We are here addressing a report claimed to have been given by Rodolfo Acevedo Hernandez, who is reported as professing to have had an out-of-body experience during which he visited hell and heaven. This same info has also been presented in several videos on Youtube and elsewhere. Our studies of the Bible alert us that such experiences may actually be visions given by demons who wish to promote their lies.
At any rate, Mr. Hernandez states that he saw Jesus, and that Jesus supposedly showed him “many things in hell, heaven and the condition of my church on earth.” We will first state the possibility that this vision never actually took place, and that the entire story is simply made up from somebody's human imagination. Indeed, from the way it reads, it does sound like something that someone fabricated all of this.
On the other hand, the demons evidently are indeed using such methods, often associated with a near-death experience, in order to spread their lies. Regardless, we believe that wicked spirits are behind this, since we know that the real Jesus would not tell such false information as related in this account. We should note that in Mr. Hernandez’s experience, he relates that a person appeared who claimed to be Jesus Christ, but a closer examination reveals if Mr. Hernandez saw a spirit, that this spirit was actually a lying spirit pretending to be Jesus.
In what is related, Mr. Hernandez supposedly saw a man, and Mr. Hernandez states, “The Lord said that this man was the founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.” In the context, this "man" is supposed to be Charles Taze Russell. That this spirit is a lying spirit pretending to be Jesus can be seen from the fact that Charles Taze Russell was NOT the founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Russell never heard of the "Jehovah's Witnesses." Russell did not believe in such an organization, and he did not believe in the message that is preached by that organization. Indeed, Russell preached against such a message as the Jehovah's Witnesses present, and he also preached against the authoritarianism claimed by the organization. After Russell died, Rutherford created the Jehovah's Witnesses by rejecting the core teachings of Russell and the Bible Students. The real founder of the “Jehovah’s Witnesses” organization was Joseph Rutherford. It was not Charles Taze Russell. The real Jesus would have known these facts, and would not have made such a statement as presented. At this point, however, the fact that such a idea is presented does seem to indicate that this whole report may have been made up, since it is generally misconceived that Russell was the founder of the Jehovah's Witnesses.
It is reported that "Jesus" supposedly stated:
Charles Russell is in hell because he taught lies!!
Of course, if Charles Taze Russell is now in the Bible hell, then, according to the Bible, he is unconscious and waiting for the resurrection.
However, we are certain that most Bible Students are grateful to the Heavenly Father for all the truths that Charles Taze Russell has brought forth from the Bible, and his defense of Jesus as the atoning sacrifice for sin. However, the JWs actually reject the core Biblical teaching of Russell regarding the atonement in Christ, replacing it with a teaching that basically states: join us, or you and your children will go to the second death in Armageddon. Thus, the Armageddon message preached by the JWs is almost the very opposite of the good news that will be for all the people that Russell preached.
What lies is Russell supposed to have presented? The report states that Jesus supposedly stated::
This man taught that God was only a God of love.
Anyone familiar with Russell’s teachings knows this is not true; indeed, Russell continuously presented Jehovah as being balanced in justice, love, power and wisdom, with each attribute working harmoniously together with all his attributes to bring forth the marvelous plan of redemption that is in Christ. The real Jesus would know the truth about what Russell taught, and would not need to present a fabrication.
We are told: The Bible says that God is a consuming fire.
Yes, the Bible does say this, and Brother Russell agreed with this. For instance, Brother Russell stated:
The whole world is becoming involved, just as the Bible has predicted for this Day. As the fire of trouble spreads, the light of Truth spreads also. God represents Himself as "a consuming fire." (Heb. 12:29) We also read that "God is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5) The figures of fire and light are both applicable to Him. The sun is a ball of fire, and at the same time a source of light. God is a consuming fire to every form of iniquity and injustice; and all systems founded upon selfishness and inequity must go down during this great Day of the Lord, when He has risen to shake terribly the earth. Isa. 2:12-19In the present time of trouble and distress of nations, however, there is light for the "children of light," while the consuming fire is doing its work of destroying everything that is wrong. We have come down to "that Day," wherein "the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." The fire has already started. -- "Present Burning of False Faith Structures", sermon delivered August 6, 1916.
One familiar with his writings would know that he on many instances spoke of God as being a "consuming fire." Again, the real Jesus would know this, so if someone actually spoke to Hernandez, it had to be a lying spirit pretending to be Jesus.
