Actually, I believe the word for hell is hades, 
the place of departed spirits.  At that time 
Hades was divided into 2 parts, paradise and the 
other part, a hell-like part.  Between the 2 
parts, was the great gulf, mentioned in the 
passage.  If you will remember, in Luke 23, while 
on the cross, our Lord told the repentant thief, 
words to this effect, today, you will be with me in Paradise.

earlier, Kathy Du Bois, wrote:

>Thanks Helen, for posting
>As the text points out, the rich man could see 
>Abraham, who was in heaven, but he couldn't see 
>his brothers on earth.  Besides, the rich man 
>was, evidently, in hell.  they can see 
>something, maybe, but it doesn't mention that 
>Lazarus could see anything of his previous 
>life.  He was being comforted and Abraham didn't 
>want him disturbed with earthly problems.  Plus, 
>if we believe that eternity begins, for us, when 
>we die, the statements in Revelation would take 
>affect upon our death.  We don't have to wait 
>for the second coming, the people who are still on earth do.
>Kathy
>
>
>
>At 03:57 PM 1/30/2007, you wrote:
>>Julie, here are the scriptures to which you refer:
>>
>>Luke 16:19 ¶  There was a certain rich man, 
>>which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
>>20  And there was a certain beggar named 
>>Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
>>21  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs 
>>which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover 
>>the dogs came and licked his sores.
>>22  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, 
>>and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s 
>>bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
>>23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in 
>>torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
>>24  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have 
>>mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip 
>>the tip of his finger in water, and cool my 
>>tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
>>25  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou 
>>in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and 
>>likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
>>26  And beside all this, between us and you 
>>there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which 
>>would pass from hence to you cannot; neither 
>>can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
>>27  Then he said, I pray thee therefore, 
>>father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
>>28  For I have five brethren; that he may 
>>testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
>>29  Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and 
>>the prophets; let them hear them.
>>30  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if 
>>one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
>>31  And he said unto him, If they hear not 
>>Moses and the prophets, neither will they be 
>>persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
>>
>>Please notice that the rich man was not even on 
>>earth.  He was in hell.  Also notice in verse 
>>26 where Abraham says there is a great gulf 
>>fixed between the rich man in hell, and Abraham 
>>and the beggar who had suffered partly because the rich man ignored his needs.
>>
>>My point is that the scripture account to which 
>>you referred is not concerning communication 
>>between heaven and earth.  My dear mother and 
>>father are in Heaven, and for all the years 
>>they have been gone, and in which I have missed 
>>them terribly, I wouldn't want them to know 
>>some of the suffering that I have endured or 
>>the sins I have committed since they have 
>>gone.  And I don't believe that they have 
>>known, else the suffering they endured in this 
>>life would not be ended.  Sorry, Julie, I just 
>>don't believe that those who have gone before 
>>are aware of what is going on here on the earth they left behind.
>>
>>In Jesus' Love,
>>Helen
>>
>>
>>Earlier you wrote:
>>
>>>Helen,
>>>
>>>That's a good point.  However, the passage in 
>>>Revelation is talking about the New Jerusalem 
>>>on Earth after the second coming.  At that 
>>>time, there certainly will be no more sorrow or pain forever.
>>>
>>>In the gospels, though, Jesus talks about the 
>>>rich man and Lazerus being able to see and 
>>>even communicate with each other on a limited 
>>>basis, and that would seem to support those in 
>>>heaven currently being able to glimpse those 
>>>on Earth.  Just my opinion but backed up with Scripture.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>JulieMelton
>>
>>
>>
>>"My Life is not in what He gives me, but in Who He is."
>
>
>
>
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John


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