Mark 8:36: How will you benefit, if you gain the whole world and everything in it, but then you lose your own soul?
In Luke 16:19-31 the Lord Jesus told a true story about two men who knew each other, and saw each other every day, and who died at close to the same time, but they went to two different places for the rest of eternity.
These two men contrast the two spiritual paths, that are available to each person whoever lives. Each person will end up taking one or the other of these two paths. These two paths are diametrically opposed to each other.
You and I will choose and take one of these paths. You will have the chance to meet one or the other of these men. If fact, you end up spending eternity with one or the other of these men.
There are no other paths. There are no other choices, no matter how sincere they might seem. One day or one night, you will take your last breath and wake up in another world. Do you want to wake up in heaven or do you want to wake up in hell?
The rich man is often identified as "Dives", derived from the Latin Vulgate translation of "a certain rich man" (homo quidam erat dives). Jesus identifies the poor man as Lazarus. This is a different Lazarus than the man in John 11 (the brother of the sisters named Martha and Mary), who Jesus raised from the dead after four days of death in his tomb.
https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=rich+man+lazarus
Let us read this short biography as Jesus shared it and then study each of these men and the paths they took. Let us note that It appears both the rich man and Lazarus were Jews, who had access to the Old Testament Scriptures. Here is the full narrative of these two men. After this full narrative, I will share each of scriptures in the narrative in small groups with short commentaries after each group.
Luke 16:19-31: The Rich Man and Lazarus
There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.span class="woj">At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.
He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family,for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
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.’
Now...here are the scriptures in the biographies of each man divided into small groups with commentary after each group.
The name Lazarus means “God helps”.
Verses 19-23: There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side.
The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
https://anthonygflood.com/2023/03/the-divinely-inspired-satire-of-the-rich-man-and-lazarus/
Thoughts: The time will come when you will die, just as Lazarus and the rich man. Hebrews 9:27-28 states, “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment...”
Thoughts: Both of these men went to real-literal places and each place had a name. Lazarus went to Abraham’s side, which was in the heavenly paradise where all of the believers of the Old Testament times (before Christ) went when they died, to be with God until the future resurrection.
Hades is the temporary hell where all unbelievers of the Old Testament times (before Christ) went when they died and are being kept until the Great White Throne Judgement in Revelation 20:11-15.
At the Great White Throne Judgement, they will be judged for their sins and lack of faith in Christ and then they will be transferred to the eternal Lake of Fire, where they will continue to suffer for the rest of eternity...according to degree of their individual judgement.
The worst thing about hell and the suffering that goes on there is that it will never end. Even if the suffering and torments went on for one million years, but then it was over, one would have hope. One could look forward to the end of that one million years and know that he or she’s suffering would end and he or she would either get to enjoy heaven, because he or she suffered enough, or he or she would be destroyed all together and no longer have any conscious life.
BUT, that ain’t the way it will be. Hell is forever and ever. After a million or billion or trillion years, one would just be getting started in his or her’s enforced endurance of the fires and torments of unending hell. You have to think about this and how serious it is. Do you want to take a chance on that kind of eternity? The rich man said he was in unbearable agony in hades...forced to bear the unbearable!
Verses 24-26: So the rich man called to him, Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.
But Abraham replied, Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.
Thoughts: The rich man could remember his life on earth and how good he had it, compared to how bad it was now in hades. We can presume that Lazarus also remembered his life on earth and how bad it was, compared to how good he had it now, because he believed in God and had saving faith in Jesus Christ.
It is easy to imagine, how part of the torments one will experience throughout eternity, will be how many chances or opportunities one had to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and through that relationship, he or she would have salvation and eternal life...and would be in heaven...not hell. Oh, how the wrong decision will that grieve a soul every moment of eternity!
Also noteworthy, is how a believer who had died and gone to heaven, could remember how many times they may have said no to a gospel presentation, but God through His mercy, did not give up on them. BUT, the Holy Spirit continued to pursue him or her until he or she finally accepted a gospel presentation and got saved. How grateful he or she will be for God’s continued pursuit of his or her lost soul. He or she will be shouting halleluiah every moment of eternity for God’s underserved mercy and saving grace.
Many like myself, had one or more near-death experiences, before getting saved. During my 20’s, I should have died in a car wreck and in an experience with a hand grenade in the army. If I would have died, I would be in hell right now, rather than writing this message to you. Just thinking how I could (should) be in hell right now makes me shudder. When I think about that, I am overwhelmed with gratefulness. Oh God, thank you, thank you, thank you for saving me!
