The parable of Lazarus is one of the most misunderstood. It is, first of all, a parable. It is preceded and followed by parables. It cannot be used to "prove hell exists." The parable means that the Jews for a long time enjoyed fellowship with God, then later they lost it and the gentile had fellowship with God. Maybe this parable is a good picture of what the lake of fire looks like, possibly, but we must remember it is a parable.

What about spiritual death? And what about the rich man and Lazarus? The rich man had gone to hell and he felt torment. He wanted to come back and warn his family. He was told he couldn't. He begged for just a drop of water on his tongue to relieve his suffering.