During that second crisis, I experienced something completely different from the beautiful garden I had seen before. The first time I had felt myself being lifted upward into a glorious light. This time, there was no beautiful light drawing me toward the heavens. Instead, I experienced something terrifying. And what happened next would leave an impression upon me that I could never forget.
Part seven, the beginning of my second spiritual experience.
When I lost consciousness again inside the ambulance, I felt as though I was being pulled away. But this time, the movement was different. It was slow, heavy, and frightening. I felt as though powerful arms had seized me and were dragging me toward an unknown place. I could not see who or what was pulling me. I could only feel the overwhelming fear. Then suddenly, I found myself in a place surrounded by darkness.
I looked around. There was no beautiful garden, no shining river, no peaceful music, only darkness. And in the distance, I could hear voices. Cries and sounds of distress echoed through that place. Fear overwhelmed me. I remembered everything about my earthly life. I remembered my family. I remembered the warnings I had ignored. I remembered the choices I had made. And I remembered the words of the people who had spoken to me about eternity.
I thought about the account Jesus gave in Luke chapter 16 concerning the rich man and Lazarus. In that account, the rich man remembers his earthly life and his family. And there, in that frightening experience, I too could remember everything. I began to pray. I called upon God. I feared that I had entered the place I had once refused to believe existed. Then, in the middle of that darkness, I heard something.
Heavy footsteps. They seemed to be approaching. And as they grew louder, I heard a sound like enormous gates being forced open. I stood there, overwhelmed with fear. I did not know what was coming. I did not know what I was about to see. But I knew that this experience was unlike anything I had witnessed before. And then those footsteps came closer.
End of part seven. The next section continues with Luciano's account of the darkness, the approaching presence, and what he says happened before he returned to consciousness.
Part eight, the terrifying vision of Hades.
Then, suddenly, a brilliant light appeared. It illuminated the darkness around me, and I became aware of a powerful presence standing beside me. I was afraid to look. I felt unworthy to lift my eyes toward that light. But as its brightness spread throughout the place, I began to see my surroundings more clearly. I looked down at myself. I could recognize my own body, but something was different.
My hands appeared unusually pale. I could still remember the pain from the attack, and I could feel the discomfort in my back. I was wearing what seemed to be a spiritual garment. It resembled the clothing I had worn before losing consciousness, but its texture was different. I could touch it, yet it did not seem to tear or wear away. Then I looked around. And what I saw filled me with fear. There were countless people in that place.
They were crying out in distress. Some seemed completely unaware of the others standing beside them. The ground looked like thick, shifting mud. The entire place felt dark, oppressive, and frightening. I had never experienced anything like it. My brothers and sisters, I have seen frightening scenes in films, but nothing could compare with the fear I experienced in that vision. I cried out to God, "Lord, please take me out of this place."
As I stood there, memories of my former life returned to me. I remembered the warnings I had ignored. I remembered the opportunities I had rejected. And I began to think about the consequences of my choices. Then I heard a voice speaking with extraordinary authority. It seemed to answer my thoughts before I could even speak. The voice commanded me to remain silent and observe what was being shown to me.
I became still. And as I looked more carefully, I realized that the place seemed enormous. It resembled a vast labyrinth filled with corridors stretching in every direction. I could not see where they ended. Then I began noticing flashes of light moving through the darkness. Each time one appeared, I heard cries echoing through the place. I understood these lights to represent souls arriving there.
And the thought overwhelmed me. Every moment, people across the world are reaching the end of their earthly lives. Where does the soul go after death? That was the question running through my mind. I remembered the biblical descriptions of Hades, Sheol, and the coming day of judgment. And I believed I was being shown a place connected to those mysteries. I could hear the suffering around me, and the experience filled me with sorrow and fear.
I began to understand why scripture speaks so seriously about eternity. I had once laughed at those teachings. I had once challenged people to prove that heaven and hell existed. But now, within this experience, I could no longer treat those questions lightly. Then the presence beside me began showing me different areas of that place. And each one carried a message that I would later share with others.
Part nine, the room of screens and the warning about technology.
