© 2013 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

Have you ever been to a funeral where the deceased is declared to be in eternal punishment? I have been to many funerals, and even spoken at some, but cannot remember a single one in which un-flattering words were spoken of the departed. Usually the deceased is pictured as enjoying his or her “final reward.” If all living people were as wholesome, good, and kind, as most departed souls are declared to have been, this would truly be a delightful world in which to live.

God’s Word presents a far more discriminating picture. Listen as Jesus describes the death of two men.

“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 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; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 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 (Luke 16:19-24).”

Notice the stark contrast Jesus presents regarding the eternal afterlife of these two men. All of the kind words that may have been spoken at the rich man’s funeral did not change his eternal outcome. Though many may have said “Ah – he’s gone to a far better place,” the rich man knew better, for he later goes on to request that his living brothers be warned to avoid his plight.

This same Jesus, who presented the reality of two different eternal destinies, also made the following statement. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him (John 3:36).”

Dear reader: Does the wrath of God abide on you, or have you called upon Jesus to apply His redeeming blood, to your account, to save you from your sins?

 

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