I use the KJV Holy Bible and for the definitions of Biblical words I use the https//godrules.net/library/kjvstrongs/kjvstrong’s and Strong’s concordance of the KJV BOOK because some words are not defined in the online version. No, I do not know why they don’t. If you wish to see why I use the King James Version Bible read the article About the Writer on this website.

THE REALITY OF HELL

(Matt. 25:41) Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels. (Deut. 32:16-28 esp. V.22) This is the first time hell is mentioned in my Bible.

Jesus is talking; (Luke 16:13) “No servant can serve two masters (Strong’s #2962: the owner, one who has control of the person): for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Strong’s #3126: treasure, riches).” SO: Jesus is still talking;  (Luke 16:19-31) (V.19) “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared (Strong’s Book #2165: be in a good frame of mind, make glad, rejoice) sumptuously (Strong’s #2988: luxuriously, splendidly, magnificently) every day:” (V.20) “And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores (Strong’s #1669: to be ulcerated),” (V.21) “And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.”

(V.22) “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s (Strong’s #11: the founder of the Jewish nation) bosom (Strong’s #2859 from the top: A bay of the sea): the rich man also died, and was buried;”

NOTE: #1) Obviously Abraham’s bosom was a beautiful holding place for the righteous Jews because Jesus had not endured His death, burial and resurrection yet to pay the price of our salvation with His blood. If you do not believe in the holding place please, please read the commentary Is God Fair? on this website. You will be shocked because there were 9 categories of people who did not have the opportunity to choose to go to heaven or hell! #2) It is also obvious the rich man’s wealth was his god and he worshipped his wealth. Can you see him ignore Lazarus? He could have obtained a doctor to treat Lazarus and have given him good food and one of his servants to care for Lazarus in a room in his mansion and have never missed the money or have done any physical work. But no, he had no compassion because he was intent on his god maybe looking over his property, collecting rent, gathering the profit from his businesses, etc., etc., etc. How many Christians are like that today? END OF NOTE.

I will not bore you to tears with putting NOTE: END OF NOTE. on these verses from Luke 16:19-31. I will simply place a highlighted comment concerning the reality of hell. (Rev. 20:11-15) All people, including you and me, will stand before God in our natural body and be judged. (V.15) “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Phil. 4:3) When a person accepts Jesus as Saviour their name goes into the book of life because (2Cor. 5:17) they are a new creature (Strong’s #2937: creation, the act of founding, establishing, building = (2Pet. 3:18 & Eph. 4:17-32) spiritual growth as a Christian) in Christ “old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (Rom. 8:15-17) (V.16) “The Spirit (Strong’s #4151: the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal and coeternal with the Father and the Son) itself beareth witness with our spirit (Strong’s from the top #4154: the rational soul), that we are the children of God.”

(V.23) “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments (Strong’s #931: torture, acute pains of those in hell after death), and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” He had a body just like you and me, he could think, he could move his body, he could talk, he could see, and he had the sense of touch, he could feel.

(V.24) “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.” The wet tip of the finger does not amount to even one drop. He begged. He had memory of his life lived before he went to hell and his tongue was burning inside his mouth; inward burning just like outward burning! He could see across the expanse that divided the two places!

(V.25) “But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted (Strong’s #3870: to call to one’s side), and thou art tormented.” He could hear! He had understanding! Abraham reminded him that he had been cruel and heedless toward Lazarus. And that made me wonder how he had treated other people in his efforts to become richer and richer.

(V.26) “And beside all this, between us and you is a great gulf fixed (Strong’s #4741: placed firmly, set fast): so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” He had comprehension! The crushing knowledge that he could not change his fate. His hope was gone. It did not say Lazarus could see across the expanse. It said even Abraham could not cross the great gulf fixed.

(V.27) “Then he said, I pray (Strong’s Book #2065: to request, beseech, intreat) thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:” Memory of his family. He was worried about his family in spite of where he was.

(V.28) “For I have five brethren (Strong’s #80: brothers, born of the same parents); that he may testify (Strong’s #1263: to give solemn testimony to one) unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” He loved his brothers. He knew his brothers were just like him; worshipping the god of wealth. Think of that! Burning in agony inside and outside yet he loved his brothers and he worried about his brothers and he struggled to prevent his brothers from coming to hell!

(V.29) “Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.”

(V.30) “And he said, Nay father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.”

(V.31) “And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

I will be 82 years old on my birthday this year on September 3, 2025. I can remember the old one room school I attended when I was a boy and they told us the basics of education were three R’s; Readin, Ritin  and Rithmetic; translated: Reading, Writing and Arithmetic.

