever, forever… Oh, that deadly word, “forever”! Wouldn’t a million years be long enough to endure this pain? But no, my condemnation will have no end… After millions of years, it will continue forever… Oh, what a helpless and hopeless state I am in! This “forever” is, in fact, hell! Oh, wretchedly cursed! Cursed for eternity! I have willingly destroyed myself! Oh, what astonishing folly I am guilty of—I chose the fleeting pleasure of sin at the high price of enduring eternal pain! How often was I told that it would be like this! How often was I urged to abandon these paths of sin, which have led me to the place of eternal death! But I, like a mindless beast, did not heed these pleas. Now it is too late to change anything, for my eternal state is sealed forever. Why was I even made a human, only to choose this fate? Why was I created with an immortal soul, and yet took so little care of it? Oh, how my negligence gnaws at me—yet I know I cannot perish! I live a life of death, worse than ten thousand deaths… Once I could have changed all this, but I did not! Behold the worm that never dies! I could have been happy once; salvation was offered to me too, but I refused it. If salvation had been offered to me just once, it would have been an unforgivable folly to refuse it. But it was offered to me a thousand times, and yet (wretched me), I refused it just as often. Oh, accursed sin, which with its deceptive pleasures leads humanity to eternal ruin! God has often called me, but I have refused just as many times! He has reached out His hand, but I did not care. How often have I ignored His counsel! How often have I rejected His rebuke! Therefore, these eternal torments that I am condemned to endure are nothing but the reward for my own deeds.

I could not listen to these sad lamentations without thinking of the wonderful grace that God has shown me as well—eternal praise be to His holy Name! My heart told me that I deserved eternal judgment just as much as that sad wretch, but that God’s grace had saved me! How unfathomable are His ways! Who can understand His divine counsel?

After these thoughts, I spoke to the sorrowful mourner, telling him that I had heard his lamentations. I saw that his misery was immense and his loss irreparable, and I told him that I would be willing to listen to him further, if doing so might help him or alleviate his suffering.

“No, not at all! I cannot escape my pain even for a moment. But from your question, I gather that you are a stranger here. Oh, if only you were a stranger forever! Ah, if only I had even the slightest hope left, how I would kneel, weep, and pray to be delivered from this hell! But it’s all in vain—I am lost forever! So that you may know what it means to end up in this place, I will tell you what torments the damned are subjected to.

Chapter 8. A Lost Soul Speaks

         – Our misfortunes in this infernal prison are of two kinds: those related to what we have lost and those related to what we suffer. I will speak first about what we have lost.

         In this sad, dark place of suffering and pain, we have lost the presence of the blessed God forever. This is what hell is all about. Even if we had lost a thousand worlds, it would not compare to this. If only we could see a glimmer of His mercy here, we might be happy, but we have lost it forever.

         Here we have also lost the company of the saints and the angels, and in its place we have only that of the tormenting devils. In this place we have also lost heaven, the center of every blessing. There is a deep chasm between us and heaven, so we are cut off from ever sharing in it again. Those eternal gates, which grant the redeemed access to paradise, are now closed forever before us.

         To make our misery even worse, we have lost all hope of ever attaining a better state than the one in which we find ourselves. We are truly without hope. Our hearts are broken, being so utterly devoid of any hope or help. These are the things we have lost, and our wretched souls are constantly breaking and tormented. But these are not all our torments!

We are also tormented by suffering, as I will try to explain to you. First of all, we are subjected to a multitude of torments, being tortured here in a thousand—no, in ten thousand—different ways. Those who suffer on earth rarely have more than one misfortune at a time. If they had an ulcer, gallstones, a headache, and a fever all at the same time, wouldn’t they feel very ill? Yet all of these combined are like a flea bite compared to those unbearable, piercing pains we endure here. We endure all the torments of hell. There is an unquenchable fire that burns us; a lake of brimstone that suffocates us constantly; and eternal chains that bind us. In this place there is total darkness that terrifies us and a worm of conscience that gnaws at us constantly. Any one of these is far harder to bear than all the torments humanity has ever felt on earth!

         But our torments here are not only different—they are all-encompassing. They affect every part of the body and all the powers of the soul. This causes us to endure the most severe tortures. In the illnesses that people suffer on earth, although parts of the body suffer, the others feel no pain. Here it is different: every part of the soul and the body suffers at the same time. Our eyes are tormented by the sight of demons, who appear in all the hideous forms that sin can produce. Our ears are constantly tormented by the ceaseless cries of the damned. Our nostrils are choked with sulfurous flames; our tongues with burning blisters; and our entire bodies are enveloped in flames of liquid fire. All the powers and faculties of our souls are also tormented here. Our imagination suffers from thoughts of our present pain and memories of the lost heaven. Our minds are tormented as we recall how foolishly we spent our precious time on earth. We constantly think of past pleasures, present pains, and future troubles, which are to last forever.

