Bill Wiese - 23 minutes in hell

The warm sunlight was softly spilling through the window into my office as I forced my attention away from the sweet spring day. Sitting in my chair, I brought my focus back to my opened Bible and an all-too-clean notepad which were resting on the deep, rich polished desk. I was in the process of preparing preaching notes on the subject of the cross of Christ. I had spoken on this subject many times before, but now I deeply desired something much fresher. I was not prepared for what was about to happen. My tranquil setting was about to change in a radical way. Pushing my chair forward, getting closer to the Scripture and my note paper, I began to pray, asking the Spirit of God to make the message of the cross real. I did not want to use just a bunch of words. I wanted the cross to be more than a mere message. I longed for people to hear the Words of Life. I wanted it to be something powerful that would transform our lives. So I began my prayer from a hungry heart.

Suddenly without warning, faster than the speed of light, I was no longer sitting comfortably at my study. I was being carried by the Spirit of God through time and space. As Paul stated in the Scriptures, if I was in the body or out of the body I do not know. Soon, I was set down in the busy streets of Jerusalem. I could hear the sounds of a mob of people, I could feel an evil excitement in the air that made my spirit very uncomfortable. I was standing in a great crowd of people. Looking into their faces, I noticed that some were filled with sincere sadness and others with an evil grin. The next thing I knew I was shoved aside by a big Roman soldier, who cursed at me and yelled "get out of the way!" Then I looked and saw what the crowd had been waiting for, Jesus bearing His cross. I could not believe my eyes. Never had I seen such a terrible sight. His entire face was covered with clotted, dried blood from wounds caused by a crown of thorns, which looked more like razor-sharp spikes driven into His head. Each time His heart would beat, fresh dark blue-red blood would spurt between the spikes and thorns, running down His forehead and into His eyes, dripping to His chest and onto the dusty street. My mind was whirling. I thought "this can't be happening, this happened years before." At that moment our eyes met, however, and I knew without a doubt, it was real. Somehow, I had been carried to the crucifixion!

It was no dream; I was there.

Stunned, I staggered alongside the crowd, too shocked to speak, watching as Jesus was stumbling under the weight of the heavy cross. The hot winds blowing dust from the street blew open the tears in His bloodstained clothes and I caught a glimpse of the wounds on His back and shoulders, deep flesh torn gaping open. For a long time we made our way up the street path outside the city wall. At long last we came to the top of the Hill of the Skull. The mob stirred with excitement when the Lord was thrown down hard to the ground. Without a struggle He stretched out His arms. The air itself was so thick with the oppressing demon spirits it was hard to breathe. The smell of blood and body fluids was so strong that I was choking: and I could smell the strong stinking aroma of some type of liquor, or cheap ale, coming from the soldiers. I heard the heavy thud of the hammer as it struck the spikes going into His hands and feet. The cross was lifted up very roughly and dropped in the hole. I heard a deep groan coming from the Lord's throat, as the entire weight of His body came against the spikes. I will never forget the sounds, sights, and smells of this moment. It seemed as if time had stopped. I don't know how long I was there; it seemed as if it was hours. This was a place of no mercy! Yet the most merciful act was being accomplished. I will never forget the paradox of feelings. The Sinless and Guiltless dying as one guilty. The Perfect being spoiled by the spear and ravaged by the cross. The Righteous dying for the rebellious. As I lifted my eyes to behold Christ on the cross, the pain upon His face was more than my heart could bear; all the strength left my legs, and I felt my body thud against the ground. I struggled to get to my knees. Lifting my eyes, I again forced myself to behold the Lamb. I know now the meaning of the prophet's words, "And when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him" (Isaiah 53:2). I can testify that His face was more disfigured than any I have ever seen. The pain that Jesus went through was much more than the cross. It was beyond any human words to describe. His flesh was a pale blue as He hung suspended between Heaven and earth making atonement for sinners such as I. At that moment I cannot begin to describe how horrible a sinner I knew I was. The words of the song came flooding into my heart. "When I survey the wondrous Cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gains I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride." I could see the Lord as He struggled beneath the pain of the cross, and as He lifted His weight and breathed in to speak these words, "Father, forgive them for they don't know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).

