Open Heaven 3 September 2022
MEMORISE: Luke 16:31 – “And he said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
BIBLE READING: Luke 16:19-31
19 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:
19 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:
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional here
Imagine there is a robbery on the street next to yours and your neighbour comes to inform you about it. I’m sure you would immediately take all necessary precautions to ensure that you don’t get robbed too. If we care so much about our earthly possessions, why then don’t we care about our souls? The rich man told Abraham that if someone did not go back from the dead to warn his brothers about hell, they would not listen to the prophets around them. Abraham responded that if they didn’t listen to the prophets, they would likewise not listen to a resurrected Lazarus. If you are ignoring the preachers warning you about hell now, you are already on your way there. Even though many people have died and come back to life with stories about heaven and hell, some people have still not repented. If the message of Jesus Christ is not enough for you to repent from your sins, I don’t know what greater message can make you do so.
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. ( Hebrews 10:26-27)
If you continue to ignore the gospel of Christ or commit sin even when you know the anguish of hell, then you are toying with eternal damnation. Many times, the dead wish that they could tell us what is happening on the other side but they can’t communicate with us here. While many are suffering in hell, some of their family members on earth are basking in the pleasures of sin, unaware of the dangers that await them if they don’t repent. There are also many in heaven constantly hoping that all their family members make it to heaven too.
A man who went to heaven and came back shared his story. He said whenever someone gives his life to Christ there is great rejoicing in heaven because the fellow has escaped damnation. However, when a Christian backslides, they are all sad because the fellow will be heading for hell. Brethren, God has sent me to you today to warn you about the life after. Live holy so that you will end up in heaven and not hell.
PRAYER POINT: Set aside every weight of sin so that you can win the race to heaven. If you don’t go to heaven, the only other option is hell.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 41 – 45
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – The Rich Man’s Brothers – written by Pastor Enoch A.
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Open Heaven 3 September 2022
