“And in Hades he lifted up His Eyes, being in torment!”

“The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'”    Luke 16:22-24 (ESV)

In the 1960s, in the Christian communities that I was exposed to, we had what were called “Hell Fire and Brimstone” preachers. They felt the best way to bring someone to God was to threaten them with Hell. I can remember many sermons where the speaker spent the vast majority of the message telling us of all the horrible ways we would suffer in eternal punishment in Hell. TV evangelists would take out their handkerchiefs, wipe the sweat off their faces, and beg and plead for “those of you at home” to come to Jesus before it’s too late. And the AM radio was filled with many “preachers” warning everyone of the torments waiting for them in Hell.

Scaring people “Into Heaven” isn’t how salvation happens. God doesn’t drag anybody into His kingdom. Jesus told us about the Holy Spirit (the Helper): “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” (John 16:8-12) The Holy Spirit is responsible for convicting unbelieving hearts about salvation. We are also told that, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” So, it isn’t the preacher’s job to scare or convince anyone about their need for salvation. It is the preacher’s/teacher’s job to explain what the Word of God says about eternal life, salvation, and the eternal punishment of all who reject the gift of eternal life.

The parable in today’s story has a vivid picture of the two eternal states available to everyone. First, we see the rich man who had no time for God while he was alive, suffering an eternal punishment after his physical death. Then we see the poor man who died and is spending eternity in the arms of Father Abraham in paradise. Two very different outcomes await every human who has ever or will ever live on this earth. Let’s look at what the Bible says about both.

First, let’s talk about eternal punishment that awaits those who reject the offer of eternal life through the sacrificial death of God’s only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus. While I’m not a “hell fire and brimstone” teacher, I do think many times pastors and teachers try to tone down eternal punishment. They try to make the Biblical message easier for the unbelieving world to hear. I mean, after all, who wants to hear that, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment”? No one wants to hear about being judged; it’s just not pleasant to think about. In fact, our current culture says not to judge anyone about anything; just let “You be You” and “Do whatever makes you happy.” That is not a Biblical view of how one should live their life.

The Bible tells us that “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and that “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” You see, there is no good news for anyone who is separated from God by their sin; and every human has been separated from God and will spend an eternity being tormented day and night. This separation from God is just payment for their sins. This isn’t a pleasant thought, but it is true, and people need to hear the consequences of not accepting the gift of eternal life our Savior provides.

Did you notice what one Pastor called the “Divine But” in that quote from Scripture? “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” You see, God has no desire for anyone to spend an eternity separated from him, being tormented day and night. God has provided a way for everyone to have an eternal life with Christ Jesus, just as the poor man in today’s parable who was with Abraham in paradise.

Unless people clearly understand what they can be saved from, they may not think they need saving at all. But we all need to be saved from the just punishment for our sins that we have committed. It is this “Divine But” that allows us to be freed from the just rewards of our sins, to accept the eternal life offered to all: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

You see, I’m not trying to scare anyone into anything, but everyone still needs to know the whole story of God’s merciful forgiveness. Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” We further read that “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Today’s parable shows two truths that we all need to understand. Two different eternities await everyone—one without God, and one with God. Where you spend your eternity depends on whether you accept the gift of salvation offered to you. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Choose wisely, my friend; your eternity depends upon it.

"Living in Grace is not about what I can do, but about what Jesus has already done!"