"The Reality Of a place Called Hell!" (Luke 16:19-31)

An Indiana cemetery has a stone marker for a grave more than 100-years old with the following epitaph on it: "Pause, stranger, as you pass me by; As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you will be. Prepare for death and follow me." A person of wisdom came along and added this thought under the poem: "To follow you, I am not content, Until I know which way you went!" There are many people today who reject the reality of hell. Some profess to be Christ followers! The majority are unbelievers who deny that such a place actually exists, and by doing so they try and convince themselves that it will not be their final destination in eternity. Also, for them, it becomes a reason for not being willing to consider what the Word of God says. Many reject any notion of both heaven or hell, therefore denying any likelihood of an afterlife, and any need for Christ. They wrongly reason that, if there's no afterlife, then there can't be any judgment. If there's no judgment, then there's no punishment. In other words, when a person dies, he or she will simply cease to exist. So, in their reasoning, it makes no difference if a person dies with forgiven or unforgiven sins. Therefore, there's not any need for a Savior. Apostle Paul helps us to understand why these people are in serious error. He said they are people, "who suppress the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18). Although the evidence from creation and God's Word is irrefutable, men choose to resist and oppose God's Word by holding fast to their sin! How very sad this is! The Word of God speaks clearly and authoritatively of two places in eternity, heaven, a place of rest, glory, beauty, amazement, comfort and unveiled communion with God and hell, a place of suffering, torment, eternal pain and dying. There's no other place in eternity! As Christ followers, we are to know and understand the reality of hell for this main reason: To answer any questions concerning the afterlife. This may provide opportunities to share about sin, warn about hell, and the need for the Lord's forgiveness. I'm reminded of Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The Lord said the rich man died and went to a place called Hades (an intermediate hell). Lazarus died and went to heaven (Abraham's bosom). Jesus speaks of a conversation between the rich man and Abraham. The rich man wanted Lazarus to be sent to his father's house to warn his five brothers about not coming to "this place of torment" (Luke 16:27-28). Being in Hades, this man saw the need to warn others about not coming to this place! I believe the understanding of the reality of this place called hell should cause every Christ follower to reach out to warn others about this terrible place! Your move. Reach out to warn someone! Be encouraged!