We hear so much about hell and what it is, that it is well to turn to the authority of Scripture and hear what God says.
In Luke 16:19-3119There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22And 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; 23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And 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. 25But 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. 26And 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. 27Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:19‑31), the veil that hides the other world from our eyes is drawn aside by Him who is truth itself, the One who never exaggerated, and who never kept back part of the truth.
1. In verse 28, we learn that hell is a place of torment. There are three words in that chapter that describe hell as no other words can: Remember (verse 25). Reader, what must it be to remember in hell! There, it would be untold comfort to forget all the privileges and good things of the past—aye, and gospel meetings and Bible lessons. Say you that hell is remorse? That is only part of it.
2. Tormented—(verse 25). This word describes the effect of the awful present in the flames of hell.
3. Fixed—(verse 26),—completes the picture. No ray of hope ever enters that dark abode of misery, that place of weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. Pain, present torment, can be borne if there is any hope of relief; but what must it be when the doom is fixed forever?
Reader, dare you risk coming into that place of torment? Have you heard Moses and the prophets? Listen to them now: "To Him (Jesus) give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10:4343To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43).
"Moses truly said unto the fathers, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever He shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that Prophet, shall be destroyed from among people." Acts 3:22, 2322For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. (Acts 3:22‑23).
The rich man in hell asked that one be sent to his brethren from among the dead, but was refused. God has sent One to us from the dead, and He says, "See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh: for if they escaped not who refused Him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven." Heb. 12:2525See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: (Hebrews 12:25). Yes, Jesus is raised from the dead, and now speaks to us from heaven.
Reader, if you refuse to listen to Him, if you neglect this great salvation, you will come into that place of torment which is called hell. Oh! think of those three words:— Remember—Tormented—Fixed. No further words are needed to add to that picture. God Himself says, THIS IS HELL.