1. Contrasts in Life
19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. Luke 16:19–21 (ESV)
2. Contrasts in Death
22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, Luke 16:22 (ESV)
11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, Romans 4:11 (ESV)
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15 (ESV)
6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (ESV)
3. Contrasts in Life after Death
23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:23–31 (ESV)
24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Luke 6:24 (ESV)
M. Bently: There are five things about hell which are mentioned in this passage. (There is a difference between Hades and the Lake of Fire/ Intermediate state and eternal state . . . emphasis mine)
1. Hell is far off from the abode of the righteous; Lazarus was seen far away (16:23).
2. It is a place of torment; four times the word ‘agony’ or ‘torment’ is used (see 16:23, 24, 25, 28).
3. There is a great gulf fixed between heaven and hell (16:26).
4. The sufferings of hell are great (16:24). The fire of hell is unquenchable; it devours forever. Yet hell is elsewhere called the place where darkness dwells (see Matt. 8:12; 22:13; 25:30; Jude 6).
5. But perhaps the most awful thing about hell is that there will be no escape from it (16:26). No one can cross over from it.