Reality
Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV)
27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
“Life After Death”
The Rich Man and Lazarus
Three Scenes
Two Men and How They Lived
Luke 16:19-21 (NKJV)
19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.
20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate,
21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
-The rich man fared “sumptuously.”
-Lazarus was destitute and had poor health.
Two Men and How They Died
Luke 16:22 (NKJV)
22So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
-Lazarus died but no mention of a funeral or burial.
(However, he was carried by angels to Abraham’s Bosom)
-Rich man died and was buried
(May have had a lavish funeral and was buried)
Two Men After Death
Luke 16:23-31 (NKJV)
23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’
25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.
26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’
27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house,
28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’
29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’
30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’
31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”
-A reversal of roles
-Rich man became a beggar
-Lazarus became a “rich” man!
3 Things Death Does Not Destroy
- Death does not destroy consciousness
(Both men knew exactly what was going on.)
- Death does not destroy identity.
(Both men knew who he was and who the other was.)
- Death does not destroy memory!
(Both men had memory)
Destiny After Death
Luke 16:26 (NKJV)
26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’
(No such thing as purgatory!)
QUESTION:
Are you prepared for death?