Warn
Them
So
they don’t end up
In
this place of torment
Scripture
Luke
16
19 Jesus
said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed
in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At
his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores.
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 poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham
at the heavenly banquet.[e] The
rich man also died and was buried,23 and
he went to the place of the dead.
There,
in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his
side.
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. 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. No one can cross over
to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’
27 “Then
the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my
father’s home.28 For
I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end
up in this place of torment.’
29 “But
Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your
brothers can read what they wrote.’
30 “The
rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to
them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to
God.’
31 “But
Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets,
they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Observation
This
parable that Jesus shares in Luke 16 gives us a little glimpse of
what it is going to be like for those of us who end up in Hell. For
sure from this story we know that Hell will a real place of never
ending torment and anguish, and a place of deep, deep regret.
This
rich man wanted Abraham to send Lazarus first over from Heaven to
Hell to put a few drops of water on his tongue, then he asked Abraham
to send Lazarus back to warn his brothers.
He
didn't want them to end up in Hell too!
There
is a lesson in this story for all of us!
The
rich man realized that he should have repented of his sins and turned
to God while he had the opportunity. Maybe you need to repent of our
sins and turn to God right now while you still have time!
Or
maybe you and I have people we know that still need to hear from us
about God's plan of salvation.
Application
I will look for
opportunities to share the Good News that Jesus Saves! How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly
Father, I am thankful that my brother and my two sisters all profess
a relationship with You. I pray for my family members that still need
to respond to the Good News. Open up their hearts so that they can
understand the message of the Gospel. I want them to be in Heaven
with me. I don't want them to experience and Eternity of anguish and
suffering. I don't want them to spend an Eternity of deep, deep
regret. I don't want them to be Eternally separated from those that
they love.
I
pray for those in Las Vegas. I pray that many in that city will be
drawn closer to You because of this terrible tragedy. I pray for the
pastors and churches in Las Vegas. Use them to shine light into this
darkness. Use them to bring hope to this city!
Daily Bible
Reading: Ezra 5,6; Psalm 138; Luke 16
>
I have made it a habit to pray for those who read this blog! I enjoy
lifting you and your family up to the Lord in prayer.
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