With all due respect, this is how people of your doctrinal persuasion choose to make this.
There was a certain man... He was in torments (a deterrent for those who live). Understand this.
Jesus demonstrates that upon death, the righteous were comforted in Abraham's bosom. Abraham is alive. He rejoices to see Jesus' day (from Hades). God is the God of the living, not the "sleeping". Jesus said Lazarsus "sleeped". Lazarus was dead!
The wealthy man was in torments (in fire). They could see one another from across the gulf. Even though he spoke and reasoned (with Abraham), he was burning in torment (wanting even a fingerful of water).
The rewards begin upon death. After Jesus' death, He liberated those in what was paradise/Abraham's Bosom/Paradise.
There is a a difference between Hell and the Lake of Fire. Hell gets dumped into the Lake of Fire at the "final" judgment. Righteous men go straight to Heaven, and the wicked go to Hell to be tormented by flames and devils.
Even the devils will be punished in the Lake of Fire.
It's a second death, because those who go into it were raised into their bodies to be judged. They go into the lake at this point.
Truly God's ways are higher than ours. We would think it very cruel for a human being to burn someone alive (their death would be very quick, but extremely painful). Yet God Himself is going to do this. Is this not the worst torture? It is torture.
It's going to last too as demonstrated by verses that say that worms and flames will torment the wicked and they will not die. The rich man was burning and he did not "die". He was already dead (first death).
The thief went with Jesus into Hades (paradise on the "good side"). All of the righteous saints in the Old Testament went there. Even the other Lazarus went there.
Just as Jonah was in the belly three days, Jesus was in the belly of the earth (not sleeping!). He made a show of the rulers of darkness openly in Hades and then led captivity captive with His great love and took them to Heaven (Jesus taking the keys to Hell, death, and the grave).
It's only impossible if you believe everyone is napping until another day. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are living! They are now in Heaven (not paradise). Jesus told those who do not recognize the resurrection that they greatly erred. He wasn't talking about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob sleeping and then resurrecting 6,000 years later.
My wife's grandfather died and the family of Spirit filled believers were weeping over his body. They asked God not to take him from them. He came back! He was angry! He had already seen his wife at the veil. He had suffered from violent shaking from MS. He had a new youthful body. He did not want to come back. I believe he remained one day after this.
The figure of speech "sleeping" or to "sleep" is a metaphor for death. Jesus demonstrates this with Lazarus. To depart from this body is to be present with the Lord. Not too many people rotting in the grave (or even reduced to dust) are present with the Lord if they're sleeping.
They did not go to Heaven before Jesus' taking the keys from Satan. His blood sacrifice enabled all of those waiting in Hades to go to Heaven, where they are now.
They are both a state of spiritual being. Whatever state you are determines where you will abide. We are to abide in Christ, but even that is a choice (not a one time decision).
The man was getting his reward (as was Lazarus).
You remember Moses and Elijah spoke to Jesus before the cross. They were alive too!
My friend the Holy Spirit is alive and well also and teaching the church. He also uses the five fold ministry to keep believers from every wind of doctrine.
The deterrent is for those who would turn from Him. It's necessary because people do this (I did it) and the penalty is eternal and for ever. Yes, love paid the price so no one would have to go, yet people love to sin and enjoy the pleasures for a season (now trapped in bondage). If they don't repent, they go to Hell (not sleep until they are raised for a quick burning). The devils will have it worse than us because they led God's beloved astray (He, giving them freewill to make the choice themselves, just as He gave the fallen angels a choice when they were tempted.)
Jesus said to fear this and if we are abiding in His love, it's not a tormenting fear of God at all. Yet, for those who stray, it is supposed to be "tribulating".
This world is full of both angels and demons. We are merely houses and we must keep the Spirit of God in our house (abiding in Him), or else we become the habitation of devils. It's important to know this too, or else you won't be resisting him (them). You'll only be trying to resist your own flesh (secretly being afflicted by devils). As a roaring line he goes about seeking to and devouring those who do not walk in light.
It's important for all people (not just believers) to understand that they are accountable for their actions. Yes, if you abide in love, you need not fear Hell. But to tell others that God is different than His Word declares, is not wise and you become an unwilling party to deception. The punishment is forever and the smoke goes up forever. The worm and flame die not.
At the very same time in a different place, the joys of the Kingdom of Heaven are eternal as well (eternal as God is eternal).
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) I must see what he has to say.
