The Bible teaches that there are distinct outcomes in the afterlife based on one's relationship with God, as illustrated in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.
In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus recounts the parable of the rich man and Lazarus to reveal the reality of the afterlife. The rich man, who lived a life of wealth and indulgence, finds himself in torment after death, while Lazarus, a poor man who suffered, is comforted in Abraham's bosom. This parable illustrates the irreversible separation that occurs between the saved and the lost, a concept that reinforces the seriousness of one's spiritual condition and the eternal consequences that follow death. The imagery of a fixed chasm emphasizes that one's fate is determined in this life, leading to eternal comfort or eternal anguish.
Scripture References:
Luke 16:19-31, II Thessalonians 1:9, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Revelation 21:4, Revelation 21:3-4, Psalm 16:11, 2 Corinthians 5:8
Commentary