Heaven to Hell

YOU ARE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK – HEAVEN TO HELL

Main Text: Luke 16:19-31 (AMP)

I've been asking God what direction I could take with this message. As I was meditating, He gave me this message Of:

• 2 Beggars
• 2 Gates
• 2 Choices
• 2 Births
• 2 Deaths

Did You Know That Everyone Will Experience Either Two Births or Two Deaths?

• Except for Adam and Eve and those who die in the womb, all human beings experience physical birth.
• That is a given. And, except for Enoch, Elijah, and those alive at the time of the Rapture, all human being die physically as well.
• But the Bible actually teaches that there is a second birth and a second death as well, and that each person will experience one or the other, but not both.

John 3:5-6 (AMP) Jesus answered, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh [the physical is merely physical], and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Revelation 20:14-15 (AMP) - the Great White Throne Judgment Then death and Hades [the realm of the dead] were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire [the eternal separation from God]. And if anyone's name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

Luke 16:19-20 (AMP) "Now there was a certain rich man who was habitually dressed in expensive purple and fine linen, and celebrated and lived joyously in splendor every day. And a poor man named Lazarus, was laid at his gate, covered with sores.

• All his grief and misery, was in God alone.

Luke 16:21-22 (AMP) He [eagerly] longed to eat the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. Now it happened that the poor man died and his spirit was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom (paradise); and the rich man also died and was buried.

• Death is a appointment we are all going to keep
• It would seem as though there was absolutely no pause between the two lives of this world and the world to come.
• The rich man evidently is pictured as closing his eyes upon his gorgeous surroundings here and opening them directly again upon his cheerless surroundings there.
• The Pharisees considered wealth to be a proof of a person's righteousness.
• Jesus startled them with this story, in which a diseased beggar is rewarded and a rich man is punished.
• The rich man did not go to hell because of his wealth but because he was selfish, refusing to feed Lazarus, take him in, or care for him.
• The rich man was hard-hearted despite his great blessings.
• The amount of money we have is not as important as the way we use it.

In Hades

Luke 16:23 (AMP) In Hades (the realm of the dead), being in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom (paradise).

• He looked up meaning Eyes still work in hell
• He saw Abraham far away This lets us know it's a distance in which we could recognize people
• He calls Lazarus by name Meaning He was distinguishable
• "Abraham's bosom" is simply the well-known expression for that feast or banquet of the happy souls judged worthy of an entrance into Paradise.
• Abraham is in position now until Christ comes, remember Christ telling the story

The Rich Man's First Request

Luke 16:24 (AMP) And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in severe agony in this flame.'

• It's amazing now that the rich man is asking for mercy when he did not give mercy
• Of all the people he can ask to bring in some water, Why would he ask Lazarus?
• It's all also interesting What is on fire It's his tongue
• Making friends here who would help them there in the eternal tents?

Abraham's Response

Luke 16:25-26 (AMP) But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things [all the comforts and delights], and Lazarus likewise bad things [all the discomforts and distresses]; but now he is comforted here [in paradise], while you are in severe agony. And besides all this, between us and you [people] a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to come over from here to you will not be able, and none may cross over from there to us.'

• This lets us know that a persons memory works in hell
• He quietly recalls to the rich man's memory that on earth he had lived a life of princely splendor and luxury, and that Lazarus, sick and utterly destitute, lay at his palace gate, and was allowed to lie there unpitied and unhelped.
• in other words, out of his money - to make for himself friends who should receive him into the eternal tents.
• According to R. Johanan, a wall; according to other teachers, a palm-breadth, or only a finger-breadth" ('Midrash on Koheleth').

The Rich Man's Second Request

Luke 16:27-31 (AMP) So the rich man said, 'Then, father [Abraham], I beg you to send Lazarus to my father's house—for I have five brothers—in order that he may solemnly warn them and witness to them, so that they too will not come to this place of torment.' But Abraham said, 'They have [the Scriptures given by] Moses and the [writings of the] Prophets; let them listen to them.' He replied, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent [they will change their old way of thinking and seek God and His righteousness].' And he said to him, 'If they do not listen to [the messages of] Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'"

• Convinced of the utter impossibility of any interchange of sympathy between him and the dwellers in the realms of bliss, he ceases to pray for any alleviation of his own sad and wretched state.
• He ask a second request- for his brothers
• They were set in their ways, and neither Scripture nor God's Son himself would shake them loose.
• Another Lazarus did come back again from the dead into the midst of that great company of friends
• "I was laid at this man's gate; he knew me; he could net pass from his house into the street without seeing my condition, as a leprous beggar, yet as a beggar I died."