The next place I saw resembled an enormous gallery. It was a vast room, unlike anything I had seen before. Inside, I noticed something particularly strange. There were large, flat screens. At the time of my experience, almost 14 years before I recorded this testimony, the modern smart televisions we know today were not common. Yet, I remember seeing screens that looked remarkably similar.
People were gathered in front of them. Images appeared on those screens. There were scenes from television programs, films, and other forms of entertainment, including inappropriate material. The people seemed trapped by the images being shown to them. They appeared distressed and unable to turn away. As I watched, I understood the scene as a warning about the things people allow into minds and hearts.
Then the voice spoke to me. It warned that technology could become a spiritual danger for many people, including those who considered themselves Christians. At first, I was confused. I wondered how something as ordinary as a television could carry such serious consequences. But the message I understood was this: a television is not sinful simply because it exists. A mobile phone is not evil simply because someone owns one.
Technology itself is a tool. What matters is how people choose to use it. Think about the world we live in today. We have televisions, computers, smartphones, and the internet. Through these devices, we can listen to the word of God. We can study scripture. We can hear sermons. We can worship through music. We can learn, encourage others, and share messages of faith. But those same devices can also expose us to material that conflicts with our values.
And that is why we must be thoughtful about what we choose to watch and listen to. My brothers and sisters, the choices we make every day shape our habits, our thoughts, and our spiritual lives. We should not allow anything to become more important than our relationship with God. That was the warning I believed I was receiving. I remembered how in earlier generations, some churches discouraged television because they were concerned about the influence of certain programs.
Today, however, technology has changed. We have greater freedom to choose what we watch. We decide which websites to visit. We decide what we listen to. And we decide what kind of influence we allow into our homes. So, we must exercise wisdom. The message I took from that vision was not that every form of entertainment was wrong. It was that believers should remain spiritually alert and avoid allowing unhealthy influences to control their lives.
As I continued observing the room, I felt increasingly troubled. Then the scene changed. It was as though the surroundings were moving around me. I was not walking from one place to another. Instead, the different areas seemed to appear before my eyes. And soon, I found myself witnessing another scene.
Part 10, the warning about gossip and destructive words.
In the next area, I saw a large group of people. Many appeared to be dressed like ordinary church members. Some wore clothing that I associated with Christian congregations. Their appearance was respectable. At first, I could not understand why they were there. I wondered how people who seemed so religious could be part of such a frightening vision. Then I became aware of what I understood to be the reason. Their suffering was connected to the way they had used their words.
These were people who had spoken badly about others. People who had spread gossip. People who had created division within families, friendships, and churches. Some had damaged the reputations of others. Some had used criticism to humiliate people. Others had stirred up arguments and conflict. And yet, outwardly, many of them had appeared deeply religious. I remembered the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter 7.
He warned that simply calling him Lord is not the same as doing the will of his father. And suddenly, I began to understand the message of that scene. It is possible for a person to attend church regularly while still hurting others through their words. It is possible to speak about love while refusing to show kindness. It is possible to appear holy before people while carrying bitterness and resentment in the heart.
My brothers and sisters, we must be careful with our words. A single conversation can encourage someone. But careless words can also destroy trust. Gossip can divide families. False accusations can damage friendships. And constant criticism can weaken an entire congregation. That is why scripture teaches us to guard our tongues. Our words should be used to encourage, comfort, correct with love, and speak the truth.
Not to humiliate others. Not to spread hatred. And not to create unnecessary division. As I watched that scene, I understood that the warning was not only for women or men. It was for everyone. For church members. For leaders. For preachers. For families. For anyone who uses words without considering their consequences. I began to understand that genuine faith should be reflected not only in what we say about God, but also in how we speak to other people.
Then the scene changed once again.
Part 11, the warning about false worship and spiritual compromise.
As the scene changed, I saw people from different religious backgrounds. Some were engaged in spiritual practices that I did not understand or accept. Others appeared to be repeating prayers while surrounded by religious images. I was deeply troubled by what I witnessed. Within my experience, I understood these scenes as a warning against placing anything above God.
I remembered the biblical commandment to worship the Lord alone. And I remembered the teaching that Jesus Christ is the mediator between God and humanity. The message I took from this vision was that faith must be sincere. We must examine what we believe, whom we worship, and whether our lives reflect our commitment to God. Then I remembered the serious warnings Jesus gave about temptation and sin.
