The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
In Luke 16:22-26 it is recorded that two men died. One went to a place of torment and fire; the other to a place of comfort, just the opposite. The one in the place of torment wanted to go to the other side, but could not because “ 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”(Luke 16:26).
Some people view this passage of scripture as not being literal. However, no matter how one views this, as someone said in an article I read recently, every word in the Bible is there for a reason. The point of these verses is that there are two places to go after death, either to a place of darkness or a place of light, and it is impossible to go from the place of darkness to the one of light once a person has passed from this life. I realize this is a rather negative way to begin an article, but death is a reality, and so is the afterlife.
These two kingdoms are obvious in our culture today. Some people have been taken “captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ”(Colossians 2:8), “with all wicked deception for those who are perishing because they refused to love the truth and so be saved”(II Thess. 2:10). Many are living in deception and delusion. This is because they are captive to the kingdom of darkness. “ In their case, the God of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God“(II Cor. 4:4).
The kingdom of darkness is ruled by Satan(there is a real devil). Many people are under the influence and control of the devil, maybe without realizing it, but some have openly stated it. He is the source of some of the violence, murders, and destruction that we are witnessing in our society.
However, in this life it is still possible to cross over from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of light. It is by the cross of Christ. It is a personal decision. “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (I Cor. 1:18). When a desire is made to use the cross of Christ as your bridge you will be transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of light. Jesus is the bridge.
He said in John 14:6, “ I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.”
I hope and pray that you will decide to cross that bridge today!
(Your personal responses to me are welcome. My email is in my profile at the bottom of this article.)
thanks john
keep preaching the word
from yur youngish brother in Christ
KK
This was not a make believe person in this story for Jesus to make His point but Jesus addressed him by his name as well as Stating that he was finding comfort in Abraham’s bosom. It would be a false statement for Christ to say that a fictional person was with Abraham upon death as well. We can’t get around this without calling Jesus a liar if it wasn’t a true story.
This was a warning for all who listens that this rich man went into hell. Not because of the rich man having wealth that caused his eternity abode in hell but by selfish living and taking credit for all that he had thus his possessions were his god that he relied upon. He showed no compassion or interest in the pitiful condition for this man Lazarus so he didn’t exhibit a merciful heart for others either.
People who would see it has a storybook tale may dismiss the idea of such a place. They say if there is a God then He wouldn’t allow such a place to exist. Interestingly enough they also say that God is suppose to love everyone even though they don’t want to know Him or chose to love Him back. But they are really judging God’s standards not knowing His words or how things have consequences. Their god is a false idea of who He really is.
But Jesus compassionately is warning us of these consequences so they turn away from the path that leads to destruction and comes to follow Him so they can find eternal life in Him through His sacrifice, death, and resurrection to destroy sin and death for everyone who comes to Him in belief and repentance so they receive redemption by His effort and not by their good works that cannot cancel out their sin debt.
Thank you for your comment that adds additional clarification to this subject.
John,
I loved how you wove this important message together, you did an excellent job with this.
Thank you
God Bless~