Luke 16:19-31. “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and 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. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 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.’
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. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Scripture makes it undeniably clear: hell is real. Jesus Himself mentioned hell numerous times throughout the Gospels, including in today’s Word. He described it as a place of eternal separation, torment, and judgment.
Since the time of Adam, every human being has been born into the background of hell—destined for judgment and eternal separation from God. As the Bible states, “Just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). After living their entire lives under the weight of sin, the power of death, and the dominion of Satan, suffering spiritually, mentally, and physically, people are on the road to eternal fire.
This is the result of the fundamental problem of all mankind—Satan (Revelation 12:7–9), sin (Romans 3:23), and separation from God (Genesis 3:1–7). Hell is not merely a concept or a metaphor; it is a literal place prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41), a fiery lake of burning sulfur (Revelation 21:8). Anyone whose name is not found written in the Book of Life will be thrown into that lake (Revelation 20:15), where they will be tormented day and night, forever and ever (Revelation 20:10). Worst of all, hell is a place entirely void of God’s grace and mercy (Luke 16:24–26).
To save us from this dreadful end, Jesus had to experience the agony of hell on our behalf (Matthew 12:38–41; Romans 10:7; Ephesians 4:7–10). He went into the depths, but on the third day, He rose again—declaring total victory over death and hell!
When you believe in Jesus as your True King, God gives you authority over the powers of hell (Matthew 16:18). When you believe in Him as your True Priest, your sins are washed away and your robes made white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14), giving you the right to enter His eternal kingdom. When you receive Him as your True Prophet, He leads you into a new and living way that brings you directly to the throne of grace in heaven.
By grace, you are no longer a citizen of this world but of heaven (Philippians 3:20). Your name is written in the Book of Life (Luke 10:20), and you now have the promise of eternity with God. The mystery of the kingdom of heaven has been revealed to you (Matthew 13:11), so you may live in victory even now. Though we are sojourners in this world, we await the day we return to our true home—our eternal home in heaven.
You belong to heaven. God has rescued you from the dominion of darkness and brought you into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). So live each day enjoying every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:3–14). Ask that His will in heaven be done on earth (Matthew 6:10). Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Set your heart and mind on things above (Colossians 3:1–2). And store up for yourself treasures in heaven, where nothing can destroy them (Matthew 6:20).
Sadly, many live like the rich man in today’s passage—rejecting the Word of life because of the comforts and possessions they enjoy in this world. But to this end, God has entrusted you with a mission: to testify to the gospel of His grace (Acts 20:24). The Holy Spirit will empower you (Acts 1:8), and the Lord Jesus, who sits at the right hand of God, will work with and through you (Mark 16:20).
Prayer. Lord Jesus, I thank You for breaking the power of hell on my behalf. Thank You for bearing the agony of hell on the cross and rising again to proclaim eternal victory. Because of what You have done, Your victory is now my victory. Help me to experience the joy of heaven even here on earth, and give me boldness to proclaim the gospel to those still living in the shadow of hell. In Your mighty name I pray, Amen.