“AT LEAST THEY DIDN’T SUFFER”?

© 2023 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

“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)

I encourage you to read the rest of the chapter, above.  If you do, you’ll find Abraham was unable to change the eternal outcome of either man.  Jesus Christ was reminding His disciples, and Pharisees among them, that the end of physical life initiates the eternal assignment of the deceased.  The rich man began an eternity of horrible suffering while Lazarus began enjoyment of eternal blessing.

I’ve sometimes heard people refer to loved ones who’ve suffered sudden death.  They often conclude that suddenness of death precluded suffering of the deceased.  However, those dying, who’ve rejected the one and only God of creation, begin suffering eternal torment immediately upon death.  A coworker told me his father had cancer.  He had committed suicide in order to escape torment associated with the dying process.  However, one who rejects God and subsequently commits suicide to avoid suffering, only hastens the onset of eternal torment.

Though some try to deny that conscious existence continues after death, the Bible says it does.  God’s Word shows that no one escapes eternal consequences regardless of when they die.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:27-28)

Those that “look for Him” have asked God for forgiveness based on the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ.  Those who die without seeking Christ’s forgiveness shall experience eternal torment as did the rich man described above.  God says:

“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)

What if your eternity begins today?  Are you trusting Christ alone, or shall you suffer eternal torment?

 

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