Word@Work Luke254 - Luke 16:22-24
Published: Mon, 12/13/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
INCONSOLABLE AGONY
Luke 16:22-24 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' (NIV)
Although this parable starts with a rich man and a beggar (which would have been easily visualised as the rich/poor divide, and as great then as it is today in many countries), the scene rapidly moves to the death of both men and their different eternal destinies where one man is in heaven and thither is in hell. Jesus does not dilute the reality of hell, but describes it as being a conscious place of continual torment where comfort is far away.
Although secularists like to preach that there is no existence after this life, and some religionists like the idea of a series of earthly existences, Jesus was clear that we live one life and after that spend all eternity in either the kingdom of heaven or in hell. This parable does not say that all beggars go to heaven and all rich people go to hell, but it is making the point that the desires and decisions of this life have eternal consequences; and that we cannot change our minds after death.
Modern societies like to pour scorn on such ideas. The idea that God would let anybody go to hell is shocking to many. So it is important that everybody knows that He is also a just judge whose final sanction is hell. He wants them to stop their rebellion and repent of their sins so that they can receive forgiveness and peace with God. Preaching which ignores these truths is dangerously defective, lulling people into a false security. And living as though there are no consequences is a fatal blindness. So the message about Jesus should include the bad news of hell, without which the gospel is merely a consumer preference. But as Jesus said it does exist - it is a potent reason why the gospel is very good news indeed.
Prayer: Heavenly Father. Thank You that Jesus was quite straight about the reality of hell. Please forgive me when I forget that hell awaits all who refuse to stop their rebellion. May this truth encourage me to work and pray so that the lost may find their Saviour. Help me also to value the greatness of Your salvation and live to serve You faithfully. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Although this parable starts with a rich man and a beggar (which would have been easily visualised as the rich/poor divide, and as great then as it is today in many countries), the scene rapidly moves to the death of both men and their different eternal destinies where one man is in heaven and thither is in hell. Jesus does not dilute the reality of hell, but describes it as being a conscious place of continual torment where comfort is far away.
Although secularists like to preach that there is no existence after this life, and some religionists like the idea of a series of earthly existences, Jesus was clear that we live one life and after that spend all eternity in either the kingdom of heaven or in hell. This parable does not say that all beggars go to heaven and all rich people go to hell, but it is making the point that the desires and decisions of this life have eternal consequences; and that we cannot change our minds after death.
Modern societies like to pour scorn on such ideas. The idea that God would let anybody go to hell is shocking to many. So it is important that everybody knows that He is also a just judge whose final sanction is hell. He wants them to stop their rebellion and repent of their sins so that they can receive forgiveness and peace with God. Preaching which ignores these truths is dangerously defective, lulling people into a false security. And living as though there are no consequences is a fatal blindness. So the message about Jesus should include the bad news of hell, without which the gospel is merely a consumer preference. But as Jesus said it does exist - it is a potent reason why the gospel is very good news indeed.
Prayer: Heavenly Father. Thank You that Jesus was quite straight about the reality of hell. Please forgive me when I forget that hell awaits all who refuse to stop their rebellion. May this truth encourage me to work and pray so that the lost may find their Saviour. Help me also to value the greatness of Your salvation and live to serve You faithfully. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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