When you read this title, what comes to your mind? The next five years? The next ten or twenty? When you think about your future, does your mind ever go to eternity? It may be that I am getting older and there is some uncertainty as to the next twenty years. Or it could be that this world is so messed up that I cannot wait to experience the complete joy of eternity in the presence of our Lord. Whatever the reason, I am increasingly focused on what God has promised for my future with him.
Jesus gives us some important insight into this future in Luke 16:19-33. This is the account of the rich man and Lazarus. This is a unique story because many believe it is a parable, meaning it is a life related story with an eternal purpose, but it is not based on actual events. Others would disagree and assert that Jesus is recounting a factual event.
Those who believe it to be factual would point to Jesus giving the poor man an actual name. Also, the accounts of their eternities match the teaching of other scripture. However, those in the parable camp would say Jesus named the poor character in this parable to show his compassion for those of low status. Also, the coincidence of the two characters’ deaths being simultaneous seems improbable in fact.
Whichever way you lean, the truth of the teaching remains the same. Jesus is showing us the future of those who trust in him for salvation as well as those who choose to reject him and put all their focus into improving their earthly lives. The story tells the plight of a poor man who begs at the gate of a man of wealth. He only asks for the crumbs which fall from the rich man’s table. But he is ignored, as the rich man is too busy to care about the needs of others.
Both are called into eternity at the same time. Because he trusted God even in his poverty, Lazarus is ushered into Paradise, defined as Abraham’s side. (NOTE: This reference is given since Jesus had not yet been glorified and the Jews related to Abraham as the standard of God’s grace.) At the same time, the rich man is sent to Hades, a place of torture.
We then see the conversation that takes place. It is important to note that the text says the two places are far apart, there is a great chasm between them. Also, there is no moving from one to the other. At death, our future is determined for all eternity. It is important to note that Lazarus has no requests to make. After suffering all the pain and indignities of this life, his faith has gained him an eternity where there is no pain, and he will live in perfect comfort and peace.
However, the situation is much different for the rich man. He has two primary requests. He is first concerned about his own fate. He asks for Lazarus to be sent to drip water on his tongue to bring him relief. This speaks of the immediate torment for those rejecting Christ. This request cannot be granted since there is no passage from one place to the other. This prompts him to ask that Lazarus be sent back to earth to warn his brothers so they will not suffer the same torment. I want us to pay special attention to the answer he was given in verses 29-31, “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 ” ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ “ The message is clear. God has done everything necessary for us to understand and receive the message of salvation. If it is rejected and the future of someone is eternal punishment, that is not God’s fault. He is not unjust or unfair. It is up to us to put aside our selfish ambitions and pursue God with our whole heart. That ensures a future of perfect peace and joy.