How devilish it is to tell someone to go to hell let alone to lead someone there. The Bible teaches that the soul is immortal and after death one goes either to heaven or to hell. God does not want anyone to be consigned to hell. (See 2 Peter 3:9.)

Jesus told a story of a rich man who feasted royally everyday in his palace. He had no thought for God or of the less fortunate. A poor, diseased beggar sat outside the palace gates in the dirt and squalor, hoping for some scraps from his table. Only the dogs took pity on him and came and licked his sores.

One night both men died. The rich man awoke in the flames of hell. Across a great chasm he could see the beggar being comforted in Abraham’s bosom or paradise. The rich man cried out in agony, “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” (Luke 16:19-31).

When the rich man was told that it was not possible, he then begged to have someone go back and warn his five brothers “lest they come into this place of torment” (Luke 16:28). When he was told no, for they already had Moses (the Word of God) and the prophets (the preachers), the rich man cried, “No!”

What was it that sent the rich man to hell? Was it his riches? No, being rich doesn’t send anyone to hell nor does being poor get anyone into heaven. The rich man committed the greatest sin of all! He said “No” to God. He not only said “No” to Abraham but like multiplied thousands he said “No” to God’s provision for his sins – the sacrificial blood of God’s Son Jesus Christ which was shed on the cross. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus who gave Himself a ransom for all. . .” (I Timothy 2:5, 6).

Centuries ago on October 31st people in Britain built bonfires in hope of warding off the demons of hell. But only Jesus is the light of the world that shines in the darkness. (See John 1:4-12.) Instead of October 31st look to Psalm 31. David declared, “In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust. . . deliver me in thy righteousness” (Psalm 31:1). Only the Lord’s righteousness can save us. David prophetically revealed one of Christ’s last sayings from the cross, “Into thine hands I commit my spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth” (Psalm 31:5).

Satan is the father of lies and the lord of the flies. Jesus is the Lord God of truth. Satan tries to conceal Hell’s Best Kept Secret. That being good, rich, or religious will not get you into heaven. Only repenting of your sins (Acts 2:38) and saying “Yes” to God’s provision of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ can we have eternal life in heaven. The rich man in hell came to know that too late. He pleaded, “If one went unto them from the dead they will repent” (Luke 16:30, 31).

On October 31, 1517 an earth shaking reformation began. Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. That brought about the Reformation that restored a large part of biblical Christianity and started the Protestant Church – named so because those who were involved “protested” the corrupt state of the church at the time.