We hear so much about hell and what it is, that it is well to turn to the authority of Scripture and hear what God says.
In Luke 16:19-31, the veil that hides the other world from our eyes is drawn aside by Him who is truth itself, the One who never exaggerated, and who never kept back part of the truth.
1. In verse 28, we learn that hell is a place of torment. There are three words in that chapter that describe hell as no other words can: Remember (verse 25). Reader, what must it be to remember in hell! There, it would be untold comfort to forget all the privileges and good things of the past—aye, and gospel meetings and Bible lessons. Say you that hell is remorse? That is only part of it.
2. Tormented—(verse 25). This word describes the effect of the awful present in the flames of hell.
3. Fixed—(verse 26),—completes the picture. No ray of hope ever enters that dark abode of misery, that place of weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. Pain, present torment, can be borne if there is any hope of relief; but what must it be when the doom is fixed forever?
Reader, dare you risk coming into that place of torment? Have you heard Moses and the prophets? Listen to them now: "To Him (Jesus) give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43.
"Moses truly said unto the fathers, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever He shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that Prophet, shall be destroyed from among people." Acts 3:22, 23.
The rich man in hell asked that one be sent to his brethren from among the dead, but was refused. God has sent One to us from the dead, and He says, "See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh: for if they escaped not who refused Him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven." Heb. 12:25. Yes, Jesus is raised from the dead, and now speaks to us from heaven.
Reader, if you refuse to listen to Him, if you neglect this great salvation, you will come into that place of torment which is called hell. Oh! think of those three words:— Remember—Tormented—Fixed. No further words are needed to add to that picture. God Himself says, THIS IS HELL.