Topic: Gospel
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 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; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (Luke 16:19-23 KJV)
I would like to conclude this series with two kinds of resurrection. Most of us may know the story of Lazarus and Rich Man in Luke 16. As we understand the story, the filthy rich man had a wealthy earthly life while Lazarus tried to survive his earthly life. One day, these men died and went to two separate directions to eternality. Lazarus went to his bosom and the rich man ended up to hell. Of course, the rich man tried to escape from the hell by calling Father Abraham, but it was too late for him to repent his sins.
Why do I mention this? Many today’s people don’t have idea where they’d spend eternality. About 80 percent of Americans believe that they’d go to Heaven, but only few percentage of Americans have fully devoted to Jesus Christ. It is devastating to see that some Christians destroy their bodies by tattooing symbols on their bodies and try to live for Christ. This is one of things God doesn’t like to see us to do (see Leviticus). Paul said that we are the temple of God (I Corinthians 3:16). We just cannot put tattoos on our bodies.
The rich man, in Luke 16, didn’t care for God’s children or have any relationship with Him. Even though God doesn’t like to see anyone to go to Hell, He doesn’t have choice to throw this rich man to the dumpster.
Let me ask you this important question. What if you’d die today, where would you spend eternality? If you’d continue to follow this world system, then your resurrection would be in Hell. However, if you’d choose to live for Jesus Christ, then you resurrection would be great. You’d have eternal life with God.
Some today’s preachers do not teach the importance of resurrection, because it’s all about what we want from God. God cannot just send you to Hell unless you’d decide to refuse Him to be your personal Savior and Lord of lords.
