IS THERE A HEAVEN AND WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE?

“NEW” - Another Way of Imagining What Heaven Will be Like.

And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new.  "And He said,"Write, for these words are faithful and true."   Revelation 21:5 New American Standard Bible

All we have to go by is what we understand from this life, but the word “new” is something we can grasp.  When asked if you would rather have a new car or a rusty used one with 200,000 miles on it that belches thick blue smoke, a new house or an old barely standing one, new clothes or hand-me-downs, freshly baked bread / cookies or week old, etc., there is usually something about new – fresh, unblemished, pristine, “perfect” – that we long for. Randy Alcorn points out that “the Greek word kainos, translated “new,” indicates that the earth God creates won’t merely be new as opposed to old, but new in quality and superior in character.” When it comes to Heaven and eternity, Jesus says He is making all things NEW.  Consider a couple of indications:

New Life - And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”   Revelation 21:3-4 New Living Translation

 
New Bodies - Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. … then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”   “Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?”  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 54b-57 New Living Translation

New Creation - But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.  Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.  But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.  So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
2 Peter 3:10-14 New Living Translation

New Jerusalem -  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, 
Revelation 21:1-3   New American Standard Bible (continue reading through the final chapter for more information)

 

IS THERE A HEAVEN AND WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE?

Futher indications of what Heaven will be like:

·         Likened to a wedding feast – a great continual celebration.  “Jesus also told them other parables. He said, “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who   were invited. But they all refused to come!   Matthew 22:1-3a New Living Translation (Be sure to not to     refuse Jesus’ invitation!)                                                                 

·         Unimaginable Splendor – “So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed    me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.  It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal.  The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates.  There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west.  The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its   wall.  When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles.  Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel).  The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass.  The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl!  And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.  
Revelation 21:10-21 New Living Translation
 
Any questions?  Crystal clear – right?  It is hard to describe the indescribable. How         about this observation – the current atmosphere of the earth only extends about 300      miles above ground level (but 80% of it is within 10 miles), so things are going to be really different (not like the present condition / reality) for a city that is 1,400 miles high!  What we can say in summary is if Robin Leach still did “The Lifestyles of the   Rich and Famous,” [earth edition], there would be no comparison to the “Lifestyles of the Rescued and Forgiven” [eternal edition]!

Another way to possibly appreciate and understand the difference – Imagine all of your Christmas and birthdays as a child, awesome vacations, and all the other great moments of your life that are no longer moments of memories, but an eternal continual reality. 

IS THERE A HEAVEN AND WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE?

Having considered Proof of Heaven's Existence, let's turn to....

What Glimpses Have We Been Given of Heaven?

We can form an impression of what Heaven / paradise will be like, but at the same time we have to admit that the ability of a human to describe it in terms we can comprehend are limited.  Here are some insights we are given in the Bible:

• Inexpressible – Beyond the ability to describe in human terms.  In 2 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul describes briefly the experience of being caught up to Heaven, whether in the body or out of it, he was not sure.  In v4 he states, “was caught up to Paradise, and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.”  (Keep this in mind when you consider books that claim to give accounts of those who have seen into Heaven – be very wary of these.  If the Apostle Paul could not describe what he saw, do you really think others could / can?) How would you describe a “paradise” unlike anything this earth has to offer?

• Plenty of room – “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.  There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?   When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.   John 14:1-3 New Living Translation

• No darkness, only light – “On that day the sources of light will no longer shine, yet there will be continuous day! Only the Lord knows how this could happen. There will be no normal day and night, for at evening time it will still be light.”   Zechariah 14:6-7 New Living Translation

           And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and
          the Lamb is its light.   Revelation 21:23 New Living Translation

·   Abundant water and food – “Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month.”

Revelation 22:1-2a New Living Translation

      

IS THERE A HEAVEN AND WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE?

What Proof Do We Have that Heaven Even Exists? (Continued)

In addition to the resurrection of Jesus, here are other indications of Heaven and the after-life:

• Jesus’ power and the reality of the resurrection of a man named Lazarus recorded by the Apostle John in the 11^th chapter of his Gospel.  There we have the words of Jesus in v25, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies.”  He then demonstrated the truth of His claim and the power of God by raising Lazarus who had been dead and entombed for 4 days.  It’s one thing to see something happen and subsequently make a claim.  It’s quite different to make a claim and then back it up.  Jesus is the “resurrection and the life.”

 

• Jesus’ words to the repentant thief on the cross:

            One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you?

Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”  But the other criminal

protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We

deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.”  Then he

said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”   And Jesus replied,

“I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”   Luke 23:39-43 New Living

Translation

• Jesus remained with His followers for 50 days (during which over 500 eye-witnesses encountered him) after His resurrection before He ascended from the earth.  His Ascension indicates there is something beyond the confines of this world and life. In fact, those watching His Ascension were told:

            After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they

could no longer see him.  As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two

white-robed men suddenly stood among them.  “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why

are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into

heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

Acts 1:9-11 New Living Translation

Additionally, the creation account in the book of Genesis tells us that we have been created “in God’s image.”  Most of the time we think of physical characteristics, but the truth of being created in God’s image reaches far beyond this.  Besides being perfect, holy and righteous, God is also eternal.  And we will share this image of God as well – eternal existence, whether we are bound for Heaven or hell.

IS THERE A HEAVEN AND WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE?

What Proof Do We Have that Heaven Even Exists?

The best indication is the historical account of the resurrection of Jesus from the grave three days after He was put to death, which His followers celebrate at Easter.  Jesus spoke / foretold of the fact that He would be put to death and then rise from the dead.  His resurrection confirms for us that not only is there an existence beyond this life, but also that He did die in our place to satisfy the penalty of our sins and those of the world.   The resurrection of Jesus from the dead and His Ascension from the earth is the central point of our faith and hope in Heaven that distinguishes Christianity (following Christ) from all the other claims, promises and teachings of ALL the other religions / belief systems in this world.  Those leaders, whether they be Siddharta Gautama [Buddhism], Confucianism, Hinduism, Muhammad [Islam], Charles Taze Russell [Jehovah Witnesses], John Smith [Mormons], etc., made great claims, wrote accounts of how their followers should live, but they are all dead and buried.  Only Jesus substantiated His teachings with the power of His resurrection. 

 

Because Jesus lives, we have a sure and certain promise of eternal life.   It should be noted that other belief systems may deny that Jesus truly died and was resurrected, but history (both Biblical sources and non-biblical) provide overwhelming, compelling evidence that is beyond any doubt or contestation.  As an example from a biblical standpoint, under Jewish Law, something had to be corroborated by 2 or 3 witnesses to be considered as sufficient evidence.  The Apostle Paul‘s great summary on the truth of the bodily resurrection of Jesus in 1 Corinthians 15 mentions over 500 eye-witnesses of the resurrected Christ, many who were still alive at the time the letter was written.  And as you know there is no better proof than an eye-witness account and those who likewise were willing to give up their lives for the faith and hope they had in Jesus.  (Take a look at 1 Corinthians chapter 15.)

IS THERE A HEAVEN AND WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE?

If you've started watching the new series "Almost Human" on Fox, you may have noticed the main character, John Kennex,  saying, "They're in a better place" to answer the question, "What do you say to someone who has suffered the loss of a loved one who died?"  According to the character, "No one can really know."   Is that really the case or can we know? 

The answer to this question has far reaching implications and is the flip side of the question many have regarding the existence of Hell (see previous postings). Let’s look at what we need to understand about Heaven from a number of different vantage points.  (NOTE:  Several versions of the Bible will be quoted in future posts, under the assumption that the Seeker is not very familiar with the Bible.  The version was chosen which best conveys the message for the first-time reader. Certain portions of the text are presented in red for emphasis. However, if you have a Bible, read directly from it.)

Hell and Jesus - What's Your Choice?

So what will you do with Jesus?  He made some extraordinary claims that, if honestly  considered, can ONLY lead to four possible conclusions:

                                                                                                                                                                                 

Challenge

• Jesus was a Liar.   (In John 14:6 Jesus said He is the way, the truth the life.  No one comes to the Father, except through Him. Consider His words and His actions.  Did His actions contradict or confirm what He said?)                                           
• Jesus was a Lunatic. (Consider the consistency of His life and His teachings. Can you honestly conclude that He was delusional or insane?)
• Jesus was a Legend.  (Too much proof to deny the historical Jesus, unlike Paul Bunyan and his ox, Babe! )
• OR Jesus is Lord.     If true, then…

 Whatever your conclusion / choice, you can be certain that God will honor it.   So it is up to YOU; 

 

• Not your parents – God does not have any grandchildren. 
• Not the church you may attend or its teachings – a church can only point the way.
• Not you being a member or being raised in a certain religion – God is not interested in the labels we place on ourselves.
• Not your friends – God does recognize associations / acquaintances. 

You have either been adopted as one of His Sons or Daughters or you have not.  There is no middle ground, wiggle room or gray area here.

In summary, consider once again the two passages of the Bible this response began with, but this time personalize it – insert you own name in the blanks:
 
            “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that if _________ believes in
             Him  He/She will not perish but have eternal life.  God did not send His Son into the world
             to condemn it, but to save it.  There is no judgment awaiting those who trust Him.  But
             those who do not trust Him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of
             God.  Their judgment is based on this fact:  The light from heaven came down into the
             world, but they loved darkness more than light, for their actions were evil.”     
             John 3:16-19  New Living Translation

            “The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise to return, as some people think. 
             No, He is being patient for __________’s sake.  He does not want ___________ to
             perish, so He is giving more time to repent.”      
             2 Peter 3:9  New Living Translation

 

HELL – Does It Really Exist and Why Would a Loving God Send Anyone There?