It is important to recognize that the rich man did not go to hell because he was rich and Lazarus did not go to heaven because he was poor. The rich man went to hell because he did not think he needed God during his life on earth, and he rejected God’s salvation and gift of eternal life.
Lazarus went to heaven, because he was fully aware of his sinfulness and he gladly accepted God forgiveness and gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. His faith did not relieve his human suffering, but it did guarantee his eternity of glory and joy and pleasure with Jesus Christ, where every need is met.
Verse 27-28: He answered, Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.
Thoughts: Not once during his life on earth, did the rich man show concern for the eternal destiny of himself or his five brothers, but now that is all he cared about. He dreaded the thought of his brothers joining him in hell, where they would all suffer the flames of hell together forever with him. If you have loved ones who are not saved, the rich man (if he could) would beg you to go to each one and plead with them to ask Jesus Christ for his gift of salvation.
Thoughts: Moses and the prophets explained how the Jewish Messiah would come into the world at the right time and provide salvation for everyone (Jew or Gentile) who would believe in Him and accept His gift of eternal life. The rich man rejected how Moses and the Prophets pointed him to Christ, who was most likely alive at the same time as the rich man and Lazarus.
So, the rich man knew how his 5 brothers might also reject how Moses and the Prophets showed them the way of salvation through Christ. So, out of desperation, the rich man begged Abraham to somehow send someone back to earth who had died and was in heaven now, to warn his brothers.
He was sure that if someone came back from the dead and talked to his brothers about hell, they would believe and get saved. But Moses told him it wasn’t so. And Christ did come back from the dead and yet look at how many still don’t believe. They will have no excuse.
So, now you know how the Lord Jesus described these two different men with two different lifestyles, who had two different kinds of faith, and went to two different locations the moment they each died. Let us recap some of the additional characteristics about each man.
The Life of the Rich Man Before His Death
- His Identity: He is often called "Dives", which comes from the Latin Vulgate translation of "a certain rich man" (homo quidam erat dives).
- His Lifestyle:The rich man’s life was characterized by extreme luxury, public displays of wealth, and complete indifference to the suffering and needs of others.
- He was completely self-centered and proud, as illustrated by the clothes he wore and the food he ate.
- His garments were dyed with rare and expensive murex shellfish dye, which was a luxury reserved for royalty and the ultra-rich.
- He wore costly imported Egyptian linen as undergarments, illustrating his luxury inside and out.
- He indulged himself everyday with the best gourmet food available, while most people (including Lazarus) struggled just to survive, having to exist day by day with some degree of constant hunger.
- He built his life on constant, autonomous consumption and personal pleasure without restraint. {Autonomous consumption is the consumption expenditure that occurs when income levels are infinite.}
- His Attitude: He disdained those who were not his equal, as illustrated by his attitude toward and neglect of Lazarus. He viewed his wealth in this world as some kind of proof, that he was better than others, who had no worldly wealth and he felt no responsibility for the needs of others.
- As an Israelite, the rich man should have been very familiar with Deuteronomy 15:7-8, which says: “If one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him”.
- If the rich man knew this command, he certainly disregarded it, to his shame and later to his judgement. Have you been attentive to the needs of those...suffering without responding them appropriately?
- His Family: Jesus made a point to explain how this rich man had five brothers. So, he came from a large family.
- While he was alive, he had no concern for the eternal well-being of his family members.
- It is possible they shared his attitude of pride and self-sufficiency and had no regard for the afterlife.
- Are you concerned, even burdened, for the eternal destiny of your family members? Do you care about them? What are you doing to help prepare them for the day they die?
The Life of the Rich Man After His Death
- His Afterlife: Immediately upon death, this rich man (“Dives”) woke up in Hades. Hades is the temporary hell where all unbelievers who have died are kept until the Great White Throne Judgement in Revelation 20:11-15, at which time they will be transferred to the eternal Lake of Fire, where they will continue to exist and suffer for the rest of eternity.
- Take note that the rich man’s entrance to hades is immediate.
- There is no place of temporary reprieve and rest, such as represented by the false concept of Purgatory.
- If you die without faith in Jesus Christ, you will immediately wake up in hades (hell) and you will never get out.
- The pain and suffering from the fires of hades, that the rich man began to feel the minute he died, he is still feeling today.
- There is no escape from it!
- Interaction: Even in his suffering in Hades, the rich man could see and recognize Lazarus and Abraham in paradise. He might have even had a glimpse of hope that Abraham (the man of faith) and Lazarus would surely respond to his plea for help and send a single drop of water to relieve his dryness and thirst.
Below, I inserted a short AI overview of what your mouth, tongue, and throat would feel like if you were restrained in a fire without be consumed, so you can try and imagine what this rich man was experiencing.
