Luke 16:19-27

The rich man's condition -- Luke 16:19-27: The Bible account of the rich man and Lazarus is both serious and sobering. In thirteen brief verses Luke shows God's "wrath to come" against those who know not God and those who fail to obey Him. (Luke 16:19-31) For a moment God lifts the curtain and allows us to see what will be the end in life's other world. Luke, by inspiration of God, allows us to view the condition of a wicked rich man and a godly poor man in this world and in the next. The rich man was alive and consciousness after death. (Luke 16:22-23) After physical death, the rich man knew who he was and where he was. He was in torment and he knew why he was there. Memory is very much alive on life's other side. The rich man was called on to remember. "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." (Luke 16:25) The rich man remembered both God and the beggar named Lazarus. Many think they can take a gun, put it to their head and end it all. But immediately after they pull the trigger they find that they did not end it all. Another may take a hand full of pills trying to just "get out" but they find they "got in" instead of out.

Earthly life had brought misery to the beggar. But on life's other side Lazarus was comforted. He was in Paradise. The rich man was tormented in Hades. (Luke 16:24) On life's other side there are those who are rewarded in the presence of Christ and there are those who are tormented in terrible flames. There are two distinct worlds, salvation and condemnation that exists on life's other side. Some have everlasting life and some eternal punishment. (Matthew 25:46) When this world has ended you can be saved or you can be lost, the choice is yours. You may think you do not need God now, but, soon you will see the need. In Hades the rich man recognized a personal and pointed need for God. He begged God for a drop of water to cool his tongue. (Luke 16:24) Every person in hell will see the need for God. They will say, "I need God and it's too late." Why not obey God now, before you appear before Him in judgment?