Human spirit in Hell
and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Luke 16:23.
Human spirit can discern existence of certain supernatural things like heaven, paradise, hell etc., while a man is alive on the earth only if he is willing to know. In this regard, the word of God says –But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding Job 32:8. But this understanding by a human spirit may not be comprehensive as the word of God also says- For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God 1 Corinthians 2:11. To understand the things of God, you need the assistance of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit of God shall teach you things of the Lord and leads you into the truth. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26
The spirit of a man has the ability to discern certain things of supernatural realities after his death. It can be ascertained that this rich man never saw Abraham but probably might have heard teachings in the synagogues about the faith of Abraham. Still, how could he confirm that the man was Abraham whom he never saw? He could also see Lazarus who also died but not with him in hell? His human spirit after coming out his body was able to sense some of the supernatural things of which Word of God testifies. But his understanding about them was not complete in Hell.
From the above verse, a human spirit after entering the hell –
(1) Can see –the things in hell and in Abraham’s bosom or paradise of God. But these were eyes blinded by the devil while the human spirit in his body on the earth. It may be understood that human spirit can lift up spiritual eyes after his death which were blinded by the god of this world. As the Bible says – “in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them 2 Corinthians 3:14; also read –because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:11
(2) Can feel –torments by the fire in hell. 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. Luke 16:24. How could the water come in Paradise? In this regard, read this verse –To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7 Also read –In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations Revelation 22: 2. In this paradise of God, there are (1) tree of life & (2) the river of God flowing from the city of God. These are accessible only for them that have right to the tree of life (Revelation 22:14) but not for them in Hell.
(3) Can remember – The rich man spirit told Abraham that he had five brothers. Though he was not alive, still remembers his family on the earth.
(4) Can reason – At the first instance, the rich man asked to send Lazarus to send him with dip of water to his present place –hell. But Abraham replied that there was great gulf fixed between Paradise and Hell. Why could not the rich man see this gulf? He understanding in the hell was partial in nature. Immediately, the spirit of the rich man thought for the alternative. If Lazarus could not come to him, he reasoned and asked that Lazarus may be sent to his five brothers on the earth. Here, the rich man thinks that if a man resurrected from the dead goes to his family, he may testify the realities of hell and heaven so that they will be saved. Abraham replied that they would not believe even if a resurrected from the dead- JESUS CHRIST- goes to them. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets ; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham : but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead Luke 16:29-31
(5) Can regret – the rich man spirit asked Abraham to send Lazarus, whom he never cared on the earth though he was in a worst condition before him, to his five brothers on the earth. The human spirit may regret for his negligence to the gospel of the Lord and the Word of God. But the right to take decision to receive HIS salvation was granted to human beings as long as the body and spirit were in-separated on the earth. The time to make a decision to have salvation elapses after death. If you are not saved by the blood of Christ, remember your chance for making decision to receive Him as savior will be time barred after your death.
Remember the spirit residing in you is from the Lord. If it is from the Lord, how much great it is and how much better it can think about all the things of eternal life. The same spirit resides in you and me on the earth too. But your sin and disobedience allowed the god of this world to blind your eyes. But the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. If you hear and do not believe the word of God, it is difficult for you to enter His Kingdom. Ask our Lord to open your spiritual eyes to believe the things of spirit. Read this- Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures Luke 24:45 .You may believe the things of heaven and eternal life after the spirit residing in you leaves. But the opportunity to receive His free gift of salvation will not be available to you in Hell. This is the reason the Bible says –Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed : blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed John 10:29. How many of us will get this opportunity to see and then believe? Unbelievers will also get an opportunity after their death to see and believe but it is of no use as it will be too late for them like the rich man.