         Another thing that makes our suffering so terrible is the depth of our torments. The fire that burns us is so violent that all the water in the sea could not extinguish it. The pains we suffer are so intense that it is impossible for anyone to describe them, except for those who are condemned. Another aspect of our torment is that the tortures are unceasing. They are not only varied, all-encompassing, and violent, but also perpetual. We have not a single moment of rest. If there were any lessening of the pain, it might bring us some relief. But there is no relief from our torments, and what we are enduring now we must suffer forever.

         The society or company we have here is another part of our misery. The tormenting demons and the tormented souls are our companions. The terrible screams, wails, and fearful curses are our constant conversation, due to the severity of our pain. The place where we find ourselves intensifies our suffering. It is the consummation of all misfortunes—a prison, a dungeon, a bottomless pit, a lake of brimstone, a fiery furnace burning for eternity, the gloom of darkness forever, and, ultimately, hell itself. A wretched place like this can only intensify our miserable condition. The cruelty of our tormentors is yet another factor that adds to our suffering. Our tormentors are devils in whom there is not a trace of mercy. Even as they themselves are tormented, they still take pleasure in tormenting us.

         All these sufferings I have described are very severe. But what makes them even more agonizing is the fact that they will last forever. “Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire!” is what echoes constantly in my ears. Oh, if only I could undo this sentence that has condemned me! If only there were even the slightest possibility of salvation! This is the wretched situation in which we find ourselves and in which we will remain forever.”

Chapter 9. Further Discussions

     This condemned soul had barely finished speaking when he began to be tormented again by a hellish demon, who told him to stop complaining. The demon said:

– Don’t you know that you deserve all these things? How often were you warned beforehand, yet you did not believe? You laughed at those who spoke to you about hell. You were even so bold as to ask Almighty Justice to destroy you! Are you complaining that you’re getting exactly what you asked for? How absurd! You know you were offered salvation, but you refused it. How can you complain now that you are condemned? I have more reason to complain, because you had a long period of time during which you were offered the chance to repent, but I was cast into hell as soon as I sinned. If salvation had been offered to me as well, I would not have rejected it, as you did. Who do you think should pity you now, given all that was offered to you?

This caused the wretch to cry out:

– Oh, don’t keep tormenting me; I know I chose destruction. Oh, if only I could forget! These thoughts are my greatest torture. I chose to be cursed, and rightly so I have become this way.

Then, turning to the demon who had tortured him, he said:

“But it is also true that I ended up here because of your temptations, you accursed one! You were the one who tempted me to commit all these sins, and now you reproach me? You say you never had a Savior, but you should also remember that you never had a tempter—just as you have always been for me.

At this, the devil replied with contempt:

– It was my job to bring you here! You were warned about this many times by your preacher. You were clearly told that we seek your destruction and that we prowl around like roaring lions, seeking someone to devour. I was often afraid that you might believe him, as several other souls did, much to our disappointment. But you were willing to do what we wanted, and since you’ve done our work, it’s only fair that we give you your due reward.

     Then the devil tormented him again and made him scream so horribly that I could no longer bear to hear it, so I moved on.

     “How grim,” I then said to my guide, “is the condition of these damned souls! They are slaves to the devils on earth, and then the devils torment them when they arrive in hell.”

     “The devils hate the entire race of Adam,” said my guide. And because many souls are unaware of their schemes, the devils easily succeed in leading them to eternal ruin. You will see more of how the demons treat the damned here.

     Moving a little further on, I saw a multitude of damned souls huddled together, gnashing their teeth in extreme fury and pain, while the tormenting devils, filled with infernal rage, poured fire and liquid brimstone ceaselessly upon them. At the same time, they were cursing God and those around Him, and reviling Him in a terrible way. I couldn’t help myself and asked one of the demons tormenting them, “Who are these souls that you are torturing so cruelly?”

     He replied:

     “These wretches deserve their punishment. They tried to teach others the right path to heaven, while they themselves were so enamored with hell that they ended up here.” They are the souls who were our greatest helpers on earth, and therefore they deserve our special attention in hell. We do our utmost to give each of them their share of the greatest possible torment, for they must answer not only for their own sins, but also for those of the people they led astray through their teachings and example.

     – Since they were such a great help to you, I would think that, out of gratitude, you should treat them a little more kindly.

