“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments. . .” Luke 16:23

What you're about to read is hard to believe. . .

We're going to examine the place the Bible calls Hell.  We'll present documented evidence for a place called Hell.  Don't take what you're going to read lightly.  If what you read is true — YOU COULD BE IN SERIOUS DANGER!

Several years ago a book was published, entitled Beyond Death's Door by Dr. Maurice Rawlings.  Dr. Rawlings, a specialist in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease, resuscitated many people who had been clinically dead.  Dr. Rawlings, a devout atheist, "considered all religion "hocus-pocus" and death nothing more than a painless extinction".  But something happened in 1977 that brought a dramatic change in the life of Dr. Rawlings!  He was resuscitating a man, terrified and screaming — descending down into the flames of hell:

"Each time he regained heartbeat and respiration, the patient screamed, "I am in hell!" He was terrified and pleaded with me to help him. I was scared to death. . . Then I noticed a genuinely alarmed look on his face. He had a terrified look worse than the expression seen in death! This patient had a grotesque grimace expressing sheer horror! His pupils were dilated, and he was perspiring and trembling — he looked as if his hair was "on end."
Then still another strange thing happened. He said,"Don't you understand? I am in hell. . . Don't let me go back to hell!" . . .the man was serious, and it finally occurred to me that he was indeed in trouble. He was in a panic like I had never seen before."
(Maurice Rawlings, Beyond Death's Door,(Thomas Nelson Inc., 1979) p. 3).

22 . . . 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.
25. 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.
26. 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.
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. (Luke 16:22-28)

HELL IS A PLACE OF FIRE
The man in Luke 16:24 cries: ". . .I am tormented in this FLAME."

In Matthew 13:42, Jesus says: "And shall cast them into a FURNACE OF FIRE: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

In Matthew 25:41, Jesus says: "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting FIRE,. . ."

Revelation 20:15 says, " And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the LAKE OF FIRE."

 THE BIBLE GIVES THE LOCATION
                           OF HELL
When Jesus Christ died on the cross, He descended into Hell.  In Acts 2, Peter is speaking, verse 31, " . . . seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in HELL"

When Jesus Christ died His soul went into Hell.

And in Matthew 12:40, Jesus Christ says:

"For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly: so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the HEART OF THE EARTH. "

The Bible is clear — Hell is inside the earth!

Ephesians 4:9, says of Jesus: "Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the LOWER PARTS OF THE EARTH."

On page 85 of Beyond Death’s Door, Dr. Rawlings writes patients who described Hell said, ". . . this place seems to be UNDERGROUND or WITHIN THE EARTH in some way."

The Birmingham News, April 10, 1987 had an article entitled "Earth's Center Hotter Than Sun's Surface, Scientists Say".  The article stated that scientists have recently discovered, "THE EARTH'S INNER CORE HAS A TEMPERATURE OF OVER 12,000 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT!"

Have you seen pictures of a volcano erupting, spewing a lake of fire from inside the earth — consuming everything within miles just from the heat?  When Mount St. Helens erupted in May 18, 1980, it was described by reporters, "when HELL surfaced upon the earth."  The book, Volcanoes, Earth's Awakening (p.91) describes an erupting volcano as "descent into HELL".

Thousands of years ago, the Bible described a place called Hell in the heart of the earth that matches exactly what science is discovering.

YES! THERE IS A PLACE CALLED HELL!
In Numbers 16, the Bible gives the account of people falling into Hell alive!

"And THE EARTH OPENED HER MOUTH, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive INTO THE PIT, and the EARTH CLOSED UPON THEM:" Numbers 16:32-33

Inside this earth, this very moment, there are millions of lost, tormented souls — burning, weeping, wailing — without any hope whatsoever!

In Mark 9:46, Jesus Christ says about Hell: "Where THEIR WORM dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."

Jesus said explicitly — THEIR worm — not a worm, or the worm — but THEIR worm.  The Bible teaches that Christians will one day have a body like the Lord Jesus Christ.  Could it be, as some Bible students teach — that men and women in Hell take on the form of their father, Satan (John 8:44)?  In Revelation 12:3, Satan is described as a red dragon.  Could Jesus Christ be referring to the body lost men and women will have for eternity?

