What a Lost Soul Discovered One Minute After Death in Hell

Lu 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Lu 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
Lu 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Lu 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Lu 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Lu 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Lu 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Lu 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Lu 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
Lu 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Lu 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Lu 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Lu 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

The above text has been called "The Rich Man and Lazarus." Notice our Lord does not describe it as a parable. Today's message is entitled: "What a Lost Soul Discovered One Minute After Death in Hell." Christ has advised His listeners that there were two men who lived and died, and they went into Eternity. This is a real-life story given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. We would do well to remember this teaching.  The beggar when to heaven and the rich man to hell. This is what the rich man learned one minute after his heart stopped.

First, he learned that death does not end it all. "And in hell he lift up his eyes." (v. 23)

Second, he learned that hell is a living reality. "Being in torments." (v. 23) It is not a joke, and you won't be hanging out with friends.

Third, he learned that his conscience survives death. "Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented." (v. 25)

Fourth, memory survives death. "Remember...." (v. 25) You will never forget how many times you heard the Gospel and rejected it.

Fifth, he learned the awful certainty of the fixed condition of a lost soul in hell. "There is a great gulf fixed." (v. 26) No hope and no chance for a reprieve. 

Sixth, there is no opportunity granted to those in hell to redeem past carelessness or indifference. "Send Lazarus to my father's house: for I have five brethren." (vs. 27, 28) Only in this life can you change indifference or carelessness.

Seventh, he learned the absolute authority and finality of God's Word. "They have Moses and the Prophets...." (v.29) God's Word is the absolute and final authority. Gd's Word will never pass away.

Eighth, he learned that his money was useless to buy him out of hell. 

Ninth, his religion could not get him out of hell. The rich man was an Orthodox Jew. Jews believed because they were Abraham's descendants, they had a guarantee of heaven. He was wrong.

Tenth, he learned that he would be punished according to the truth he learned. If you have heard the truth of the Gospel and rejected the Lord Jesus Christ, you will have greater suffering.

Eleventh, he learned that there is no respect of persons with God (Romans 2:11). All who reject the Lord Jesus Christ will enter hell forever. 

Reading friend, consider the words you have read. Hell is real with eternal flames of punishment. There is no soul sleep or annihilation.  Where will you spend eternity? You will live forever, the only question is where?