I Visited Hell's Gates

[@Danwat97]

This is a fantastic series, really enjoying your takes on all of these events and churches! Thank you.

[@matthewmaree6393]

Attend an eastern orthodox service and go to their lunch afterwards if they are offering it. Great videos and it’s good that you’re sharing your journey

[@CryoftheProphet]

Do you believe that in Heaven, when Christ is looking down on those who love Him, that He only sees Christians who attend eastern tradition Churches?

[@Judicial_Official_]

Such a tragedy. I’m disgusted, alongside you. “The Rapture” is a 19th century idea that historical Christianity never believed. It was popularized by John Nelson Darby, a British theologian and one of the founders of the Plymouth Brethren. Darby introduced the concept of dispensationalism, a framework for interpreting the Bible that separates history into different “dispensations” or periods in God’s plan. This view became especially influential in the United States through study Bibles, like the Scofield Reference Bible, which helped spread dispensationalist theology and the idea of the rapture. Although some elements of the rapture are drawn from biblical passages (like 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), the interpretation that it entails a distinct, sudden removal of believers prior to tribulation is more recent. Earlier Christian theology often saw the return of Christ as a single, unified event, without a separate, preliminary rapture. I’m so sorry you experienced that. It discourages me too. Here’s what I found on the majority view (what Christianity believed for 1,800 years) Both the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) and Eastern Orthodox Church (EOC) reject the concept of a separate “rapture” event, as seen in dispensationalist Protestant theology. Instead, both hold that: 1. Unified Second Coming: They affirm a single, visible Second Coming of Christ at the end of time, which includes the resurrection of the dead, final judgment, and fulfillment of God’s kingdom. Neither church teaches a separate removal of believers before a tribulation period. 2. Scriptural Interpretation: Both interpret key “rapture” passages, such as 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, as describing believers meeting Christ in honor at His final return, not as a secret event prior to tribulation. 3. Historical Tradition: RCC and EOC teachings reflect early Christian beliefs, emphasizing that Christians will endure trials and tribulations until Christ’s return, without any promise of being removed beforehand. 4. Symbolic Reading of Revelation: Both churches approach Revelation with a symbolic or spiritual interpretation, viewing it as depicting the ongoing struggle between good and evil rather than a detailed prediction of end-time events. 5. Emphasis on Faithfulness through Trials: They teach that enduring suffering can spiritually benefit believers, calling for readiness and perseverance rather than an expectation of escape from tribulation. In summary, RCC and EOC believe in a single Second Coming and reject the rapture as a recent theological innovation. Hope this helps!

[@Roc-Righteous]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGG4ZpesbLSci68si=_TeKPa0dmaZ2g29c

[@SimplySkeptical22]

I am glad to know I am not the only one that felt this way! Thank you for the added context! Knowing that, it is even more obvious how odd and off-putting this entire experience was.

[@cristiansegarra3814]

The bible makes it very clear that the rapture is separate from the second coming, Doesn't matter who debates. It's not called the rapture in the bible, but we clearly see in scripture that they are different..

[@Judicial_Official_]