     The insolent demon replied mockingly:

     – Those who expect gratitude from us will find out they’re mistaken. Gratitude is a virtue, and we hate every virtue. Moreover, we hate all of humanity, and if it were up to us, not a single person would be happy. It’s true that we don’t speak to them that way on earth, because it’s our job to flatter and deceive them. But once we have them here, in this place from which they cannot escape, we immediately convince them of the folly of having served us.

     Based on this, I could not help but think of how infinite grace is for a weak sinner to reach heaven, considering how many traps the enemy sets to catch him along the way. Therefore, it is a work worthy of the blessed Son of God to save His people from sin and deliver them from the wrath to come. But it is also folly on the part of people to reject His offer of grace, choosing instead to side with the enemy.

     As I walked on, I heard a wretched man weeping in agonizing anguish against those who had betrayed him and brought him here:

     “I was told,” he said, “by those on whom I depended—and whom I thought might teach me what is right—that if I were to say, ‘Lord, have mercy on me!’ when the moment of my death came, it would be enough to save me. But, oh, now I see that I was mistaken, as I lie in my eternal agony! Alas, I asked for mercy on my deathbed, but I found out it was too late. Before I began to suffer, this accursed devil here told me I was safe. Then, on my deathbed, he was the one who told me it was too late. Hell will be my eternal inheritance.

     – You see, I told you the truth in the end, said the devil, and you believed me. A very fitting ending, don’t you think? You spend your days reveling in sin and wallowing in your filth, and then you want to go to heaven when you die! Would anyone but a madman believe that this is right? No—the person who sincerely wants to go to heaven after death must walk the path of holiness and virtue while he lives. You say that some of your debauched companions have told you that saying “Lord, have mercy on me” at the moment of death would be enough. What a great excuse! If you had read the Bible, you would know that “without holiness, no one will see God.” Therefore, since you wanted to live in your sins for as long as you could, you didn’t give them up in the end because you didn’t like them, but because you could no longer continue in them. You know that’s true. How could you have been so foolish as to believe that you could get to heaven while loving sin in your heart? No, no, no! You were warned many times that you should be careful not to be deceived, because God will not be mocked—what you sow, that you will reap. You have no reason to complain about anything but your own folly, which you now see, when it is too late.

            “This speech by the devil was very cutting for the poor, tormented wretch,” I said to my guide, “and it reveals the true situation of many people on earth today, as well as those in hell.” But, oh, what a vastly different decision they make in this sad place, compared to what they did on earth.

            “The reason for this,” replied my guardian angel, “is that they do not consider the consequences of sin while they are on earth.” Indifference destroys many souls who do not pay attention to what they are doing, until it is too late to change anything.

Chapter 10. An Atheist in Hell

     We had not gone much further before we saw a large number of tormenting demons. They were constantly whipping a multitude of wretched souls with whips made of knotted, burning steel. The tormented souls screamed so loudly that I thought even cruelty itself might be melted into a little mercy. This prompted me to say to one of the tormentors:

     “Stop whipping them and do not use such cruelty toward those who are beings like yourself, and whom you probably helped to end up in all this misery.”

     “No,” the tormentor replied very calmly. “Although we are very evil, even we devils were not as evil as they were, nor were we guilty of such crimes as they committed.” We all know that there is a God, even though we hate Him, but these souls would not have admitted (until they arrived here) that such a Being existed.

     – “Then,” I said, “they were atheists. They are wretched people, and they tried to prevent me from sharing in eternal grace as well.” I had barely finished speaking when one of the tormented wretches cried out sadly:

     – I certainly recognize that voice. It must be John.

     I was astonished to hear my name mentioned, and so I replied:

     “Yes, I’m John, but who are you?”

     He replied:

     “I once knew you well on earth, and I had almost convinced you to share my opinion. I am the author of that famous book, titled *Leviathan*.”

     “What! The great Hobbes?” I said. “You’ve ended up here?”

     – “Unfortunately,” he replied, “I am indeed that wretched man. But I am so far from being great that I see myself as one of the most wretched in all these filthy lands. For now I know that God exists.” But, oh! I wish He did not exist, for I am certain He will show me no mercy whatsoever. Besides, there is no reason why He should have mercy. I confess that I was His enemy on earth, and now He is mine in hell. My proud confidence in my own wisdom was what betrayed me.

     “Sad, indeed,” I told him. “Do you see what the power of the Almighty can do to those who violate His righteous law?”

I had just made these remarks when the tireless demon

who was tormenting him interrupted me:

     “Now, see what kind of people they were in the world. Don’t you think they deserve their punishment?”

     I replied:

     – Without a doubt, this is the retribution for the sins they are suffering—and which you, too, must suffer. And you, just like them, have sinned against the blessed God, and for your sins you will suffer the vengeance of eternal fire. You have no excuse for saying that you doubted God’s existence; for, knowing that God exists, you chose to rebel against Him. Therefore, you must rightly be punished with eternal separation from the presence of the Lord.”

