Jesus' parable about the reality of hell (Luke 16:19-31) now reaches its climax.  The once-rich man had lost everything.  Nothing could comfort him in his hellish agony and he realised that there was no hope of any goodness coming to him – he was the wrong side of an uncrossable chasm separating Him from God’s love (Luke 16:26).

At least he had some conscience about the fate of his brothers and pleaded that the beggar be sent from heaven to warn those still living on earth.  But that was not possible either.  In fact, sufficient warning had already been given in God's Word (Isaiah 2:12; Daniel 12:2).  The final plea was that somebody could rise from the dead and return as evidence of the afterlife along with warnings as to how to avoid hell.  That resurrected person was Jesus and they still did not believe in Him (John 6:36).

There is an English saying, ‘There's none so blind as those who refuse to see’.  There is no problem with the evidence of eternity – Jesus came from heaven and returned there (John 3:13) with the promise that He will come again (Acts 1:10-11).  Many saw Him after the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).  Most of the apostles’ evangelism majored on the undisputed fact that Jesus had risen from the dead (Acts 2:32; Acts 4:10; Acts 10:39-41; Acts 17:18).  The problem lies not with the evidence but with those who deliberately choose to ignore it, so that they can remain focused on the trivial games of this life.  Jesus was also making clear that His own resurrection would not automatically win the world, because however clear the evidence, some people would still refuse to believe.

This remains true.  The principal sin which marks the road to hell is a refusal to believe in Jesus (John 16:8-9).  But those who hear the call of the living Jesus, repent of their unbelief, and place their trust in His salvation alone will certainly receive His everlasting life (John 3:16-17).  So it is most important that we share the good news with unbelievers while they are able to respond in faith (Jude 1:23).  However, for those who refuse, it is as though they never heard until death closes their options and they realise that it is too late.