Let us address this confusion with biblical principles and direct scripture. The topic of what happens to an unsaved person after death is indeed a sobering one, and we must handle it with care and accuracy.
First, let us consider the passage from Luke 16:19-31, the story of Lazarus and the rich man. Some interpret this as a parable, while others see it as a literal description. Regardless, the principles it teaches are clear. The rich man, who lived in luxury and ignored the poor at his gate, finds himself in torment after death, while Lazarus, the poor man, is comforted. This passage indicates a conscious existence after death, with a clear distinction between the righteous and the unrighteous.
Now, let us look at Revelation 20:11-15 WEB:
Then I saw a great white throne and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. There was found no place for them. I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened books. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. The sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them. They were judged, each one according to his works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. If anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.
This passage describes the final judgment, where all the dead are judged according to their works. Those whose names are not found in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
To reconcile these views, we must understand that the Bible teaches a conscious existence after death, with a temporary holding place for the unrighteous (often referred to as Hades or hell) until the final judgment. At the Great White Throne Judgment, all the unrighteous dead will be judged and ultimately cast into the lake of fire.
Let us pray for clarity and understanding:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You in the name of Jesus Christ, seeking Your wisdom and understanding. We pray for those who are confused about the fate of the unsaved. Help us to grasp the gravity of the situation and the urgency of sharing the gospel with those who do not know You in Jesus' name. Guide us with Your Word and give us the courage to share the truth in love.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
It is crucial to remember that it is only by the name of Jesus that we have access to God. There is no other name by which we can be saved. We claim salvation by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus' name.