Christ talked about the rich ruler and Lazarus. He did not paint a very plesant picture of where the rich ruler would spend eternity. As far as what it means to different "Christians", it is immaterial. Christians can have some pretty wacky ideas and very little has to do with scripture. Hades is hell. Can't be any clearer no matter how one wants to parse the words.
There is not a more loving act then God sending His Son to suffer and die for us. There is not a more unkind act then to reject God's offer.
What was the rich man’s sin? What did the poor man do to be in Abraham’s bosom?
The parable is not about heaven and hell. It is about Israel. The five brothers is the hint.
And here is an interesting thought: in the parable he wanted Lazarus to go back and tell his five brothers, and it was made clear that it would not matter. Interestingly, after this, Jesus DID bring Lazarus back from the grave. :)
Anyway, for much more detail:http://www.tentmaker.org/articles/Lazarus-byHuie.htm