Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Luke 16.30-31. Indeed, on the greatest works, successes and earthly ambitions, is written the terrible appreciation: “an abomination before God”. Also, what reversals of situations will appear in the next world! The Lord gives a striking example. This rich man was precisely an unfaithful steward. Although having his neighbor at his door, he employed for himself, in luxury and selfishness, what God had charged him to administer on earth. But the same event occurs for the rich as for the poor: it is death; sooner or later everyone meets it. And this story made by the One who cannot lie, proves that our story is not over for all that. Because it still includes the final chapter, the Lord of which, turning the page for a moment, allows us to read a few lines. What do we discover in this afterlife on which so many shuddering men wonder? A place of happiness and a place of torment! Then it will be impossible to go from one to the other, too late to believe, but also too late to proclaim the gospel. “Behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6: 1-10).
We have seen, by the teaching of the parable of the unfaithful steward, that under the regime of grace, the favor of God was not manifested by material blessings and that it was necessary, on the contrary, to use the goods that one could possess in sight of the sky. Thus, under grace, one must give up visible advantages for invisible ones (Luke 12:33), and even suffer, if necessary, because with the life of the Lord Jesus there is suffering because the Christian is not of this world; he waits for everything beyond the grave, where his hope is. This is why the Lord wanted to show us, through the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, what will happen after this life, on the one hand to those who will have suffered in this world without having had their goods, on the other side to the one who will have wanted to enjoy for himself alone the goods which he possessed here below.
For “there was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen, and who lived a joyful and dear life every day. A poor man named Lazarus was lying at his door, covered with ulcers, and anxious to be satisfied with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table; and even the dogs came to lick his ulcers. ” The Lord does not speak of the impiety of the rich nor of the piety of Lazarus; this is not what this parable teaches us. Indeed, the name alone of Lazarus is given; it means “help from God”, while the name of the rich is missing. For God is not interested in the name of the man who is not in relation with him and who has preferred the goods of the earth to him; and he will forget it forever.
This is why the two men illustrate the situation of those in this world who either want to enjoy the present without thinking of the future, or else give up everything in view of the future. Because in the eyes of men, the first is in an enviable situation, the second is pitiful; but the Lord Jesus draws the veil which hides the beyond; for the scene changes and the roles are reversed: “The poor man died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died, and he was buried. In Hades he lifted up his eyes; and while he was in torment, he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. ”
Because for one as for the other, as for all men, life comes to an end one day on this earth; and eternity opens up under the eternal consequences of what has happened here below. This is a solemn truth that must be taken seriously while there is still time. For we see Lazarus in the greatest bliss to which a Jew could aspire: indeed, “he was carried by the angels into the bosom of Abraham.” Thus, speaking to the Jews, the Lord Jesus uses a suitable image to make them understand the contrast that exists between a life of suffering and renunciation and its consequences in the other world.
This bliss for the Christian is expressed by: “to be with the Lord”. Because of the rich it is simply said: “He was buried”. They were no longer seen on earth, and the Lord alone could describe to us the situation of each of them on the other side of the grave. What a difference between these two men: indeed, “in hell he lifted up his eyes, and while in torment he saw Abraham from afar, and Lazarus in his bosom. He cried out: Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; because I am suffering cruelly in this flame ”. Thus, the tormented rich man does not ask to leave this infernal place; but only asks for a little refreshment. For after having lived in opulence in this world, he would have accepted on his lips the water that Lazarus’s finger could have carried him, that finger covered with ulcers when the beggar lay at his door. And two reasons are given to him for refusing such meager relief.
First, he had had his possessions during his life. He had had them all, but for the land; like the other rich man (Luke 12:21) who was “not rich for God”. For neither these goods nor their enjoyment can be transported to the other side of the grave; they had had their day; and this time having passed forever, torment was its eternal part. Then Lazarus on the contrary, consoled, in an eternal happiness, then enjoyed his goods. How the answer given to the rich is likely to make think those who put aside the word of God, in whole or in part! For they run the risk of remaining forever in the darkness without, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. “They have Moses and the prophets; let them listen to them “.
