I love the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, especially when I understand this is an exquisite satire coming from the lips of our Savior Jesus Christ. It is necessary to consider the context and the audience for this Scripture passage. Many people believe He could never speak so unkindly about His hateful enemies, the Pharisees.
But, I have just a quick question. If conditions are reversed in the afterlife, why was Abraham on the good side of the gulf? When alive, he was one of the richest men on the planet. “Lazarus, who was poor, is now rich; and the rich man is now poor.” The great reversal?
Another question. Why is Lazarus considered to be such a righteous and holy person? I see nothing in the words of Jesus that he was. Further,
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. (Ps. 37:25 KJV)
Just wondering.
http://olrl.org/doctrine/hellbelike.shtml --------
Hell will be a fire so intense that it hurts the bones, not just the skin- (Ever had a bruised bone? It's very very painful- now imagine all your bones hurting like that- That is what the fire will do- pain deep to the bones) The fire that we know today, as terrible as it can be, is child's play compared to the supernatural fire of eternal damnation- This fire will literally boil the person's inside- but will not kill them- It will broil the brain, but we will not feel relief by going unconscious- it will boil the bowels- but will not destroy them- "Thou shalt make them as an Oven of Fire, in the Time of Thy Anger" - Psalm 20:10. Folks, the person in hell is going to burn forever- This is serious business- God isn't joking about this- He views sin that seriously- ---------
Hell fire will not consume, nor give light- this is no ordinary fire- it is a supernatural fire- it does not consume the body so there will be no relief day and night- ---------
Hell will also be freezing cold. "Let him pass from the snow water to excessive heat, and his sin even to hell." (Job 24:19) one moment you are burning, the next moment you are freezing- There will be no rest- No escape- constant torment ---------
Hell will be a place of constant torment by demonic beings (Think about folks- When Job says horrors- He is not exasperating- it's going to be horrifying- your worst nightmares played out constantly) "Before I go, and return no more, to a land that is dark and covered with the mist of death: a land of misery and darkness, where the shadow of death, and no order, but everlasting horror dwelleth." (Job 10:22). --------
Hell will be a place where the person is forced to think about God and about the terrible choice they made while they were alive- constantly- this will eat at the person for eternity --------
Hell is the place where the worm feeds on the flesh but does not consume the flesh- ie you will have a constant feeling of being eaten alive- Think about a simple itch and how annoying it can be- now imagine worms crawling all over your body- eating away- but never consuming the flesh- Just the sensation of it happening- --------
Hell is a place where thirst can not be quenched- ever- try going 2 days without anything to drink- it's not very fun, and is quite uncomfortable- Hell is eternal thirst- not just 2 days worth -------
Hell is a place of unimaginable overwhelming stench- Sin around some rotting meat on a hot day- I mean really putrid rotting meat- crawling with maggots- This is nothing compared to the inescapable stench of hell- if you are sensitive to foul odours- it's is only going to be worse in hell- --------
Hell is a place where there will be no relief from people constantly shrieking and screaming, both in anger and in pain- Ever try to sleep with loud noises present? Not very fun. --------
Hell will be so crowded that you won't be able to move- although it will be too dark to see anyone else- a person will be crowded- never able to find a comfortable spot to rest- always being shoved and manoeuvred around by unseen neighbouring damned- ---------
Hell will be a place where memories torment the person always- never ceasing- always remembering how they rejected God when they had the chance to accept Him- This knowledge will never leave them and always haunt their minds- They shall never find peace again- ever- --------
Hell will be a place where all our earthly desires to sin will be magnified many times- Whatever pet sins a person enjoys fulfilling now, that desire to fulfil them in hell will be magnified many times but they will be unable to full fill them- --------
Hell will be a place where rage and anger and disdain and fury take hold and consume a being- *********
Take heed- Hell is not going to be a big party place- it is serious business!- God is very serious about sin- and He is giving us all every chance possible to avoid it while we are alive on earth- Sin has no place in a Holy Heaven- God was not kidding when He told adam and Eve not to eat that apple- They didn't beleive Him- and no it wasn't 'just an innocent mistake on their part' it was a serious blatant violation of God's command not to eat of the tree- ************ Christ willingly gave His life, willingly sacrificed His life, willingly chose to lay His life down for yours- so that you, lost sinners, do not have to experience eternity without Him- He paid the price- Will you accept the gift?