AI Overview from the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and State Urgent Care
Being in a fire causes your mouth, tongue, and throat to feel intensely hot, raw, and dry due to heat and smoke inhalation. [1, 2]
Immediate Sensations
- Severe burning:Your tongue and mouth feel as if you scalded them with boiling liquid.
- Extreme dryness:Saliva dries up quickly, leading to intense thirst.
- Raw throat:Smoke and hot air cause a sharp, raw, and scraping pain when you breathe or swallow.
- Hoarseness:Your voice changes or becomes raspy as the delicate tissues in your upper airway swell and get irritated. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Respiratory and Physical Changes
- Coughing and wheezing:Inhaling thick smoke triggers violent coughing and noisy breathing.
- Swelling:Tissues inside the mouth and throat can swell rapidly, making it hard to breathe or swallow.
- Taste changes:You may notice a sharp, bitter, or metallic taste from chemicals and ash in the air. [1, 2, 3]
Sources:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/burning-mouth-syndrome-why-doctors-sometimes-fight-its-fire-with-fire/&ved=2ahUKEwi5s7axlaaXAxUYJEQIHSGxOT0Q0YISegoIAggACAEIEhAP&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw3uRF8sJnMW_6zYYgZktdNb&ust=1791402740873000
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/smoke-inhalation&ved=2ahUKEwi5s7axlaaXAxUYJEQIHSGxOT0Q0YISegoIAggACAEICxAC&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw3uRF8sJnMW_6zYYgZktdNb&ust=1791402740873000
Below are testimonies of two men who died and experienced hell, before being brought back to life (their soul and spirit were reunited with their bodies).
Howard Storm’s Testimony
Howard Storm was a militant, atheist art professor at Northern Kentucky University. In 1985, while traveling in Europe with his wife, he suffered a sudden, life-threatening perforation of his stomach. He was rushed to a hospital in Paris, where he flat-lined and experienced a near-death event.
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The Descent:Storm felt his consciousness leave his physical body. Initially, he heard voices calling him into the darkness, thinking they were hospital staff. Instead, he was led away by figures into a pitch-black, increasingly hostile void.
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The Torment:He reported being subjected to extreme cruelty, mockery, and physical abuse by hostile entities in a dark, subterranean place. He felt total hopelessness, fear, and a sense of being cut off from all goodness or love.
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The Turning Point:Realizing he was completely helpless, Storm remembered scraps of childhood prayers (like Jesus Loves Me) and cried out into the dark for God's help.
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The Rescue:Immediately, a brilliant light appeared, and Jesus Christ rescued him from the darkness, leading him into a life-review where he re-experienced his life and how his actions impacted others.
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Aftermath:Storm survived his medical crisis, abandoned his strict atheism, and eventually became an ordained Christian minister, dedicating his life to sharing his warning and testimony about the reality of the spiritual realm.
SOURCE: https://www.google.com/search?q=Bill+Wiese%2C+who+documented+his+experience+in+his+book+23+Minutes+in+Hell.&client=safari&hs=Oj4V&sca_esv=683d24960322eb4b&channel=iphone_bm&sxsrf=APpeQnsOOgmfUDlgFjDWFRYk6ml2HIVXfQ%3A1790972967204&ei=JxTAatP7C_PvmLQP7sP1wAg&biw=1186&bih=900&uact=5&oq=Bill+Wiese%2C+who+documented+his+experience+in+his+book+23+Minutes+in+Hell.&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiSUJpbGwgV2llc2UsIHdobyBkb2N1bWVudGVkIGhpcyBleHBlcmllbmNlIGluIGhpcyBib29rIDIzIE1pbnV0ZXMgaW4gSGVsbC5I9QlQAFjcBnABeAGQAQCYAWqgAWqqAQMwLjG4AQPIAQD4AQH4AQKYAgGgAguoAhTCAgcQIxjqAhgnwgIaEAAYgAQYigUYkQIY5wYYtAcY6gIYtALYAQHCAhcQABiABBiKBRiRAhjnBhjqAhi0AtgBAcICEBAAGAMYjwEY6gIYtALYAQHCAhAQLhgDGI8BGOoCGLQC2AEBmAML8QXqWAG3Pz6fVboGBggBEAEYAZIHATGgB1uyBwC4BwDCBwMyLTHIBweACAE&sclient=gws-wiz-serp
Bill Wiese’s Testimony - 23 minutes in Hell
Bill Wiese is another widely cited modern figure who claims to have died and descended into hell before returning.
