“Through the Looking Glass” The Kingdom of Heaven as seen through the parables of Jesus
“For now we see through a glass…” – I Cor. 13:12
“ZONKED!”
The Rich Man & Lazarus: Luke 16:19-31
19 There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 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.” 25 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. 26 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.” 27 He answered, “Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.” 29 Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.” 30 “No, father Abraham,” he said, “but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.” 31 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.”
THIS IS “THE BIG DEAL!”
22 The time came (death)…
26 “…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.”
DO I CHOOSE DOOR #1?
LIVING FOR MY “HERE AND NOW” CIRCUMSTANCES.
25 “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received…”
OR DO I CHOOSE DOOR #2?
LIVING FOR “THEN AND THERE” CIRCUMSTANCES.
25 “…but now…”
WHAT I CHOOSE IS WHAT I TAKE HOME.
27 “…my family…”
I CAN KNOW WHAT’S BEHIND THE “DOORS.”
29 “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.”
31 “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises
from the dead.”
I DON’T WANT TO GET “ZONKED!”
25 “…but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.”
“Whoever has ears, let them hear.” – Matthew 11:15