Hell: In hell, the arrogant Dives (from the Latin adjective meaning “rich”) does not change! “As we live, so shall we die,” is frightening but true. The tongue that tasted the finest wines now longs for a drop of water and demands that the saintly Lazarus—whose identity he knows exactly, even though he never took him in during his days and nights of need—be sent as his errand-boy to slake his thirst! When that does not work, his boldness persists, but now he begs—begs this time—for Lazarus to go as a messenger to his five brothers. He brazenly winds up pointing out to Abraham that if someone from the dead were to go to his brothers they would repent.
Abraham’s answer to Dives’ pleas is the equivalent of those saddest of words, “Too late! Too late!” Wondrous events—a voice from the grave, even remembrance of Christ’s resurrection from the dead—would not automatically save people.