The Rich Man and Lazarus

So a great question people always ask is what happens after we die.... do we sleep, is it the end, do we go to heaven.... what happens?

Scripture gives us some information about life after death, and from that we can find some truth to comfort us and give us peace about the future.

When you talk to people about death, often people will ask “where are they now”.... and

“What is there state and how is it going for them....”

Those are some of the questions people often ask when they approach the topic of a person’s death, especially someone they know personally and care about...

We want to know… We want to be re-assured and we desperately want to know they are well, safe and secure....

One of the best places see the state of a person in death is in the Bible. Now I want us to go to Luke chapter 16 and lets look at the story of the rick man and Lazarus.

, verses 19-21

One of the best places see the state of a person in death is in the Bible. Now I want us to go to Luke chapter 16 and lets look at the story of the rick man and Lazarus.

Luke 16:19–21 ESV

19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.

Jesus tells us a story here of two men who are contrasted in life and death, but something unique here, this is not a parable.

Why do I suspect and believe this....

This passage is set up different than most, we get a lot of detail about two people lives before and after death.

No where in any parable does Jesus uses a real name , this person Lazarus is not the Lazarus of Mary, and Martha in Bethany. But I would suppose that this is a totally different person by that name, He is a real person. A person who Jesus knew personally. So Jesus is really telling us about the life of Lazarus and the Rich man.

So now that this elephant is out in the open....

There are two men....

Now there is great contrast in the lives of these two men as they lived here on earth. The rich man had it all so to speak. Money, wealth, food and drink, beautiful clothes. He really had it all.

He had it all....

And then the Bible tells us of ole sick Lazarus. Lazarus was a begger, and he was sick, hungry and in need, covered in sores that the dogs licked open. Sadly he would have been blessed to have eaten the scrapes from the table.

Lazarus had nothing but compassionate dogs...

Now the Bible begins by telling of us of the begger death, Lazarus. Look with me at verse 22.

Luke 16:22 ESV

22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried,

“The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side.”

So Lazarus died, this sick man finally left this world. Now Lazarus being poor man, well means that he didn’t have a nice funeral. He didn’t have professional mourners who mourned with family. Sadly, Lazarus appears to have no one...

So as a poor man it means that Lazarus was buried in a potter’s field or their body was cast into a trash dump outside the city. Either way, the body of Lazarus was laid to rest in a very poor way...

but we know this about the poor man, he has faith… for the Bible says that the angels carried him to Abraham’s side or bosom.

Have you ever thought about how we get to heaven? Paul says that to die is gain, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. But he did not say how the dead made the journey…

Here in this passage the angels carry Lazarus to paradise, to the place where Abraham is at ...

I never really thought of this but the Lord reminded me of a story from a 1st grade teacher. (Jonathan death and Debbie Colletts story the next morning).

I can tell you why it is possible,… to bring us, to ensure our journey, to introduce us to the presence of the King.

So Lazarus who has been a poor beggar has now found life, peace and comfort in Paradise. Now what is Paradise? Well I’m glad you asked.

A. Paradise is the place of the dead, those who know God. We find that father Abraham is there, the one whom God knows and gave his promise of the covenant too. Paradise is heaven in a sense, the abode of the dead before Jesus fulfills the promise of

John 14:1–3 ESV

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Jesus is talking about getting a place ready for all time, heaven. … Paradise is the place of those who are dead before Jesus death, burial and resurrection.

Where is paradise… I am not sure but I think it is below… why? Well when Jesus was on the cross, before his death he tells the thief on the cross, today you will be with me in paradise....

Scriptures tell us that said of Jesus… Ephesians 4:8-10

Ephesians 4:8 ESV

8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”

Ephesians 4:8–9 ESV

8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?

Ephesians 4:8–10 ESV

8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Now we will talk more of this in a little while.

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Now if we return to the rich man, we read that he died as well.

Luke 16:22 ESV

22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried,

So just as Lazarus died the rich man died as well, and he was buried…

I am sure that just as he lived and had a good life, that in his death he received a a great burial. I am sure no expense was spared, I am sure that there were flowers, and spices and oils for his preparation. I am sure there were many professional mourners, and many other peoples. He was loved and of course I am sure many loved his money...

But now death has come.... look at verse 22-23

Luke 16:22–23 ESV

22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

Just as Lazarus was awake and conscience in paradise so by the same measure the Bible tells us that the rich man lifted up his eye in hades… hell, in torment and he lifted up his eyes and saw Lazarus a far off...

So one person is in paraidse and the other is in hell. What does all this mean...

Luke 16:23 ESV

23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

Glad you asked....

Before Christ dies on the cross, it is considered to be Old Testament times if you will.

Why do I say that…????

Well because the New covenant is not in place yet. The new covenant is ratified by the blood of Jesus which happens at his death.

Now I say this to remind you of our final destinations… I say final because the word that is important for us is ‘intermediate”.

Before Jesus death on the cross...

We see there are three things in this passage after death...

