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5/30/19 I. The two men in life. vs. 19-21 II. The two men after death. vs. 22-26 What About ? III. The two regrets in eternity. vs. 27-31 Lk. 16:19-31 I. The two men in life. vs. 19-21 Many people do not believe in or hell, while others believe in heaven, but not hell. There are those A. The rich man. vs. 19 who believe people simply are annihilated after death 1. He is identified by his social position, and there is nothing beyond. “There was a certain rich man”. * And many other various religious beliefs! a. He was one of the few of his day. 1) The word rich “plousios”, means But the most valuable and important authority is the wealthy, having an abundance, Bible, for God alone knows all things and will one appearing the most in Luke. Lk. 6:24; day judge the living and the dead. 12:16; 14:12; 16:1, 19, 21, 22; 18:23, * So if we are going to speak with any credible 25, 19:2; 21:1 authority about life after death and the consequence 2) This man had all that he needed. thereafter, we should probably pay attention to 3) This man had the ability to buy someone who has died and risen from the dead, which whatever he wanted. limits it to one person, Christ. b. He obviously was a good investor in the generation. Luke tells us that Jesus spoke various parables on one 1) Nothing is said about how he gained Sabbath day, as He was headed toward Jerusalem to his wealth. die for the sins of the world. Lk. 14:1-16:18 2) Some rich men had obtained it through * The text that follows is of the corruption and dishonesty. the beggar that is the climax to all the preceding 2. He is described by his luxurious dress, “who material to illustrate who really is the wise investor in was clothed in purple and fine linen.” the “true riches” while on earth before they depart into a. The rich man clothes of purple eternity and reveals clear details about life after death! “parphura”, material dyed from purple fish or a species of shell fish. Jesus indirectly answered out question, “What about 1) This was the color of the elite. hell? by the account of what takes place when a 2) This was the color of royalty. person dies in three movements: Lk. 16:19-31 3 4

b. The rich man wore fine linen “byssos”, b. The man was one of many beggars “But linen made from byssus, a very costly, there was a certain beggar.” delicate, soft material. 1) The word beggar “ptochos” always 1) There was white linen. indicates a person that is destitute of 2) There was yellow linen. wealth, position, influence. 3) This indicated high fashion. * Nine of the ten times it come from 3. He is depicted by his great feasts, “and fared the mouth of our Lord Jesus. Lk. 4:18; sumptuously every day.” 6:20; 7:22; 14:13; 16:21, 22; 18:22; a. The rich man delighted himself in a very 19:8; 21:3 flamboyant way. 2) He was one who begged for alms to 1) The word sumptuously “lampros”, survive and live from day to day, due means splendidly or magnificently. to his horrific poverty. 2) The idea is of being over the top when 2. He is also identifies by his personal name, he had a dinner or feat “daily”. “Lazarus.” vs. 20a b. The rich man surely ate gourmet foods. a. The name Lazarus “Lazaros”, means 1) The most exotic of the day. “whom God helps”. 2) The abundance of various foods. 1) What a seeming contradiction to his c. The rich man probably had many social position. servants present at these great feasts. 2) The name comes from the Hebrew 1) Tending to him and his guests. name Eleazar. 2) They were dressed to impress, as they b. The fact that his personal name is stated served on fancy dish ware of the day. not fitting to a parable, but a true story. 1) First it is not said to be a parable. B. The beggar Lazarus. vs. 20-21 2) Second those identified as parables, 1. He is also identified by his social position, never use a personal name. “But there was a certain beggar.” vs. 20a 3. He, Lazarus is described by his inability to a. The word but “de” is a contrasting care for himself, “full of sores, who was laid conjunction. at his gate.” vs. 20b-c 1) This placed him in sharp contrast to a. His physical condition is indicated by the the rich man. phrase, full of sores “ballo helkoo”, 2) This placed him in poverty. 5 6