@@cristiansegarra3814 Thanks for your reply. I understand where you’re coming from. Your view is informed by something called “the perspicuity of scripture,” which came from dispensationalism, the theological framework I mentioned in my original comment. Dispensationalism was propagated mostly through the Schofield Bible, which was translated from a dispensationalist lens. The perspicuity of Scripture (the belief that the Bible is clear and self-explanatory on all essential matters) is closely connected to the rapture doctrine, particularly in Dispensationalism. Dispensationalism relies on a literalist and individualistic interpretation of Scripture, asserting that anyone, guided by the Holy Spirit, can understand the Bible’s teachings without Church authority (or any authority that disagrees with the interpreter’s own authority). However, this approach leads to significant issues when interpreting complex doctrines like the rapture. 1. The Danger of Isolated Interpretation: Dispensationalism, emerging in the 19th century with John Nelson Darby, interprets certain biblical passages (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) as evidence for a “secret rapture.” This doctrine is absent from historic Christianity, showing how individual interpretation-without Church guidance-can lead to novel beliefs. The Catholic and Orthodox Churches argue that without the Church’s apostolic authority, such interpretations can deviate from the Bible’s original intent. 2. Complexity and the Need for Tradition: The pre-tribulation rapture is based on a complex, fragmented reading of various biblical passages, often ignoring historical and cultural context. Dispensationalist interpretations require a detailed system of dividing history into “dispensations” and treating some passages literally when they may be symbolic. The Church’s Magisterium provides a necessary interpretive authority, ensuring that Scripture and Tradition are properly understood-especially for complex issues like eschatology. 3. Scripture’s Complexity and the Limitations of Perspicuity: Dispensationalism assumes that Scripture’s essential teachings are clear to all readers, but interpreting prophetic and apocalyptic texts requires careful exegesis. The early Church Fathers did not find a doctrine of the rapture in Scripture, suggesting it wasn’t self-evident or “perspicuous.” Catholic teaching emphasizes the Church’s interpretive role to prevent personal interpretations from developing doctrines with no apostolic foundation. 4. Historical Continuity as Evidence of Truth: Dispensationalism and the rapture doctrine are relatively recent innovations, absent from the writings of early Church Fathers or ecumenical councils. The Catholic Church argues that doctrines lacking historical continuity with apostolic teaching are less likely to be authentic. Since the rapture was unknown until the 1800s, it conflicts with the Catholic understanding of the “deposit of faith,” which holds that all essential doctrines were delivered to the apostles and handed down faithfully. 5. The Role of the Church as Interpreter: Catholic teaching holds that the Church is the “pillar and foundation of truth” (1 Timothy 3:15), entrusted with interpreting Scripture faithfully. Dispensationalism, relying on individual interpretation, leads to divergent teachings on central matters like the end times. This individualistic approach risks breaking from the unified doctrine of the historic Church, distorting Christian eschatology and undermining the apostolic understanding of Christ’s single, visible return. The flaws in both the doctrine of perspicuity and the rapture show that Dispensationalism’s approach to Scripture overlooks the vital role of the Church’s guidance and Tradition in interpreting complex doctrines. Dispensationalism’s individualistic, literalist reading contrasts with the historic Christian understanding, which asserts that only within the context of Church teaching can doctrines like the end times be rightly understood. I understand you presently believe this is an incontestable issue. I hope you are open to understanding where your belief is rooted, and not just blindly following a system you inherited. P.S. please don’t reply with just “My belief is rooted in the Bible” or “Scripture is clear/obvious/plain to see”. If you do reply, please cite your sources and back up your claim - otherwise, you would be supporting my points above. Thanks!

[@cristiansegarra3814]

@Judicial_Official_ I believe the bible is sufficient, and any Christian should. I'm not interested in what other people throughout our past says about the bible, and there is no danger in believe the bible is purely reliable. If any Christian believes the bible isn't 100 percent sufficient, they should really be questioning their faith. I thank you for the well thought out replies and respect you've showed me, and God bless you!

[@dustinneely]

Lord have mercy. I'm very sorry you experienced this.

[@OzarkKen]

Wow! This type of thing has been around for a long time. Back in the 70's there was a film churches would show outdoors or in their sanctuaries called A Thief in the Night, a shock effect story of end times and/or being prepared for Christ's return. Instead of friendship evangelism and loving care into people's lives, "they will know you are my disciples by the love shown one to another", we scare with a fictional interpretation. I think most of us humans would agree making a choice based upon fear is not really a choice at all, it is a reaction. A well thought out decision for the right reasons sticks and our love and friendship and honest discourse with others will be an aid towards that. I admire our host of these videos for straddling the tension between being open and skeptical. A search is a journey and hopefully will render a resolve for you. Thanks for sharing that journey. In spite of the distaste this review brought me personally it is only one example of one group. There is a verse that says "if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart", but if I can flip the idea a bit, if some aspect of Christianity in a group offers offends us, God is greater than that group. He's with us in our search and if we don't shut all the doors in his face I think he'll keep knocking on yours.

