When Dead Men Spoke

Dead men cannot speak to us nor us to them, but at least two of them could speak to one another from the two places where dead men went (the place of torments and Abraham*s bosom). We would never have known where they went or what they said if Jesus had not told us.

Luke 16:19-31: There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man*s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham*s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And 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. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father*s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Some believe in annihilation, that when we die, we cease to exist. That is a lie from the pit of Hell. The rich man learned and experienced some things after his death that he did not believe before. As was his pattern in life, the rich man*s first concern was for himself. He wanted a sip of cool water. When he learned that that simple relief from torment was impossible, he showed concern for his five brothers. He wanted someone to warn them more than he had been warned. But he learned that they would only hear the truth that he himself had rejected. This was not just a parable. It was real. We know that because Jesus gave the names of two of the men in the report and was very specific about what was said. In many of His parables He did not use names.

Lazarus had heard the same truth that the rich man rejected but he believed it, else he would not have been in the bosom of Abraham. This report by the Lord Jesus should motivate all believers to give the gospel to everyone they possibly can. If you have not yet given your heart and life to the Lord Jesus you need to do that quickly. Right now would be the best time to make sure that you won*t go to the place of torments.

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