The Parable of the Rich Fool

Luke 12:16-21 (AMP) Then He told them a parable, saying, "There was a rich man whose land was very fertile and productive. And he began thinking to himself, 'What shall I do, since I have no place [large enough in which] to store my crops?' Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my storehouses and build larger ones, and I will store all my grain and my goods there. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many good things stored up, [enough] for many years; rest and relax, eat, drink and be merry (celebrate continually)."' But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own all the things you have prepared?' So it is for the one who continues to store up and hoard possessions for himself, and is not rich [in his relationship] toward God."

Ezekiel 14:20 (AMP) even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in the land, as I live," says the Lord God, "they could not save either their son or their daughter; they would save only themselves by their righteousness [that is, their right-standing with God—their moral and spiritual integrity]."

Solution: The key is doing things that God loves

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (AMP) As for the rich in this present world, instruct them not to be conceited and arrogant, nor to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share [with others]. In this way storing up for themselves the enduring riches of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

2 Corinthians 9:6-13 (AMP) Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously [and be blessed]. Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift]. And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity. As it is written and forever remains written, "He [the benevolent and generous person] scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever!" Now He who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed for sowing [that is, your resources] and increase the harvest of your righteousness [which shows itself in active goodness, kindness, and love]. You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous, and this [generosity, administered] through us is producing thanksgiving to God [from those who benefit]. For the ministry of this service (offering) is not only supplying the needs of the saints (God's people), but is also overflowing through many expressions of thanksgiving to God. Because of this act of ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to the gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous participation [in this gift] for them and for all [the other believers in need],

Wisdom Keys

WISDOM KEY #1 - It's not too Late

Luke 23:32-43 (AMP) Two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be executed with Him. When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. And Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing His clothes among themselves. Now the people stood by, watching; but even the rulers ridiculed and sneered at Him, saying, "He saved others [from death]; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) of God, His Chosen One." The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him and [cruelly] offering Him sour wine, and sarcastically saying, "If you are [really] the King of the Jews, save Yourself [from death]!" Now there was also an inscription above Him: "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS." One of the criminals who had been hanged [on a cross beside Him] kept hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us [from death]!" But the other one rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? We are suffering justly, because we are getting what we deserve for what we have done; but this Man has done nothing wrong." And he was saying, "Jesus, [please] remember me when You come into Your kingdom!" Jesus said to him, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, today you will be with in paradise

Discussion Questions

1. The message presents "2 Births or 2 Deaths"—everyone experiences one or the other. Have you experienced the second birth (being born again), and if so, what changed in your life?
2. The rich man went to hell not because of his wealth, but because he was selfish and hard-hearted toward Lazarus at his gate. Who is the "Lazarus" at your gate that you might be overlooking?
3. In hell, the rich man's eyes, memory, and recognition all still worked. How does this reality of eternal consciousness affect how you view the urgency of sharing the gospel?
4. The rich man asked for Lazarus specifically to bring him water—the same man he ignored in life. What does this reveal about regret and missed opportunities?
5. Abraham said the rich man's brothers had Moses and the Prophets (Scripture) and wouldn't believe even if someone rose from the dead. Why do you think people reject clear biblical truth?
6. The passage emphasizes that "the amount of money we have is not as important as the way we use it." How are you using your resources to advance God's kingdom and help others?
7. The rich fool in Luke 12 built bigger barns for himself but wasn't "rich toward God." What does it mean to be "rich toward God" in practical terms?
8. Ezekiel 14:20 teaches that even the most righteous cannot save their children—each person must have their own relationship with God. How does this truth impact how you pray for and witness to your family?
9. One thief on the cross mocked Jesus while the other believed and was saved. Both heard the same message in the same circumstances. What made the difference?
10. The criminal on the cross was saved at the last moment, showing "it's not too late." However, the rich man had no second chance after death. How do you balance the hope of salvation with the urgency of responding to God today?

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