[@p4radigm989]

Time to go to a Catholic Cathedral (or a nice architecture Church). Maybe you can even find one that has Latin Mass.

[@TheNarrowGateOfficial]

Can you attend an Eastern Orthodox Liturgy?

[@UnOrthodox_Christian]

YESSSSS

[@jacobgeorge3727]

Satan tactically deleted the Corpse of CHRIST from the CROSS.

[@manuelquelle9915]

I implore you to attend and Eastern Orthodox Divine Liturgy service on a Sunday so you can have this experience first hand.

[@alexav.2084]

As an orthodox Christian I second this!

[@samanthaw8837]

I'm an Eastern Catholic, not Orthodox, but I second this.

[@mournblade1066]

I'm Roman Catholic, and I third this!

[@apocryphanow]

There was a study done once that showed 70% of Protestant pastors don't believe in the rapture. In addition, the Catholic Church doesn't teach the rapture either. There are also numerous different interpretations of what judgment, "end times", hell and such actually mean. This is why it's important to go to numerous churches and hear how they differ from other churches. It would be a mistake to go to this Hell's Gate production put on by a Baptist Church and come awy from it thinking that production is what Christianity in its entirety believes.

[@byrondickens]

The rapture heresy is pure evil.

[@davidallen2025]

Hey if are planning on visiting another Catholic mass, I suggest, if there is one near you, attending a Traditional Latin Mass. It is a truly surreal experience.

[@D.N..]

is this "latin mass" the place where you say the prayer ,"we pray for the conversion of the perfidious jews" on good friday? and read from St Chrysostom's " 8 Sermons against the Jews"??

[@iblameabel]

@@D.N..Jews need saving too

[@joematties7557]

@@D.N.. Is it wrong to pray for the jews? Seems you are trying to start something but I can assure you we are not ashamed of our religion and would love the chance to be persecuted for our beliefs. Yes we pray for the conversion of the jews. Why wouldn't we? It's not like the idea that you will go to Hell because you're not Catholic is appealing to us.

[@D.N..]

@@joematties7557 You pray "for the perfidious jews??" and what makes jews "perfidious"?

[@davidallen2025]

@@D.N.. Christ has instructed us to pray for all people of all religions and backgrounds. As Catholics, we believe the Catholic Church is the One true Church established by Christ. Thus we pray for the conversion and salvation of others, our Jewish brothers and sisters included ;).

[@BensWorkshop]

When you were talking about the smug "god" it put me in mind of Luke 15:1-7, the parable of the Lost Sheep. It is clear that the real God is looking for you always looking for you.

[@JOSHOCEANS]

Please check out latin catholic mass.

[@Shane_The_Confessor]

I can relate to the "scared straight" stuff. I was scared of Hell as a child, so I went to a church and the pastor got me to say that I accepted Jesus as Lord and I was "saved". I then led a hedonistic life until I did some research as an adult and came to actually believe. The "King James Only" position is indefensible and a little goofy. It's a very good translation, but it has obvious flaws. They're really starting out on some bad footing. None can say how many years we have left, but we are undoubtedly in the eschatological phase of the world because of the Jews being restored to the land. Turns out that the avalanche of restoration prophecies were literal.

[@MT-cx8wb]

I totally agree with you about the children. So wrong to let them participate in such a nasty performance !

[@Bzn14]

You would like greek catholic or coptoc catholic church

[@BensWorkshop]

Just an additional thought. Read the New Testament. It will not take that long. Then read the Old Testament (followed by the New).

[@megganrosee01]

This is so bizarre 😭

[@SimplySkeptical22]

Bizarre is the best way to describe this experience!

[@emmahenderson6259]

As a Christian teen it is extremely sad to see these extreme Christian nationalists with an Americanized Jesus and an Americanized perspective in general. And their vast assumptions based on their limited perspective. It is honestly very odd to me that they would claim something and even preform something like this and claim it to be absolute truth - even though it is one of the most debated topics within the Christian faith. But nevertheless thank you for your honesty and for sharing your experience. And sorry for this odd perspective.