The earth’s crust on land is normally 50 miles thick.  You’d have to go down 50 miles before the edge of the fire.  But in parts of the ocean floor, the earth’s crust is less than a mile thick.

Scientists recently discovered cracks on the ocean floor where fire was leaking out. Do you know what they found around these fire-breathing vents in the crust? Eight-foot long worms, found no other place in the world!  The book, The Deep Sea, by Joseph Wallace (p.39), reads, "Perhaps the strangest of ocean creatures recently discovered are Riftia, the giant tube WORMS.  Measuring up to 8 feet in length, the worms are ONLY FOUND NEAR DEEP SEA VENTS."

And Jesus Christ said, "Where THEIR WORM dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."

Revelation 14:10 says, " . . . and he shall be tormented with fire and BRIMSTONE . . ." And Job 18 describes the " . . . PLACE of him that knoweth not God" (vs 21), in verse 15 as, " . . . BRIMSTONE shall be scattered upon his habitation."  Do you know what brimstone is?  It's sulfur.  And do you know where sulfur or brimstone is found?  INSIDE THIS EARTH!  According to the book Volcanoes by Pierre Kohler (p. 43), when Mt. St Helens erupted in 1980 — 150,000 tons of sulfurous gas was ejected!  Job is the oldest book in the Bible, written over 3,000 years ago, and yet Job knew what science wouldn't know for years — inside this earth is BRIMSTONE!

HELL IS A PLACE OF TORMENT
Jesus says of the man in Luke 16:

23 "And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in TORMENTS. . . "
24 ". . . for I am TORMENTED in this FLAME."
28 ". . .PLACE OF TORMENT."

It is humanly impossible to comprehend the Bible description of Hell.  Nothing on earth can compare with it.  No nightmare could produce a terror to match that of Hell.  No horror movie could describe it’s fright.  No crime scene with all it’s blood and gore could begin to match it’s horror.

                                       You'll see HELL. . .
                          You'll smell HELL. . .
                          You'll breathe HELL. . .
                          You'll hear HELL . . .
                          You'll feel HELL. . .

It'll be beyond anything humanly imaginable!
The Bible describes it as weeping (Matt 8:12), wailing (Matt 13:42), gnashing of teeth (Matt 13:50), darkness (Matt 25:30), flames (Luke 16:24), burning (Isa 33:14), torments (Luke 16:23), everlasting punishment!  Jesus Christ says in Matthew 25:41, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into EVERLASTING FIRE, prepared for the devil and his angels."

In Matthew 13:42, Jesus says: "And shall cast them into a FURNACE OF FIRE: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

HELL IS FOREVER!
All who enter Hell — abandon all hope!

The horror of Hell — for even one second is unbearable — but FOREVER!

Jesus says in Matthew 25:41: ". . . Depart from me, ye cursed, into EVERLASTING fire,."

Rev. 14:11: "The smoke of their TORMENT ascendeth up for EVER AND EVER: and they have NO REST DAY NOR NIGHT."

What could possibly be worth eternity in Hell?  No wonder Jesus Christ warned so much about Hell!  No wonder Jesus said in Mark 8:36, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and LOSE HIS OWN SOUL?"

Jesus Christ took Hell very serious. . .
Jesus Christ says in Mark 9:43-47,

43. And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
45. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
47. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

Jesus Christ took Hell so serious — He could say without the slightest hesitation — to remove your eye, cut off your hand or foot, if that would keep you out of Hell!

If Hell is not real — Jesus Christ was the most deceived man that ever lived!

I’ll challenge anyone to read the words of Jesus Christ and tell me they are the words of a deceived man!

Jesus Christ knew exactly what He was talking about!

As you leave your body — you realize something is happening. You hear a sound. . . getting louder and louder. . . screaming . . .weeping. . . wailing.  Terror and fear beyond anything you could imagine overtakes you.  "This can’t be happening!" you scream.  Your nostrils are filling with the awful stench of burning souls.  Your face ignites from the heat. Flames are now blazing from your eyes, nostrils, ears, mouth — every opening in your body, flames are roaring out.  Your body is sizzling and crackling from the flames.

Your body is now madly thrashing and convulsing from the horrible pain. "Why don’t I die?", you scream.  You begin weeping and gnashing your teeth with the millions.  "When will this pain stop?"  But you know it will never stop. . .

