The Great Change

Lk 16 vs 19 – 31 (The story of the rich man and the poor man, Lazarus, and the sudden change at death)

1. When the rich man died he looked up for the first time. Until then, he had never considered looking up and considering the things of heaven. He was consumed with the things down here. Sumptuous food and a great array of different garments seemed much more important to him than the things above. To make it clear: wealth is not sinful neither is poverty, the problem is whether you seriously consider the things above and have a proper relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The great change happened when he suddenly died (it seems that he hadn’t thought of the possibility).

The rich man was suddenly a pauper in hell and Lazarus had all the riches of heaven at his disposal.

2. Another great change is that the prayerless rich man was suddenly very prayerful in hell. He screamed out his prayers. He was desperate. Lazarus was at peace – his prayers had been answered.

3. The enormous change in riches and contentment, with Lazarus who had nothing on earth, compared to the absolute deprivation of all luxuries for the rich man. He didn’t even have a drop of water to cool his tongue. This was to be an eternal situation for them.

4. Another amazing change is that the rich man became a “missionary” in hell. He was suddenly “concerned” about his unsaved brothers and tried to organize that Abraham should send Lazarus from the dead to preach salvation to his brothers. Are you a missionary here on earth or will you become a “missionary” in hell?

5. There was a “fixed gulf” between the rich man and Lazarus. This “great gulf” in verse 26 means that there can never be a crossover from one side to the other.

However, there remains the possibility to make the “crossover” through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. But, be certain of this, this change must happen in this life before death. God’s grace is able to bridge the gulf through the gift of salvation. But death will still bring about the great change. What keeps you from getting right with God so that “the great change” is one of bliss and contentment for you – like Lazarus?