(Luke 16)
How sudden!—in one moment the scene changes. Now clothed in purple and fine linen, and faring sumptuously every day: but death comes—and what then? In a moment the whole scene is changed. From royal robes and kingly fare to the depths of misery in hell, where worlds could not purchase one drop of cold water. “The rich man died and was buried.” His funeral may have been as stately as his life; but, “in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments.” Long before the pompous ceremony was over his eyes were opened to his awful state. What a change for him! But alas! alas! it is his last change! He is fixed now for eternity, and he knows it. His eyes are opened. They were willingly closed against the truth in time, but he can close them no more forever.
Unbelief may now dream about the punishment of the wicked not being eternal, but the false dreams of time will have no place in the lake of fire. “Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?” is the bitter wail of the hypocrites, or false professors in Zion. (Isa. 33:1414The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? (Isaiah 33:14).) They own it as now their dwelling place; the bitter wail can fall on no ear of mercy now—can bring no hand to help—yet in hopeless agony they still cry, “who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?” Oh! that awful word—that heart-rending thought—“dwell with everlasting burnings.” Better far be as a poor Lazarus with faith in Christ, than a rich man without it, though possessed of all the wealth of this world.
What a change to Lazarus, and how sudden! Near the rich man’s gate he used to be laid, full of sores. What a contrast! The one faring sumptuously, and attired in purple and fine linen; but alas, without God—he lived for himself. The other, a poor beggar—loathsome, in poverty, in suffering, friendless. But he believed God and lived for Him. A change comes, and suddenly the beggar dies. Nothing is said about his funeral, perhaps he had next to none. But, he “ was carried by the angels unto Abraham’s bosom.” The once rich, but now poor, man sees him. What a sight! Oh! can it be?—shall the lost ones see the saved? Parable though it be, it is not intended to mislead. All is perfectly plain. “And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom”.........Reader—Ο reader—which will be thy place—thy future—thy eternity? Let Christ be thy happy choice now—thy loved portion—thy rest—thy confidence. He died for sinners such as the rich man and Lazarus—such as thee and me—but only they who put their trust hi Him are saved. Blessed, blessed, BLESSED, are all they that put their trust in Him! Note.—There is a very solemn and striking contrast between the close of Luke 15 and 16. In the former, our Lord draws aside the curtain, and shows us the interior of the Father’s house: and there we see a returned prodigal at the father’s table, feeding on the fruits of a father’s love. In the latter, our Lord draws aside the curtain and shows us the interior of hell; and there we see a soul tormented in the flames. Awful contrast! And how very near they are to each other on the inspired page! It is just the same in Rev. 20 and 21. The former closes with “the lake of fire.” The latter opens with “ the holy city.” What a contrast! And how very near they are to each other on the inspired page! Reader, which is to be your portion?
Ο haste! Ο haste! make no delay,
At once to Jesus come;
Remember now’s the accepted day,
Ο enter while there’s room.