means his entire body was covered with b. Having to deal with the roaming dogs, ulcerated sores. “Moreover the dogs came and licked his 1) The condition would cause them to sores.” vs. 21b ooze with puss and scabs. 1) The word moreover “alla”, could be 2) This would also cause a bad odder and translated nevertheless or without doubt very dirty. notwithstanding. 3) If you go to Israel today you can see 2) To indicate the new sense and at the individuals like this outside of the same time the dogs licking his sores Damascus Gate begging and in other could of gave some relief? parts of the Old City. 3) We do not know the circumstances b. His vulnerable state is declared, “who that led to his condition was laid at his gate.” vs. 20c 1) Someone would carry and place him Illustration down at some location to beg. It has been said the no one has ever seen a Hertz 2) Someone placed him at the gate of this pulling a U-hall with all the dead person’s things. rich man. 3) His clothes were torn and filthy. Application 4. He is depicted in a dehumanized manner. vs. 1. Material things do not make us a Christian, but they 21 can cause us to be carnal, not spiritual. a. Hoping to be given the scraps off the a. Do I possess things or do things possess me? table, “desiring to be fed with the crumbs b. Am I covetous, rather than content? If so then I which fell from the rich man’s table.” vs. will never be satisfied! 21a c. Am I trusting in my money instead of God, 1) The word desiring “epithumeo”, however small or large they might be, then I am means to long for whatever might fall very poor spiritually! to the ground. * “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have 2) Or the bread that would be used to learned in whatever state I am, to be content: clean their hands and then tossed to I know how to be abased, and I know how to the ground to the dogs. abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do 7 8

all things through Christ who strengthens the city, where the fires probably me.” Phil. 4:11-13 cremated his body. 2. Do I take others into consideration and give and 2. Lazarus was instantly ushered to , help as the Lord leads me? “and was carried by the angels to ’s a. Do I do it to be seen? bosom.” vs. 22b b. Do I do it so people feel indebted to me? a. The bosom of Abraham is identified as c. Do I do it to impress and influence people? synonuymous with Hades. vs. 23a d. Do I do it out of God’s agape love for a brother b. The angents us were angels that are or sister? ministering spirits to the heir of * “Give, and it will be given to you: good salvation, the bosom of Abraham has the measure, pressed down, shaken together, idea of reclining back when dinning in an and running over will be put into your atmosphere of peace and comfort. Heb. bosom. For with the same measure that you 1:14 use, it will be measured back to you.” Lk. 1) Abraham is the father of faith and 6:38 Lazarus is identified as a man of faith. 2) Abraham is pictured and stated to be The two men in life lived on opposite economic level comforting Lazarus, after death. vs. on earth! 25c

II. The two men after death. vs. 22-26 B. The time came for the rich man to die also. vs. 22c-23 A. The time came for the beggar, Lazarus, to die. 1. The rich man also took his last breath, “The vs. 22a-b rich man also died and was buried.” vs. 22c 1. Lazarus took his last breath, “So it was that a. He probably had the best of physicians of the beggar died.” vs. 22a the day to care and comfort him, we are a. We are not told if he died of not told of what he died. complications from his ulcers. b. He probably did not died alone, but most b. We are left to imagine that he most likely likely he died with his family by his side, die all alone. as well as friends. c. When he died he probably was cast into the Valley of Himmon, the trash sight of 9 10

c. He had a funeral and was buried, without 3) Notice he saw Lazarus who was in doubt a very elaborate and luxurious one, constant pain and suffering in life on according to his manner of life-style. earth, but now being comforted. 2. The rich man was also instantly present in Hades, but under different conditions from C. The time came for the rich man to be gripped Lazarus, “And being in torments in Hades, with his eternal reality by Abraham. vs. 24-26 he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar 1. The rich man called on Abraham to relieve off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” vs. 23 his pain. vs. 24 a. He found himself in torments “basanos”, a. He knew who Abraham was, but he had acute pain and discomfort. vs. 23a not believed in the promise of Abraham, 1) The rich man went from a life of “Then he cried and said, ‘Father luxury and comfort to finding himself Abraham.” vs. 24a-b in awful suffering. b. He did for the first time what he never 2) The rich man never would have did in his entire life on earth, he begged imagined himself in such a situation and pleaded for help, “have mercy on when he was on earth. me.” vs. 24c b. He was not ushered by angels, but just c. He still thought he could give orders and found himself in Hades. vs. 23a that Lazarus was his inferior, “and send 1) The word Hades “hades” is the Greek Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his word for the location and place of finger in water and cool my tongue; for I departed spirits of men and women, am tormented in this flame.” vs. 24d-e appearing 11 times in the New 1) The agony is literal not symbolic, it is Testament. vs. 23a at this point that Jesus informs us that 2) Hades and are synonymous, the the Sheol or Hades was a two-fold place of departed spirits. compartment for those who died prior c. He lifted his eyes and saw Abraham and to His own death and . Lazarus at a distance and Lazarus in his 2) Those who died in faith went to the bosom. vs. 23b-c Bosom of Abraham and those who 1) Notice he could see. died apart from faith went to the place 2) Notice he had consciousness. of torment. 11 12

