A Walk Through Hell – The Saturday Morning Post
Today’s Passage – Luke 14 – 16 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalm 1 – 5; Proverbs 1)
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes…” (Luke 16:19-23)
Good morning! Here we have the true story of a rich man who is in Hell as you read this. He has been there for around 2000 years. In the book of Ezekiel God warns us twice…
“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4)
And…
“The soul that sinneth, it shall die…” (Ezekiel 18:20)
Twice in the same chapter: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. This goes right along with what Psalm 9:17 says…
“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalm 9:17)
George Washington said, “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God… to be greatful for His benefits…”
(If you want to know what’s wrong with America, read Leviticus chapter 18.)
The Soul that sinneth, it shal die…
“Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.” (Isaiah 5:14)
But here in Luke chapter 16 we have the story of a certain rich man, and a beggar. The beggar was named Lazarus, and his body was full of sores. Someone would always lay Lazarus at the rich man’s gate. He could see the rich man through the window, and would have loved to eat the crumbs that fell from the table. And the rich man could probably see Lazarus also. The rich man may have said, “What!? Who’s that lying by my gate? It’s that beggar again. He’s gonna drive my property value way down. Look at him – disgusting! Sores all over his body. Torn, ragged clothing; looks like a reject from The Goodwill Store. I’ll bet he hasn’t showered, or taken a bath, in several years. I can smell him all the way over here! I’ll fix him. Release the dogs!”
And the dogs ran to Lazarus. But God had compassion on Lazarus: instead of biting him and tearing him apart, the dogs licked his sores, giving him some relief from his pain. But then…
“And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And 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)
We can see from these few verses, as we take a walk through Hell, is that it is a place of torment: extreme suffering. Hell has flames, and Hell is hot. Sulfur, or Brimstone, burns with black smoke: Hell is pitch black. At one time, though, there was light in Hell. That light came from across the great gulf, far away, in a place called Abraham’s Bosom. All those who believed God, and put their trust in the coming Messiah, were all there. The light that God gave them shown bright enough to give light to those in Hell. The rich man could see Abraham, holding Lazarus, and comforting him. This also would torment him, remembering all those things he said about Lazarus. But shortly after Jesus told the people about this rich man and Lazarus, they nailed Him to a cross, and crucified Jesus. As the rich man looked over to Abraham’s Bosom, he may have seen a brighter light come down, and a voice ringing out…
“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Revelation 1:18)
And suddenly, before he had a chance to fall on his knees before God, there was darkness: the light was gone. All those in Abraham’s Bosom were with Jesus in Paradise. He was left in the dark flames of Hell. When sulfur is on fire, it melts like wax: it starts dripping. As the rich man felt his way around, every place he touched, the burning sulfur would stick to his skin. At this point, it was aaround 250 degrees. Reaching out his hand, he touches something. It feels like a crown. Instantly, he feels sharp teeth dig into his arm holding him fast. He cries out in pain, as he feels the stinger pierce his flesh. It felt like a wasp, and he could feel the pain travel up his free arm. He had just encountered one of the creatures who will be released to attack those who do not have God’s mark on them during the Great Tribulation period. (see Revelation chapter 9)
Time is running out for the rich man. He has been tormented for over 2000 years. Suddenly he is out of the Hell he was in. This is what he saw…
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15)
And the Lord commanded the books to be opened. “Does the rich man’s name appear?”
“No Lord.”
And then the rich man hears those final words: “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels…”
Sulfur boils at 832 degrees. He stares at the Lake of Fire realizing that this will be his new home forever. Then an angel picks him up by the arm and flings him into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. Tossed out like garbage. It didn’t have to be that way. He had Moses and the prophets telling him about the coming Messiah. He had what little time he spent in the temple and the synagogue. He may even had had a friend speak to him. Once he died, it was too late. The Bible says, in the book of Jude…
“But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” (Jude 1:17-23)
God knows who will receive, and who will reject Jesus as their Saviour. We don’t. That’s why He commands us to go into ALL the world, and preach the gospel to EVERY creature. It’s not up to us to save them, they have to make that choice. Our job is to give them the gospel so they can choose. Remember, God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Help pull them out of the fire. Tell them about Jesus, and how to avoid Hell. It’s up to them to avoid the fire, the torment, the burning, and the stinging that hides in the blackness of Hell; but we need to tell them.
Peace. (Mark 16:15)
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