He used powerful language to teach that we should be willing to give up anything that continually leads us away from righteousness. I understood this as a call to change our behavior, not as an instruction to physically harm ourselves. If something encourages dishonesty, turn away from it. If an environment repeatedly leads you into wrongdoing, reconsider whether you should remain there. If a habit is damaging your relationship with God or with other people, seek to change it.
That was the lesson I understood. But there was still more to see.
Part 12, the warning about lust and vanity.
The next room was unlike the others. I noticed a large figure standing near a small doorway. Its appearance was extraordinary. It seemed to combine different masculine and feminine features with elaborate makeup, colorful hair, jewelry, and unusual clothing. In the vision, I understood this figure to represent a spirit associated with lust, which the voice identified as Pomba Gira.
The message I believed I was receiving concerned the dangers of allowing uncontrolled desires to dominate the heart. I began reflecting on the difference between ordinary personal appearance and an unhealthy obsession with outward attention. I had once been a young man who cared greatly about how others saw me. I wanted people to admire my tattoos. I wanted to be noticed. I wanted to impress everyone around me.
But after everything I had experienced, I began to understand that a person's true value cannot be measured by clothing, jewelry, physical appearance, or popularity. The body, I believed, should be treated with dignity and respect. And our hearts should not become enslaved to vanity or desire. I remembered how easily people can become distracted from what matters most. Some become consumed by wealth, others by fame, others by the need for admiration, and some allow their desires to control their decisions.
In the vision, I understood these things as warnings about losing spiritual direction. Then I saw something else that surprised me. There were religious leaders among the people I was being shown. Pastors, deacons, elders, missionaries, people who had held positions of responsibility in churches. I was astonished, and I asked why they were there.
The warning to pastors and church leaders.
The answer I believed I received was deeply serious.
These were leaders who had failed to live according to the message they preached. Some had become more interested in money than in caring for people. Others had sought recognition and influence. Some had preached publicly while living very differently in private. I was shown scenes of leaders standing before congregations, delivering sermons, and appearing deeply devoted. But away from the church, their actions contradicted their words.
And I understood that spiritual leadership carries great responsibility. A pastor is not called simply to gather crowds. A preacher is not called merely to receive offerings. A church leader should not use people's faith as an opportunity for personal enrichment. Those entrusted with spiritual responsibility should care for the people they serve. I remembered the warning Jesus gave about people who perform religious works outwardly but fail to live according to God's will.
This troubled me because I realized that public ministry does not automatically prove private faithfulness. A person may speak eloquently. A person may lead a large congregation. A person may be admired by thousands. But integrity is revealed in the way that person lives. My brothers and sisters, I believe those who teach the word of God must take that responsibility seriously. They must not manipulate others for money. They must not ignore wrongdoing simply to preserve popularity. They must teach with sincerity, humility, and compassion. And they must remember that the people entrusted to their care are more important than wealth or recognition.
As I continued witnessing these scenes, I became increasingly distressed. I wanted the experience to end. I pleaded once more, "Lord, please take me out of here." Then the voice answered with authority. It told me that the decision about when I would leave was not mine to make. I became silent.
And then something happened that changed everything. The voice called me by name, "Luciano." I listened. And I understood that I was going to return. But I was being given a responsibility. I was to remember what I had witnessed. I was to share my testimony wherever I went. I was to tell people about the beauty of the heavenly garden and the seriousness of the spiritual warnings I had experienced.
I understood that some people would believe me. Others would doubt my words. Some might criticize me. But I was not to allow those reactions to silence me. My responsibility was to tell my story.
And then, in the blink of an eye, the vision ended. I opened my eyes. I was back in the hospital.
Part 14. My return to life and the miracle of recovery.
The moment the voice told me I would return, everything changed. It happened in the blink of an eye. Suddenly, I opened my eyes. I was no longer in that frightening spiritual place. I was lying in a hospital corridor in Planaltina, in Brazil's Federal District, near the Intensive Care Unit. A white sheet covered my body.
