Setting The Record Straight On Hell

Text: Luke 16:19-31

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Many American churches today do everything in their power to minimize or avoid the uncomfortable doctrine of hell. Some soften the language of hell, others ignore it entirely, and still others reimagine it into something symbolic. But, dear friends, just like we did with angels, demons, and heaven, today we are going to set the record straight on hell. We are going to lay aside the myths and misconceptions about hell and instead listen to the clear teaching of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke on the subject of Hell.

Now, just a brief note: it must be asserted that many people today understand hell more from culture than from the Holy Scriptures. For example, hell is often portrayed in culture as a fiery underworld with a red devil poking people with a pitchfork. Or, hell is seen as an eternal party for all the rebellious souls. Still, others deny hell’s existence altogether, thinking it a scare tactic from a bygone era. And then there’s the most common view — that hell is only for the worst of the worst: serial killers, dictators, and those who root for the wrong football team.

Jesus, though, speaks plainly in Luke 16 of a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus. The rich man feasted and lived lavishly while Lazarus was covered in sores, begging for scraps at the gate. Then came death. Lazarus was carried by angels to Abraham’s side in heaven. The rich man died and found himself in Hades, in torment — in hell. Indeed, from the lips of Jesus Himself, we hear about hell.

And so, first, we must be clear: hell is real. It is not a state of mind or a symbolic idea. It is a literal place of punishment, created originally for the devil and his angels, and for all who die in unbelief. Hell is not mere inward distress or a temporary setback — it is the full experience of God’s righteous judgment. And so, to deny the reality of hell is to deny the gravity of Christ’s own words. Jesus described hell as a place of fiery agony, conscious torment, and irreversible separation from God.

Second, we learn that hell is eternal. There is no escape, no second chance, no purgatory. The chasm between heaven and hell is fixed, as it is stated in Luke 16:26. That is to say, the punishment of hell is not for reformation but is the rightful consequence of unbelief and rebellion. There is no remedy in the afterlife; there is only justice, and punishment of hell is not unfair — it is the outcome of persistent rejection of God’s mercy and grace.

Third, as it was briefly mentioned, hell is not unfair. The rich man is not condemned for being rich, just as Lazarus is not saved for being poor. The issue is faith. Lazarus clung to the promises of God. The rich man trusted in himself and his possessions. And so, to be perfectly clear, hell is not for those who make mistakes — it is for those who harden their hearts to the Gospel.  It is for those who pridefully reject the kindness and grace of Christ. As Jesus said, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16).

Furthermore, it is worth noticing what the rich man does in hell. He does not repent. He does not confess his sin. He simply wants relief. He treats Lazarus as a servant and pleads for a warning to be sent to his brothers. Even in torment, the rich man remains spiritually blind. That, dear friends, is the terror of hell — not just the pain, but the total absence of faith, hope, and love. Mark this, in hell, there will be no atheists since their torment in endless punishment will convince them of the existence of God.  However, the damned in hell will remain fixed in their hostility toward God, with no desire for reconciliation.

And so, hell is a place devoid of grace. It is a realm where God's mercy, which abounds in this life through Word and Sacrament, is no longer accessible. With hell, the day of grace will have ended. No hymns are sung in hell. No prayers are answered. No comfort is given. And the greatest torment is not the fire, but the knowledge of eternal separation from God — the source of all goodness, beauty, and truth. There, the conscience of the damned will gnaw forever, regret festers without relief, and the sinner remains fixed in rebellion.

Dear friends, but why must we be so blunt about hell?  We must speak clearly about hell because it underlines the urgency of the Gospel. You see, if we deny hell, we must also deny heaven. For the same Lord who speaks of heaven speaks also of hell. To affirm one and not the other is logically inconsistent and the mark of wishy-washy preachers who fear offending ears more than they fear God. The truth is that heaven and hell both stand or fall together. Either the words of Christ are true, or they are not. Either justice is real, or it is a lie. Either sin is punished, or God is a liar. But we know the truth, and today we speak it plainly.

And this truth, dear friends, is that the existence of hell reminds us of the immense value of the Gospel. It reminds us of the beauty of God's mercy, that He would rescue us from such a fate. If hell is a myth, then there is no such thing as justice. If there is no hell, then there is no need for the Gospel. But hell is real, and God’s wrath is not symbolic. On the cross, Jesus endured that very wrath. He cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"—not for His own sin, but for ours, so that we would never be forsaken.

And so, please listen carefully, the fact that Jesus tasted hell on the cross for you and me gives us the comfort that by Christ we are not headed for destruction.  This is not something we can attribute to our own wisdom or willpower. It is entirely the work of Christ and His grace for you and me. 

Again, please sit up straight and open your ears: since Christ has conquered hell by the cross and the empty tomb, heaven is your inheritance. So when the devil accuses, you may boldly say, "I am baptized," and throw Christ into his face. Your Savior has triumphed. Every accusation from the devil is null and void. The enemy may snarl and threaten, but he is toothless. He cannot condemn you. His lies fall flat against the truth of Christ. In Christ, hell is no longer your end. 

This triumph over hell, though, is not only a comfort for you — it is also a call to compassion for others. Let this reality renew your heart for the lost. Let it stir us from apathy. Let it keep us from treating hell lightly. Instead, may this compel us to grieve for those who are perishing, to pray fervently for the unconverted, and to labor in love for the spread of the Gospel.

Baptized Saints, please consider this: how many people around us live oblivious to the danger of hell? How many drift through life unaware of what awaits them apart from Christ? Let this sober truth stir us to speak with boldness and compassion about Jesus. Let us be willing to be seen as fools for Christ, if it means warning our neighbor and extending the call to repent and believe.

Let this echo out of this sanctuary: hell is not God’s desire for mankind. The Lord desires all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). No one is dragged to hell against their will — they go by their own rejection. But you, dear saints, have been brought through the narrow door of Christ. You have been transferred from darkness into light, from death into life. And the same hope is available for your neighbor. The door is not yet closed for them. The time of grace is still open. The call to repentance still echoes. The waters of baptism still flow. The Lord’s Table is still prepared. God has not abandoned this world — He is still calling sinners home to Himself. 

So today we set the record straight: hell is real, just, and eternal. But the good news is this — hell is not your destiny. Christ has made a way. He has conquered the grave and shattered the gates of hell. He descended to achieve victory, and He ascended to prepare a place for you.

In Christ, there is no condemnation. In Christ, there is no fear. In Christ, there is paradise. Therefore, cling to Him. Trust in Him. Abide in Him. And proclaim His truth with joy and confidence to your neighbors, for there is always more grace in Christ than there is sin in all of us.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.