Rich man and Lazarus

  

Luke 16:19 Jesus said, "There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed and who lived each day in luxury.

20 At his door lay a diseased beggar named Lazarus.

21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man's table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.

22 Finally, the beggar died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried,

23 and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Lazarus in the far distance with Abraham.

24 "The rich man shouted, 'Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in these flames.'

25 "But Abraham said to him, 'Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.

26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. Anyone who wanted to cross over to you from here is stopped at its edge, and no one there can cross over to us.'

27 "Then the rich man said, 'Please, Father Abraham, send him to my father's home.

28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them about this place of torment so they won't have to come here when they die.'

29 "But Abraham said, 'Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read their writings anytime they want to.'

30 "The rich man replied, 'No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will turn from their sins.'

31 "But Abraham said, 'If they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even if someone rises from the dead.'" (NLT)

 

Most agree that this is an actual story, but to those who believe it is a parable it stiil illustrates several truths.

 

1. In heaven things may be reversed, the selfish rich man will be in torment and Lazarus will be in a separate place, where the saints were kept before the resurrection of Jesus the Messiah.

2. There is a hell, a place of torment

3. There was a place where the souls of the saints were held, called paradise.

4. The souls of the dead were aware of where they were

5. They cannot leave hell, but paradise was probably taken up with Jesus

6. Even though someone was risen from the dead, many will not believe

 

There is more to the story, but these I see from having read the story many times. Some want to say this is only a story, because they do not agree with it's truths. Parables illustrate truths, and actual stories are true testimonies.

Not Ashamed

Many say that they will not become a Christian because of what others would say. Listen now, Jesus paid the price to set you free enduring insults from all sides. Let go of your sins and foolish pride and come to the Savior of your eternal soul. He came to set you free.

Mar 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mar 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

Mat 27:38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
Mat 27:39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
Mat 27:40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Mat 27:41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
Mat 27:42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
Mat 27:43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
Mat 27:44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

One of the thieves on a cross next to him repented and Jesus said to him "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise."

Luk 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
Luk 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
Luk 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Luk 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Luk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.


Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Satan was cheering the crowd on and sometimes he may seem to be oppressing you. Remember who you are. Jesus is in you, His Spirit goes along side of you. Speak the name of Jesus and be at peace. You will never be ashamed of his name. He loves you and you love him back.

Joh 15:12  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 
Joh 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 
Joh 15:14  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 
Joh 15:15  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.