DEVOTION – DAY 467

Luke 16:23-24 “Hell Is Real”

Luke 16:23-24 “In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, “Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.”

Luke 16:23-24 is part of a parable that Jesus used to warn unbelievers that they would one day face judgment for their sins and unbelief. Their rejection of Jesus would cause them to spend eternity in hell. Hell is referred to as Hades in this parable. In the parable, Jesus spoke of two men, a rich man and a beggar called Lazarus. Both died and Lazarus ended up in heaven and stayed by Abraham’s side. The rich man ended up in hell where he was tormented constantly and was in agony in the fire that was hell. In desperation and anguish, he called out to Abraham in heaven to ask if he could let Lazarus dip his finger in water and set it upon his tongue to cool it just to give him a small relief. In the parable, Abraham could not agree to the rich man’s request because there was a great divide between heaven and hell. 

The Bible teaches that hell is real and it is a place that all who do not have Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be destined to be sent. They will suffer great and everlasting torment as judgment for their sins. Passages like Luke 16:19-31 and 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 points to hell as a place of judgment that awaits all unbelievers. People will have to face it in a conscious condition for eternity. This is a warning that may offend people, especially unbelievers and free thinkers. But the reason why the Bible is clear about the fate of unbelievers is because God loves people and He wants everyone to be saved from the fate of hell. Thus, the Bible’s teachings about hell is to tell people they do not have to go to hell if people accept the saving arms of the Lord Jesus Christ – He had died on the cross to atone for the sins of all who call upon him as their Lord and Savior. 

In recent weeks, we know two people who had passed away. One was a woman in her 80’s. She had believed in Jesus, and her wake was like a celebration of her life as people recall her friendship and warmth. Friends and relatives were at peace because they know she is home with the Lord and we will see her one day in heaven. We contrast that with another man in his 90’s who did not believe in Jesus. At his wake, there was solemnity, sadness and heavy hearts because judgment awaits him.  

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank you for your saving grace through the work of your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We pray for the salvation of all who have yet to belief and trust in Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. May they have many opportunities to hear the gospel. We humbly ask in the glorious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

1. Is Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior? If not, will you open your heart to accept and receive Him as your Lord and Savior?
2. Do you fear the prospect of hell and do you find any talk about it offensive? What are your thoughts about hell? Share.
3. Do you know someone who is a free thinker or an unbeliever? Will you help that person to hear the gospel so that he or she will not have to face judgment and hell?