From the last posting,  ... No, we do not need a god who is more human / humane.  We need a God who is able to make humans divine.

This is what is true for all those who have invited Jesus to rescue them from the penalty of their sins.  Ephesians 2 further goes on to state the Good News for those who have been rescued by Jesus:

            But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were

dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is

only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)  For he raised us from the dead along

with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with

Christ Jesus.  So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible

wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are

united with Christ Jesus.  God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t

take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we

have done, so none of us can boast about it.  For we are God’s masterpiece. He has

created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long

ago.  Ephesians 2:4-10  New Living Translation

Next posting - So what will you do with Jesus?

HELL – Does It Really Exist and Why Would a Loving God Send Anyone There?

Continuing Ross Douthat's observations from the NY Times editorial, "One hell of a good idea:"

The writer then goes on to discuss the main character of the HBO series, “The Sopranos.”

            “The HBO hit is a portrait of damnation freely chosen: Chase made audiences

            freely love Tony Soprano, and then made us watch as the mob boss traveled

            so deep into iniquity – refusing every opportunity to turn back – that it was hard

            to imagine him ever coming out.”

            “The Sopranos never suggested that Tony was beyond forgiveness, But, by the

            end, it suggested that he was beyond ever genuinely asking for it.”

 

The thought-provoking editorial ends with the question, “Is Tony Soprano really in heaven?”

Along this same line, how about Adolph Hitler, Osama bin Laden, and all of the countless other tyrants and terrorists this world has known?   The editorial implies that many want to make God seem more human or humane, but think about the implication.  Do we want a God who is as bad, guilty, and unjust as the rest of us? 

Actually, there is such a “god” – one who is described in the Bible as “the god of this world,”  but you may know him by the name / title Lucifer, Satan, the devil.   The Apostle Paul reminds believers in Jesus of their former condition before they chose to believe in Jesus:

            Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.  You used

 to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of powers

.in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey

God.  All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of

our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone

else.  Ephesians 2:1-3 New Living Translation

No, we do not need a god who is more human / humane.  We need a God who is able to make humans divine:

For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God

reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven

and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.  This includes you who

were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by

your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself

through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought

you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand

before him without a single fault.

            Colossians 1:19-22  New Living Translation

HELL – Does It Really Exist and Why Would a Loving God Send Anyone There?

The Choice

When it comes to the Bible, many pick out what they like (consider it to be truth), and ignore what they do not (they decide what to believe and what to disregard).  For example, many choose to not believe in Hell, or to reason that unbelievers will simply cease to exist instead of being punished for eternity.  However, if you start picking and choosing what is true or what to believe, can you, with total confidence, REALLY know where to draw the line?  It is the classical “slippery slope” that many have become all too comfortable on.  An editorial by Ross Douthat of the New York Times, with the title, “One hell of a good idea” explored some of the current “notions” on Hell and Heaven being raised by contemporary authors and how “many religious Americans find the idea of eternal punishment for wrong belief increasingly incredible.”  The writer then goes on to raise some thought-provoking points:

 
“And if it’s hard for the modern mind to understand why a good God would allow such misery on a temporal scale, imagining one who allows eternal suffering seems not only offensive but absurd.”

“Doing away with hell, then, is a natural way for pastors and theologians to make their God more humane.  The problem is that this move also threatens to make human life less fully human.”

“Atheists have license to scoff at damnation, but to believe in God and not in hell is ultimately to disbelieve in the reality of human choices.  If there’s no possibility of saying no to paradise then none of our no’s have any real meaning either.  They’re like home runs or strikeouts in a children’s game where nobody’s keeping score.”

More on this next week.

HELL – Does It Really Exist and Why Would a Loving God Send Anyone There?

Hell is compared to a garbage dump

During Jesus’ time on earth, he likened hell to a place that the residents of Jerusalem were familiar with known as “Gehenna” – the city dump of Jerusalem.  Have you ever spent any time at a garbage dump?  Can you imagine living at one?  It is hot.  There is smoke and heat due to the smoldering and spontaneous combustion of the trash as it is compressed and decomposes.  The stench is offensive to the nostrils, and the filth, dirt and grime become a part of you.  I visited the dump of Manila in the Philippines in 1981.  At that time people lived “on” and “at” the dump.  They scrambled as the trucks dumped their loads to compete with the sea gulls to salvage anything that was still “good.”  They made their shelters from the debris, furnished their “homes,” and quite possibly ate what had been thrown away.  While the memory of that day’s visit is distant, I remember that evening there was no talking or discussion of what we had seen and experienced, none of us were hungry, and all we wanted to do was to take a shower to wash off what we had experienced.  That was our reaction to, at most, a couple of hours experience.  It made a tremendous impression on my life and I believe it would have for the people of Jerusalem as well, as an illustration they could understand.

