Opening Prayer
Will You Know Your Loved Ones In Heaven or In Hell? The simple answer is Yes, you will. Let’s take a look at what The Bible says about this topic.
Luke 16:19–31
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Jesus never wasted words. When He spoke in parables, He spoke to pierce the heart, to shake us out of spiritual sleep, and to confront us with eternal realities. One of the most important teachings He ever gave is found in Luke 16:19–31, the account of the rich man and Lazarus — not a fairy tale, not a fable, but a warning from the lips of the Son of God. This story stands as a flashing red sign on the road of life: HELL IS REAL. HEAVEN IS REAL. JUDGMENT IS REAL. AND OUR RESPONSE TO CHRIST MATTERS FOREVER.
Jesus introduces us to two men who lived two completely different lives:
And Jesus wants us to see that earthly circumstances do not equal eternal standing.
The Reality of Hell: When both men died, the rich man awoke in torment. He could see. He could speak. He could feel. He could remember. Hell does not erase the mind; hell magnifies regret. He remembered his five brothers. He remembered his life. He remembered his choices. And he begged for just a drop of water — something he never lacked on earth.
Scripture tells us plainly: A great chasm is fixed. It’s not removable. No second chances after the end of the age. No parole. No escape. No appeals process.
Many today collapse in courtrooms when they hear long sentences read aloud. But how much more devastating will it be when sinners awaken to realize their sentence is eternal — without parole, without appeal, without end.
Why People End Up in Hell: People do not end up in hell because God desires it; they end up in hell because of their own persistent rejection of God’s mercy. Each sin we commit with a seared conscience pushes us further toward the flames. Hell is the destination freely chosen by those who reject Christ.
There is no front door, no back door, no side door, and no fire escapes out of hell. But praise God — right now, while you have breath, the door of grace is open.
Acts 4:12 emphasizes that salvation comes exclusively through Jesus Christ. In his address to the Sanhedrin, Peter declares that no other name under heaven can save humanity, highlighting the unique authority and power of Jesus. This statement follows the healing of a lame man performed in Jesus’ name, reinforcing the truth of Peter’s message. The verse also held significant cultural weight, challenging prevailing religious beliefs by asserting that faith in Jesus surpasses all other systems of salvation.
The Only Way of Escape:
Acts 4:12
“Salvation is found in no one else…”
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Jesus Christ is the only way. There is no Plan B. There is no alternate route. There is no “good person exemption.” Jesus said: “Enter through the narrow gate.” NO OTHER WAY” THIS ONE VERSE CANCELS OUT EVERY SINGLE RELIGION, BELIEF, DOCTRINES, ETC…THAT IS IT.
The broad road is easy. The broad road is crowded. The broad road is popular. But the broad road leads straight to destruction. And Jesus warns that many are on it.
False Assurance and Cultural Christianity: Jesus also warned: “Many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord…’ but I will say, ‘I never knew you.’”
Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Millions today believe they are heaven-bound because: They prayed a prayer once, They grew up in church, Their parents were Christians, They “believe in God,” They try to do good things. But Jesus never said, “Admire Me,” “Agree with Me,” “Add Me to your life.”
He said: “Follow Me.” “Obey Me.” “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” It is Written in John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commands.”
Demons believe in God and they are in Hade. James 2:19 “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”
Belief alone is not enough—true saving faith produces change. James 2:19 teaches that mere belief in God is not enough, since even demons acknowledge God’s existence and tremble. True, saving faith must go beyond intellectual agreement and be demonstrated through trust and active obedience. Drawing on the Jewish Shema, this verse reinforces James’s broader argument that genuine faith produces good works, distinguishing “living faith” from “dead faith.”
The Necessity of Repentance and New Birth: When the crowd asked Peter, “What must we do?” he did not say, “Just believe mentally.” He said: “Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins.”
Acts 2:36-39
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
When Jesus was speaking to one of the Pharisees named Nicodemus he was asking Jesus how to become born again. Jesus answered starting with Very Truly, I tell you. When Jesus Christ of Nazareth begins a sentence with “Very Truly I tell you you had better listen up and listen up carefully.
He said the following:
John 3:5
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
Jesus told Nicodemus: “No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” A prayer alone cannot save you. Lip service cannot save you. Church attendance cannot save you. Only a transformed heart through repentance and new birth can save you.
History Shows Salvation Is the Narrow Path: In the days of Noah — millions lived, but only eight were saved. In the wilderness — 1–2 million Israelites left Egypt, but only Joshua and Caleb entered the Promised Land.The majority is often wrong. The majority is often lost. Jesus never said many will enter Paradise. He said only a few.
Final Judgment Is Coming: Revelation tells us: “Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Thrown — because no one willingly walks into hell. Angels will carry out God’s judgment. This is not Old Testament imagery only. This is the New Testament warning from a Holy God.
The Compassionate Call of God: God stretches out His hand all day long to a rebellious people. He pleads, He warns, He invites, He calls, He draws. But His patience will not last forever. Once judgment comes, the verdict is eternal. Life or death. Heaven or hell. Light or darkness. Joy or torment. Right now, you must decide.
The rich man in Luke 16 begged for one more chance — but too late. You still have one. Hell is real. Heaven is real. Judgment is real. But so is mercy. So is forgiveness. So is salvation. And So is The Love of God. God’s Love is not unconditional as many false teachers preach.
My daughter and I were reading The Book of Romans and I asked her to count how many times she reads the word “If” in that Book of Romans The Bible. She counted 55 “If’s” Let’s look at the definition of the word “If” in the dictionary.
Definition of If:
a : in the event that b : allowing that c : on the assumption that d : on condition that
The word “if” is a conjunction that introduces a condition, often expressing uncertainty, possibility, or a hypothetical situation. Used in conditional statements (“If it rains…”) or to convey doubt (“I wonder if…”), the term dates back to Old English gif and shares roots with other Germanic languages. Unlike “when,” which implies certainty, “if” signals that something may or may not occur. Common expressions include “no ifs, ands, or buts” and “if only.”
Choose Christ while you still can.