Luke 16
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 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; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
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?