I slowly moved my hand. Then I heard someone nearby cry out in astonishment. "He's alive!" Medical personnel immediately approached me. They began preparing me for emergency treatment. I could barely breathe. My body was extremely weak, and I was surrounded by medical equipment. But I was conscious. I had returned. And I knew that my life could never be the same again.
As I lay there, looking toward the doorway with blurred vision, I experienced something else that frightened me. I believed I could see two demonic figures near the entrance. In my weakened condition, I felt as though they were still trying to interfere with my recovery. I was terrified. But deep within my heart, I knew what I wanted. I wanted to give my life to Jesus Christ. I no longer wanted to live as I had before. I no longer wanted to ignore the warnings I had received. And I no longer wanted to turn away from God.
When a nurse approached my bed, I gathered what little strength I had and whispered, "I want to accept Jesus." She listened carefully. Then she explained that Christian visitors sometimes came to the hospital in the morning. Some had permission to enter the intensive care area and pray with patients. She told me that if I wanted to speak with them, I could do so when they arrived. And so I waited.
I lay there, exhausted, barely able to move. But inside my heart, something had already changed. I was no longer the rebellious young man who had laughed at the gospel. I was a man who had experienced what I believed to be the mercy of God. And all I wanted was another opportunity to serve him.
Part 15. The pastor who came to my hospital bed.
The following morning, a pastor entered my room. He stood beside my bed and looked at me for several minutes. Then he began to speak. "Young man, God has revealed something to me about you." I listened carefully. He continued, "God allowed your soul to experience heaven and hell so that you would understand his power and his holiness."
I was astonished. I had not told this pastor what I had experienced. Yet he was speaking about the very things I remembered. Then he said something that touched my heart deeply. "You treated the things of God lightly for a long time, but his grace and mercy have been upon your life."
The pastor placed his hand upon my head and began to pray. As he prayed, I felt an overwhelming joy rising within me. It was a joy I had never known before. A peace unlike anything I had experienced in my former life. I remembered the heavenly garden. I remembered the extraordinary light. I remembered the peace I had felt there. And suddenly, I felt that same spiritual joy filling my heart. I believed I was receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It was as though something had awakened within me.
The pastor then spoke again. "God is giving you a gift. Treasure it until the return of Jesus Christ." And after a moment, he made another declaration. "Within three days, you will be walking."
I looked at him. And although I was still extremely weak, I answered, "I believe. I believe."
When the pastor left, I felt a peace that words cannot explain. Even if my recovery took a long time, I was grateful to be alive. I was grateful for my family. And most of all, I was grateful for the opportunity to begin a new life with God.
Part 16. My family discovers that I am alive.
While I was recovering, my family was desperately searching for me. The last information they had received was that I had been taken toward the base hospital in Brasilia. They had visited different hospitals trying to discover where I was. My sisters, Cida and Lucenita, eventually arrived at the hospital in Planaltina. At first, the staff told them that no young man named Luciano had been admitted. Then someone mentioned that there had been a deceased patient. My sister was devastated. For a moment, she feared that the terrible news they had received was true. But then the staff mentioned another patient, someone whose identity might match mine.
They took my sisters to the room where I was recovering. And when I saw them standing there, something happened inside my heart. I felt an emotion I had never experienced so deeply before. Throughout my former life, I had not always appreciated my family. I had spent so much time pursuing parties, alcohol, drugs, and relationships that I had neglected the people who truly loved me. But now, lying in that hospital bed, I understood their value. Seeing my sisters was like receiving another gift from heaven.
They approached my bed. They looked at me and we were overwhelmed with emotion. Later, my mother arrived. She was deeply frightened by my condition. The doctors explained that I had suffered a very serious injury. According to what my family was told, the attack had affected my lung and had come dangerously close to my heart. They were amazed that I had survived. They also told my family that there had been a period of approximately ten minutes when I had appeared lifeless in the hospital corridor.
My mother was devastated. She approached my bed and looked at me with tears in her eyes. "My God," she said, "my son is going to die."
I gathered my strength and spoke softly. "No, Mother, I am not going to die." Then I told her what I believed God had revealed to me. "An angel of the Lord told me that I would preach the word of God." I explained that I had received this message during my spiritual experience.
My family began to cry. But this time, their tears were mixed with hope. I remained in the hospital. One day passed, then another, and my recovery began to surprise the people around me. To me, it was the hand of God at work.
