Secrets from Beyond The Grave

2:11). Elisha and his servant saw the mountain where he lived surrounded by "horses and chariots of fire" (2 Kings 6:17), yet these fiery beings were not being consumed and burned up and were not uncomfortable with a spiritual body that consisted of fire. The rich man in Luke 16 spoke of being "tormented in this flame" (v. 24). The word flame here is in the singular form, a single flame, and not flames, as many. The wealthy sinner also said he wanted Lazarus to "dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue" (v. 24). If we were to touch a hot stove or get close to a fire, we would immediately jerk back our hands because the nerves in our bodies cannot handle the pain from the heat. However, a spirit body may actually react differently to fire than the physical body. Consider this: The rich man refused to feed a poor man, and in hell the rich man's tongue (the inside of his mouth) was burning. The flame may have been the intense burning sensation in his mouth that was never relieved. He had refused to feed a poor man, and throughout eternity the rich, selfish man may burn in his mouth--the very thing (not feeding the poor) that sealed his destiny to this tormenting compartment. Compare this to the sins of mankind. If a person stole money without restitution or without repenting, then their hands (which took the money) would burn. If their mind plotted to do evil, and they acted it out without repenting for their evil ways, then their head will feel it is "on fire," burning without relief. This concept of eternal suffering does not change the fact that there are literal flames and fire in the underworld. However, the spirits of men and women may be affected in a different manner than a physical body is when it contacts fire. I have always contended that the worst things about hell would not be the smoke, fire, or outer darkness within the bowels of the earth. To me, the worst part would be the complete absence of the presence of God! The second most difficult fact would be separation from a loving family, especially children. There is no indication of innocent babies or children being in hell. (There will be more on this in the section "Who Will Be in Heaven?") The Greatest Warning The greatest warning about hell was given by Christ Himself when He said: If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire. --Matthew 18:8-9 In this bizarre warning, Christ mentioned two hands, two feet, and a person's eyes. This may be because these body parts are the tools used when a person commits sin. For example, guns do not kill people, but a gun in the wrong hands has taken innocent lives. Walking past a bar with a strip club is not a sin if you pass it by, but many men have walked into such a place never knowing their feet were carrying them on a road to destruction. It is not wrong to see a beautiful person, but if a man continually looks upon a woman, it can lead to sexual immorality. (Just ask King David!) I know of no one who has ever requested a body part to be removed to prevent himself or herself from sinning. However, Christ is revealing that we must not be overly concerned about what occurs in the physical body, but we must fear spending eternity in hell. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who