In addition, we also see the rich man understand that in order to go to heaven his brothers must repent. For it is absolutely essential to recognize your state of sin and to judge it in the light of the Scriptures, in order to be saved. Unfortunately, the material benefits of the rich man, the enjoyment of which was so dear to him, had prevented him from repenting: indeed, “why think about the future when we are so well in the present?” he had been able to say, and Satan helping by the care which he took to veil the future, led him in his well-being until the day of death when, the veil being drawn and the fate fixed, It is too late. And let us note again that what is said of the brethren of the rich man: “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded anyway that one of the dead would rise again.”
Finally, we may summarize as follows: (1) There is a warning to those who would be tempted to store up treasures on earth to satisfy their desires only. Those who possess wealth and do not use it for the eternal enrichment of others will see their earthly fortune turn into a curse at the time of death. (2) This passage refutes the existence of purgatory as well as any notion that would suggest the possibility of a second chance after death. There is simply no intermediate state before the final judgment. (3) This parable emphasizes the importance of being “persuaded” by the law and the prophets. This is the path that leads to faith. Those who close their ears to the voice of God in the scriptures do so at the risk of their souls. (4) The most convincing evidence for Christianity cannot persuade an unbelieving heart. Whoever refuses to believe in truth and righteousness cannot be convicted of sin. He will therefore not seek to repent.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and put together for your better understanding.
- Pleasures of the world: sought after as the main purpose of life:
Ec 2.2 “Laughter,” I said, “is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?” Ec 5.17 All his days he eats in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger; Ec 8.15 So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun; Is 22.13 But see, there is joy and revelry, slaughtering of cattle and killing of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine! “Let us eat and drink,” you say, “for tomorrow we die!” Ac 17.18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
- Without friend: examples:
Ps 31.12 I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. Ps 88.18 You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend. Ps 142.5 I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Mk 14.48, 50 I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”50 I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Lk 15.16 I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Lk 16.20-21 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. Jn 5.7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no-one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
- Final separation between the righteous and the ungodly:
Mt 13.30, 49 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’“ 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous; Mt 25.32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. Lk 16.26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ Lk 17.34 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left; (Rev 22.15 Outside are the dogs, those who practise magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practises falsehood.)
- Future punishment:
Ps 11.6 On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulphur; a scorching wind will be their lot; Ml 3.19 “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the LORD Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. Mt 18.9And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. Mt 25.46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Mk 3.29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.” Lk 3.17His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 2 Th 1.9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power; 2 P 2.9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. [Or unrighteous for punishment until the day of judgment]; Rev 14.11 And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.”
- Torments of the wicked:
Luke 16:23 In hell, [Greek: Hades] where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side; Rev 14.11 And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.” Rev 18.10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: “`Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!’ Rev 20.10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet had 662 been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
- Warnings against hardness of heart:
Lev 26.3 “‘If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands; Pr 1.24 But since you rejected me when I called and no-one gave heed when I stretched out my hand; Jr 7.13 While you were doing all these things, declares the LORD, I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen; I called you, but you did not answer; Am 4.6 “I gave you empty stomachs [Hebrew you cleanness of teeth] in every city and lack of bread in every town, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the LORD.; Haggai 2:17 I struck all the work of your hands with blight, mildew and hail, yet you did not turn to me,’ declares the LORD.; Mt 1.20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
- Irreparable loss suffered by the ungodly:
Ps 36.12 See how the evildoers lie fallen — thrown down, not able to rise! Pr 6.15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed — without remedy; Mk 3.29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.” Lk 16.26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’; (He 6.6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because [Or repentance while] to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace); He 12.17 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken — that is, created things — so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
Therefore, they did not believe either Moses or the prophets; then God sent his Son to them, whom they also disbelieved, and put him to death. But God resurrected him, nor did they believe despite the clear evidence of his resurrection. This is why the Jews paid the guards of the tomb to say that the disciples of Jesus had come to take away his body (Mat 28: 11-15). As this was not enough, they then rejected the testimony of the Holy Spirit given by the apostles at the resurrection of the Lord. Therefore God could do nothing more for them, and the judgment that awaited them came upon them. And so it is well proven that the resurrection from the dead cannot convince those who do not believe the Word of God, while “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God the rose from the dead, you will be saved.” Our prayers support you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments if necessary, before sharing with you next week “the need to always pray illustrated by the parable of the unjust judge”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.
حقيقي وقت ۾ جديد ويب خبر