Luke 16:22-23 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
So many today dismiss the truth that Hell exists and is a real place. I am not talking about unbelievers. I am talking about people who claim to know Jesus, and claim to believe the Word of God. Did you know that during His earthly ministry Jesus spoke more about Hell than He did about Heaven? If Jesus gave more attention to that place of punishment, should we not also pay attention? Today, I would like us to hear from one who is there, who became an evangelizing believer (though much too late), and who tried to send a warning to his own family. Note that the first thing he experienced was torment (v. 23). However, it was not just a simple torment, but a threefold torment. First, he is experiencing physical pain (v. 23), the flames of Hell are real, yet he is not being consumed. Second, he is experiencing thirst (v. 24). A thirst so intense that he requested, not a glass of water, but a drop of water from the tip of Lazarus' finger; yes, the same Lazarus whose suffering he ignored while they both lived. Third, he is now in Hell thinking of how he missed the opportunity to make a simple decision that would have taken him to be in the bosom of Abraham, alongside Lazarus (v. 25). This is what it is like for those who have already died without Jesus, and what it will be like for those who die without Him today, and going forward. What is even more sorrowful is that once someone ends up in Hell, there is absolutely no escape (v. 26). This man, who was an unbeliever in life, is now a sorry believer who requested that Abraham send Lazarus to testify at his father's house, so that his five brothers would not perish (v. 27). It was much too late to be the believer and evangelist he should have been while still alive. It truly is sad that we do not hear many messages today about the reality of Hell and the Lake of Fire. We satisfy ourselves by merely warning of eternal condemnation, or being eternally separated from God; and for fear of offense, we shy away from telling people that if they reject Jesus, they will end up in Hell, and eventually the Lake of Fire. If you have any doubt of this truth, these are God's own Word in Revelation 20:13-15, "The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades (Hell) delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." Let us not wait until it is too late to tell others (family, friends, and others we claim to love) that they need Jesus, because once they are gone, so is all hope of us telling them, and all hope of them not being lost in eternal punishment.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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