A Bottomless Pit awaits those who choose its attractions

A Bottomless Pit awaits those who choose its attractions

Another description of what hell or its environs may be like without any real reports from a visitor who came back to tell us.  That essential possibility cannot occur since there is a one-way ticket for whomever goes there.  We have one very picturesque notation in Luke’s Gospel.  “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day.  And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores.  Both died and when the poor man passed away he was carried by angels to the bosom of Abraham.  When the rich man passed away he went to the netherworld where he was in torment.  He raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.  He cried out, Father Abraham have pity on me.  Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering in these flames.  Abraham replied, my child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here , whereas you are tormented.  Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.”  (Lk 16: 19 - 20, 22 - 26).  Jesus could not have made it any more clear that once a soul chooses to make the very opposite of heaven his permanent home he remains there for eternity.  I mentioned more than once when I was a night adorer to the Sacred Heart and at 3 AM heard a blood curdling scream I shall never forget.  Upon looking outside the air was serene.  Returning back to my prayers a voice inside told me the scream came from the depths of hell!  That is frightening enough for me.  

We can all relate to the words regarding God sending souls to hell for sometimes the least of sins not repented of.  God does not nor will not send any of his children to hell like the rich man in Luke’s parable.  He went there because of his own choice and the same scenario is also ours as well.  Sin is a sure way to get on that train that cannot return us back to God.  However, turning from sin and seeking forgiveness is a guarantee that our ticket has a return stub that states repent and the train will stop before the dead-end of hell.  

A question regarding all the many dictators, murderers of children, evil procurators of human destruction; will they have an opportunity to save themselves?  Yes!  But only if they repent and seek God’s forgiveness before their last breath.  The likelihood of that becoming a reality is questionable, but God is not a warrior just waiting for us to make a mistake and thrusting us to eternal destruction.  His love is so great that with each tear he sheds for all sinners is one that has compassion as well.  Call out to God’s mercy while we are still cognitively able to do so. 

One time a close relative asked me if I knew anyone who was in hell.   My answer was a clear no.  I am not the one to judge any person no matter how evil their intentions were.  First, remember the people who commit evil are not necessarily evil, but their actions are.   To say that a person is born evil is to contradict the words of God, our creator;  “And so it happened.  God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.”  (Gn 1: 31).

God could not create anything bad or evil.  That includes mankind.  The evil that entered the world came from an entity that fell from grace by its own pride and has fought against the Goodness of God ever since.  Henceforth, the angel Lucifer and his followers do not have the same opportunity to avoid hell as human beings do.  Angels, good or bad, have the same free will as humans.   However the angels were created for worship and praise of God, but especially as part of the world God created for humanity.  For them to turn against God had to be a most atrocious act that destined them to eternal absence from heaven with no possible forgiveness.  

They had all of the goodness of heaven and the Holy Trinity, but allowed the lowest of immorality; pride to blind them to God’s love.    

Ralph B. Hathaway