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 far off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ Luke 16:22-24 NKJV
This was a narrative told by Jesus about a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. It gives us a glimpse of what hell is like. There are many other Scripture passages that also describe hell.
In Matthew 25:41, Jesus describes hell as an eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. In Mark 9:48 Jesus speaks of being cast into hell fire where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched referring to eternal torment.
Revelation 14:11 describes the torment of hell by saying how the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest day or night. Revelation 20:10 describes hell as a lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and false prophet were, and a place where they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:14 tells us that Death and Hades will be thrown into the lake of fire which is described as the second death.
We know that we get to heaven by surrendering our lives to Christ, believing in Him, trusting in Him and living a life of obedience to Him. On the flip side of that rejecting Him will guarantee us a place in hell. The Pharisees gave us a good example of those headed to hell in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Jesus said to them in Matthew 23:33, “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?”
Be very careful not to just play Christian. Jesus warned against this in Matthew 7:22-23, “Many will say to Me, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and done many wonders in your name? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”
If seeing what hell is like has you not wanting to go there, you are off to a good start. But I must tell you it’s not easy. Jesus tells us we must take the narrow roadway and enter through the narrow gate.
We must be righteous meaning that we be in right standing with our Lord and Savior. We have to completely trust in Him and obey His commands.
If you believe in God’s word, then you must understand that it gives us a good picture of what heaven and hell will be like. If we study God’s word, we should have no question in where we want to go for our final destination. Further study of His word will reveal how to get there. God gives us His word so we can know what is required of us, but He also gives us free will to choose.
Deuteronomy 30 is telling the Israelites the choice they have, just as we do. Moses tells them of the blessings of returning to the Lord after their rejection of Him. In Deuteronomy 30:19 Moses said, “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
This holds true for us today. If we have rejected God, we can turn back to Him. God still gives us the choice between life and death, blessings or curses, heaven or hell. Choose wisely.
Have a great day!