Part 17. The third day, I began to walk.
On the third day, I was still recovering in my hospital room. A nurse came to prepare me for further care. I was lying in bed when I heard a voice. It called me by name. "Get up, Luciano." The words were clear. I believed it was the voice of God.
Before I fully realized what I was doing, I had moved into a sitting position. The nurse saw me and became concerned. "Luciano, you cannot do that," she told me. But I answered, "Yes, I can. I heard a voice telling me to get up."
I asked for help. Two people came beside me. One supported me on one side and the other supported me on the opposite side. Slowly, they helped me move from the bed. And then, with their assistance, I began to walk. Step by step, I moved toward another room.
My brothers and sisters, I remembered what the pastor had said. "Within three days, you will be walking." And there I was, walking again. I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I believed God had given me another opportunity to live. And I was determined not to waste it.
Part 18. A completely changed life.
Seven days after the attack, the medical team performed further examinations. Before that experience, I had spent approximately five years involved with drugs. I had also struggled with alcohol and smoked cigarettes. Those habits had been part of my daily life. But something had changed after my return to consciousness. I no longer wanted to continue living that way. I felt a strong rejection toward the habits that had once controlled me.
During one medical examination, a doctor asked me whether I had smoked or consumed alcohol. I initially answered no, but then I explained my former lifestyle. The doctor discussed the examination results with me. I interpreted what I was told as another sign that God had transformed my life. In my heart, I believed Jesus had purified me and given me a new beginning.
I also began thinking about my appearance. My hair was still very long and heavy. I asked my mother to bring me scissors so that I could cut it, but a pastor named Mark Winhold gave me another idea. "Don't cut your hair and throw it away," he said. "Sell it. Use the money to buy a suit and begin preaching the word of God."
I smiled. "All right," I answered, "amen." I was ready to begin the work I believed God had prepared for me.
Part 19. More than 100 people hear my testimony.
While I was still recovering in the hospital, Pastor Mark Winhold began accompanying me as I shared my story. He would take me to different areas of the hospital. There, I spoke with patients and visitors. I told them about the attack. I told them about the heavenly garden. I told them about the frightening spiritual experiences I believed I had witnessed. And I told them about the mercy of Jesus Christ.
Some people listened quietly. Others became emotional. And according to my recollection, many responded by expressing a desire to follow Jesus. I spoke with people from different backgrounds. People who had experienced hardship. People who were searching for hope. People who had never taken the Christian faith seriously. And people who were already religious, but felt distant from God.
One day, a group of people was gathered around a television watching a football match. Pastor Mark Winhold was beside me. I began telling my testimony to a young woman. As I spoke, other people started listening. Soon, the football match was no longer the center of attention. Someone turned off the television. People gathered around and I continued telling my story. Some began to cry. Others listened with great seriousness. I believe that God was touching their hearts.
During my stay at the hospital, I estimated that more than 100 people made decisions to accept Jesus after hearing my testimony. I remained in the hospital for approximately fifteen days. And during that time, another extraordinary experience took place. One that I could not fully understand until much later.
Part 20. The mysterious doctor who visited me at night.
Throughout my recovery, a man would visit me during the early hours of the morning. He appeared to be a doctor. He had light-colored eyes, pale skin, and gray hair. One of his eyes seemed slightly lower than the other. He would sit near me and speak about God. He told me about the wonders of heaven. He spoke with such confidence and familiarity that I sometimes wondered how he knew so much.
Whenever I felt frightened or discouraged, his words comforted me. He seemed to know exactly what to say. I would ask him questions and he would answer them. Sometimes we spoke for a long time. My sister later told me that she had occasionally seen me speaking during the night, although she could not see anyone beside me. But I remember those conversations clearly. To me, the man was real. And I became deeply attached to him because of the comfort he brought me.
Then the day finally arrived for me to leave the hospital. My mother was with me at reception. Before leaving, I wanted to thank the doctor who had visited me so faithfully. So I asked the hospital staff about him. I described his appearance. I explained that he had visited me during the early hours of the morning. And I asked whether someone could tell him I was leaving.
But the response surprised me. The staff said they did not know
