MONDAY October 24, 2022 

The Rich Man and Lazarus

“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.”
Luke 16:19-21

Biblically, before the Cross, hades, the place of the dead, had two compartments. We see this truth revealed in the true story of the rich man and Lazarus, a poor beggar. In life, Lazarus was poor and in pain, but when he died, he was taken to a place of comfort. You see, when the righteous died, they were taken to a place of comfort called Abraham’s bosom. When the rich man died, he was taken to the other side, tormented in hell’s flames (Luke 16:22-23). 

In hell, the rich man sought for God’s mercy, but it was too late to seek God’s mercy. In the flames, the rich man was tormented––never at peace. He could not quench his thirst in the flames. Abraham reminded him of his life of wealth and of Lazarus’ sufferings. He told him of the gulf that separated the just from the unjust (Luke 16:25-26). 

The rich man could remember his lifetime when he was wealthy, and he could buy what he wanted and live in luxury. All five senses were active in hell. In his mind, the rich man could remember every sin and all the opportunities he had to make things right between him and God (Luke 16:24-25). His life replayed before him like a movie reel for all eternity. 

The rich man begged for someone to be sent to his five brothers to tell them of the reality of this place of torment. Abraham let him know: “ ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead’ ” (Luke 16:31). Jesus rose from the dead, and people still do not believe the Scriptures! 

Biblically, heaven and hell are real places. Hell, the lake of fire, is a place of torment (Revelation 20:14). Pay attention to the Word of God. I guarantee, if people saw hell, they would never be the same. Pray for people, because once a person dies without Christ, there are no second chances. 

If you are still unconverted, thank God that you are still not in hell.
~Andrew Murray~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!