LAZARUS AND THE RICH MAN

LAZARUS AND THE RICH MAN  LUKE 16: 19-31

   To me, the scariest story in The Holy Bible is the one about Lazarus and the rich man.  It just seems to pronounce finality, hopelessness.  I have family and friends who act as though they are not saved by The Blood of Jesus.  It breaks my heart wide open to think of losing them for eternity.

   Here is how the story goes:

   Luke 16: 19) There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: (he dressed and ate very well)

   20) And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, (unable to walk or work)

   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.  (King James Version)

COMMENTARY

  First of all, let me say, this story came straight from the mouth of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  If it were not true, He would have declared it as just a story or a parable, or such.  No, He says, "There was a certain man...", which tells me that this man was just as real as George Soros or Bill Gates, or any other rich man.  He lived enjoying fine things in this life and gave no thought to eternity.  Whether you have riches or not, it is dangerous to give no thought to eternity.  We are not promised tomorrow.

   Why did Jesus call Lazarus by name and not the rich man?  Because He "calls His own sheep by name".  Let that sink in for just a moment.  When you are saved, Jesus calls you by name.  

   Why did Lazarus have such a hard time in life?  Because he was part of a nation that had drifted so far from God and forfeited all right to claim His temporal mercies; mercies that were promised to the nation if they obeyed the Divine Law.  Note that the dogs who licked his sores cared more for him than did the rich man.

   The timing of this was before the death and resurrection of Jesus.  From the time He died on the cross, His children are with Him in Paradise, not in "Abraham's bosom".

   But here is the saddest part:  Abraham refused to send "one back from death" to witness to the rich man's brothers.  The rich man, himself, did not study the Torah.  He did not attend the synagogue.  He was too busy with selfish pleasure to be bothered.  His brothers had the same opportunity as he.

   Verily, I say to you, "Time is running out". We are quickly coming to an end of this age of grace.  The time is now, if you are going to take action and #preparefortherapture!   Let me end this post by quoting Proverbs 11:4:  Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.  (NIV)

It is my prayer, that all who read this post will accept the gift of salvation and have his name written in The Lamb's Book of Life.

   You are encouraged to visit our "Pathway to Salvation" page on this blog  (click here:  https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html).

  We also encourage you to leave a comment with your thoughts.  We would love to hear from you.


Furthermore, you are invited to visit Oma at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com, http://omaslife.blogspot.com, and http://omashealth.blogspot.com.