Upon entering paradise, what will our first thoughts be? Will we immediately want to return to our families? Will we first think,” But I’m not finished,” or will we immediately understand, we have no more worries; God is in control?
In the illustrated story of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man did not go to paradise; nope, he went directly to torment. Scripture says nothing of the rich man being carried by angels, only of Lazarus.
On the torment side of Hades, the rich man saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. At first, he asked Abraham to send Lazarus to cool his tongue with water, for the flames were anguishing him. Abraham pointed out the large, fixed chasm between them, which cannot be crossed in either direction. He pointed out how he had received good things on earth, but Lazarus had bad things.
Simply put: the rich man’s selfish life had earned him a one-way ticket to his eternal home in torment.
On the other hand, Lazarus’s suffering on Earth was over; he was no longer in pain from sores or hunger. No longer would he be considered less than anyone else, and would now be comforted forever. In asking Abraham to send Lazarus with water or to his family, the rich man still seems to view Lazarus as a servant.
The rich man’s next thoughts were for his family; he wanted to send Lazarus or someone from the dead to warn his brothers of his demise. But alas, Abraham said, if they did not believe Moses and the Prophets, they would not be convinced even if someone rose from the dead.
I don’t know the answer to my initial questions; I suspect I would quickly understand. My opportunity to help others on Earth is over. Maybe my example or some of my words will carry on briefly, but as always, God is in control!
You see, today, in addition to Moses and the prophets, we have the completed Word of God; we have the New Covenant of God through Christ, and are told exactly how to follow God’s Will according to what God wants.
Scripture tells us: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV)
Twisting God’s Words has happened since the Lord’s Church began; however, the Truth is readily available to those who will take the time to study God’s Word and shew themselves approved.
We will each be held accountable for our salvation, and eternity is a long time to wish we had made better choices. It is my prayer that all will prioritize the understanding of God’s Word beyond what others have told us.
Let God’s Word speak and listen.
“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, O you His angels, you mighty ones who do His word, obeying the voice of His word! Bless the Lord, all His hosts, His ministers, who do His will! Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!”
Psalm 103:19-22 ESV
- Luke 16:19-31 (Rich Man and Lazarus)
- Galatians 1:6-8 (twisting truth)
- Philippians 2:12 (work out our own salvation)
- Romans 1:16 (Salvation for everyone)
- 2 Timothy 2:15 (Study)
God First!
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