A real historical event Jesus once told about a rich man and Lazarus is found in Luke 16:14-31, what follows is an overview of this event. Now some people think this is a parable or only a story, or they even think that the rich man went to Hades because he consistently refused to help a poor man outside his gate. But that's not what the Bible is saying at all. It’s good to help others but if it’s done in the name of Jesus then people will know they need Jesus to be saved.
This real historical event about the rich man and Lazarus gives us a glimpse into the un-seen world before Jesus rose from the grave. Again I do not believe that this is a parable, and for one reason (among many) we see individuals are named (Lazarus is mentioned 4 times and Abraham's mentioned 6 times). So, we have every reason to believe that Jesus is giving us an actual "case history," and because Jesus is the Man from Heaven we can trust Him. Also It’s not an account of giving to the poor but trusting in the Lord.
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 fellfn from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
In Luke 16:19 we see that the one man is clothed in purple (a royal color), and also
fared sumptuously which means he had more than he needed, so he was a rich in mans eyes. But God saw his heart and had a different perspective than that of man who looks at the outward.
In Luke 16:22 we read that Lazarus was so destitute that he did not even get a burial, however he was carried away to Paradise by the angles. Why Paradise? Because Lazarus had a true relationship based on faith with the true and living God.
In Luke 16:23 it mentions Hades which is the place of the dead in the Greek language. You see prior to Christ's resurrection there two places in the place of the dead- the place of the righteous and the place of the unrighteous. Now, why was the place of the righteous called Abraham's bosom? The Bible says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. So by faith looking forward to the Savior to come and he trusted in the Lord for his salvation.
In Luke 23:23 Jesus said to the repentant thief on cross "today you will be with Me in Paradise." Why Paradise? Because he trusted in Jesus as his Savior and was saved by faith. So again in Luke 16:19-31, Jesus said Lazarus was in Paradise (Abraham's bosom). Why Paradise? Because he trusted in a Messiah to come to atone for his sins because he had a personal relationship with God.
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.’
In Luke 16:24 we now see that the rich man is the beggar, who is pleading with Abraham and Lazarus for a drop of water. A bit of a role reversal but in Gods eyes Lazarus was not poor but spiritually rich.
In Luke 16:25 we read that the so called rich man was in torment but was not tortured. He is in torment or in anguish because of his conscience (Con-Science=With-Knowledge). Abraham says to him "Son, remember that in your lifetime", so he can remember his past. And he is able to feel heat and pain, to thirst for water, and experience sorrow for rejecting God.
I believe that those who reject the salvation of Jesus that their memories will be the greatest torment of hell. Why? Because they will never forget that they rejected God, and they have no relationship with God. However just as Lazarus had comfort we have a great comfort in the Lord, our Father of mercy and the God of all comfort.
In Luke 16:26 we see that the two places are divided by great gulf (in the Greek: chasma where we get the word chasm from). So there is a void space between the two places and there is no crossing over. This is a good reminder that there is also no purgatory, and no on-the-fence stance, as it’s either with the Lord or separated from the Lord for eternity.
As Christians we who are now "in Christ" ascend and go up to Heaven to be with Jesus, not down to Abraham's bosom as it’s no more since Christ rose from the grave. The first martyr recorded in Scripture is Stephen and upon his death, he gazed up into heaven and called upon Jesus to receive his spirit. Another example that we ascend and go up to Heaven is found in 2 Corinthians 12:2 where Paul says he was caught up into third heaven (not a level). In 2 Corinthians 5:6-9 we are told that today, when a believer dies, he or she goes up and is absent from body present with the Lord.
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.’ ”
In Luke 16:27 we see that now the so called rich man cares about others, but it's a bit too late. He was selfish but now cares for the fate of his family, and now wishes for a believer to witness to his family members.
In Luke 16:28 the key word is testify (which means to cause it to be believed) and this shows that Lazarus was a real witness for the Lord. We too should share the Lord with everyone and testify as Romans 1:16 says "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes."
It’s not enough to feed people and help then off the street, because if they don’t have Jesus they die and go to Hell. It’s good to help others but if it’s done in the name of Jesus then people will know they need Jesus to be saved. Some call it the Social Gospel but there is only one true Gospel and it’s all about Jesus.
Make sure that whatever you or the Lord in whatever ministry that you are allowed to openly preach the Gospel. In football if the enemy strips away the ball you can’t score a touchdown and it’s the same that if the enemy strips away the Gospel message from you can’t win the lost to Jesus.
In Luke 16:29-31 we see that some people are not persuaded to trust in the Lord. Why? Because if people won’t believe God’s Word, they won’t believe if one rose from the dead either. And of course, One did rise from the dead - Jesus, and yet even then some people still won’t believe. Even Moses and the prophets pointed to Jesus (Read John 5:39-47) and in Luke 24:27 we are told that beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He [Jesus] expounded to them [on the Emmaus road] in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
So many today say they would believe God only if they could only see a sign from God then it would be enough for them to be compelled to believe. But faith which leads unto salvation comes from hearing, and
hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).
In summary we can see that the rich man wasn't lost because he was rich but because he did not listen to the law and the prophets, and trust in God. People today are lost because they are without a personal relationship with Jesus. Will you be lost for the same reason? Are you prepared for eternity?
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