Lately, many voices have arisen trying to discredit, distort, and pervert the truth contained in God’s Word about a place called hell. Don’t you find it strange that suddenly so many voices are coming out with their argument against the Bible concerning this subject? These “instructors” seem convinced that their personal belief is correct in the face of truth that is found in the Bible. Even though I have heard men argue the nonexistence of hell, I’ve never heard any of them say that they have gone there.

So today, let’s take a look at this excerpt from God’s Word that directly quotes a man who not only went to hell, but still remains there today. This story that Jesus shared with the people of His day was not a parable, but was taken from a real account of people who had real names. Listen very closely to a man who once enjoyed the best of this world’s pleasures, but now, sadly, lives in torment. Take note that he begs Abraham to warn his other brothers about this place called hell.

(NOTE: The Bible says that the wicked are forgotten, but the righteous are remembered. The rich man’s name isn’t used in this true account, but Lazarus, the beggar, is remembered.)

Luke 16:19-31: Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’”

—submitted by Asa Dockery, US