Jesus’ Teaching on Repentance – the Rich Man and Lazarus
Let us uncover what Jesus teaches about repentance with
the parable of the rich man and Lazarus
from Luke 16:19-31.As we continue to explore Jesus’ teachings we discover
he taught the same message repeatedly in different parables and differently.
In the parable of the rich man (we do not know his name) and Lazarus
both the rich manand Lazarus
died. While he was alive he was physically poor but spiritually rich in his
faith towards God. He believed God’s Words and as a result heaven was his reward, Luke
16;23, 24.
The Rich Man
Tormented
Why was Lazarus and the rich man in death
“comforted” and “tormented,” respectively, Luke 16:25?
The rich man did not believe the records of “Moses and the
Prophets” so because of unbelief when he died his soul was transported to “hell.”
Lazarus, on the other hand, was a Believer. When he died he “was carried by the
angel into Abraham’s bosom” (comfort) in heaven, Luke 16:22. So both the
rich man and Lazarus were tormented or comforted because of where each was
after death. Strive to be comforted.
Hear the
Preachers of Jesus Christ no repentance in the grave
Like Lazarus “hear” the preaching and teaching of Jesus Christ
while you are alive because there is no repentance in the grave and there is no more preaching in hell. I
say “no more” preaching in hell because Jesus Christ preached
there once and that was sufficient to save ALL the dead up until then.
Since then, everyone must hear the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven before
he dies and must repent while he is alive to receive eternal life.
One of the purposes of preaching and teaching the Kingdom of
Heaven or the Kingdom of God is to motivate the living to repent and turn to God before they die. There
is no repentance in the grave.
The Rich Man
Request: Send a Preacher to My Father’s House
Why did the rich man request Abraham to send Lazarus to his
father’s house? When the rich man was alive he never believed the preaching of
the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven. As a direct consequence, when he died he
was taken to hell. But something happened to him in hell. He repented in hell but repentance (for him) happened
too late and could not benefit him then. The rich man wanted his five brothers
to have another opportunity to hear the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and repent and be saved from hell.
The rich man wanted the man of God to “testify” or preach to his
brothers that they may believe and be saved. This preaching would give
them another opportunity to “believe” and be saved and therefore avoid
hell, that way they would not go into that “place of torment,” Luke 16:28. So
by repentance sinners can avoid hell because their sins are confessed and forgiven. Note
Abraham’s response : “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them,”
Luke 16:29. The rich man was convinced and made a convincing appeal to Abraham:
No, “father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will
repent,” Luke 16:30.
Abraham’s second reply is chilling, if the rich man’s five
brothers will not “hear” the living Preachers of Jesus Christ they will
not be persuaded, if a person return from the dead, and tell
them to repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ,
Luke 16:31. What is your attitude to the Preachers and teachers of the Word of
God? Do you believe them?
Like the Rich Man there is no second chance at repentance in death, in
hell or in the grave
Besides Satan and his angels and the false prophet and the
beast, hell is for persons who resist the Holy Ghost by failing to or refusing to believe the
preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no second chance at repentance
in death, in hell or in the grave. Make full use of the opportunity you have
now for there is never any guarantee of another chance for tomorrow or the next
minute is promised to no man.
Finally, how many times have you heard the teaching or preaching
of the Kingdom of Heaven? What was your response? Did you repent and obey the Holy Ghost? You may never
receive another opportunity to hear another preaching. By his preaching Jesus
Christ is knocking at your heart’s door. Make a decision now, turn from your
sins, open your hear by believing and let Christ in. Accept Jesus Christ
today as your Lord and Saviour for he will save you from your sins.
Like the rich man like the unrepentant person who
dies is lost. He will be tormented by the “flames” of hell for all eternity.
But the Believer in Jesus Christ will be comforted in heaven. Whichever place
you experience is solely based on your choice. Choose Christ today.
Further
Reading(s):-
Pastor Rolando Ramos
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