In the book of Luke, chapter 16, verses 19 through to 31, we read an interesting story that Jesus told about a certain rich man and a poor beggar named Lazarus. It is a popular story and many of us are familiar with it. The rich man and Lazarus were on earth just like us. One was blessed and the other was poor. The Bible says the dogs came to lick the beggar’s sores.
These two people had one thing in common just like everybody, rich or poor; that is death. Whether you are rich, poor, sick, healthy, living in a palace or roaming the streets, the surest thing that will happen to you one day is death. And, there is nothing you can do about it. As you are reading this piece, people are dying; and death will come to everybody some day. Death came to the poor man and death also came to the rich man.
Friends, there is life after death, just as it is written in the reference scripture. If you die today, where do you think you will go – heaven or hell? From the passage, one of them died and went to hell; the other also died, but angels carried him to heaven. What a difference! Immediately they died, their souls were taken to where they deserved to go. Any time there is a crash and people die, if you can see their souls, you will find that some are going to heaven and others to hell, according to how they had lived on earth. Where you go to is determined by you, not after you die, but while you are still on earth. Many people have died without believing the gospel. The rich man’s offence was not because he was rich, but because he rejected God.
In verse 24 of that scripture, the rich man 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’.
May you not go to hell. The torment there is real. The fear and demons are real. When you watch horror movies, you see terrible-looking creatures with long fingers and wicked nature. The beings that live in hell are worse than them. Imagine you living in their midst. The Bible says that the worms in hell do not die. The torment there is forever and ever. The place is burning with sulfur and brimstone and people are crying. Some people have had visions of hell; and God has permitted some to go and witness hell and come back. The stories about hell are what you should pray that you do not see.
My appeal to you, child of God, is that you do everything you can, now that you have the opportunity, to avoid hell. Do not go to hell. The major thing that will take you to hell is not your sin; it is rejecting Jesus. You can be a good man, but if you reject Jesus you will go to hell. Going to heaven is not by good works, but by grace which is freely given to us by Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift that God gives through Christ, not because we deserve it, but because of His love. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Back to the scripture in Luke 16: This rich man was in torment in hell and he lifted up his eyes and saw the poor beggar, Lazarus at the other side, enjoying in heaven. Hear what he 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 in torment.” Friend, the torment in hell is real and it is unbearable. God said to me many years ago to win souls, souls, souls, souls and more souls at all cost. We are bringing this message to you because you have to know the truth about life, heaven, hell, God and the devil that hates you. The devil wants to take you to hell.
This rich man was confused. He did not ask for a bottle of water, he begged for a drop. In that state, he asked Abraham to go to his brothers to tell them about hell. Abraham said to him: (verses 29 & 31) “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them”. And he said unto him, “if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Today, you have the Bible and you have preachers telling you about Jesus, the devil, heaven and hell. Nobody is going to come from heaven to tell you about life there in heaven or hell. Believe the gospel you hear today, receive Jesus, be saved and avoid going to hell.
Friend, it is time to make peace with God. This is your opportunity to give your life to Christ so that you can enter heaven, the kingdom of God. If you have made up your mind to accept Jesus Christ, kindly say this prayer, meaning it from your heart. This prayer changed my life.
Lord Jesus, be merciful unto me. I am a sinner. Have mercy on me. Come into my life, be my Lord and Saviour and Master. From today, I repent of my sins. I say yes to you and no to the devil. I reject sin and Satan. Lord Jesus, from today, I am your child. Thank You, Father for saving me. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, you are becoming a Christian. There are three things I always say to new believers:
1. Get yourself a Bible and begin to study it, starting with the Gospel according to John.
2. Pray in the name of Jesus.
3. Look for a good Bible-believing church where Jesus is preached in spirit and in truth as Lord and Saviour, go and worship God there and you will be blessed.
NB: First published October 2014