THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS
Compiled from a book published by RBT Bible Ministries
Only God could take us to the underworld, and He did so in Luke Chapter 16: 19 – 31, in the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
Please open your Bible to:
Luke 16:19-31
This is a parable, told by Christ to His disciples, but, from this story we are also able to understand much about Hell. It is not just a story about the Rich Man and Lazarus. It is a revelation of Hades, or Hell (“Torments”) and what it is like for those who reside there.
As the parable begins and unfolds, read it and meditate on what is being revealed … listen carefully to the conversation. Christ is our narrator: After reading, please review the following 8 points of doctrine gathered from verses 19-31.
1). There is conscious existence after physical death … (the conversation between the Rich man and Lazarus 19-33).
(Please Note: Physical death for the unbeliever occurs when the soul leaves the body; For believers, physical death occurs when the soul and spirit — from being born-again spiritually, through the saving work of Christ on the cross — leave the body.)
2). There is torment of unbelievers who suffer agony in the flame and severe thirst, but they are not consumed by the fire (verse 24).
3). There is no second chance after death, and memory of family is still vivid (verses 25, 27, 28).
4). The impossibility of the dead communicating with the living (verse 26).
5). The two men in this story illustrate two different modes of existence, two different deaths, and two different destinies.
6). People ignore (through volition/choice/free-will) God’s written Word and the Preachers and teachers (verse 29).
7). People will not be convinced even if someone rose from the dead (verses 30, 31) Christ rose! … and people still don’t believe. Christ died on the Cross and people still don’t care. How can people not care? How can people not believe? How can people not appreciate what Christ had to do to save us? How can they not respect the Father’s Plan? How can people not fall on their knees and weep and thank and praise the Lord?
8). Your decision regarding Christ and His offer of salvation is a serious issue, especially if you only have a few more hours to live … that may be all you have, no one knows their appointed day. Don’t be foolish, trust Christ right now.
There are no second chances!
In our walk through Fields of Grace, we all face the ever present exposure to good and evil. Every day we must make certain decisions. One of those decisions, one of these days, will be our last.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31); “For God so loved the world (you) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Here is a few lyrics from a wonderful old song written by a person who made the most important decision of their life:
“I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.” The author is unknown, but the words say it all. It is based upon Matthew 8:19.
Happy Studying!