HELL – Does It Really Exist and Why Would a Loving God Send Anyone There?

Continuation of "indications" we have of what Hell will be like:

• “There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20:10 (previously cited). 

 Does this sound like something you would want to experience?  Do any of us purposely seek to be tormented?  Think about an unpleasant time during which all you thought about was when it would end, (e.g., severe depression, chemo, hot flashes, the flu, migraines, a stroke, paralysis, drug withdrawal, chronic back pain, etc.) never having an end.

• “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”    Revelation 21:8  New Living Translation

Some believe that rather than spending eternity in hell, that unbelievers will cease to exist – an idea often referred to as the “annihilation of the wicked.”  However, this view does not line up with the verses cited in this and the previous bullets.  Death, from a biblical standpoint, is not “the end” or “to cease to exist,” it simply refers to “separation.”  Physical death separates us from this life (i.e., human existence), but the second death will separate the individual, who now shares the image of God in being eternal, from God forever.  Do you want to be separated from God and those you love and care about for all eternity?

·   “Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end

of the world.  The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.  And the angels will throw

them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with

ears to hear should listen and understand!  Matthew 13:40-43  New Living Translation    

Would you want to subject yourself to an eternity of lamenting at what you are missing and the anxiety / depression of thinking about it forever?  

HELL – Does It Really Exist and Why Would a Loving God Send Anyone There?

Continuing our consideration of the Lake of Fire / Hell:
 

Hell, like Heaven, is difficult for us to fully grasp now, because any comparison to what we know and experience in this life is incapable of preparing us to fully understand what will be eternal.  However, we are given some indications:

• In Jesus’ own words, NOT the choice you want to make:

If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one
hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands.  If your foot causes
you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown
into hell with two feet.  And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It’s better to enter
 the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 
‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’ Mark 9:43-48 New Living Translation
 

“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into
the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.  For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed
 me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink.  I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me
into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and
you didn’t visit me.’   “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ “And he will answer, ‘I tell you
 the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were
 refusing to help me.’  “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will
go into eternal life.”           Matthew 25:41-46 New Living Translation

What impression are you left with when you hear “fire, maggots and         eternal punishment?”

• Revelation 19:20 (previously cited) “thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.”

Sulfur becomes molten at 200° Celsius / 392° Fahrenheit and the smell has been          likened to “rotten eggs.”   Does this sound like a place where you want to be?

HELL – Does It Really Exist and Why Would a Loving God Send Anyone There?

What Will Hell be Like?

To get an idea of what Hell will be like, consider the story Jesus told of two men – one described as the unnamed “rich man” and a poor man named “Lazarus.” 

            ¹⁹"Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously

living in splendor every day.  ²⁰"And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate,

covered with sores, ²¹and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the

rich man's table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.  ²²"Now the

poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich

man also died and was buried.  ²³"In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and

saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. ²⁴"And he cried out and said, 'Father

Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger

in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'

 ²⁵"But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your life you received your good

things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you

are in agony. ²⁶'And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed,

so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none

may cross over from there to us.'

²⁷"And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father's house - ²⁸for

I have five brothers - in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come

to this place of torment.'  ²⁹"But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets;

let them hear them.'  ³⁰"But he said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them

from the dead, they will repent!'  ³¹"But he said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and

the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'"

Luke 16:19-31 New American Standard Version

Here is what we can observe about Hades that will give us impressions of Hell:

• After death, the rich man is in torment v23
• He asked for relief v24
• He was not given relief, but remained in agony v25
• He was not given any hope of changing his situation v26  (i.e., no Purgatory)
• He expressed concern for his brothers who were still living – he did not want them to suffer the same fate he had v27-28
• He was told his brothers had Moses and the Prophets (i.e., the Old Testament) just as he had for guidance v30
• He pleads that if someone (Lazarus) came back from the dead, that his brothers would repent v30
• He is told if they will not listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead v31.   The truth of this statement was confirmed in the fact that even after Jesus’ resurrection, most refused to believe.

HELL – Does It Really Exist and Why Would a Loving God Send Anyone There?

The place we normally think of as “Hell” is described in the Book of Revelation as the “Lake of Fire.”  From the standpoint of what we are told, the first two beings that will be cast into the Lake of Fire are the Beast and the False Prophet.  Thereafter, Satan and all those who rejected God will be cast in as further described in the Book of Revelation:

        

And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on

behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast

and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive

into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

           Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur,

joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever

and ever.  And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled

from his presence, but they found no place to hide.  I saw the dead, both great and small,

standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And

the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The

sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged

according to their deeds.  Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This

lake of fire is the second death.   And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the

Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

           
             Revelation 19:20 and 20:10-15 New Living Translation