Free 23 minutes in hell by Bill Wiese

church. The women still wore the shawls over their heads and dresses down to their ankles. Many had escaped Russia and had been in the concentration camps in Germany during the 1940s.
    After speaking that evening, one of the elders of the church came up to us and told us through an interpreter that he was a Russian Jew and had been thrown in the ovens at one of the prisoner camps. A friend had pulled him out of the oven and was able to bring him back to life. He said that during that experience, he had died and had been taken to hell. He told me he had seen exactly what I had shared with the group that night.
    With tears streaming down his weathered face, he said that he had prayed that one day someone would come and confirm what he had seen. Finally, after fifty-six years, his prayer was answered. He had written a book about his experience, which he signed and gave to us. He thanked us so much for coming and answering his prayer for all those years. Knowing that we had been an answer to that old man’s prayers after all those years left us with a feeling of great honor and humility.
    The next night I was asked to speak on the Russian TV broadcast that would air in Sacramento, Los Angeles, Canada, and Russia. This old gentleman came out to the TV station and sat in the front row to honor and encourage us. We appreciated that very much. The Russian people, especially those who head up the TV ministry, were exceptional people. They were so dedicated to serving the Lord. We really liked them and have remained in contact with them. They were so grateful to be in America and to have all the freedoms that we take so for granted. We knew we were in God’s perfect will in going on that trip.
    A College Classroom
    I was being interviewed on a radio program with Holly McClure, and an e-mail came in from a professor at a college in Southern California. This was a public college, not a Christian school. The professor asked if I would share my experience with his philosophy class, as they were discussing life-after-death issues. My wife and I went, and we found it to be another “being in God’s will” experience.
    I had not gotten five minutes into the story before there were hands flying into the air with questions—very good questions. They were so unfamiliar with the things of God, but they were eager to learn and get answers. They wanted to know many things: “Why would there be such a place as hell?” “Why would God send anyone there?” “How do you know this wasn’t just your own preconceived and learned ideas that caused you to perhaps just dream up such a thing?” “How can one be good enough, then, to go to heaven?” “Don’t you have to work your way to salvation?” and so on.
    We were able to clear up numerous questions for these young people. Most of the students had never read a Bible or been exposed to church. Very few of them had ever seen “The Ten Commandments” movie or any other religious films. So many of today’s young people are taught that whatever seems right to them is OK. They are not told that there is a definite right and wrong, and they know nothing about God’s great love for them and His will for their lives.
    It’s very interesting to see how young people react to this story. To be honest, I’m not the type of person to whom they would naturally be drawn. There are many who are more dynamic, more exciting, more charismatic, and who would seem to better fit the part. But I think that’s just another confirmation that God is behind this message.
    Normally, younger people have a short attention span and need constant entertainment if you want to hold their interest. Nevertheless, almost every opportunity I have had to speak to that generation has been very fruitful. They always seem to listen intently and absorb every word.
    Radio Call
    After a radio interview with Holly McClure, a woman called in. She said she was driving down the road with her teenage son, and he was listening to