The Wealthy are Paving a Road to Hell, While the Destitute are On the Path to Heaven

Luke 16:19-31

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click for a description of the image of the beast.

• There was a well-off man and a destitute man.
• There is Hades and Heaven that we face after this life.
• There is torment for the worldly and comfort for the people of God.
• A materialistic lifestyle burns the bridges that lead into Heaven.
• Even today, people refuse to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

There was a well-off man and a destitute man. “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury.” Luke 16:19 This is a man who had plenty of food, excellent health care, a safe place to call home, a supportive social network, treated respectfully, and grateful for what he was made to be in life. In today’s terms, he was happy with his mark or station in life within the global culture of the beast. He welcomed the thing forming his thoughts, feelings, words and behaviors which allowed the image of the beast to live and speak through him. He represents those who deny the existence of God the Creator, discards the need for the remission of sin through Jesus Christ, and rejects the presence of the Holy Spirit.

There was also another man, “But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.” Luke 16:20-21 This man did not have enough to eat, he did not have health care, there was insecurity in his housing, he had no social support, he was not respected, and was not happy with what he was made to be in life. He was not happy with his mark in life within the system of the global culture of the beast. He was rejected by the social network and represents those who are considered the least in society for believing God, living for our Lord Jesus Christ, and embracing the life of Holiness.

There is Heaven and Hades that we face after this life. “So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.” Luke 16:22 There is life after we die in this life. The destitute man was carried into heaven, as the rich man was buried in the grave to eternal death. Many people do not believe in anything beyond the grave, and they are those who wear the fig leaf of humanism empowered by the thing with power over physiology. They will be in torment in Hades.

“And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” Luke 16:23 The money, possessions, and physical comforts of this life does not buy a ticket into Heaven where true comfort is. The Jewish people look to Abraham, Moses, and the whole Old Testament for their hope of Salvation, but Salvation only comes through Jesus Christ, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 “Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.” Galatians 3:7

There is torment for the worldly and comfort for the people of God. “Then 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.’” Luke 16:24 The well-off in this world never get past the notion that their place in society is above the less fortunate. Those who live for the global culture of the beast consider others to be at their disposal. The rich man wanted Abraham to send the poor man to water him and cool him from the hot flames of Hell. The hierarchy of the beast that is in this world today is not present in Heaven.

“But Abraham said, Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.” Luke 16:25 The suffering that we experience in this world doesn’t even compare to the glory we receive in Heaven. Likewise, the pleasant life received in this world doesn’t even compare to the torment in Hades.

A materialistic lifestyle burns the bridges that lead into Heaven. “And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’” Luke 16:26 Bridges to Heaven are burned when we choose the money, possessions, social favor, and physical comforts that come by living for the system of this world. Today is the day to choose to live for Jesus because after we die it is not possible to change up and cross over into the New Jerusalem.

“Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’” Luke 16:27-28 The rich man again wanted to use the poor man as his servant and errand boy. The Jewish people always considered the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to be only for them and had this picture of Heaven where they gave the orders and everyone else followed. “Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’” Luke 16:29 The Israelis have the word of Moses and the prophets, which prophetically points to Jesus Christ, so let the Jewish people hear them.

Even today, people refuse to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. “And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’” Luke 16:30 The world is filled with people who might say that if they witness the resurrection of a person, then they would believe in God. Even then, I’m sure they credit those miracles to the thing that has power over every cellular aspect of physiology. “And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” Revelation 13:3-4 It gives them more reason to believe in the power of living for the global culture and goals of the beast.

“But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’” Luke 16:31 Two thousand years ago, way before anyone even imagined having the power over life and death, God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Through Him we have forgiveness of sin and eternal life.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1