Later, I heard the most horrible cry come from the parched, swollen, bleeding lips of our Lord...this cry still rings in my ears to this very hour: "My God! My God! Why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46). This question came from the very soul of the Son of God. For the first time in all of eternity, the Son and the Father are separated. This is the very first time Christ has ever referred to God other than Father. Why? Because now Christ has become what we are, He has taken upon Himself our sins. The Scripture states that God is of a purer eye than to look upon sin, so Father God turns His back to His Son, and Christ is forsaken of His Father. This is the pain that He had asked to be removed in the garden when He prayed "let this cup pass from Me" (Matthew 26:39). He could not bear to think of Himself being abandoned by His Father. At this moment Christ is not dying as a Son, but rather as a sinner. As this happened, His heart was crushed. As the Psalmist prophesied: "My heart is like wax, it has melted within Me" (Psalm 22:14). Then with a loud cry Christ Jesus said "Father into Your hands I commit My Spirit" (Luke 23:46), and His lifeless head falls limp upon His chest. The entire earth is spinning and shaking; there is this terrible darkness everywhere. I hear screams coming from the darkness, and suddenly I am aware that the cry is coming from my own lips. I am no longer at the foot of the cross, I am back in my office; but the cry and scream still echoes in my ears. My entire body is shaking and trembling.

(The Vision Ends)

RITUAL OR RELATIONSHIP
I am not able to share all that I saw and experienced at this time, but I can tell you I will never be the same. And I am more sure now than ever before, the preaching of the cross is the power of God unto salvation. The Scripture states: "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect" (1 Corinthians 1:17). The Cross of Christ is not a trite trinket or some sentimental ceremonial jewelry, to be worn about our neck; but rather the cross is the very essence of the loving heart of Father God reaching out to fallen mankind. Mankind's only
hope of deliverance from the grasp and guilt of sin is the finished work of Christ upon the cross. God is not requesting man to embrace a mere ritual, but rather to enter into a lasting relationship. This can only be accomplished through the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

I know Bill Wiese went to hell

Prophecy Plus: Bill Wiese 23 Minutes in Hell

Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Bill Wiese 23 Minutes in Hell
I checked into Bill Wiese and his book, 23 Minutes in Hell. It only took a few minutes to discover that he has been involved in the Prophetic Movement for over a decade at the very least and works closely in ministry with Mike Bickle--one of Kansas City Prophets --and Bickle's organization IHOP, Bickle not only is well known as a leader within prophetic circles but also heavily promotes mystical, contemplative spirituality.

Wiese's experience in hell was an "out of body experience"--a very coveted experience by those within prophetic circles. They teach each other how to have them. Out of body experiences, astral projection, are common among New Agers and Shamans--nothing new here--totally occult, although prophetic folk commonly reference Paul's experience of being caught up to the third Heaven as a biblical basis for that particular occult experience.

Much of Wiese's experience is biblically questionable, suggesting that Satan rules in hell. The Bible teaches no
such concept.

Although Wiese references a lot of scripture in detailing his experience, anyone joining with him in ministry [by using / posting his testimony, etc.] would be leading people straight into the arms of the heretical, apostate Prophetic Movement which preaches another gospel, and is deceiving untold numbers of people into believing they are saved when in reality, they are not being drawn to the real Jesus, but to the signs and lying
wonders which characterize prophetic ministry, and are adopting a "spirituality"--a form of godliness--which cannot save. It is frightening to think how many believers are experiencing paradigm shifts due to whoring after
signs and lying wonders and are becoming part of the great falling away the Bible predicted would happen in these last days.

In summary, my recommendation is to stay away from any and all promotion of Bill Wiese and his experience of being astrally projected into hell.

My name is Mike Roberts. I am 33 years old. I am a Christian. This is my personal story and comments on 23 Minutes in Hell by Bill Wiese.

My wife bought this book a while back, and I took it to work
today. I was curious. I have obviously heard of the book, but I had never read it. I spent my whole lunch hour reading
it.

I was floored at what I was reading.

I believe him. I have to trust that a man who has belonged to the Lord since 1970 is telling the truth, and what he says is true and he literally experienced hell -- and it is exactly as the Bible describes it. He uses Scripture throughout his book to back up his claims. My sister went and heard him speak and she said that he was a man who could
not ignore the burden that was put upon his heart, and that he knew the Bible like the back of his hand, and backed up his experience with the Word of God.