(Luke 23:1 thru 24:53) These scriptures tell of Jesus’ trial, torture, death, burial and resurrection. But an amazing thing happened that is a revelation! (Luke 23:32-33) (V.32) “And there were also two other, malefactors (Strong’s #2557 from the top: criminal), led with him to be put to death.” (V.33) “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand and the other on the left.” (Luke 23:39-43) (V.39) “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed (Strong’s #987: to be evil spoken of, revile) on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” (V.40) “But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?” (V.41) “And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.” (V.42) “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” (V.43) “And Jesus said unto him, Verily (Strong’s #281: truly), I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

Picture that in your mind. Jesus in the middle with His nailed hands pointed to each crucified man on each side of him. Rebellion was on one side, Repentance was on the other side and Redemption was in the middle. It is the basic three R’s of Jesus’ offer of Salvation. WHERE DO YOU STAND IN THIS? HEAVEN OR HELL?

Jesus said; (John 3:3-8) (V.3) *****“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man (Strong’s #5100 from the top: whomsoever) be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”***** WHICH IS: (2Cor. 5:17) *****“Therefore if any man (Strong’s #1536: whoever) be in Christ, he is a new creature (Strong’s #2937 from the top: creation): old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”*****

When a person accepts Jesus’ offer of salvation their name is entered into the book of life.

BUT

GOD KNEW ALL CHRISTIANS WOULD SIN, EVEN THE APOSTLES! (1John 1:7-10) (V.7) “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (V.8) “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth in not in us.” (V.9) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (V.10) “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1John 2:1-2) “My little children, these things I write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate (Strong’s #3875: called to one’s aid, one who pleads another’s cause before a judge) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” (V.2) “And he is the propitiation (Strong’s #2434 from the top: atonement, the atoning victim) for our sins:” Again: God knew all Christians, even the apostles, including John who wrote this and also the book of Revelation, would sin. (1John 4:8 & 16) “God is love.” Just think of that; pure love, perfect love, living love! AND (Rom. 8:15-17 esp. V.16 keywords: we are the children of God) God loves His children which are Christians.

THE THRONE OF GRACE

(Heb. 4:14-16) (V.14) “Seeing that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” (V.15) “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling (Strong’s #4834: to sympathize with, have compassion for) of our infirmities (Strong’s #769: weakness of the body and soul): but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (*V.16*) “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” I don’t know about you but when I sin and go to Jesus’ throne of grace my head is down in shame and I feel like a total jerk! Drop a piece of ¾ inch plywood edgeways on your toes and you will not say; “Oh boy that felt great!”

BUT

(Rev. 12:10) Satan, the devil, accuses Christians before God day and night. (Rev. 12:17) And he makes war against those who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

SO: Picture the High Court in Heaven. When a Christian sins Satan, the devil, starts accusing that Christian and Jesus and God have to suffer the devil’s harangue about (Rom. 8:16) God’s child until the Christian spiritually goes to Jesus’ throne of grace, admits their sin and asks forgiveness. Jesus cleanses our sin with His blood, turns to God on His throne and says; “His sin is forgiven.”, God turns his angry eyes to Satan and says; “You’ve lost your case! Now get out of here!” And the Holy Spirit brings the Christian a message in his soul; “Your sin is forgiven.” The whole process is instantaneous.

DON’T FORGET

(Rev. 12:3-4 then 7-9) The devil, described as a great red dragon (Strong’s #1404: a great serpent, a name for Satan), had persuaded 1/3 of the angels in heaven to join him in his rebellion against God. (V.7) “And there was war in heaven: Michael (Strong’s #3413: the first of the chief princes or archangels) and his angels fought against the dragon; and angels,” (V.8) “And prevailed not : neither was their place found any more in heaven.” (V.9) “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent (Strong’s #3789: an emblem of cunning and wisdom, the serpent who deceived Eve), called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

(2Cor. 4:3-4) (V.3) “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:” (V.4) In whom the god (Strong’s #2316: a general name of deities, in this case Satan) of this world hath blinded (Strong’s #5186: to blunt the mental discernment, darken the mind) the minds (Strong’s #3540: mental perception) of them which believe not, lest the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

Writer’s Comment: Satan, the Devil, hates mankind and that started in the (Genesis 1:26 thru 3:24) Garden of Eden. Satan hates you, he will deceive you, blind you, and tell you any lie to prevent you from accepting the salvation Jesus offers you through His Holy Word and the Holy Spirit.

God Bless you and maybe we will meet in heaven.