THE REALITY OF HELL: A CALL TO SPIRITUAL INVENTORY --LUKE 16:19-31
The Reality of Hell: A Call to Spiritual Inventory --Luke 16:19-31
Have you ever wondered what happens after we die? Is there truly an afterlife, and if so, what does it look like? These profound questions have puzzled humanity for millennia, and they strike at the core of our existence. Today, we'll explore a powerful narrative that sheds light on these eternal mysteries, and challenges us to examine our own spiritual condition.
Imagine two men from vastly different walks of life. One, a wealthy individual clothed in the finest purple garments, living each day overflowing with luxury. The other, a poor beggar named Lazarus, covered in sores and longing for even the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. Their earthly circumstances couldn't have been more different, but both shared one inescapable fate: death.
This story, found in the Gospel of Luke, takes an unexpected turn as it pulls back the curtain on what awaited these two men in the afterlife. Hell was a duplex before the death of Christ. Lazarus, the beggar, was carried by angels to "Abraham's bosom" or 'beside Abraham'– a place of comfort and honor in the presence of the patriarch Abraham. This place for the righteous dead was also called 'Paradise' by our Lord, when he told the repentant thief on the cross, "Today, you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). The rich man, however, found himself in a place of torment, separated by an unbridgeable chasm from the realm of the righteous.
The rich man's anguish was tangible. He could feel, see, hear & remember in the afterlife. He cried out for mercy, begging for even a drop of water to cool his parched tongue. In that moment, all his earthly wealth and status meant nothing. He was confronted with the eternal consequences of a life lived without regard for God or compassion for others.
This vivid account challenges our perceptions of success and what truly matters in life. It wasn't the rich man's wealth that condemned him, but rather his failure to use that wealth in service of God and others. Conversely, Lazarus' poverty didn't earn him salvation, but his name – meaning "God is my help" – suggests a life of faith despite his circumstances.
The story goes deeper, revealing profound truths about the nature of the afterlife:
1. Consciousness continues: Both men were fully aware, able to see, feel, and communicate.
2. Memory remains intact: The rich man remembered his earthly life and family.
3. There's no crossing over: Once our eternal destiny is set, there's no changing it.
4. Our choices matter: How we live now has eternal consequences.
These sobering realities should cause us to pause and reflect on our own lives. Are we, like the rich man, so consumed with earthly pleasures and status that we are presently neglecting our spiritual well-being? Or are we, like Lazarus, trusting in God even in the midst of life's hardships?
The rich man, realizing the finality of his situation, made a desperate plea. He begged Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his five brothers, hoping to spare them from the same fate. Abraham's response is telling: "They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them." In other words, they already have the witness of God's Word – if they will not heed that, even a messenger from the dead won't convince them.
This exchange highlights a crucial truth: faith comes through hearing and responding to God's Word, not through spectacular signs or wonders (Romans 10:17). We have been given everything we need for salvation and godly living in the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:3). The question is, are we listening?
Throughout the earthly ministry of Jesus, He spoke more about Hell as a warning to those who gathered to hear Him. The warning still stands for today's generation.
Listen to what the Bible has to say about this eternal place for the unrighteous dead:
1. Hell was prepared for the DEVIL & HIS FALLEN ANGELS (Matt. 25:41)
2. It’s also for the WICKED (Revelation 21:8)
3. It’s also for the DISOBEDIENT (Romans 8:8-9)
4. Hell is for the Beast/AntiChrist & the False Prophet (Rev. 19:20)
5. Hell is for those who WORSHIP the Beast (Rev. 14:9-11)
6. Hell is for those who REJECT the Gospel (Matt. 10:15)
7. Hell is DESCRIBED as everlasting FIRE & BRIMSTONE (Matt. 25:41;Rev. 21:8)
8. Everlasting PUNISHMENT (Matt. 25:46)
9. Outer DARKNESS (Matt. 25:30)
10. Everlasting DESTRUCTION (2Thess. 1:8-9)
11. Hell will be EMPTIED into the eternal LAKE OF FIRE (Rev. 20:13-15)
12. Hell is a place of punishment for your BODY (Matt. 5:29-30)
13. It’s punishment for your SOUL (Matt. 10:28)
14. It’s a place of DEGREES of punishment (Matt. 23:14)
The story serves as a powerful wake-up call. It reminds us that life is fleeting, and eternity is forever. We must not delay in addressing our spiritual condition. As the prophet Isaiah urges:
"Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7)
This call to repentance – to turn from our self-centered ways and embrace God's mercy – is at the heart of the Christian message. It's not about earning our way to heaven through good deeds, but about recognizing our need for a Savior and putting our faith in Jesus Christ.