There is so much 'new age' theology that wants us to kind of... Well, forget about hell. At least that has been what I
have seen more often than I'd like to. It is not comfortable. It is not pleasant. But it is real, and it is where people will spend their eternal lives if they do not accept Jesus Christ.

I know that a lot of people probably don't believe Bill -- it is, by most standards, an unbelievable story. But, are we
to put God in a box and think that He can't or won't do such
things to wake up the world? I have read some stuff online about Bill, and there is a good handful of Christians that feel he is a kook. I find that sad, because it is judging him in a way that we are not called to do. We are to use discernment in such matters, but do we do that at the cost of judging another person so harshly that we call into question their relationship with God?

I felt deeply convicted as I read this book, and I felt deep
terror. It made me think of people I love who have not accepted Christ and what awaits them after death. It made me
worry for myself. I never felt the Holy Spirit telling me that this man was making this up. What I did feel was fear, which is something that I have felt lately. I feel that I am
a good husband, I have a decent job, I pay my bills and I don't break any laws. Yet, I know that I am a wretched sinner and without Christ I am nothing. I felt this fear because I know in my heart through the Holy Spirit that I have not given Christ anything.

Proverbs 1:7 says that, "FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING TO WISDOM."

I believe that. Before, I was trying to be a Christian on my
own terms, using God like a vending machine. Now, I see that
if I don't begin to live a life that is full of repentance and seeking Christ, I will be lost as well. My heart needs to be worked on, and I believe Christ has started that work in me.

I believe Bill Wiese's book is a tool that He is using. God
knows the number of His children that have come to Him through this book and Bill's story. It is amazing and I commend him for sharing his experience, as horrific and dreadful that it may be. If only some of us could have the same boldness for Christ and not fear that we will be offending others. Mainly I say this from my own experience, but I see it in others as well.

My wife's aunt was killed by a drunk driver on December 22. At her funeral, our pastor gave the sermon. It had little to
do with my wife's aunt, but it had everything to do with the
Lord, as she would have wanted it that way. Before my pastor
spoke, he said something very profound: The TRUTH OFFENDS some people. I remember walking out of the service and hearing my mother-in-law say that she felt he took advantage
of the situation. All our pastor did was speak of the Love and the beautiful gift of salvation offered to us by God through Christ. I am sure many other people felt the same way.

The response of some people to this book is telling to me. 2,000 years ago, people did not want to believe Christ, either. Now, I am not equating Bill Wiese with Christ, so please don't get confused. What I am saying is that most people, even us Christians, want to put God in a box. Just as Jesus wasn't believed by the majority 2,000 years ago, many people are still refusing the miracles that God does today, and I find that sad.

I am sorry about my ramble... but it is just something that has been on my heart.

To every Christian on this site, please read this!

My name is Jeff Williams, I am a born again Christian.

Do I believe Bill Wiese went to Hell? No. Why?

Because there are very strange inconsistencies in his story that you need to take notice to. I would like to address them one by one.

#1. He claims to have gone to bed shortly before midnight on November 22, 1998 and was "catapulted out of my bed
into the very pit of Hell." (page 2) Ok, so as you can see by his own testimony, he was in his bed at the time of his "departure" to Hell, he says at 3:00 am. However, his wife Annette says this on page 46: "I woke up to screams coming from down the hallway. My first reaction was to look to my right to see if Bill was there beside me in bed. He wasn't." Ok, so the million dollar question is, how did Bill get from being in his bed to laying on the floor several rooms away if he was in Hell the whole time, with no possible way to control his body in the meantime?

#2. Annette continues on with this: "I turned to my left and looked at the digital clock, and noticed that it was 3:23 am. I got out of bed and WALKED down the hallway to the living room where I found Bill in a fetal position with his hands grasping at the sides of his head. His breathing was erratic, and he was screaming, "I feel like I'm going to die!" I thought he was having a heart attack." I don't know about you, but if someone I loved was in a fetal position on the floor, and their screams woke me up, I would RUN, not walk to wherever they
were. Her testimony does not match what a prudent person would do under those circumstances, and the rest of her
story is similarly unbelievable. She did not call 911 when she believed he was having a heart attack, even when he was screaming the entire time she was praying over him. No woman I have spoken to, even Christian ones, has agreed that they would have done the same under similar circumstances, knowing what Annette knew at the time she
had awoken.

