Jesus uses a story about the rich man and Lazarus to illustrate that man’s idea of righteousness is not God’s (Luke 16:19-31). In that same chapter, Jesus said to the Pharisees who were lovers of money, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God” (Luke 16:14-15). The message from Hell is this, “Warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment!” (Luke 16:28)
The subject of Hell is not one to bring up in casual conversation. Some might mention it as a curse and nothing more. Most do not believe it even exists. I am persuaded that if people were convinced of its reality, they might change their behavior.
Jesus teaches that there is a place of torment, “In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment” (Luke 16:23a). Even some who believe in Jesus do not believe there is a place of torment. Just because someone doesn’t believe in something doesn’t negate its existence. It just makes it even more dangerous. They are rushing headlong into a danger that they are not even trying to avoid. If asked, those that don’t believe in Hell will often believe in Heaven. If Disney can convince people that “All Dogs Go to Heaven,” then surely Satan can convince people that only Heaven awaits us all. It is true that Jesus said that He went “to prepare a place” for us, those that are His followers (John 14:2-3). But, where did Judas go? Jesus, speaking of His disciples, said, “not one of them perished but the son of perdition [destruction]” (John 17:12). Then, in Acts, “Judas, by transgression, did fall, to go on to his proper place” (1:25, YLT). “Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born” (Matt. 26:24). Where was that place? If we believe in Heaven as a place, we must believe in Hell as a place. You can’t have one and not the other.
What we know of Hell is that it is a place of great torment. The Scripture does not describe a place we would want to be (Isa. 66:24; Mark 9:44; Rev. 14:11). We have seen that men do go to Hell. Many have or will go. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it” (Matt. 7:13). Also, “the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). According to Jesus, those in Hell are concerned that their loved ones not follow. You do nobody a favor by going to Hell because so and so went. That person would implore you, “DON’T COME HERE!”