JESUS TELLS OF LAZARUS AND THE RICH MAN

                                                                                                                                                                         By W. G. Guy

          There is a great significance to this story that many people fail to grasp.  This is not a parable but a report that actually happened because Jesus is the truth and will not make up things that are not true.  The story is about the absolute awareness that a person’s soul and spirit experience after they die.  The story is found in Luke 16:19-31, and will be discussed verse by verse so that its significance is brought to light.

Luke 16:19 – There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

          It was assumed that being wealthy was a sin of God blessing; (as presented by the prosperity preachers of today).  Purple raiment was very expensive and usually a sign of royalty or high office.

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

          Likewise, poverty was considered to be a sign of God’s curse, especially when afflicted with physical ailments as was Lazarus.

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

          Lazarus’ condition was extreme and he was not able to care for himself.

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

          Since everyone dies, what follows is very important to know.  Lazarus obviously had  a knowledge of God, His Word and promises of the prophets; thus he was escorted to Paradise by God’s Holy angels.  The rich man’s wealth did not benefit him after his death; and his eternal destiny was sealed in hell, the place of torment.

          Obviously, how we live our lives, and who and what we believe in, has eternal reward or consequences.  Yes, there is a real hell!  There is also a real eternal place of rest and glory.  Back then it was called “Paradise” which was a holding place for the righteous until Christ’s resurrection when He took those held in that captivity with Him to Heaven.  Even Abraham, the father of Israel, was still there, whom the rich man could see and speak to.

Ephesians 4:8 – Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

          The rich man experienced untold torment in hell, which is the holding place for the wicked, until death and hell are cast into the Lake of fire forever at the last judgment - (Revelation 20:14).

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

          Here is the part that many fail to grasp: the five human senses don’t cease when you die.  They, in fact, become even more sensitive because you no longer have a physical body that has to interpret what the five senses experience.  Note that the rich man could SEE; he could FEEL; he could HEAR; he could TASTE, he could obviously SMELL.  But most importantly is to recognize that the rich man now has his reward for his selfish life which is eternal torment, and it won’t get any better, but worse.

24 And 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.

          They could even speak and carry on a conversation with each other across the great separation.

25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

          Knowledge and memories of the past were still available as Abraham called the rich man to remember his luxurious life style comparing it with the life of Lazarus.

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

          Now Abraham specifies that the two places are very different and separated to the point that a person cannot pass from one to the other.  Decisions made on this side of death have no effect on changing their circumstances after death. (Thus the Roman Catholic idea of purgatory does not exist; it makes no sense to pray for the dead.)

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:  28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

          Even the rich man’s intercession on behalf of his family had no merit.  All choices concerning one’s eternal destiny have to be made before one dies.

29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

          God’s Word is eternal, and the terms of the Old Covenant were still in effect until Jesus was crucified to make the permanent atonement for all our sins.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

          Satan still tries to peddle to idea that certain people, (mediums and witches), can contact the dead; but their contacts are only with evil spirits that can imitate the dead. 

31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

          The good news is that there is a resurrection of the dead who are in Christ.  This is for those who know and acknowledge Jesus as Savior and Lord; being born of His Spirit and having His Spirit in them.

Romans 8:11 – But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

            When Jesus was crucified, He died and went to Paradise.  He also took the thief on the cross with Him. 

Luke 23:43 – And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

          Jesus even preached to all the residents in their holding area showing that He is the expected Messiah that the scripture spoke of. 

1 Peter 3:18-19 –  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:   By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

       All the righteous remained in Paradise until Jesus’s resurrection three days later.  That is when He took all that were held there with Him to Heaven.

Matthew 27:51-53 –  And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;  And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,   And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

          Therefore the choices we make this side of death, that we will all face, have great and eternal significance.

Hebrews 9:27-28 –  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

​          There is at least one church group that believes in “soul sleep”, that the soul is dormant after death.  But this goes contrary to what Jesus reveals in the story of Lazarus and the rich man.  The departed soul has full consciousness; weather in hell or Paradise or heaven.  In fact the five senses become even more acute after death.