In article number three, we have reached the point, where it is now necessary to take a better, a fuller look at the “hadean” realm. This takes us to the story of “The rich man and Lazarus,” which is recorded in Luke 16:19 – 31. The text says that both, the rich man and Lazarus, died; and though it is not stated that Lazarus was buried, it is understood that he was buried. The text does state that the rich man’s body was buried. In death, their spirits/souls departed the body of each (James 2:26). The question: Where does the soul/spirit go after death; comes before us.
Luke wrote that the soul of Lazarus: “was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom” (verse 22). However, Luke also informs us that the rich man: “in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments” (verse 23). Clearly, each was in a different place; as one is comforted in “Abraham’s Bosom” (verse 22) while the rich man “in hell (hades) he lift up his eyes, being in torments” (verse 23). Now, here is the key point: “now he (Lazarus) is comforted, and thou art tormented.” The “rich man” was in a place of “torments,” while the spirit of Lazarus was in place of “comfort.” It is here that Luke, records the words of Abraham to the rich man: “And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed” (verse 26). The words, “beside all this,” refers to the fact, that Lazarus was in one place and the rich man was in another! However, notice that both are in the Hadean realm, but one is “comforted” while the other is “tormented;” and it is here that Abraham informs the rich man: “between us (Abraham and the Lazarus) and you there is a “great gulf fixed.” Notice the purpose of the “great gulf” which is “fixed:” between the two places, “so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence” (verse 26). To put it in simple words, there was no one-way highway running between the place of “torment” to the place of “comfort; neither was there a two-way street running both ways between the place “comfort” and “torment!” There is no way for the rich man to get out of his “torment!”
However, in the following illustration by means of the story of the rich man and Lazarus, we have learned, come to a correct understanding of “Hades.” This brings us to the Greek word “tartaroō” as it is used in 2 Peter 2:4: “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.” As for the purpose of this article, let me put before the reader, that the words: “the angels that sinned,” simply refers to “messengers that sinned” in the Old Testament time. These would have been God’s messengers on earth, who failed in the mission and sinned! Now, what happened to them upon death? Peter informs us, that they were “cast them down to hell (tartaroo).” Now, what was the purpose of this action? Peter answers, these “messengers” were “delivered into chains of darkness.” Which is figurative language meaning they were unable to get out of “tartaroo!” The language is like that of Abraham to the rich man: “so that they which would pass from hence (meaning the place of comfort) to you cannot; neither can they pass to us (the place of comfort), that would come from thence (the place of torments)!” Now, why are the “messengers” in “tartaroo”? Peter answers: “to be reserved unto judgment!” Therefore, judgment follows death and being in the Hadean world, for all those who die before the coming of Christ, go to Hades! The spirits of the just and the unjust, go to Hades upon death; there they are “reserved unto judgment!” Recall the words of the letter to the Hebrews: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). It is not hard to understand where the spirit goes after death!
Finally, we now recall Paul’s words: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). Upon death, all opportunity stops to change one’s eternity. For, all that are in Hades, must come to “the judgment seat of Christ” and be judged! There are only two categories of judgment: “good or bad!”
Friends, today you are determining your own eternal destiny! Should you die before the Lord returns, your body will be buried, your soul/spirit will be reserved in Hades until the resurrection, at which time you will come before “the judgment seat of Christ; where you will be judged “according to that you hath done;” “whether it be good or bad!” On the other side of judgment is heaven, a place of joy and comfort; or hell, a place of eternal punishment! Which will it be for you?
Frank R. Williams