Is there a real burning hell?
Is this parable a real event or is it a spiritual allegory without real
characters who suffered and died? What
does this mean for me today? In
the context of the writing of this story, the rich man was likely a rich
self-righteous man. One who knew the Word of God, yet failed to recognize God’s
desire to help those in need. Jesus
was speaking to the Pharisees concerning their love of money and their lack of
true love of God. He tells them
in v.13 that you cannot serve both God and the material things (mammon) of
this world. The rich were
considered to be blessed by God and the poor were thought to be cursed because
of their sin. Everyone knows that all champions should of course be rich and
losers are always poor. Jesus
turns the world upside down and declares the poor to be blessed and not the
rich in the true story to follow. This
story is said by many to be a parable, which is only spiritual in nature
without out any physical significance, and thus they would deny Jesus’
teaching of an authentic painful place called hell.
The parables were earthly stories with heavenly or eternal meanings,
but this does not mean that the parables were not real stories with real
people. Many of the parables were actual happenings of the day.
Just as we use stories of our day to illustrate the message, so does
Jesus. He is the master teacher.
Therefore Lazarus was a real person with a real name.
The reason that the rich man goes unnamed is to allow the Pharisees
(and us), who derided Jesus, the opportunity to insert their own names in his
place. Let us take heed as those
who are rich in material and spiritual possessions to give to those in need.
Here is what Jesus said:
Scripture Text:
Luke 16:19 (KJS) “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.”
A
Rich Loser: Why was he a loser?
1.
He was blessed by the Lord, yet he failed to recognize God.
Earthly riches does not necessarily mean God’s blessings.
2.
He had all the abundance of material things, but he failed to help
those in need. Shows his
greediness. The dogs were more
helpful to Lazarus than the rich man.
3.
He failed to obey the word of the Lord, or He failed to go with God.
4.
He wanted to be relieved of his pain (still thinking of himself),
but he still didn’t want God. He
had rejected God for all eternity.
5.
He waited to long to be concerned about his life and the life of his
brothers. One has risen from
the dead and many still do not believe.
A
Poor Champion: What made him a
winner with the Lord?
1.
He was blessed by the Lord through the grace that he received during
his life. Remember that life
is not confined to this world, but this is just the beginning.
2.
He was blessed in death as the angels came and carried him into
Abraham’s bosom or by Abraham’s side.
(He had faith that God would take care of him.)
3.
He was saved by the Lord through his poverty of spirit and flesh.
He wasn’t too proud to ask for help.
He desired for some crumbs from the table of the rich man, but he
received a banquet from God’s table of love.
4.
He was comforted by the Lord through all eternity.
He was poor in earthly terms, but he was a champion of the Lord.
Invitation: How
can we believe in a real heaven and not a real burning hell?
There is a real heaven to gain and a real hell to fear.
Are you going to go with the Lord through death?
Then you must go with him now. Time
will end for you to come to the Lord for your salvation.
Don’t wait too long. Don’t
serve money and neglect God, but give all that you have to Him including your
money by caring for those who are in need.