A pastor has made a shocking claim, stating that he briefly died, found himself in hell, and saw demons performing a twisted version of a Rihanna song.
Gerald Johnson, a religious leader, recounts that after experiencing a heart attack in February 2016, he felt his soul detach from his physical body. Expecting to ascend to heaven due to his lifelong devotion to faith and service, Johnson was instead horrified to find himself plunging deep into what he describes as the core of the Earth—hell itself.
In a now-viral video shared on TikTok, the pastor paints a terrifying picture of his alleged visit to the underworld. Among the disturbing sights, he was shocked to find that music played a key role in the torment of souls. Instead of an eerie silence or traditional sounds of agony, he claims that distorted, demonic versions of popular songs filled the air. Most notably, he recalls hearing Rihanna’s hit song Umbrella being performed in a sinister and mocking way. Alongside it, he also mentions Bobby McFerrin’s Don’t Worry Be Happy being played, adding an eerie twist to his story.
The unusual claim has sparked a wide range of reactions online. While some people are unsettled by his words, others have reacted with humor. One user quipped, “I’m definitely going to hell if Umbrella is on the playlist!” Another commented sarcastically, “So we get Rihanna and Bobby McFerrin? Sounds like a vibe.” Others found it odd that hell would include catchy, chart-topping hits, with one user saying, “Wait… hell actually plays good music?”
Johnson, however, remains adamant that the music is not there for enjoyment, but rather as a form of suffering. He argues that many popular songs have demonic origins, claiming that music carries spiritual weight. “Every single lyric is meant to torment those who didn’t use their time on Earth to worship God. Instead, they followed music that, whether they knew it or not, had been influenced by Satan,” he explains.
His chilling description of hell doesn’t stop at the music. Johnson recounts witnessing horrifying sights, including tortured souls being controlled by demons. One particular vision that left a lasting impression on him was a man crawling on all fours, his body completely burned from head to toe. The man’s eyes, Johnson claims, were bulging out in agony as a demon held him by a chain, keeping him in submission.
Reflecting on what he saw, Johnson expresses that he would never wish such an experience upon even his greatest enemy. “I was there. I saw the real hell,” he states with certainty. “No matter what someone has done to me, I would never want them to go through that suffering.”
His testimony has also led many to question why, despite his years of doing good and serving his community, he would have been sent to hell in the first place. Johnson says he eventually received an answer—one that completely changed his perspective.
According to him, Jesus delivered a direct message, revealing that his heart had been burdened with unresolved resentment. “He told me, ‘You have secretly been holding onto anger against those who have wronged you. You wished for them to be punished instead of truly forgiving them. But they are not your people. They are my people. Your task is to fulfill the mission I have given you.’”
Through this revelation, Johnson came to the conclusion that the real reason he ended up in hell was not because of his actions, but because of the unforgiveness he carried within him. “Even though I did good for people and gave so much, deep down, I was harboring bitterness towards those who hurt me,” he confesses.
Now, he uses his experience as a warning to others. “Hell is real. It’s not a place where God throws people—it’s where people send themselves by the choices they make.” His story has left many debating the nature of heaven, hell, and the power of personal forgiveness.