The Chasm:

Context:

• 16:14 - The Pharisees were lovers of money.
• 16:15 - What is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
• 16:17 - Not one dot of the law will become void.

Luke 16:19-31 “...There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead...’”

How often did the rich man indulge himself?

• Every day.

Does boasted righteousness and external correctness insure eternal good?

• God knows the heart.

Where did the rich man go when he died?

• The torment of Hades.
• Hades is the place or state of departed spirits. It appears to be a holding place.
• Revelation 20:13 “...And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done...”
• Hell is the place or state of those finally damned. It is the final judgment place.

Does poverty and misery preclude eternal good?

• Not in this parable.

Where did the poor man go when he died?

• He was carried by angels to Abraham’s side

How did the great chasm add to the rich man’s torment.

• He could see what he couldn’t have, much like the poor man saw on earth.

What did the rich man request?

• He wanted Lazarus to be sent back to the living to warn the rich man’s five brothers of the fate that awaited them.

What was Abraham’s response?

• The Law and the Prophets are enough warning.
• If a person doesn’t believe them, they won’t believe someone returning from the dead.

Do you think those who have had death and revival experiences can convince people when the Law and the Prophets can’t?

• The greatest miracle will have no effect on those who are determined not to believe.

• There was a Lazarus who returned from the dead. Did his whole community turn to follow Christ?

2 Peter 1:19 “...And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,...”