We are continuing our daily study on the topic of eternity and specifically thinking of Jesus' words about the Hell that a Rich Man experienced when he died. 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 does not have a physical body, he is experiencing a sense of touch and is in terrible pain. He also has the sense of sight and recognition, for he saw Lazarus across a vast chasm and Abraham by his side. It is painful to see Paradise and yet remember how he squandered the opportunity to receive from God what he needed to go there, and that it is too late and that he will never experience one moment there.
Later, at the Great White Throne Judgment, in Revelation 20:11-15, we read that death, and Hades will be thrown into the Lake of Fire, where there will be eternal darkness. From that point onward, the ex-rich man will no longer see anything. The Lord describes him as having the sense of speech; he calls to Abraham and communicates his pain. There seems to be no change in his character or attitude toward Lazarus, for he still thinks he can command Lazarus to get water for him and visit his brothers. His appeal to Abraham is somewhat manipulative. He calls him Father Abraham, intimating that he is in a relationship with Abraham because he was born into a nation of faith in God. How deceived he was! How similar to many born into a Christian country today. Many think themselves Christian, yet not all are in a relationship with God through Christ. The sense of hearing is also still with him, for he can hear Abraham talking with him.
Abraham then answers the rich man and says something that will remain with him for the rest of eternity. It was a powerful statement, full of truth, but with no hope: he will remember his life on earth (v. 25) and all the opportunities he missed to repent and give his life to God. How painful that would be! The mind will be very clear, and those consigned there will have their faculties without the restrictions of a physical body. There will be considerable regret over deeds committed and an inability to set them right, for it is too late. The ex-rich man does not have anyone to pray him out of this situation; Satan's lie is to believe you can change your position after death. His location is fixed, and a chasm separates them forever, and no one can cross either way (v. 26). Where death finds you, eternity binds you. According to what we see in the Scriptures, there is no purgatory, no reincarnation, and no opportunity for relief. The time to change your eternal destiny is before you die before it is too late.
May I plead with you that if you are not yet a true believer in Christ Jesus, you do not put these thoughts out of your mind—your eternal destiny is at stake. Get down on your knees and repent; turn your life over 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.
[1]Finis Jennings Dake, Dakes Annotated Reference Bible, Copyright 1961 by Finis J. Dake. Page 80 of the New Testament.
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