Luke 16:19,31
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Lazarus was placed there to test the rich man, not being able to walk to work,giving him a chance to repent of his
selfishness, his sins. But he instead sent his dogs to torment Lazarus
Here is the extreme difference between the rich man and Lazarus.
One had all he could want and the other was desiring only enough to get by.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Lazarus never tasted of the cold grave, or of death. He had salvation in The Son of God,
the Holy one of God! Jesus! And so having salvation was carried away by the
angles to paradise.
Abraham’s bosom is a picture of paradise,
where Lazarus is in comfort.
Then the rich man also died, but if you will notice he was buried,
in a cold grave, suffering death, which is eternal separation from, our Heavenly Creator God, but that wasn’t the end of his life as some people believe.
Some believe that when you die that there is nothing more,
you just cease to exist, and others don’t believe in hell at all.
Looking at Lazarus we can see that there is life after death.
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeing Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
We also see that there is life after death for the condemned,if you can call being in torments, life.
those not saved, who don’t have salvation. But they are absent from the body
and immediately in the eternity of hell. No roaming the earth no chance to say goodbye, or change your mind about salvation. Once you die and leave this rock your destination is sealed for all eternity!
The rich man is also feeling his torment in hell and still has his sight, speech, thinking, touch.
seeing Abraham afar off with Lazarus, He is totally aware of his surroundings, and can do nothing about it, hopeless, forever.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime received thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Remember how a baby sleeps so sweetly, laying in mothers arms, in her bosom totally secure?
Lazarus , (those saved) has received his place in paradise and knows no more pain or
suffering at all.
The unsaved is tormented and the saved is comforted.
The rich man could have given to Lazarus and received a blessing but was
given to the gods of selfishness, lifestyle, money. He thought he could get his way even death. Look out OJ.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from here to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from there.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou would send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Even in “this place” hell he thinks hes still in control.
Twice trying to have his will attended to. This two is also
part of his torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
We only have time during this life to make a choice
to accept the Son of God, Jesus and his gift of salvation, or
to make no choice at all, which is a choice and will leave you
in the place of the rich man.
The Lord has said that now is the time for salvation, accept the free
gift by faith, through his grace.
This is the reason Jesus suffered death on a cross,
to pay the ransom for our sins.
We don’t know when our time will come to depart this world.
If anyone needs prayer, come forward so we can pray for you and your needs.
God is the only one in control, trust in him, praise him, serve him.
Bruce Peltonen
