Any hope in hell

“No sweat; I’ll just enjoy life and say my last prayers before I die to avoid hell. If I miss it by a little, folks will just pray me over to heaven; the bishop’s son does not go to hell!”

Perhaps you have not heard of the son of Abraham in hell Lk 16:19, 20(GW)  "There was a rich man who wore expensive clothes. Every day was like a party to him. There was also a beggar named Lazarus who was regularly brought to the gate of the rich man's house.

“It is but a parable, don’t interpret it literally.”  

I doubt it: Jesus didn’t mention names in other stories.  Here he mentions 2; including Abraham who we all know. Lk 16:22, 23, 25(MKJV) And it happened that the beggar died and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich one also died and was buried. And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things. But now he is comforted and you are tormented.

 Jesus never tells lies; even in stories. Christ never committed any sin. He never spoke deceitfully.1Pe 2:22(GW)   

“ I don’t care if it’s a parable or not. What is wrong with being rich? Are you saying the rich all go to hell?” 

Of course not: Abraham was very rich and he is in paradise.  

“So what’s your point in this story?” 

And besides all this, there is a great chasm fixed between you and us; so that they desiring to pass from here to you cannot, nor can they pass over to us from there. Lk 16:26 (MKJV) Dead saints can’t help those in hell; indeed when a man is dead in hell there is no more hope for him. Acknowledging Abraham as father then (and Abraham calling him son) won’t change matters. His bid to help his brothers was denied; every prayer made in hell was turned down.

 “Hell can’t be forever. There must be an end sometime.” 

Jesus spoke of hell at least 16 times: this is how He describes it: It is better for you to enter into life maimed than to have two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. Mar 9:43, 44(MKJV)    

Then He also shall say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. Mat 25:41(MKJV) If you die unprepared you are forever lost. Forever!

APPEARED IN THE CHURCH BULLETIN WEEK 18, 2009