#3. He claimed during the book that he was unable to think of the Lord during his time in Hell because Jesus Himself prevented it. (page 37) There are two problems with that. First, how would he know that the demons in the prison cell were blaspheming against a God he did not know? (page 4) Second, in his alleged encounter with Jesus, all Jesus said was, "I kept it from you" but did not give an explanation. Wiese offered an explanation, but that did not come from Jesus.

#4. Upon arrival to the prison cell, initially, Wiese said he could not stand due to an inexplicable weakness, which apparently never got better. (page 2) However, after getting soundly whupped on by 2 of the 4 giant demon captors, somehow with his chest ripped open and in the pitch blackness, he was able to stand up and walk away. He offered no explanation how he somehow "adjusted" to his predicament and got stronger, even as his circumstances got much much worse.

#5. After escaping the prison cell and demonic tormentors, he said he was taken back there to get roughed up again. Then all of a sudden he was standing next to the pit of fire 10 miles away without any explanation as to how he was carried such a vast distance instantaneously, or how he managed to stand up after being nearly drawn and quartered. (page 14)

#6. During his encounter with Jesus he claimed that he arose from the bottom of the cavern and was rising in the air. Then suddenly Jesus appeared and he fell to His feet. How is that possible when both are floating in the air? What could he have fallen on?

#7. His testimony, indeed the title of the book indicates that he had been in Hell for 23 minutes, but clearly that couldn't be the case because he claimed that Jesus took him out of Hell and into outer space, and then back
to his home. That time between his departure from Hell and his arrival at home clearly would have eaten away some of those 23 minutes.

#8. His "abduction" at 3:00 am - Now this may be picking nits but why would Jesus take Bill at the tail end of what is referred to as the "Witching Hour"?

#9. Finally, and this is perhaps the most damning to his story, but Scripture clearly states that people do not go to Hell and return back to the Earth. In fact according to the Lazarus and the rich man parable it is strictly forbidden because nobody would believe the person anyway. Jesus WOULD NOT violate His own Word, and for
Wiese to have actually gone to Hell and back would contradict God's Word. This beats even the previously mentioned contradictions in Wiese's story.

So that leaves us with the nagging question, why would Wiese experience this if he experienced it at all? Bear in mind that Wiese is a professed Christian since 1970 and has had 28 years to learn the Bible and Hell mythology as it pertains to Christianity today - prior to this event. I don't think he hallucinated it, but he may have dreamed it, and he could have just made it up.

If he dreamed it then he clearly was being deceived. I have no clue why he would make it up, other than to add more validity to the Hell scare tactics that have produced recalcitrant and often backsliding pseudo-converts throughout the ages.

Does this mean that his book is entirely bad? No not really. He does make some standard Christian points that Jesus, not our own "goodness" or good works is the way to Heaven. That's the Gospel in a nutshell and thankfully
Wiese does not waver from that point at any time. Does he use a substantial portion of his biblical references inappropriately or out of context, yes and that is a very pervasive scourge in modern Christian writings that is
incredibly annoying, not to mention dangerous.

All that being said, I believe Bill Wiese to be an earnest Christian man who is doing all he can to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others in his own way. Do I believe his story? Absolutely not, it's inconsistent as well as unbiblical. But I in no way doubt his faithfulness to Jesus or his commitment to spreading the Gospel.

May the Peace and Love of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.

Hello again,

It is now March 2009, and a message on myspace reminded me of this post; Of my confession.
I'd like to start my second post by sincerely thanking everyone that has written in reply to my post. I was amazed at the fact anyone even replied.
Kathie, Thank you! I've yet to give up. I thought it would be neat to tell you all what has happened once I have confessed and truly reached the bottom of my life and prayed for help.

