If One Could Hear from Hell

“And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores … 22 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; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 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 … 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 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.”  Luke 16:20-31

In Luke 16, Jesus tells of two men that died.   One found himself in Hell. The other found himself in a comforting, rewarding place where Abraham and other believers temporarily dwelt.

A rich man discovered that Hell was real, and the torment was unbearable.  Most likely, he had little concern for where he would go after his death, but then it was taken seriously.  He knew there was no hope for him, and that he would be facing an eternity of torment, pain, and separation from God.

However, he wanted his five, still-living brothers warned of the dangers of Hell-fire.  He pleaded for an opportunity to keep his family from also ending up in that terrifying place, but he was denied that request.

All in Hell surely regret the wasted opportunities they had to keep from spending an eternity there. It is too late for them.  However, they most likely want their remaining family to avoid Hell’s torment.  I am sure they all wish their loved ones had a chance to heed the Word of God and be saved, so they would never experience what they are.

Nowhere in God’s Word is there an account of the damned conversing with the living (although deceiving demons may have tricked some).  If Hell-imprisoned prisoners or one from the dead could communicate with the living, what would be their plea?

It may be a thirst-caused raspy voice, exhausted from endless terror and torment that would reach out to a loved one.  The plead would be personal; I am sure. “Bruce, please listen to me. Jesus is the only way out of this dark, lonely, abyss of hopelessness.  Stop mocking Hell; it is real!  Run to that Baptist church on the corner. Beg the preacher to tell you what the Bible says you must do to avoid this torment. What he warned us of is true! Go now! Pleasssse, go now.  Don’t wait!”

Perhaps a barely audible whisper from Hell would plead, “It’s me, your father.  I failed to be saved from this terrifying torment.  Don’t waste your time on Earth, as I have.  Trusting Jesus as payment for all your sins is the only way to miss Hell.  Go to our Christian neighbor next door and beg him to show you what the Bible says one must do to avoid the place.  Don’t wait!  Go now, while you have the chance!”

A pained, frightened voice from the lonely bowels of the Earth would undoubtedly beg a grandson to flee the child’s sin and to read, believe, and obey all that is within the pages of God’s Word.  “Heed it, Bobby!  It’s all true! Read it and do as God commands in the Bible.  It’s too late for me, but not for you! Please, Bobby.  I beg you — go!”

Although logic may tell us that hearing a cautioning cry from Hell or beyond the grave would change our minds and encourage us to live as the Lord desires, God knows better.  He knew that, as people of the early church ignored what prophets, believers, and God’s Word warned people, they would most likely continue to take God’s promises and warnings lightly.  Pleadings from the dead will not permanently change hearts.

The only action that will rescue anyone from that tormenting destination is to believe God’s saving words by faith!  Faith is what saved the poor beggar whom Christ used as an example.  He had no sign or heard no warning from a Hell-imprisoned soul.  He just believed what he had heard.

The beggar had the same conviction that millions of sinners since Jesus’ time have had. That trusting, believing, and obeying faith is still sufficient to save a person today.  Visual or audible proof will not usually soften or change the heart of an unrighteous person.  Only believing God’s warnings and promises will allow a person to enjoy an eternity with Jesus!
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6