Where Do The Ungodly Go When They Die?
Questions About Death: Part 3.
In our previous article, we examined the unseen realm of the dead known as Hades.
We pointed out that within the Hadean realm there are two places: A place reserved for the righteous known as “Paradise,” and a place reserved for the unrighteous known as “Torments.”
In this article, we want to ask and answer the question, “Where do the ungodly go when they die?”
The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).
Previously we noticed from Luke’s account of the “Rich Man and Lazarus” (Luke 16:19-31), that Jesus emphasized the place called “Torment” where the Rich Man went after He breathed his last. Let’s revisit that text as we begin our study:
“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. “Then 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 fame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’
“Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.”
The Ungodly are in Torment.
The “certain rich man” is described as one who was ungodly. The language shows that he was “in torments” which proves that there is existence beyond the grave. There are some in the religious world that teach that when one dies, he or she ceases to exist but the Bible simply does not teach that.
Here we learn that the man was “in torments” and was "being tormented” which shows a continuation seeing that both phrases are in the present tense (ongoing, continuous torment).
Consider the language from Peter’s second epistle which further emphasizes this point:
“The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment” (2 Pet. 2:9).
In the context, Peter discussed how God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18-19) yet delivered Lot. While He “delivered the godly out of temptation,” notice He “reserves the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.” This would be Torment, the place within the Hadean realm designated for the “unjust.”
Hell and Torments.
While the rich man was being tormented in this place, he was not (and is not currently) in Hell. Hell will be the final place for the wicked, but “Torments” is the “waiting room” for disembodied spirits. Think of it as a waiting room at the doctor’s office. Both “Paradise” and “Torments” are in the Hadean realm.
While the godly go to “Paradise,” the ungodly go to “Torments.”
In our next article, we will discuss “Paradise” as the compartment within the Hadean realm for the righteous.
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
 | A guest post by
|