The darkness is so terrifying, it begins engulfing you.  You feel something moving in the darkness. . . something horrible is happening.  "No! No! This can’t be happening" you scream — as your worm is emerging.

You begin cursing the day you were born. You scream — "Oh God, why didn’t you warn me? "— but you remember the preacher pleading with you to receive Jesus Christ.  You remember reading that gospel tract.  You cry — "God don’t you care?  " — but you remember John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,. . ." "God is a God of love — He won't allow this", you cry — but you remember John 3:36, ". . . he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

And you soon realize, that Jesus Christ was right!  There is a place called Hell.

But God is a God of LOVE. . .  Why would a GOD OF LOVE send me to Hell? Yes, God is a GOD OF LOVE — but God is also a HOLY GOD.  A HOLY GOD demands payment for sin.  Otherwise God would NOT and could NOT be HOLY.

Because God is holy — sin MUST be condemned.  Joshua 24:19 says, ". . he is an HOLY GOD;. . . he will NOT forgive your transgressions nor your sins."

BUT FRIEND I HAVE GOOD NEWS!
God does NOT want you in Hell
Hell was not made for man.  Matthew 25:41 says, Hell was, ". . . prepared for the devil and his angels:"

Because God is a GOD OF LOVE, and He LOVED YOU so much, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to this earth to die a cruel death on a cross to pay the price a HOLY GOD demands for your sins.

Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

God does not send someone to Hell.  You choose Hell when you reject Jesus Christ.  When you refuse God's love gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ. . .

YOU CHOOSE HELL!
Millionaire Ted Turner, said in an interview, "I’m looking forward to dying and being cast into Hell.  That's where I belong."  You say — he’s a fool!  But friend, when you say "No"; to Jesus Christ and His payment for your sin — you are saying the same thing!  You’re telling God — I don’t need Jesus Christ — I’ll pay for my sins in Hell!

If you reject God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ
ONE DAY YOU WILL BE IN HELL!

Dr. Rawlings has watched as thousands of people depart into eternity.  Most people think they'll somehow "sneak" into heaven, but Dr. Rawlings claims most people descend into the flames of Hell!

Jesus Christ gave a solemn warning in Matthew 7:21-23

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. . . MANY will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

If it was for a few days, a few months, a few years or even a million years, but to be tormented — FOREVER!  You will despair of ever having any deliverance!  You will beg for death itself to come and take you away!  You will curse the day you were born!  Revelation 14:11 says, "The smoke of their TORMENT ascendeth up for EVER AND EVER: and they have NO REST DAY NOR NIGHT."

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"Mark 8:36:

God has something far better than words can describe for those who love Him. I Corinthians 2:9 says:

". . . Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."I Corinthians 2:9

Friend, there is a place called Hell!  And, if you continually refuse God's gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ — just as sure as you live and breathe — ONE DAY YOU WILL WAKE UP IN HELL!

Don't wait until you die to find out the truth about Hell!  Tomorrow may be too late! Proverbs 27:1 says, "Boast not thyself of tomorrow: for thou KNOWEST NOT what a day may bring forth."

Three people die every second, 180 every minute, since you started reading this — 2000 more people have gone into eternity!  An automobile accident. . .  A heart attack. . , A stroke. . .One thing is CERTAIN — you will DIE — today. . . tomorrow . . . a week. . . a month . . . a year. . . 5 years. . . 10 years. . . 20 years. . . 50 years — ONE THING IS CERTAIN —" . . .it is appointed unto man once TO DIE . . ."

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this THE JUDGMENT." Hebrews 9:27

"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the LAKE OF FIRE." Revelation 20:15

If you've never received Jesus Christ as your Savior, bow your head this minute and ask the Lord Jesus Christ to save you.  Don't put it off another second!

Realize you CAN NOT save yourself.

Realize that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for your sins.

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" John 1:12

" ...Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:30,31

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John  3:16

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE SAVED?
Please, Pray this prayer, and mean it with all your heart.

Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, please forgive my sins and save me, or I will be lost forever.  I thank you for dying for me at Calvary.  I come to you now, Lord the best way I know how, and ask you to forgive and save me.  I now receive you as my Lord and Savior.  In Jesus Christ Name I pray, Amen.

If you just now prayed this prayer — 

"How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;" Heb. 2:3