The Invisible World: Hell

Scripture: Luke 16:19–31

Jesus once told a story that shook people up. It wasn’t a parable with a happy ending. It was about two men: one rich, the other poor. One lived in luxury, the other in suffering. But when they died, everything flipped.

The poor man, Lazarus, was carried by angels to a place of comfort. The rich man ended up in torment. He could see heaven but couldn’t reach it. He was alone. He was in pain. And worst of all—he couldn’t change it.

This is a picture of Hell—not just a picture of fire, but eternal separation from God. A place of regret. A place where the chance to choose Jesus is gone.

HELL is Justice Without Mercy.

We want justice. We cry out against evil and demand that wrongs be made right.

But hell is what justice looks like when someone rejects the only source of mercy.

Hell isn’t where God sends people He hates. Hell is where people go who say, “I want life without God.” And God respects their freedom and honors their decision and gives them exactly what they’ve asked for.

HELL is Final

After death, there are no second chances. No altar calls in eternity. No do-overs. No praying or fasting your way out.

Hell isn’t a sentence of those who made a mistake. It’s a place for those who rejected mercy and chose to stay in their sin.

It’s for those who heard the gospel and said, 

“NOT NOW”

“MAYBE LATER” 

“I’M NOT READY TO GIVE THAT UP”

God does not force anyone to love him. He gives people the freedom to choose him— or reject him. After all, how can a loving God force someone to spend eternity with him? 

But here’s the good news:

If Jesus told this story, it’s because He wants us to know the truth—before it’s too late.

He didn’t come to scare us.

He came to save us.

That’s why He died and rose again—so we don’t have to go to that place. Jesus made a way. But we have to choose it. We have to say yes to Him.

Think About This: 

Live with eternity in mind. 

As Christians, we don’t live our lives being afraid of Hell— we live our lives aimed at Heaven.

Heaven is our final home. Our true destination. And that should change how we live our lives right now.

We don’t belong to this world. We’re just passing through. That means we make decisions based on eternity— not just what feels good now. Live like you are headed somewhere Holy! 

Say no to sin because you said yes to Heaven. When you know where you’re going, you leave behind what doesn’t belong there. You don’t flirt with fire when you're walking toward glory. Stay ready— eternity can start at any moment. 

Lastly, help others get there too! The best way to live for Heaven is to bring others with you. Every act of love, every time you share Jesus— it echoes in eternity. 

Reflection:

    •    If today were your last day, where would you go?

    •    Are you living like Heaven is real… and Hell is too?

    •    Who around you needs to hear the truth before it’s too late?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus,
Thank you for being both a just and merciful God. My sin deserves punishment; it’s enough to cause separation between us, but when I turn to you, you take on my punishment in exchange for life. Today, I choose to make Heaven my home. I choose to live today with eternity in mind, knowing that you are my ultimate goal.
Forgive me if I have rejected you in any way. I want to be closer to you today than ever before, so that one day, I will be able to stand in your presence for eternity.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.