Luke 16
A rich man clothed in purple and fine linen enjoyed himself in splendor every day. A poor, hungry man named Lazarus lay at his gate, full of sores. He would like to have had the crumbs from the rich man's table. Only the dog noticed this man, and licked his sores.
The Future
Lazarus died and was taken by the angels to Abraham's bosom; the rich man died and was buried. Being in hell, in torment, he asked Abraham, seeing him afar off, to send Lazarus to bring him water, for he was tormented.
What the rich man now needed was water-the Word of God-but it was too late for that or for compassion. Abraham said, "Child, recollect that thou hast fully received thy good things in thy lifetime, and likewise Lazarus evil things. But now he is comforted here, and thou art in suffering. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm is fixed, so that those who desire to pass hence to you cannot, nor do they who desire to cross from there pass over unto us" (JND).
The rich man then asked Abraham to send Lazarus to his five brothers to earnestly speak to them that they may not come to this place of torment. Abraham said: "They have Moses and the prophets: let them hear them.... If they hear not Moses and the prophets, not even if one rise from among the dead will they be persuaded" (JND).