Do you have scriptures or other sources 
concerning hell being hades, and it being divided 
into 2 parts?  So then paradise is not 
heaven?  And Jesus went to a holding place called 
hades before ascending to the Father's right hand?
How long did Abraham remain in that place?
More questions than answers,
Helen

Earlier you wrote:

>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."