Hernandez claimed that Jesus said:
This man Charles Russell took the word hell from the Bible
Again, this is pure nonsense. One can verify from Russell’s own works that he did not at all take the word “hell” from the Bible. Russell did explain from the Bible itself what “hell” is.
Of course, the real Jesus would know what Russell taught, and would not have to make up such a lie. However, given the fact that any wicked spirit pretending to be Jesus would also know this, it would appear that a wicked spirit would have been more cunning than to just state such an outright lie. While we would not say that a lying spirit definitely would not have spoken such, this statement does appear to support the theory that this whole report may actually be a fabrication, based on the thought that even a lying spirit would be more cunning in the presentation of his lies. But at the same time, we realize that a lying spirit may indeed present such a lie if that is what the hearer would wish to hear.
Hernandez reported that "Jesus" supposedly continued to say of Charles Taze Russell:
and he took out all the words sheol and Abaddon.
The reality is that Russell definitely never "took out" either the word “sheol” or “Abbadon,” whatever this is supposed to mean by "took out." He certainly never took these words out of the Bible. Why would he do such a thing? The statement really makes no sense. How could Brother Russell take those words out of the Bible? Again, assuming that there was actually a spirit speaking to Hernandez, the spirit certainly did not speak the truth; the real Jesus would not promote such a lie.
Hernandez further reported "Jesus" as supposedly saying:
Also, he denied the deity of Jesus Christ and also denied the deity of the Holy Spirit
Brother Russell certainly did NOT deny the deity of Christ; he did show from the Bible what the deity of Christ means.
We could not find any place that Russell specifically denied the deity of God’s Holy Spirit; we can say that Jehovah’s Holy Spirit is deity in the sense that God to whom the Holy Spirit belongs is deity. Russell certainly did not add to and read into the scriptures that the Holy Spirit of God is a person of the Supreme Being.
It is further claimed "Jesus" said of Brother Russell:
and he put only the Word Jehovah in the Bible.
We are not sure what this is meant to say. As stated, it makes no sense, and certainly does not relate to anything Russell did, said. or wrote. Brother Russell, however, certainly never put "only the Word Jehovah in the Bible," whatever this is supposed to mean. Brother Russell did often quote from various translations by others that presented the Holy Name as “Jehovah”. At any rate, the real Jesus would know exactly what Brother Russell did or did not do, and definitely would not need to create such nonsensical statements.
It claimed that Jesus said of Brother Russell:
He took out Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
This is absolutely false! All one has to do is read just a little of Russell's works and no that this is not true! Surely the real Jesus would not present such a lie! Nevertheless, the naivety of attributing such to Russell again would seem to indicate that this whole narrative is a fabrication. But still, we can say that it is possible that a lying spirit may have said such an outright lie to satisfy those who wish to hear and believe such a lie.
Hernadez next claims "Jesus" stated;
For this cursed man, all these souls are falling into hell.” (Rev 22:18-19).
Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
There is nothing in these verses about the Bible hell. Nevertheless, since Russell did not take away from or add to the actual words of the prophecy as given to John, the warning spoken of here has no application to him.
Hernandez continues:
Then the Lord said: “I curse that man”
Assuming that Hernandez actually received a message from a spirit being, whom Mr. Acevedo claims to be "the Lord", this spirit proclaims a curse on Charles Taze Russell. If this report is a fabrication, this curse would actually be coming from the ignorance of a man who does not know any better. In such a case, I am sure Russell himself would remember the words of his Lord as recorded in Luke 6:28: "bless those who curse you, and pray for those who insult you." And Russell would also remember the words of the apostle Paul: "Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don't curse." -- Romans 12;14.
Hernandez then states:
When we left this place, these prison doors closed and caught fire and this man Charles Taze Russell cried and screamed and cursed Jesus repeatedly because Jesus said “The judgment has been set for this man”.
What can we say? If Hernandez actually received a vision, then the lying spirits will give people a vision of whatever falsehood they determine the person will have a tendency to believe. It would appear that, in addition to promoting the lie that the dead are not actually dead, the real reason for this report is to try to dissuade people from reading the truths that Russell presented. The Bible nowhere presents any idea that the soul is alive while the body is dead; indeed, the Bible shows that if the body is dead, the person is a dead soul.
One can find links to our related studies on our page "Life After Death".
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