A letter from SHEOL.

A LETTER FROM SHEOL.

A smile was plastered on my face as I gurgled down a glass of red wine. Tomorrow I would be appointed governor of this large city with over 10 million citizens. There would be a big party at my place after my  inauguration and a lot of journalists will be around to cover the event. No doubt, by next tomorrow, my name and face would be splashed across all the newspapers in the state and my popularity, wealth and influence amongst the people would rapidly increase.
 I dropped the empty glass on the glass center table and walked dreamily to my bedroom, my pot belly going a few inches before me.
I was about taking off my agbada when my eyes caught the begger outside my window. I frowned and moved closer to study him. That beggar had been there for as long as I could remember. The security guards had done their best to get him out of the gate of my house but he always came back. Now, he had come to stay, a permanent eyesore to whoever saw him. I despised him in my heart and hissed as I saw one of the maids give him a bowl of leftover food to eat. His body was covered in ugly sores and dogs following his scent, had become his only companions.

I shook my  head and left the window. I would not allow a beggar to ruin my night. I pulled off my agbada and dropped heavily on the bed.

The next morning, I opened my eyes to a strange environment. All I saw was pitch black. And an awful smell of sulphur and burning bodies wafted through my nostrils. I frowned as I realized I  was falling of my own accord down a very large pit. As I fell, I became terribly aware of an uncomfortable heat wrapping round my body. Suddenly, my eyes fell on thousands of people painfully screaming in a very orange pool. What was that pool? Why were they screaming? Realization hit me again as I understood that the orange pool was fire. My  body dropped and made contact with the fire and I screamed for help. But my voice was drowned in the screams and agony of all the other people.
I cried but I didn't feel my tears. What was this place of terrible torment? Why was I here? I lifted up my eyes and saw a familiar person. It was the beggar that used to stay at the gate of my house. For a moment, my heart soared with hope.
"Larry!" I shouted.
Larry, resting comfortably in Abraham's bossom nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"Larry!" I shouted again. Larry was not in torment. He looked happy. "Larry, please get me out of here. I'm in pains!" Larry told me he couldn't help me because I was too far away.
I cried. "Okay, please can you get me some water. Even if it's just a drop. My throat is burning."
Again, my request was turned down. There was no way he could reach me .

I, the rich man was desperate. The hope I was clinging to was fast slipping from me. I felt as if I was clutching at straws.
"Okay... okay." I breathed, the pain was unbearable. I couldn't believe my body was on fire. "Can you reach my brothers that haven't died? Tell them that this place is real! Hell is real! Tell them they should try their best to not come to this place of unbearable torment. Please, Larry! Go and tell them. Write them a letter and tell them of this place!"
To my utmost disapointment, I was told that that was impossible. They had pastors and teachers who would tell them on Earth. They had the Bible. That would be the only letter they could have on Earth.
I let out an ear-splitting scream as I knew there was no more hope for me. As the flames licked my body, I realized I was lost. Lost forever.


Dear jewel, if this letter reaches you, I hope you know that Heaven is real and so is hell. The rich man asked this letter to be delivered to you . He wants you to know that you should not play with your life and end up in hell. Don't allow your riches or possession to blind your eyes. He also wants you to know that there is a Heaven, the place of rest for people who have surrendered their lives to Christ and live uprightly. He wants you to do everything you can to get there. He wants you to give your life to Christ because that is the only way you can avoid Hell and escape everlasting torment. Don't be lost. Don't be lost forever. Come to Jesus today.

Luke 16:19-31.