[@ethaneichelberger1717]

I’m saddened to hear about your experience here. You were apt in perceiving that some of your Christian subscribers would take issue with their depiction of “god”, which I found to be upsetting, extremely disrespectful, and rather blasphemous. I hope you visit an Eastern Orthodox church soon! I would like to hear about your experience there, which should be very different to any of the churches you have visited thus far.

[@yaafridge2522]

as someone who shares (or at least understands) most of the beleifs of these baptists, i am a little dissapointed that they are making jokes about them. this is a serious thing. i don't like how they depicted god and it could even be described as blasphemous. however i do commend their evangelistic efforts, i would just reccomend that they take things more seriously. as well as this, yes these things are scary, yes they are true, but as can be seen from this video, scaring people into beleif in the truth as well as not taking these things seriously deters non- beleivers. i think it is good to take a more compassionate approach. i am not saying that you should compromise the truth of god's word in any way. i don't like the fact that these people would make light of the condemning people to hell by performing it in this way. god bless this church as i think they have a great zeal for evangelism and seem to beleive the true gospel for salvation. i pray that god will guide them to improve their halloween event to bring more people to christ. i never internet ranted like this before and i don't wanna be some angry internet guy, but its just that i believe these things and this church seems so close to the mark but they just made one error and god bless them

[@SimplySkeptical22]

I think their heart was in the right place, and it is obvious their goal is to evangelize. But I agree, it seemed blasphemous and the approach was completely wrong. Glad you decided to comment! I am hoping to use my channel as a safe place for respectful discussion.

[@matthewottaway8521]

You made a number of valid points. This congregation's point-of-view does not represent what all Christians believe. The first point I present is that in having a person play the position of "God," they broke the second commandment, (see Exodus 20) commanding that no image of God be made of Him. (Maybe they think the Ten Commandments no longer apply? -a result of Dispensationalism.) The second point is that we need to be aware of their misguided framework for interpreting the Bible (a fault of many churches in North America) which is based on the DispensationaIism of the 19th century begun by John Nelson Darby of the Plymouth Bretheren, and furthered by Dwight L. Moody, and crystalised in the Scofield Reference Bible. Dispensationalism was a clear break with historic Covenant Theology. Dispensationalists break God's manner of dealing with people into a number of "boxes," as though God is changing His mind throughout time. We must remember that God is perfect, and that with perfection there is no need for Him to change. Covenant theology sees one long redemptive plan, a consistent relational aspect between God and His people from all times and places. From Adam, through Israel (Judaism) into Christianity is one people, the Church. Dispensationalists believe that tribulation begins just prior to Christ's final return. They're often preoccupied with when tribulation is going to begin./ As someone who believes in Covenant theology, who takes the historic amillenial approach seriously, because in dealing with prophetic books like Daniel and Revelation, we are working with sacred literature which is highly symbolic in nature. The numbers and images are to be understood with wisdom, and not taken with absolute literalness. Tribulation began around the time of Christ's ascension into Heaven. We've been in 2000 plus years of tribulation. If we study Church history, it becomes apparent that life has never been easy for believers, especially serious, and rather stubborn-minded Christians, who often had the greatest effect in reforming the Church (the Bride of Christ). A portion of the book of Revelation was fulfilled in 70 A.D., while the rest has been progressively played out in a cyclical fashion over the centuries. As time goes on, like birth pains, an intensification takes place./ A further point should be made that we are not to coerce non-believers through fear tactics to enroll in some sort of eternal "fire insurance." We should not become Christians just to get saved from eternal damnation. That is selfish! We become Christians to serve, to cultivate and develop within the culture, and to develop the relationship with God that was supposed to be there from the beginning as seen in the Garden of Eden. Because of sin, and the resulting proclamation of curse, (see opening chapters of Genesis) there are many difficulties in this life. There is a blessedness in having a relationship with the Father and the Son, made possible through the Holy Spirit, that begins now, and extends into all eternity where there will be a perfect relationship with Him and His people. There is the blessedness of interacting with fellow Christians, helping each other understand and walk faithfully, and helping our neighbours, and speaking to those about the Way to those who will listen, or who are curious about out markedly different way of life. However, there is an urgency in our wanting to "reach" non-believers, and warn wayward Christians, because we know there is Hell. We can understand enough about Hell from reading the Bible, and hearing faithful ministers make reference to it from time to time. It need not be depicted. Escaping Hell should not be the motivation for becoming a Christian. There are not 5 quick 'n easy steps to becoming a Christian. It's a whole way of life.