On december 28th, 18 days after my post. I threw away almost everything in my apartment (The prison that most nearest me called it.) Packed up and moved to Music City ..Nashville, TN.
On the way I text my Father and told him I forgave him for not wanting anything to do with his family. I never heard back..But I have moved on.
I found my confidence through being a christian again and knowing that God is by my side and angels stand behind me. Some have called it my "God complex". While I like to think about it as invicible faith.
I started playing open mic nights and writers night where no one even knew my name. I had no friends...Only a dark past in which I was crawling to the light at the end of the tunnel. I prayed everyday...but this time I didn't pray for things to happen like record deals or a girlfriend or fame and what not. This time I prayed that if I just walked..If I just roamed, and let You (God) guide me.. Where would You lead me?
I live in a city now most call "Nashvegas" I've walked down broadway and fed homeless, I've given a ex criminal money to find a bed, I've played many writers nights with my cross tattoo'd on the arm everyone watches.
After months of playing everynight and helping where I saw needed a lady named Cathy came up to me. Cathy is a christian artist development agent and she has taken me in. I am now readying an ablum to record with Kent Wells (Dolly Partons Producer) and also a few tracks with Danny White & Robert Reynolds (The black crowes, and hope floats movie soundtrack.)
They are helping me quit smoking, I am taking voice lessons every week, as well as learning how to be a true artist. A true christian rock artist. Once the demo's and I are ready, they are to be pitched to Sony BMG, Warner, Arista, RCA, Capitol, Universal, Columbia, and Epic records. These producers and record label executives have been telling me "I have God's gift of music." and that "You are a ball of music. You ARE music."
Last night, I performed in Downtown nashville, and the moment I sang the first line in my song, and hit the first chord, I could hear the crowd roaring. They knew the song. At that moment I felt success. For the first time in my life.
With or without the record deal, glamour and fame. With or without the respect and glory of people nation wide hearing my music. God has taught me that in his eyes I am already the John Mason I dreamed of being. I just need to keep doing what I feel is right, and keep doing what I love, and he will take care of me. I fear nothing human.

Without writing you guys a book... I just wanted to post to show people, to be living proof, that if you pray for forgiveness, guidance, patience, persistance, or anything that is right...He does answer. It's up to you to keep the job. But God opens the door.

You just have to listen.

My name is John Mason. I'm 24 years old. Bill Wieses' book drew me in after a fight with a girl I've longed to meet for a long period of time. She has lied and led me on in many ways and I ended our "Phone" relationship by telling her to "Go to hell". I believe the Lord lead me to this book for I've been restless and nocturnal lately. Showing me what evil my words truly meant. I am, in my belief a christian, and I have been saved by a church when I was young. Baptist to be exact. I've struggled to be a songwriter/ performer for many years although my confidence has been stripped due to my sins. I feel like I do not deserve love of any kind or something great like a record deal to happen to me. I also smoke a pack a day which I know is a sin to destroy my own body and I do it whilst knowing. I am also a sinner in ways that I am a liar. To hide my failure in career talk and normal everyday questions. I am an adulterer, in a sort of fashion. I haven't honored my father, or spoken to him in years. I have prayed in all sorts of fashions to find forgiveness but everytime I pray I feel I'm praying for selfish reasons, to save myself. I feel unsincere. My soul feels stained dirty and full of sin and regret. I became a strong christian from an expierence I had when I was very young. I was sleeping on the floor near my mothers bed on a pallet when I heard a very strong voice say "JOHN!" so loud it rattled my brain and all of the bones in my body. And through the years of praying I have heard only my name outloud. The rest have been signs or him leading me to things like your book. I feel as if I have no escape from hell from the mistakes I've made in my life and the shame I've lived. I've always felt like I could do great good in this world if I only knew where to start- but the darkness in which my guilt leaves me in has left me lazy and not productive. I don't know if you; or many people at all will read this. And I have no proof that God and hell is real. But in my heart I feel it is. I'm posting this for two reasons- the first being I wish to know how I can be better and be forgiven. And the second being, I can't sit around anymore knowing something is real, and of the utmost importance, without saying anything.

Hello,

We belong to a Republica Christian Church in Quito Ecuador, we are interested in talking to Bill Wiese - We nead to reach him. We would like to know if you can help us to find him, maybe you have his phone number or an email address so we can write to him.

Thank a lot for your help.

Regardas
Maria Guerrero