Character Change | Group Bible Study

We are continuing our daily study on the topic of eternity, focusing our thoughts on Jesus' words about the place called Hell that a rich man encountered after his death. Here’s what Jesus said:

19There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In Hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24So 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.' 25"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us' (Luke 16:19-26).

One of the first things the rich man experiences is utter torment (v. 23). The Greek word used is basanos, which means "going to the bottom, the lowest torture or torment."[1] Perhaps this Greek word is used to describe what we talked about in yesterday’s meditation, i.e., there are different levels of suffering in Hell, and the ex-rich man was experiencing the deepest level of torment. Jesus said the man’s tongue burned; he needed water to cool his tongue. Even though he lacks a physical body, he is experiencing a sense of touch and is in extreme pain. He also possesses the senses of sight and recognition, for he saw Lazarus across a vast chasm, with Abraham at his side. It is agonizing to see Paradise and yet remember how he wasted the opportunity to receive from God what he needed to enter there, realizing it is too late and that he will never experience even a moment within it.

Later, at the Great White Throne Judgment found in Revelation 20:11-15, we learn that death and Hades will be cast into the Lake of Fire, a place of eternal darkness. From then on, the former rich man will see nothing. The Lord describes him as having the ability to speak; he calls out to Abraham and expresses his pain. There appears to be no change in his character or attitude toward Lazarus, as he still believes he can order Lazarus to bring him water and visit his brothers. His appeal to Abraham is somewhat manipulative. He refers to him as Father Abraham, suggesting that he has a relationship with Abraham simply because he was born into a nation of faith in God. How deceived he is! How similar this is to many born in a Christian country today. Many consider themselves Christians, yet not all have a relationship with God through Christ. The sense of hearing remains with him, for he can hear Abraham speaking to him.

Abraham then answers the rich man with words that will stay with him for eternity. It is a powerful statement, filled with truth but devoid of hope: he will recall his life on earth (v. 25) and all the opportunities he missed to repent and surrender his life to God. How painful that must be! The mind will be perfectly clear, and those sent to that place will retain their faculties without the limitations of a physical body. There will be significant regret over actions taken and a lack of ability to rectify them, for it is too late. The former wealthy man has no one to pray him out of this situation; Satan's deception leads one to believe that they can change their fate after death. His place is fixed, and a chasm separates them forever, with no one able to cross either way (v. 26). Where death finds you, eternity binds you. According to what we read in the Scriptures, there is no purgatory, no reincarnation, and no chance for relief. The time to change your eternal destiny is before you die, before it is too late.

May I urge you, if you are not yet a true believer in Christ Jesus, not to dismiss these thoughts—your eternal destiny is at stake. Get down on your knees and repent; surrender your life to Christ. Give Him control—live for Him alone! More on this topic tomorrow. Keith Thomas

Taken from the series Insights into Eternity. Click on study 4 or this link: The Truth About Hell.

YouTube video teachings at: https://www.youtube.com/@keiththomas7/videos

Jesus’ Teachings on the Nature of Hell