3) Some interpret the division to be the 3. Abraham revealed to the rich man there was place of comfort above and the place a separation between those who died in faith of torment, beneath, due to the fact and those who died without faith. vs. 26 that he “lifted up his eyes”? a. He informed the rich man that the two 2. Abraham asked the rich man to reflect on his compartment were uncrossable, “And life on earth in contrast to Lazarus. vs. 25 besides all this, between us and you there a. He asked him to consider how different is a great gulf fixed.” vs. 26a their lives were, “But Abraham said, * The word gulf fixed “chasma”, is a ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you gaping opening or literally chasm. received your good things, and likewise b. He informed the rich man their state was Lazarus evil things.” vs. 25a-d eternal and were prohibited from going 1) The rich man delighted in the good from one location to the other, “so that “agathos” things, indicating in nature those who want to pass from here to you of useful, salutary or pleasant, he was cannot, nor can those from there pass to not in torment because he was a rich us.” vs. 26b-c man, but he was not concerned with 1) During his life on earth the only things the things of God. that separated him from Lazarus was 2) Lazarus delighted himself in the things the gate of his home. of God, even though he received evil 2) And he never crossed over it to relieve “kakos” thing, indicating in nature of his pain and suffering. troublesome, injurious and sufferings. 3) This is the actual location and b. He informed the rich man that he and condition for all who died before Lazarus were reaping to their belief and Jesus died and rose from the dead! trust in God when they were on earth, “but now he is comforted and you are Illustration tormented.” vs. 25e The Rich fool who thought he would build bigger 1) The rich man considered himself a barns and live a life of ease, eating, drinking and wise investor in his earthly future. being marry but was told by God, “Fool! This night 2) The rich man never considered God or your soul will be required of you then whose will the future in eternity. those things be which you have provide. So is he who 3) Lazarus consider God and eternity! 13 14 lays up treasures for himself, and is not rich towards And gave gifts to men. Now this, “He God.” Lk. 12:20-21 ascended”--what does it mean but that He also * A Texan was buried in a Cadillac and one of the first descended into the lower parts of the earth? workers said, “Man that is living!” I don’t think so! He who descended is also the One who ascennded far above all the heavenss, that He Application might fill all things.” Eph. 4:8-10 1. When Jesus was hanging on the cross He told one d. Paul affirms the victorious event in Hades by of the thief on the cross, “Today, you will be with me describing it, “Having disarmed principalities in .” Lk. 23:43 and powers, He made a public spectacle of a. Jesus was speaking about the part of Sheol or them, triumphing over them.” Col. 2:15 Hades, called the “bosom of Abraham”, “the e. Paul tells us that Jesus transferred “Paradise” to place of comfort” and also “Paradise”. the where God dwells, we are told b. Jesus did not mention the place of torment. by Paul, as he was caught up. 2Cor. 12:4 2. Then when Jesus died He descended down to f. So that the instant a Christian dies, they are Hades or Sheol and preached to those who died in immediately present before the Lord, they are faith, in fulfillment of his victory over sin and death. never found naked, but they are not in their a. Peter quoting the Psalms at Pentecost said, “For glorified body. 2Cor. 5:1-8 You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will g. The believer recieves his glorified body at the You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.” Rapture, “Then we who are alive and remain Acts 2:27; Ps. 16:10 shall be caught up together with them in the b. Peter says Jesus preached to those who died in clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we faith, emptied the compartment of “faith” and shall always be with the Lord.” 1Thess. 4:17 took them to heaven as He ascended, “by whom 3. So Hades or Sheol is now only one compartment also He went and preached to the spirits in where unsaved people go when they die, eternally prison, who formerly were disobedient, when separated from God until the White Throne Judgment once the Divine longsuffering waited in the to give an account of their sins and sentenced to be days of Noah, while the ark was being cast in the . Rev. 20:11-15 prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, a. There is no second opportunity to repent or be were saved through water.” 1Pet. 3:19-20 salved after death. c. Paul confirms this, “Therefore He says: “When * “And as it is appointed for men to die once, He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, but after this the judgment.” Heb. 9:27 15 16