- The Experience: In 1998, Wiese claims he was pulled out of his body around 3:00 AM and thrust into a terrifying, dark cell or cavern.
- The Sensations: He described intense, suffocating heat, total isolation, foul odors, physical torment by demons, and an overwhelming sense of emotional and spiritual despair that lasted what felt like days or years (though reported as 23 minutes of earthly time).
- The Return: He suddenly found himself thrust back into his physical body in his bed, deeply traumatized, which led him to write books and travel as an evangelist warning people about the reality of hell.
SOURCE: https://www.google.com/search?q=Howard+Storm+was+a+militant%2C+atheist+art+professor+at+Northern+Kentucky+Universit&client=safari&hs=bOPB&sca_esv=683d24960322eb4b&channel=iphone_bm&sxsrf=APpeQnumjklf3iYiUV8eO6vABRRHXaztNg%3A1790972423373&ei=BxLAarGbFqGNruEPmqXh0AQ&uact=5&oq=Howard+Storm+was+a+militant%2C+atheist+art+professor+at+Northern+Kentucky+Universit&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiUUhvd2FyZCBTdG9ybSB3YXMgYSBtaWxpdGFudCwgYXRoZWlzdCBhcnQgcHJvZmVzc29yIGF0IE5vcnRoZXJuIEtlbnR1Y2t5IFVuaXZlcnNpdEihDFAAWJAGcAF4AJABAJgBYqABYqoBATG4AQPIAQD4AQH4AQKYAgGgAguoAhTCAgcQIxjqAhgnwgIaEAAYgAQYigUYkQIY5wYYtAcY6gIYtALYAQHCAhcQABiABBiKBRiRAhjnBhjqAhi0AtgBAcICEBAAGAMYjwEY6gIYtALYAQGYAwvxBS7dehdPBQqgugYGCAEQARgBkgcBMaAHY7IHALgHAMIHAzMtMcgHCIAIAQ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp
The Rich Man’s Appeal To Abraham
Based upon the medical descriptions above of what it would feel like to be restrained in a fire, but without being consumed, we can easily identify with the rich man, as he pleads with Abraham to send someone back to earth to warn his five brothers.
The rich man was now terrified for his brothers, thinking how they could end up with him, suffering in the fires of hell. But as we read, Abraham explained that no one could go back to earth to warn his brothers.
Abraham reaffirmed that his brothers had the knowledge they needed (the teachings of Moses and the Prophets) to get saved and avoid hell all together when each one died, at their appointed time in the future.
The rich man knew how he himself, had access to the teachings of Moses and the Prophets during his life, but he had totally neglected them...resulting in his new home in hades. Therefore, he was very sensitive and fearful to how his brothers could also neglect the means of salvation and end up with him in the place of suffering and torments.
Consider Romans 1:20...For from the creation of the world the invisible things of God are clearly seen, being understood through the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.
In Romans 1:18–21, the Apostle Paul explains that humanity's problem is not a lack of information about life after death and eternity, but the willful suppression or rejection of the truth in unrighteousness.
The Life of Lazarus Before His Death
In contrast to the rich man, Lazarus was a starving, sore-covered beggar whose life was confined to laying at the gate of the rich man each and every day. All he could do was lay there and beg for something to eat or a bit of money to buy something to eat. His skin condition would have been both painful and sickening to look at. He could not even walk to where he wanted to beg. He had to be carried, showing how completely dependent he was on others.
https://contagions.wordpress.com/2018/01/03/lazarus-does-not-have-the-plague/
Lazarus could possibly have seen and smelled the food on the rich man’s table and the scraps that fell to the ground from his table (which would be tormenting to someone so hungry), but he was never allowed to consume any of them. The only comfort Lazarus experienced was the relief that came from the dogs licking his open, running sores.
Lazarus’ time on earth was characterized by loneliness, shame, hunger, pain, suffering, and extreme deprivation, but Lazarus had faith in Jehovah his God (probably from a young age) and would experience a glorious eternity. His short biography in Luke introduces his spiritual inheritance in paradise (heaven).
It is interesting that Lazarus was completely passive in his biography. He did not say or do anything, except die and go to Abraham’s side in paradise. It is an awesome contrast how during his life on earth, Lazarus had to be carried by family or friends to the place he would be laid, where he could beg for the day. But, the moment he died, he was carried by angels to Abraham’s side in paradise.
Can you imagine angels picking you up and carrying you to paradise? It was the smoothest ride he ever had, probably with the most interesting conversation he ever had. What would you say to angels? What did the angels say to him?
- Lazarus – your suffering is over!
- Lazarus – your hunger is over!
- Lazarus – your loneliness is over!
