""There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered in sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
" The time came when the beggar died and the angles carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'
"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'
"Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' "No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'""
Heaven and Hell are real.
NOT a parable. Real people.
What happens when we die?
Hades- Abode of the dead.
Paradise/Hell.
Not purgatory.
Both- consciousness, bodies senses.
Heaven- God's presence, comfort, no thirst/water.
Hell- no presence of God, fire, agony, thirst, despair, confession. Regret.
Riches nor Suffering determine your eternity.
Lazarus was not in paradise simply because he suffered in life.
The rich man was not in torment simply because he was rich.
Love of money is a barrier to heaven.
A vow of poverty can be a barrier as it brings pride.
Power, fame, self-reliance, worship of relationships- barriers!
The starting point is the right perspective on the things of God and the things of this world.
Not by works, or heritage, or nationality, or anything else.
We are saved by faith in the grace that comes through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.
All will stand before the judge.
All= everyone.
No one will escape judgement.
The one appointment you cannot reschedule!
"Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgement," Hebrews 9:27
Beggar died- angels carried him to Abraham's side. Paradise.
Rich man died- buried.
There is no crossing over. There are no more invitations. No more second chances. No do overs.
We are to warn world.
Not mock the world. Not take joy in their demise. Warn them.
Some will believe. But for many they will not believe even though even though "SOMEONE" has risen from the dead.
The world hates the truth. The world hates the light.
How horrifying it will be to those that reject Jesus!
