-Strenght for Today- "The Agony of Hell. - Luke 16:19-31.


  One of that the reason we have so much, â€œso called hell in our world,” is because we have so little teaching about it in our pulpits.  And for that cause, we’re â€œreaping the benefits” of its â€œintended reality.”  throughout each day, including Sundays, people are quick to respond, â€œgo to hell,” but what right does “mortal man” have to â€œinvoke such a hideous invitation” toward their “fellow mankind, when our Sovereign God isn't â€œ...willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” - 2 Peter 3:9c. 

Jesus taught on hell, (Luke 16:19-31), which let us know that hell is a real place. In the various parables, He never called anyone by name, other than â€œLazarus,” and â€œAbraham.” So, when Jesus said, “they died,” suddenly their situations are reversed.  The idea here is the “encampment of our purpose” here on earth, as it relates to honoring God. 

So, this let us know that hell is a real place, and “people we know” who spent their lives” saying, “no” to God, â€œwill be there.” According to Jesus, hell is a â€œliteral place,” a place of â€œtorment,” (verses 23-25), but in verse 23, â€œtorments take on a “plural, status” which means â€œmisery,” and â€œpain,” while being â€œtormented,” and â€œplagued” without escape in â€œunquenchable fire.” 

Hell is a place where there’ll be, an â€œintense, unsatisfied thirst,” (v. 24), â€œfrustration and â€œanger,” (Luke. 13:28), and â€œeternal separation from God.” â€œAnd beside all this between us and you there’s a “great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; nether can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” -verse 26. 

But hell can be avoided, and to this Jesus said, â€œVerily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” - John 5:24. 

So, Jesus’ point is driven home because He makes a â€œstunning charge,” toward the “hardness” and â€œunwillingness” of the â€œPharisees,” which reflect a hardness to the “Word of God itself,” which these men â€œpretended to honor.” 

  This entire chapter calls us to realize that if we take this reality seriously, it will affect the way â€œwe view” and â€œuse money,” and the way we respond to â€œthe poor and the oppressed.”" The Jewish nation was to share the â€œliteral” and â€œspiritual blessings” God had given them “with the nations of the world” represented â€œby Lazarus.” 

It is easy for us to look down upon the Jewish leaders “for not understanding the meaning of this parable.” It’s easy for us to think â€œwhy didn’t they help those less fortunate” and â€œshare God’s blessing with the surrounding nations?” 

However, take a minute to look at your own life. “Where are your priorities?” What blessings of God are you not sharing with those around you?” What messages from â€œMoses and the prophets” are you not listening to? Yes, hell is real, and there’s only one escape â€œfrom hell,” and that's through the blood of Jesus Christ. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” - Romans 8:1. 

 Author. Plez Lovelady, Jr., PhD


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