Several years ago I had a conversation with a friend about death and the afterlife. She believed that there was no Heaven and no Hell and that this world was all there was. So she was planning to have fun and do whatever she wanted because when you die the fun stops. I told her, "I wish I can say that's true, but it isn't." I asked her if I could bring my Bible the following day to show her a passage about the reality of Hell and she agreed.
This is the Bible passage I shared with her in Luke 16:19-31:
Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.
22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham.[e] The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and his soul went to the place of the dead.[f]There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.
24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’
25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’
27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’
29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’
30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’
31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
My friend listened attentively, but I still don't know if I was able to convince her. I hope that I can convince you as you read this passage. The Bible describes Hell as total darkness, torment and a gnashing of teeth kind of place. The Bible also says that God does not want anyone to perish but to come to repentance and receive the free, yes free, gift of eternal life through the death of His Son, Jesus, by placing your faith in Him. And acknowledging that Jesus is the Son of God who forgives the sins of the world. We need to confess our sins to Him and ask for forgiveness and the Lord who is faithful will forgive us of all our sins. 1 John 1:9
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
Also, the Lord does not delight in the death of the wicked.
As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?
It's not too late. You are alive and can do something about your eternal destiny. Just as you are, invite Jesus into your heart by saying this prayer: Lord, Jesus I believe that You are the Son of God and that you died on the cross to pay for my sins. I repent today of all my sins and ask You to please forgive me and help me to live a life that honors you. Come into my heart and make me clean. I receive you as my Lord and Savior. In your name, I pray. Amen!
After that prayer you are as if you've never sinned. Look for a good non-denominational Christian church and learn more about the great love that God has for you!
Isaiah 43:25 New International Version (NIV)
25 “I, even I, am He who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more.
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more.
Thanks for reading! God loves you :)
My next blog will be, "Satan is Real." We don't need to fear him, but we need to learn how to recognize his evil schemes...
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