Many people do not want to discuss the topics of hell and the lake of fire, but it is still very important, lest we end up there one day. What people must realize is that there is a holding place where the wicked will go when they die called hell, and then after judgment, these same people are cast into the lake of fire. We know this since in Revelation 20, it reads, 6“and I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15) So we have people in hell being brought before God in judgment, where after being found out that their names were not in the book of life were cast into the lake of fire. This is where they will experience a second death. What this next death is like, while in this lake of fire is unknown. All we know is that it will not be pleasant.
We know that the rich man, in the story of the rich man and Lazarus, that he died and woke up in hell. It reads, 3“and it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 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. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” (Luke 16:22-26) What is described to us here are two different places. Hell and paradise (Abraham’s bosom). Every unbeliever or wicked person goes to hell when they die, while every believer in Jesus who doesn’t practice sin but does His will, will end up in paradise. These are the two places where people will stay until judgment. Then, as we learned from above, the person in hell will end up being cast into the lake of fire, while people in paradise will end up going to heaven to be with Jesus. So now we must ask, what will hell and the lake of fire be like?
When you think of hell, the following keywords should come to mind, fire, torment, pain, and ever thirsty. And take these afflictions and double them for the lake of fire. In this place, there is a furnace of fire that never ends, outer darkness, everlasting destruction, torment that doesn’t stop, weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth, and a second death. Every person that goes to hell and the lake of fire will never stop being in pain. Their sicknesses will never cease. I say this because the Bible says, 1“the Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:41,42) 2“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41) 4“In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” (2 Thessalonians 1:8,9) 5“And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” (Revelation 14:10,11) Does this sound like a place any person would want to be?
So who ends up in hell and the lake of fire? The Bible answers this question as well. It says, 1“the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.” (Matthew 13:38-40) “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40) 3“Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.” (Luke 16:25) 4“In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 1:8) 7“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 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 21:7,8) My friends, now you know who goes to hell when they die. You also know who will spend the rest of eternity in the torments of the lake of fire. However, you do not have to be a part of this majority group of people. Instead, start believing in Jesus and live your life for Him and not sin. This will save your soul from hell.
Let us pray:
Lord, I pray for every person that is currently heading to hell right now. May this not be their final destination come death. Instead, lead these people to repent of their sins and cry out to You for forgiveness. I do not wish to see people that I know and love spend their eternity suffering in hell and then the lake of fire. This would be so awful if they went there and could not join me and others in heaven. If people could just know that in heaven there are no more tears, sorrow, or pain. It is a joyful place where we will be forever in Your presence, oh Lord. Oh the things that we will see and experience in heaven, and even the new earth, for those that loved You and honored You in the way they lived their lives. Lord, I know that since I found You will I never again walk in willful sin, but according to Your will. I will never again allow the homeless to go hungry and not have their needs met. There are so many things I will not do again, for I know it goes against Your perfect will. Lord, anything that draws me away from You is not good but evil. So I will trust in you always, in order to withstand these temptations. Lord, I do not care about the riches of this world, but the things I can do for others with my time and money. If I am not building up Your kingdom in all I do, then I must be standing idly by and must be awakened. Lord, too many people think they are saved, but have still not given their whole lives to serving You. Their faith is by word alone still and is therefore lukewarm an unsaved. So awaken them to really know You in prayer and in Your Word, the Bible. Then, will they begin to honor You, even for all their days and find rest in Your presence come death. These are those that will escape the bonds of hell and be with You forever in heaven. I love You, Lord. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.