The reality of hell, as depicted in this account, is sobering. It's described as a place of torment, separation, and regret. Yet, it's crucial to understand that God doesn't send people to hell – rather, it's the natural consequence of rejecting His offer of salvation.
On the other hand, the comfort and peace experienced by Lazarus in that place called Paradise with righteous Abraham offers a glimpse of the joy awaiting those who put their trust in God. It's a reminder that our present sufferings, no matter how severe, are temporary in light of eternity.
As we reflect on this powerful narrative, let's consider a few practical applications:
1. Study God's Word: It contains the truth we need for salvation and godly living.
2. Share the good news: Like the rich man who wanted to warn his brothers, we should be motivated to share the gospel with others today, before they die.
3. Live with eternity in mind: Make choices today that you'll be glad about in light of forever.
In a world that often rushes by, consumed with temporary pursuits, may we have the wisdom to "take the time to be holy." Let's cultivate a deep relationship with God, immerse ourselves in His Word, and live with an eternal perspective. For in doing so, we prepare ourselves not just for a fleeting earthly existence, but for an eternity in the presence of our loving Creator.
The choice is before us. Will we, like the rich man, live only for the pleasures of this world? Or will we, like Lazarus, put our trust in God, knowing that He is our ultimate help and hope? The decision we make has eternal consequences. Here are a few biblical steps to help you in your choice to believe in Jesus as your personal Savior:
(Romans 3:23) 'for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.'
(Romans 5:8) 'But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.'
(Romans 10:9,10) 'that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.'
(Romans 10:13) 'For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
Choose wisely, and make Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord today. Remember, to be undecided is to be decided against Him.
Have you ever wondered what happens after we die? Is there truly an afterlife, and if so, what does it look like? These profound questions have puzzled humanity for millennia, and they strike at the core of our existence. Today, we'll explore a powerful narrative that sheds light on these eternal mysteries, and challenges us to examine our own spiritual condition.
Imagine two men from vastly different walks of life. One, a wealthy individual clothed in the finest purple garments, living each day overflowing with luxury. The other, a poor beggar named Lazarus, covered in sores and longing for even the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. Their earthly circumstances couldn't have been more different, but both shared one inescapable fate: death.
This story, found in the Gospel of Luke, takes an unexpected turn as it pulls back the curtain on what awaited these two men in the afterlife. Hell was a duplex before the death of Christ. Lazarus, the beggar, was carried by angels to "Abraham's bosom" or 'beside Abraham'– a place of comfort and honor in the presence of the patriarch Abraham. This place for the righteous dead was also called 'Paradise' by our Lord, when he told the repentant thief on the cross, "Today, you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). The rich man, however, found himself in a place of torment, separated by an unbridgeable chasm from the realm of the righteous.
The rich man's anguish was tangible. He could feel, see, hear & remember in the afterlife. He cried out for mercy, begging for even a drop of water to cool his parched tongue. In that moment, all his earthly wealth and status meant nothing. He was confronted with the eternal consequences of a life lived without regard for God or compassion for others.
This vivid account challenges our perceptions of success and what truly matters in life. It wasn't the rich man's wealth that condemned him, but rather his failure to use that wealth in service of God and others. Conversely, Lazarus' poverty didn't earn him salvation, but his name – meaning "God is my help" – suggests a life of faith despite his circumstances.