[@TheGreatLarryPotter]

I have lived in the midwest, the southwest, and now I live in a northwestern state, and I have never seen or heard of anything like this. Just… Wow. Also, them saying that they are both Baptist and have no denomination is confusing and doesn’t seem to make any sense. They made it clear that they’re not members of any of the Baptist Conferences, but that’s not what being without denomination means. Baptist is literally a denomination. Definitely not the most problematic issue with this production, probably not even in the top 10, but it was so confusing to me that it stuck.

[@jmartin6158]

I also saw your video about you going to catholic mass, I’m not sure if you are aware that you attended a Norvos Ordo Mass which was basically changed after Vatican 2 in the early 1960s. Some Catholic Churches have a Latin mass which is older, I think you’d enjoy!

[@OndrejSc]

You could do also movie reactions. For example The Ninth Gate (1999).

[@valentinogal781]

Yes, they do it every year. My family and I used to go, and my niece used to go to that church.

[@soundoftruth7694]

Beware of such so called Churches...

[@garyr.8116]

YES, It's sad to see the countless hours and lives of Calvinists & Jehovas Witnesses wasted chasing this rapture madness, allthewhile the poor/sick/lonely who go hungry, untreated, and un-cared for who **could** have rather been helped by this group if they weren't so busy **promoting** their insanity!

[@SerephinaNadet]

Visit an Orthodox Church. The oldest church.

[@StephenSinclair-d6n]

None of them believe it. Not really. After all...why dont they give their money away? Domino Bathmat.

[@marksourial8739]

You should try going to a Coptic Orthodox Church! I think you would definitely find it interesting!

[@lucas-lima939]

Please, attend to Latin Mass.

[@p.i.6373]

Some people just want to see world burn 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@patricksfam3765]

A bible from 1611?? Why not the original Bible? The original Bible is what I recommend. The revamped bible of 1611 by definition has not been perfectly preserved, it's been revamped.

[@joelk3187]

There is no ‘original’ Bible. You cannot find a complete Bible that is “completely preserved“. No one even agrees what a complete Bible looks like.

[@patricksfam3765]

@joelk3187 the Bible was canonical around 300AD. Look into it.

[@RuthvenMurgatroyd]

Ha! KJV Onlyism. How very typical. What is their obsession with that translation? A beautiful translation with much historical, literary significance to the English speaking world (don't get me wrong) but it's an old and, in many ways, imperfect translation. I guess when you have no Church and rely on the Bible alone, you must assume that the translation you got is perfect in all respects to avoid dealing with any pesky questions of sound interpretation, linguistic nuance, or having to reference other authorities on the texts. Also note that this rapture heresy is often accompanied with a perverse undercurrent of Zionism. Not sure if you explicitly ran into this but especially with the current ongoing war I certainly would not be surprised if you did...

[@JESÚSETERNAMENTETUYA]

SEE THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES, JESUS-GOD IS COMING SOON, BE READY

[@namesame]

God's a waste of time, time is better spent good. Learn what the Buddha taught on how to navigate life, and put OT, NT, LT under the bus.

[@charlesleake930]

WELL... here is the opposite....the " Keys " to the doors of Heaven : God Our lady, God Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Ghost - who was , is and ever shall be you have been warned .....peace Jay.

[@alanambriz5320]

Hey, do you have social media? God bless you!!