# Visions of Heaven and Hell by John Bunyan  ## Bunyan's Vision of Heaven - [[John Bunyan]] wrote *Visions of Heaven and Hell* as a young man. [(00:00:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=33s) - The account describes how an angel, sent by [[God]], took Bunyan to see heaven and hell. [(00:00:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=35s) ## The Angel's Message - The angel told Bunyan that he was sent to stop him from falling into eternal ruin. [(00:04:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=254s) - The angel took Bunyan far above the [[Earth]], which appeared very small. [(00:05:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=345s) ## The World from Above - The angel told [[John Bunyan | Bunyan]] that the dark spot below was the world he had lived on. [(00:06:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=380s) - People living in the world are in a state of darkness and love to walk in this darkness even though they have been shown the true light of life. [(00:07:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=420s) ## Fallen Angels - The multitudes of black and horrible forms that hover in the air above the world are the fallen angels who were cast down from heaven for their pride and rebellion. [(00:07:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=432s) - The fallen angels have no hope of reconciliation with [[God]] and are lost forever. [(00:08:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=498s) ## The Wonders of Creation - The sun is one of the great works of God, but all the stars are no less wonderful. [(00:08:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=532s) ## The Glory of Heaven - The speaker was transferred into heaven, where they saw things that are impossible to describe and heard beautiful songs that they could never sing. [(00:09:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=596s) - The light in heaven is the shining forth of the Divine glory. [(00:11:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=668s) ## The Presence of God - The speaker was too weak to bear the least ray of glory that shot from that everlasting Spring of Light which sat upon the throne. [(00:11:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=719s) - The speaker was taken to the prophet Elijah. [(00:12:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=779s) ## The Inhabitants of Heaven - The inhabitants of heaven continually praise and serve [[God]] and the Lamb. [(00:13:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=825s) - The souls in heaven are unaware of events on [[Earth | earth]]. [(00:14:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=840s) ## The Joy of Heaven - The happiness experienced in heaven is always new and impossible to fully describe to those who have not experienced it. [(00:14:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=898s) - The souls of the redeemed are eternally free from sin and temptation. [(00:17:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=1051s) ## The Blessings of Heaven - In heaven, people are free from sin and punishment and experience positive joys. [(00:20:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=1214s) - People in heaven see [[God]], which brings them joy and transforms them into His likeness. [(00:20:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=1237s) ## Increased Understanding - In heaven, people's understanding and knowledge are increased, allowing them to understand God's decrees, counsels, providence, and dispensations. [(00:21:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=1274s) - After the resurrection, people will have spiritual bodies that are purified from corruption, sustained by God, and immortal. [(00:22:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=1326s) ## The Nature of God - God is the source of all holiness, goodness, righteousness, and mercy. [(00:25:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=1519s) - In heaven, the degree of glory experienced by the blessed is directly proportional to their capacity to love [[God]]. [(00:26:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=1581s) ## Heavenly Relationships - In heaven, there is no gender distinction, and all earthly relationships are superseded by the all-encompassing relationship with God. [(00:30:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=1825s) - If people refuse God's grace and perish, God will be glorified in His justice. [(00:31:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=1904s) ## Communication Between Heaven and Earth - The struggles and victories of the church on [[Earth | earth]] are reported to those in heaven by angels. [(00:32:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=1929s) ## Lucifer's Rage - Lucifer, sitting on a burning throne in hell, expressed his rage and frustration at being confined to hell and his inability to defeat [[God]]. [(00:35:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=2134s) - Lucifer vowed to take out his anger on mankind. [(00:36:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=2210s) ## The Torments of Hell - The speaker describes a vision of hell where the inhabitants have lost the presence of God, the company of saints and angels, the hope of a better condition, and access to heaven. [(00:46:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=2769s) - The speaker lists the sufferings of the damned, including an unquenchable fire, a lake of burning brimstone, eternal chains, utter darkness, and a gnawing worm of conscience. [(00:48:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=2883s) ## The Severity of Hell - The speaker emphasizes that the torments in hell are diverse, afflicting every part of the body and soul, and are continuous without any respite. [(00:50:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=3005s) - There is no relief from the torments of hell, and the company found there, including tormenting devils and tormented souls, adds to the misery. [(00:50:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=3016s) ## The Cruelty of Devils - The cruelty of the tormentors, who are devils without pity, intensifies the suffering. [(00:51:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=3064s) - The souls in hell are tormented by the knowledge that they chose their fate and were tempted by devils like the one who speaks to them. [(00:52:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=3169s) ## Regret in Hell - A wretch in hell regrets listening to people who told him that saying "Lord, have mercy on me" on his deathbed would save him. [(00:56:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=3372s) ## Thomas Hobbes in Hell - The author of the book *Leviathan*, [[Thomas Hobbes]], is in hell for promoting atheism. [(00:59:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=3591s) - Hobbes, while on [[Earth | earth]], initially believed in [[God]] but as he sinned more, he started to hope that God didn't exist so that he would not be punished. [(01:01:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=3679s) ## John's Fall - John, influenced by new theories, adopted and promoted them, dismissing his conscience's warnings about their potential falsehood. [(01:01:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=3714s) - John's embrace of sin led him to reject and despise his Maker, ultimately causing him immense suffering. [(01:02:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=3735s) ## Tormented Souls in Hell - John encountered a tormented soul in hell who expressed regret for ridiculing God's truths and leading others astray. [(01:02:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=3760s) ## The Speaker's Transformation - Upon returning home, the speaker's family noticed a significant positive change in their countenance. [(01:07:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=4076s) - The speaker's family attributed the change to the speaker's face appearing joyful and beautiful compared to the previous day. [(01:08:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=4098s) ## The Purpose of the Vision - The speaker then documented their experiences in writing with the hope that readers would be similarly moved. [(01:08:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzvgar7y57g&t=4116s)