Luke 16:19-31 19. “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. 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; 23. And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 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 receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest 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. 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.”
Today I would like to take our study from Luke 16:19-31. In these verses of scriptures we will find a story about two men that lived long ago in the days of Moses. We are going to take these verses of scripture to show us that there is a place called heaven and a place called hell. And in one of these places you will spend your eternity. There is no might or maybe about it you will. Let us look at these verses of scripture now. First of all let was take a look at the man that is mention first, the rich man. “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:” Luke 16:19 (KJV)
From what the Bible tells us about this man he was very rich. A man that must have every thing money could buy. He had fine cloths and ate a wonderful meal every day. No doubt this man had a fine home, servants and any thing else money could buy. Next the Bible tells us about the other man. A beggar by the name of Lazarus. 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.” Luke 16:20-21 (KJV)
This was a poor man that had nothing. He was full of sores. He had nothing to eat because he would beg for the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. The dogs were the only thing other than God that had pity on the man. No doubt this man went to sleep many nights hungry. We read that both of these men died.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;” Luke 16:22 (KJV)
There are some people in this world that don't believe there is a hell. According to Luke 16:23 “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” Luke 16:23 (KJV)
You see both of these men died. The rich man went to hell and Lazarus went to heaven. The rich man was able to feel, see, hear and talk. He was in torment. He even saw Lazarus the poor beggar that he wanted nothing to do with in the comfort of Abraham's bosom or the paradise of God. The rich man did not go to hell because he was rich. He went to hell because he refused to trust Jesus as his savior. This man no doubt was given the opportunity to be saved just like the beggar. Jesus is the maker of the rich man and the beggar. The rich lifted his eyes in hell and new where he was. He begins to beg Abraham to send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and put that one drop on his tongue. “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.” Luke 16:24 (KJV)
Abraham begins to remind him of the life that he had lived. When all was said and done the rich man begin to plead with Abraham to send Lazarus back to his father's house to warn his five brothers. You see he did not want them to come where he was. There has been many in this world to die and lift their eyes in hell. They never intended on going to hell. Hell is a place where there is no love, joy, and peace. What you will find there is trouble, torments, pain and sorrow. Hell is a place you don't want to go. The thing is you don't have too. Jesus came into this world bleed and died on the cross that you may mess hell and go to heaven. Each one of us well spend eternity some where. So I ask you where will you spend yours. You don't have to go to hell. You have a choice. Please choose Jesus and go with me to heaven. It is so wonderful that God fixed it so that the rich and the poor can stand side by side on the other side. Please don't put off salvation because you may not get another opportunity. Then you like the rich man will lift your eyes in hell. I beg you don't let that happen. Jesus died for you.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas
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