Luke 16:19-31
²²Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried.
Here we again see a great difference. It is the different condition of this godly poor man, and this wicked rich man, at and after death.
The rich man probably got a big and nice funeral, with people speaking of how much they had loved and appreciated this man. People around will have known that he was carried to his grave.
On the other hand the body of Lazarus may just have been dumped somewhere outside the city, as was common in those days for beggars.
Jesus did not mention anything about that, but He did tell us that Lazarus was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom.
You know. When I die, I don’t need people to say how much they liked, or disliked me. The only thing I want to hear is “well done”, I hope to be faithful to my God until the very end. And I hope there will be angels for me too, to bring me home.
²³In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.
The rich man found himself to be in hell when he lifted up his eyes, and he was in torment.
I don’t think that there can be contact between glorified saints and damned sinners, but Jesus in this dialogue shows the hopeless misery the condemned spirits are in, and fruitless desires to which the condemned spirits are brought.
²⁴And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’
Apparently the rich man thought that he was still above Lazarus, and that he could use him, to serve him.
There is a day coming, when those who now hate and despise the people of God, would gladly receive kindness from them. But the damned in hell shall not have the least abatement of their torment.
That is why I am daily calling you to repent of your sins, and go to Jesus for atonement, and take up your cross, and follow Him. I have no idea how long I will still be around to call you, and I have also no idea how long you will still be around to be able to hear me. So please don’t delay!
If you don’t decide, but delay, someday time will decide for you, but then it will also be too late for you.
You are now called again;
but I know that many of you will not listen.
You are not willing to surrender it all to Jesus.
You think it costs you too much.
While you have no idea how much this delay may cost you.
You will always find ways to avoid taking your decision.
Many wicked people have lots of good things on this earth, but remember that is only for this temporary life! Many do not realize that after death they will be for ever separated from all good, and only have torment.
In the same way godly people experience evil things in this life, but after this life they will the very far away from all of that.
To be continued
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