b. Then I saw a great white throne and Him who a. The word beg “erotao”, means to beseech sat on it, from whose face the earth and the or entreat. heaven fled away. And there was found no b. The time to humble himself was too late. place for them. And I saw the dead, small and 2. His concern was his brothers living on earth, great, standing before God, and books were “for I have five brothers, that he may testify opened. And another book was opened, which to them, lest they also come to this place of is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged torment.” vs. 28 according to their works, by the things which a. The word testify “diamarturomai”, were written in the books. The sea gave up the simply means to personally speak to dead who were in it, and Death and Hades them about life after death. delivered up the dead who were in them. And b. The purpose was to warn them, lest they they were judged, each one according to his end up in the same “place of torment”. works.” Rev. 20:11-13 c. “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake B. The rich man regretfully heard his petition of fire. This is the second death.” Rev. 20:14 denied by Abraham. vs. 29-31 d. “And anyone not found written in the Book of 1. The response of Abraham was that they Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Rev. 20:15 were without excuse, “Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let The two men after death received opposite spiritual them hear them.” vs. 29 investment returns in Hades! a. God had given the sufficient revelation for sinners to know they needed to repent III. The two regrets in eternity. vs. 27-31 and be saved. b. Their need was to “hear them” “akouo” A. The rich man regretted the thought of his five to attend, consider and respond to the brothers ending up in the same place of writings of Moses on how to live and the torment. vs. 27-28 Prophets to repent. 1. His petition was respectful to Abraham, 2. The rich man did not believe Scripture was “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, sufficient, “And he said, ‘No, father that you would send him to my father’s Abraham; but if one goes to them from the house.” vs. 27 dead, they will repent.” vs. 30 a. He was still rebelling against God. 17 18

b. He was saying God is not fair. 1. The time for us to be concerned about unsaved c. He believed he knew better, saying if love ones and friends is while we are alive. someone who has died goes to them, they a. Praying for those who are lost. would repent. b. Telling them about the Lord Jesus, His love and d. He knew His five brothers would not pay desire to forgive them of their sins. heed to the Scriptures and end up just c. Letting our lives confirm the message we like him. proclaim. 3. The words of Abraham assured him his d. Being involved financially in reaching the lost, brothers would not believe Lazarus, “But he missions, etc. said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and 1) “But you shall receive power when the Holy the prophets, neither will they be persuaded Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be though one rise from the dead.’” vs. 31 witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all a. The word persuaded “peitho”, means to Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the induce one by words to believe. earth.” Acts 1:8 b. The evidence had been verified when 2) “Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; Lazarus the brother of Mary and Martha but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to was raised from the dead by Jesus, but powder.” Lk. 20:18 rather than believing the chief priest tried 2. The sufficiency of the Scriptures for the salvation to put Lazarus to death. Jn. 12:10 of man is without question. a. The invitation is clear. Jn. 3:16 Illustration b. The explanation of the transaction is equally The rich young ruler walked away sorrowful, as Jesus clear. 2Cor. 5:21 told him to sell all and distribute to the poor and he c. The limitation is amazingly clear. would have treasure in heaven, but became very 1) Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and no sorrowful because he was very rich. Lk. 18:22-24 man comes to the Father but through Him. * Jesus said, “How hard it is for those who have Jn. 14:6 riches to enter the kingdom of God!” vs. 24 2) Jesus is the only name given under heaven * John Wesley said, “Get all you can, save all you can where by men must be saved. Acts 4:12 and give all you can! 3) Jesus is the only Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus. 1Tim. 2:5 Application 19 20

3. The wisest thing to do is to invest in God and 2) The kingdom principle is to seek first the spiritual things, not those of the world. Kingdom of God and His , a. There are many outside the church and within it then all these things shall be added unto us, that are like the rich man, lost and will be abiding in Christ bearing fruit. Matt. 6:33; eternally lost. Jn. 15:1-8 1) “But those who desire to be rich fall into 3) Jesus in the Parable of the nobleman that temptation and a snare, and into many went into a far country and return said, “So foolish and harmful lusts which drown men he called ten of his servants, delivered to in destruction and perdition. For the love of them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do money is a root of all kinds of evil, for business till I come.” Lk. 19:13 which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves The two regrets in eternity were opposite of God’s through with many sorrows.” 1Tim. 6:9-10 provisions for sinners on earth! 2) “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in Conclusion uncertain riches but in the living God, who The text of the Rich man and Lazarus the beggar is gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them the climax to all the preceding material to illustrate do good, that they be rich in good works, who really is the wise investor while on earth, but ready to give, willing to share, storing up for indirectly Jesus answered our question, “What about themselves a good foundation for the time to hell? by the account of what takes place when a come, that they may lay hold on eternal person dies in three movements. life.” 1Tim. 6:17-19 I. The two men in life lived on opposite b. There are other who have it very hard in this economic level on earth! II. The two men after death received opposite life and they are spiritual giants before God, spiritual investment returns in Hades! investing in spiritual things. III. The two regrets in eternity were opposite of 1) “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look God’s provisions for sinners on earth! at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1Sam. 16:7