     To this, the demon replied:

     – It is true that we know we must be punished, as you say. But if you say that people should be shown mercy because they have fallen through the devil’s temptations, then this is also true for me and the rest of the lower spirits. We were tempted by the brilliant Morning Star to rebel alongside him. Therefore, although this increases Lucifer’s guilt, it should lessen that of the lower spirits.”

     To this, my radiant angel replied with an angry expression:

     – O apostate spirit, full of malice and lies! How can you say such things when you see me here? You know that it was your proud heart that caused you to rebel alongside Lucifer against the blessed God who created you in glory! But since you proudly exalted yourself above your blessed Creator by joining Lucifer, you are rightly cast into hell. Your former beauty has been transformed into your present hideous form, as a just punishment for your rebellious pride.

     The apostate spirit replied:

     “Why are you invading our territories and coming to torment us before our time? And, having said this, he parted from us as if he did not wish to receive an answer.”

     After he left, I told my guardian angel that I had already heard about the fall of the apostate angels, but that I wanted to know more about what had happened back then.

     My guide replied:

     – When you finish your earthly life and return to heaven, you will learn many things that you are not yet ready to understand. In your current state, you should not seek to know more than what is recorded in the Scriptures. It is enough for you to know that the angels sinned and that for their sin they were cast into hell. But how pure spirits could harbor a thought in their hearts against the eternal Purity that created them is something you are not yet capable of understanding.

     “I have noticed,” I said, “that those in hell complain most of all about the torment of their own feelings of guilt, which confirm the justice of their punishment.” This gloomy prison is the best place to truly understand sin, because if it weren’t so serious, it wouldn’t be met with such an extreme punishment.

     – What you say is very true, but there is an even better place to see the just reward for sin. This can be seen when you look upon God’s blessed Son on the cross. There we can see the terrible effects of sin. There we can see all the evil caused by sin, because all the sufferings of the condemned here are those of created beings, but on the cross you can see God Himself suffering.

     “Certainly,” I added, “justice and mercy triumphed in that dark hour.” Justice was fully satisfied on the cross through the punishment of sin, and mercy triumphed there, for salvation for helpless sinners was accomplished. Eternal praise to His holy Name, for His grace has enabled me to receive this salvation, making me an heir to His glory! I recall that some of these lost souls here have lamented that, when salvation was offered to them, they refused it. Therefore, it was His grace alone that helped me accept it. At that moment, my radiant companion told me that he had to take me back to earth and leave me there until the time came for me to enter heavenly glory.

     “Come,” he said, “let us leave this place of sorrow and terror in the hands of its dark inhabitants.”

     In a very short time, I found myself back on earth. I was left right where the angel had met me, when I had been thinking of suicide, tempted by the devil, who had tried to convince me that God does not exist.

     How I got back there, I do not know. But as soon as I returned, the radiant angel who had been my guide said to me:

     “John, I must leave now. I have another mission to fulfill.” Praise Him who sits eternally on the throne, who has all power in heaven, on earth, and in hell. Praise Him for all the wonders of His love and grace, which He has shown you in such a short time!

     Just as I was about to respond, the angel vanished, and I was left alone. I spent some time reflecting on the amazing things I had seen and heard, then I knelt down and prayed. After I stood up, I began to bless and praise God for all His goodness.

     When I got back home, my family was very surprised to see how much my appearance had changed. They looked at me as if they barely recognized me. I asked them what exactly they were looking at. They replied that the transformation of my face amazed them.

     I said to them:

     “What do you mean? Have I really changed that much?”

     They replied:

     “Yesterday you looked so depressed that your face was the very picture of despair. But now, it’s radiant, beautiful, full of joy and complete satisfaction.”

     “If you had seen,” I replied, “what I saw today, you wouldn’t be surprised by the change in me.”

     Then I went to my room, took my pen and ink, and wrote these lines about everything I had heard and seen. And I hope that those who read this will be touched in their hearts, just as I was while writing down all these experiences. The End.

About Heaven: “And he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Its light was like a precious stone, clear as crystal. The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each gate was made of a single pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

           The city has no need of the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God illuminates it. Nothing impure will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood; but only those whose names are written in the Book of Life. And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

            There will be nothing left there that is worthy of condemnation. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it. His servants will serve Him. There will be no more night there. And they will have no need of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will illuminate them. And they will reign forever and ever” (Revelation, chapters 21–22).

About Hell: “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city through the gates! Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood!

But as for the cowardly, the unbelieving, the abominable, the murderers, the sexually immoral, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars, their portion is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur—that is, the second death.” (Revelation, chapters 21–22).