The story goes deeper, revealing profound truths about the nature of the afterlife:
1. Consciousness continues: Both men were fully aware, able to see, feel, and communicate.
2. Memory remains intact: The rich man remembered his earthly life and family.
3. There's no crossing over: Once our eternal destiny is set, there's no changing it.
4. Our choices matter: How we live now has eternal consequences.
These sobering realities should cause us to pause and reflect on our own lives. Are we, like the rich man, so consumed with earthly pleasures and status that we are presently neglecting our spiritual well-being? Or are we, like Lazarus, trusting in God even in the midst of life's hardships?
The rich man, realizing the finality of his situation, made a desperate plea. He begged Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his five brothers, hoping to spare them from the same fate. Abraham's response is telling: "They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them." In other words, they already have the witness of God's Word – if they will not heed that, even a messenger from the dead won't convince them.
This exchange highlights a crucial truth: faith comes through hearing and responding to God's Word, not through spectacular signs or wonders (Romans 10:17). We have been given everything we need for salvation and godly living in the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:3). The question is, are we listening?
Throughout the earthly ministry of Jesus, He spoke more about Hell as a warning to those who gathered to hear Him. The warning still stands for today's generation.
Listen to what the Bible has to say about this eternal place for the unrighteous dead:
1. Hell was prepared for the DEVIL & HIS FALLEN ANGELS (Matt. 25:41)
2. It’s also for the WICKED (Revelation 21:8)
3. It’s also for the DISOBEDIENT (Romans 8:8-9)
4. Hell is for the Beast/AntiChrist & the False Prophet (Rev. 19:20)
5. Hell is for those who WORSHIP the Beast (Rev. 14:9-11)
6. Hell is for those who REJECT the Gospel (Matt. 10:15)
7. Hell is DESCRIBED as everlasting FIRE & BRIMSTONE (Matt. 25:41;Rev. 21:8)
8. Everlasting PUNISHMENT (Matt. 25:46)
9. Outer DARKNESS (Matt. 25:30)
10. Everlasting DESTRUCTION (2Thess. 1:8-9)
11. Hell will be EMPTIED into the eternal LAKE OF FIRE (Rev. 20:13-15)
12. Hell is a place of punishment for your BODY (Matt. 5:29-30)
13. It’s punishment for your SOUL (Matt. 10:28)
14. It’s a place of DEGREES of punishment (Matt. 23:14)
The story serves as a powerful wake-up call. It reminds us that life is fleeting, and eternity is forever. We must not delay in addressing our spiritual condition. As the prophet Isaiah urges:
"Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7)
This call to repentance – to turn from our self-centered ways and embrace God's mercy – is at the heart of the Christian message. It's not about earning our way to heaven through good deeds, but about recognizing our need for a Savior and putting our faith in Jesus Christ.
The reality of hell, as depicted in this account, is sobering. It's described as a place of torment, separation, and regret. Yet, it's crucial to understand that God doesn't send people to hell – rather, it's the natural consequence of rejecting His offer of salvation.
On the other hand, the comfort and peace experienced by Lazarus in that place called Paradise with righteous Abraham offers a glimpse of the joy awaiting those who put their trust in God. It's a reminder that our present sufferings, no matter how severe, are temporary in light of eternity.
As we reflect on this powerful narrative, let's consider a few practical applications:
1. Study God's Word: It contains the truth we need for salvation and godly living.
2. Share the good news: Like the rich man who wanted to warn his brothers, we should be motivated to share the gospel with others today, before they die.
3. Live with eternity in mind: Make choices today that you'll be glad about in light of forever.
In a world that often rushes by, consumed with temporary pursuits, may we have the wisdom to "take the time to be holy." Let's cultivate a deep relationship with God, immerse ourselves in His Word, and live with an eternal perspective. For in doing so, we prepare ourselves not just for a fleeting earthly existence, but for an eternity in the presence of our loving Creator.
The choice is before us. Will we, like the rich man, live only for the pleasures of this world? Or will we, like Lazarus, put our trust in God, knowing that He is our ultimate help and hope? The decision we make has eternal consequences. Here are a few biblical steps to help you in your choice to believe in Jesus as your personal Savior:
(Romans 3:23) 'for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.'
(Romans 5:8) 'But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.'
(Romans 10:9,10) 'that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.'
(Romans 10:13) 'For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
Choose wisely, and make Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord today. Remember, to be undecided is to be decided against Him.
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