Hell Now

On this final day of the week, we have come with our hearts and minds on the fact of the reality of hell. We do not want to live with our heads buried in the sand, when it comes to hell being REAL. We do not want to live with it tucked away somewhere and not face it, hoping it will just disappear or go away. We do not want to carry on as if hell is a myth and therefore does not need much exposure and attention.

My friend, take it from me, when we think a reality of God away, our thoughts go nowhere and do nothing for we, as mere mortals, created beings, cannot ever tell the Creator of heaven and hell, that there is no hell.  To do so, is very dangerous indeed, for it means that we are already deceived and on the big, broad, wide road to hell, with lots of companions. It means that the fear of the Lord is not in us. Hell is Real, whether we believe it or disbelieve it; accept it or reject it; or take it or leave it.

Unbelief is a killer, a real enemy, for it deprives us of any opportunity to repent and turn back to God. It’s as simple as this. If I believe that I am going the correct way, you can talk as much as you like to warn me, to tell me that I am going the wrong way, it will make no difference to me. As long as I believe and am convinced in myself that I am right, I will not turn and go the other way. Is that the unpardonable sin? All I know is that I cannot repent, if I have done no wrong. I cannot turn around, if I am convinced that I am travelling the correct road. I will not be sorry for my actions, if I feel that I have done nothing wrong.

Here is the text again. And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Luke 16: 23 KJV. We are now being led by the first three words: And in hell. Here are some unarguable facts about these words.

And in hell – Was the man always in hell? When I look at what is spoken about him and his living, my first hasty response is, no. He has not always been living in hell. But I am shown differently. First of all, I am asked, where else does one live? If one is not in heaven, then is not one in hell? I had no answer, for I was totally stumped and scared stiff. Where are you with this? I needed to be taught. I needed truth. I needed to have every ounce of my thoughts drained out, so that I could be infused with God’s Truth in this matter.

When we are taken to view the lives of both the hell dweller, the rich man, and the heaven dweller, the poor man, something most unnerving strikes at us.  These are strikes from which we would be foolish to hide, dodge or pretend. In the parable, Jesus tells us that from hell, the hell dweller calls out to Abraham with a desperate plea. 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: 24b NKJV. Father Abraham responds and it is from what he says that we receive these strikes.

But Abraham said, Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. Luke 16 – 25 NKJV

Strike 1 – Remember! Don’t forget, but remember how it was for you in your lifetime on earth.

Strike 2 – You received good things in your lifetime. You had good nice clothes to wear and you dressed well. You never were seen looking shabby. You ate well and you never lacked for good food to eat daily.  

Strike 3 - You received your good things in your lifetime. Now, in your after life, you are receiving nothing but torment.

Strike 4 – The hell dweller is given a most chilling comparison about earthly life and heavenly life. Good things in your earthly life – torment in your heavenly life. Evil things in your earthly life – comforts in your heavenly life.

I don’t know what the Lord has said to you, but I am dead certain that these strikes have not been just for our edification and knowledge, but have pierced many of us to thoroughly surrender our wills and ways to God.

Surrendered and totally yielded to Father God, we follow our Lord into Holy Week.