perish Lk.15:17, perish; Lk.16:19-31 “It is a fable. A short story to teach a moral. Not intended to teach about the afterlife. We all know this. Just like a proverb. A saying. Not an ABSOLUTE truth. Talk about perversion of context...”

1.Figurative language does not make this a parable. E.g.: Lk.22:42 2.Figurative language in no way diminishes the reality of the language – Lk.22:42, did Jesus not actually suffer on the cross? 3.Jesus does not call this a parable. He calls a name (Lazarus) 4.If it were a parable, what lesson would it teach? Jesus spends more time on punishment than glory. Why? – Contrasts lives, deaths, eternities

I A Contrast In Life Wealthy vs poor. 2 Sm.12:1-7 “All men are created equal” –True in law, not in other areas of life: PhysicalPhysical (looks; brains; talent…) MaterialMaterial (wealth; 1 Sm.2:7; 1 Co. 4:7; Ja.1:17) SocialSocial (Ja.2:5-6)

II A Contrast In Death Both died 1. Both died. The rich die too (22) –Lk.12:20 –Ja.1:11 –Mk.8:36 Rich man was buried 2. Rich man was buried –Poor people were often dumped –Rich men – funeral No eulogy could change his destiny

Death was impartial 3. Death was impartial –Doctors die; bankers die; preachers die; young people die –Life is as long as a piece of string –1 Sm.20:3; 26:…9-10 Today: Old age; disease; car wreck; victim of violence; e-coli, etc.

III A Contrast In Eternity 23, an eternity to face A glimpse into the next world Death is not extinction –Tombstone (Waynesville, NC, Effie Jean Robinson ( ): Come blooming youths, as you pass by, And on these lines do cast an eye. As you are now, so once was I; As I am now, so must you be; Prepare for death and follow me –Someone added: To follow you I am not content. How do I know which way you went?

Angels transported Lazarus to Abraham’s bosom reclined –In Bible days, people reclined at feasts chest of the host –Person in place of honor reclined at the chest of the host (Jn.1:18; 13:23) Mt.8:11 –This man who fed on crumbs is in the most honored place The last shall be firstThe last shall be first –Heaven will be all the loving heart of God can desire for you

Jesus said more about torment than glory “You believe in hell?” God’s word lives forever –In spite of philosophers and liberal theologians, God’s word lives forever People make hell the object of jokes; only the cruel and ignorant believe it –Jesus believes it –At least 162 texts

If no hell, why did Jesus die? –To save us from non-existence? –All the blows, spit, crown of thorns, lashes on back… Why? –The justice of God demands it Vengeance is Mine…I will repay“Vengeance is Mine…I will repay”

What will hell be like? It is a place of: Sensual misery 1. Sensual misery (23-25). Torment –Is the fire real? Yes –Is it literal? It makes no difference (Mt.26:39) Emotional misery 2. Emotional misery (“Remember”) v.25

Spiritual misery 3. Spiritual misery (27) –Those who go to torment usually take others w. them; few go alone Eternalmisery 4. Eternal misery (Great gulf) v.26 –“Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span…” –From condemnation to salvation by way of the cross…

Obstacles to hell: The Book 1. The Book (Mt.25:41) The prayers 2. The prayers (Ro.10:1-3) The love of God 3. The love of God (Ro.2:5) 4.The providence 4.The providence (Lk.13:1-5) 5.Common sense