- Lazarus – your shame is over!
- Lazarus – you are about to meet Jesus!
The testimony of Lazarus also confirms two other consequential points in James 2:5 and Matthew 19:24.
Matthew 19:24: And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
The rich man Jesus has been comparing to Lazarus in Luke 16 illustrates perfectly what a challenge it is for rich people in general to accept the gift of salvation God offers every person in the world.
Why is it so hard for a rich person to get saved? The reasons can vary from person to person, but no matter what the reason ends up being for one person or another, the bottom line is....they say no to God’s gift.
The website “GotQuestions.org” identifies in a clear way, the root problem rich people struggle with, in responding to God’s offer of salvation and eternal life.
Key Reasons Wealth Hinders Salvation:
- False Security: Money provides physical comfort, safety, and power. This can trick wealthy people into trusting their bank accounts instead of relying on God for protection and peace.
- Spiritual Blindness: Material prosperity can hide a person's inner spiritual poverty. If life feels easy and comfortable on earth, a person may feel no real need to ask for redemption or divine help.
- Distraction and Priorities: Managing, protecting, and growing great wealth takes time, energy, and focus. These possessions easily become idols or distractions that pull a person away from a deep relationship with God.
- Pride and Self-Reliance: Wealthy individuals are often tempted to believe they earned everything entirely by their own strength and cleverness. This pride makes it difficult to humble oneself and admit a dependency on God's grace.
- Cost of Surrender: Following Christ requires a willingness to let go of anything that takes God's place. As seen in the story of the rich young ruler, some people love their material comforts and possessions too much to surrender them when called to follow Jesus.
...Matthew 19:16: Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?
...Matthew 19:21: If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.
...Matthew 19:22: When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
James 2:5 declares how God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of His kingdom. Lazarus was as poor as he could be, but by God’s grace, he did not let his poverty make him bitter towards God. He did the opposite. His suffering and deprivation made him very sensitive to his need for God and God’s salvation and he looked forward to the promise of heaven, with all of its provision and blessings, where there would be no pain or suffering and no need to ever beg again.
If the rich man could come back to one of your Sunday School Classes to teach for one hour, he would speak with an urgency in his voice you have never heard before. He would be very specific, speaking about two issues.
1. Do everything you possibly can to relieve those who are suffering and in need of life’s essentials. Do not neglect anyone who is in real need, if you have the resources to help.
The rich man would certainly point your Sunday School Class to the example of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25–37, who did everything he could to save a man’s life, as opposed to a Jewish Priest and a Levite, who both intentionally avoided the man in need.
John Wesley passionately taught each one of his disciples to earn all the money they could, so they could save all the money they could, so they could give all the money they could, to those in need.
2. Make sure each of you in the Sunday School Class has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Lord has already done everything He could possibly do to provide you with God’s free gift of eternal life (salvation)...but you make ask Jesus for His gift of salvation. You must admit that you need His salvation and that you want His salvation. In asking Him for this gift of eternal life, you must submit yourself to His Lordship, as well as asking Him to be your personal savior. Here is an example of this plea for salvation.
Lord God...I have become aware that I am a lost and depraved sinner, just as bad off as the rich man in Luke 16. I desperately need your eternal salvation. Therefore, right now, I ask you to forgive me for all of my sins and remove my sinful nature from me, and replace it with the holy and pure nature of your Son...Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, I ask you to be my personal Savior and I submit to your Lordship for the rest of eternity. In you name I pray...AMEN!
If you just read this, you are now fully aware of the two choices that lay before you, regarding eternal life...where you will go when you die and leave this world. This is a choice you must make before you take your last breath. Once that last breath is taken, your eternity is set. You will either be in heaven forever or you will be in hell forever.
If you desire to spend eternity with God and with all of those who ask Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior (like Lazarus), then please pray the prayer above and ask the Lord to forgive you for all of your sins and to save your from your sinful condition.
The Lord Jesus will respond to your prayer immediately. The Holy Spirit will cleanse you of all guilt and sinfulness. You will feel yourself being transformed into a new person, who knows God personally, as a new child of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17 promises this.
2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature. The old things passed away. Behold, new things have come.
The new creature is you, as a new born child of God. The old things that passed away is your sinful nature (referred to as the “your old man” in Romans 6:6) and the guilt from all of the sins you have committed (past, present, and future), as it promises in Psalm 103:1-5 and verses 11-12.
Psalm 103:1-5: Praise the Lord, my soul...all my inmost being. Praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:11-12: For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
The Lord Jesus is waiting for you to call out to Him. Will you do it now?
Yours in Christ,
Gene
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