Paradise

Great Gulf that divides the Two arenas

Hades

These are intermediate places if you will…

A. Paradise______

Paradise is the place where all those who exhibited faith and is justified by God because of their faith like David, like Abraham, like Solomon, like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Noah and so forth and so forth...

Lazarus open his eyes in paradise with who else, Abraham… He is in Abraham’s lap, bosom, close and comforted by the person who is a symbol of OT redemption and restoration.

It is a place of joy, happiness and rest ..... but it is not their final destination.

why? Jesus has not died on the cross.

B. Great Gulf that divides the two arenas....

When the rich man tries to seek help from Abraham, from even Lazarus… Abraham told him, no one from where he is can cross and no one from there can change places either...

The Great Gulf is a barrier of separation....

C. Hades - Hell___

This place is listed as a place of torment, a place of suffering if you will. But it is not the final place of the dead. It is the place where all the dead will exist until the dead are cast into the final hell.

Let me share Revelation chapter 20 with you.....

Revelation 20:13–14 ESV

13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

We know that Jesus died to atone for the sins of humanity correct?

Now Jesus dies we know.... He is the perfect lamb of God. And Jesus told his disciples the night before his crucifixion that His blood was the seal of the new covenant.

Remember the first covenant was given to Abraham by God and it is finally ratified by Moses and the children of Israel at the base of Mt. Sinai. This was done in blood and the people were to be His people and God would be their God.....

But the blood of Jesus would bring about a new covenant, purchased through his death, burial and resurrection.

Now Jesus will travel into paradise before joining the right hand of the Father. How do I know this?

Do you remember the words of Jesus to the thief on the cross next to Him?

says it best

Luke 23

Luke 23:43 ESV

43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Now you might say it is heaven as we understand it today… But I do not think so...

Here is the reasoning .... look at

Ephesians 4:8–10 ESV

8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

So Jesus is in paradise with the thief and all those who have died with faith in God, Abraham, Lazarus, the thief, Noah, moses and so on and son...

But it is here that Jesus leads the captives out of Paradise and into heaven, Jesus brings them to the place that he has provided, the house not made with hands eternal in the heavens.

2 Corinthians 12:2–4 ESV

2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.

Remember Paul being caught up into the third heaven, the place where Jesus has brought all those who have faith in him. And John of Revelation , He is given visions for heaven for us to see and know are true.

1. Third Heaven

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2. Paradise

3. Great Gulf where we are today.

4. Hades

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5. Lake of Fire

Now I want to share a few other thoughts with you… before we stop today...

Lets go back to our text in the Gospel of Luke....

Verses 24-31

Luke 16:24–31 ESV

24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”

Here is something I discovered as I studied that I had not paid as much attention to as I maybe should have, but with the help of some other resources some truths came to life in me.

Abraham bosoms intermediate heaven Paradise

The rich man is conscious, awake, alive in hell or hades....

great gulf fixed

He is suffering… He asks for relief, send Lazarus with a drop of water to cool my tongue. he believes something so small as a drop of water could help him…

But please recognize what Abraham reminds him off…

Hades intermediate hell

1. You made your choices in life Verse 25… in life you received good things in life and Lazarus bad things… do not think that the condition of these men, one rich and one poor determined their eternal place… no… But because he has chased after his life and the other things has well, never having time for God refers to the fact that his life style has determined his fate.

2. There is a Great Gulf..... One fate is sealed at death. The choices you make and live by determine you life in the hereafter. And one there, it cannot be changed. Even if you say, I can do this or that… nothing can change your eternal destination.

3. He Remembers His Past......and Family… This bay far is one of the saddest things I discovered in life. He remembered his past.

I think, no I believe because the Lord revealed this to me many, many years ago. Part of the suffering of hell is the truth that a person will be forced to remember their past. They will know the times they heard, and they hardened their heart against the Lord. They will remember how they rejected and they will see and know all they missed in their past.

Hell involves knowing your mistakes, your sins and yes, your disobedience to the Lord concerning Salvation and God’s will for your life.

Luke 16:26 ESV

26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’

Luke 16:27 ESV

27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house—

Ephesians 4:8–10 ESV

8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

For the rich man He remember his lost brothers.....

Luke 16:27–28 ESV

27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’

Help them, so they do not come to this place....

Hell is that bad that just one person there would not want to see anyone else visit the awful place.

Eph 4-8-10

Hell is that bad that just one person there would not want to see anyone else visit the awful place.

4. And the last thing I want to share with you is the simple truth that nothing is more powerful that the Word of God.

The rich man asks for Abraham to send Lazarus to his household so that a witness from the dead might bear witness of the sadness of hell, so they do not come to this place.

Luke 16:27–31 ESV

27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”

Luke 16:

Verse 31 is the truth, they, the world still has all it needs to believe. the message of the the Bible is all we need to hear and beleive, not some special revelation. The Word is special revelation

Luke 16:19–31 ESV

19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”

Luke 16:19–31 ESV

19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”

And a great truth for us to hear is to not neglect the word God has so wonderfully given up.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

Introduction

1. There are two men....

2. Next we come to two places..... these men are contrasted in death.

3. The Cross of Christ....