As we draw close to the end of the series of teachings on the end time events, in this post we will be looking into the topic of hell and the lake of fire as contained in the scriptures. Before going any further, let’s first see what the scriptures says concerning hell and the lake of fire.
“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And 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.” Luke 16:23-24
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death”—Revelation 21:8
The first portion of the scripture quoted above, Luke 16: 23-24, is a part of the popular story of Lazarus and the rich man told by Jesus Christ. And if you read up Luke 16:19-31 you will discover that Jesus’ story of Lazarus and the rich man, was a true story, and not a parable as some people believe and teach.
If you read the story in context, you will discover that Jesus mentioned real characters, such as: Abraham and Moses. So the Lord’s story of Lazarus and the rich man (which some scholars says his name is Dives) is never a parable, but rather a real story. From the Lord Jesus’ story, we can clearly understand that hell or hell fire is a place of torments in the underworld or hades. And the torments there is with fire, perpetual and thirst and indescribable, consistent agony.
Then in Revelation 21:8 the bible talks about the lake of fire. And that the lake burns with fire and brimstone. Which means the lake of fire is similar to hell fire, but seems to be more torturing because along with the fire there is also brimstone.
And from the context of the two quoted scriptures which we are considering, it is very clear enough to conclude that hell fire is a temporal place of damnation or torture in the underworld, until the day of final judgment of God, at the great white throne judgment; the second resurrection of the unjust. While the lake of fire, is the final place of damnation and eternal torture for the unjust and condemned souls (see Revelation 20:11-15)
So Who And Who Are The Candidates Of Hell And The Lake of Fire
From Revelation 21:8, which I quoted earlier, we can easily be able to fish out the category of people who will be damned to hell fire and eventually the lake of fire after the great white throne judgment.
According to Revelation 21: 8, the category of people that will be going to hell are:
- The fearful (we are to only fear God. Living in fear of people or other things apart from God condemns the person)
- The Unbelieving ( Faithlessness in God, his Son, Jesus Christ and his word)
- The Abominable
- The Murderers
- The Whoremongers
- The Sorcerers
- The Idolaters
- And all liars amongst others
So if you must escape hell and the lake of fire, which is the second death, you must first of all believe in Jesus Christ. And after then you should turn away from every ungodliness and worldly lusts and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (see Titus 2:11-13). If you are yet to receive the Lord Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour, Click Here to Receive Jesus Now!
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