The record is given in Luke 16:23-24 of a wicked, lost, rich man who died and went to Hell. What a horrible experience for one who had fared sumptuously every day in life. A man who had all the conveniences and servants that money could buy, now screamed out in remorse for one drop of water to cool his poor parching tongue. The contrast was so very great between what he had on earth and what he had for eternity.

I cannot think of anything on earth that is as bad as going to Hell. According to God’s word, most people will go to Hell. Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter ye at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait (narrow) is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Most people will go to Hell according to God’s word.

Hell is Hell, and Hell is hot, horrible and agonizingly painful. It is permanent, powerful, lonely and unbearable. There is no escape, and nowhere in the future does one ever go free. The fire if fire, and it’s never going to stop down through the ages of eternity. It’s worse than my little limited vocabulary could ever express in words. The glad truth is, no one would ever have to go there, but they simply go because they fail to repent and receive Christ as their Savior and Lord. He has invited you to come and repent.

There are many painful things in Hell that we could mention, not the least of which is thirst. Oh, so thirsty but no water available. Then, too, there are all the sad memories of all the things that might have been. Perhaps he heard the gospel, but did not receive Christ. Perhaps he had a hundred opportunities but always said, “some other time, someday I will,” but he did not. Now it was too late and forever he would burn in Hell.

Perhaps the man in Hell will grieve forever about not getting saved and winning his wife, children, and friends and strangers to Christ. Oh yes, all the things that might have been, could have been, and should have been. The saddest words of tongue or pen are the things that could have been.