LOVE FROM A BROTHER IN HELL

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism) DIP, BA, (Theology) MA, PhD

LOVE FROM A BROTHER IN HELL

.. "He answered, and then I beg you, Father, send Lazarus to my father’s house. For I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment”,

 {Luke16:27-28}

INTRODUCTION:

     The story in focus talks of Davis, who the Bible refers to as the “Rich Man” who at his gate, during his life time, was Lazarus, the beggar, who always longed to eat what fell from his table, {Luke 17:19-20}. However, at the turn of events, after their life time on earth, Lazarus became a “rich man,” as Davis became a beggar, who longed for a drop of water from the tip of his finger, just as he longed to eat what fell from his table, during their life time on earth, {vs. 22:24}

     But, his unsuccessful bid to drink from Lazarus, as he was in torments, generated what may be termed “unusual love,” since he nursed a desire to prevent his brothers from joining him in the torments of hell, a trait he couldn’t have demonstrated if he had no love for members of his family. And so, he says to Father Abraham {vs. 27}:

SEND LAZARUS TO MY FATHER’S HOUSE

     There is no gainsaying the fact that the sending out of missionaries to preach to the perishing world is often informed by love. Though, in torments, Davis wanted his people to be saved, instead of joining him in hell. But, it was too late, since he waste a lifetime opportunity given to him by GOD, during which he should have received the message of salvation, as well as work for the conversion of his brothers. In the same vein, many today play- down on chances given to them by GOD to repent. To such people, just “as the HOLY SPIRIT says, “Today, if you hear HIS VOICE, do not harden your hearts”... {Hebrews  3:7}.

     Salvation is something to receive now that one is alive on earth, and not something to look for after death. For, now is the time of GOD’S favour, and as the Scripture says, “now is the day of salvation.”... {2 Cor.6:2}. Therefore, the Rich Man’s request, I beg you, father Abraham, send Lazarus to my Father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not come to this place of torment” {Luke 16:27}, was ill-timed, and so, should serve as a note of waning to all, including the reader of this gospel piece, as Abraham replies, {vs. 28}

THEY HAVE MOSES AND THE PROPHETS LET

THEM LISTEN TO THEM

     Gospel preaching is an assignment for the living, and not the dead. Thus, Father Abraham objected to the request of the “Rich Man” to send Lazarus, and this, also confirms the fact that the dead are never allowed to return to the earth after death. For, “it is  appointed unto men once to die, and after this, the judgement”, {Heb. 9:27}. And so, the message here is that the reader and everyone living under the sun should now pay attention to the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST our LORD and BLESSED SAVOUR, and  repent, before it is too late, as “it is a fearful thing to fall into the HANDS of the LIVING GOD,” {Heb. 10:31}

     Furthermore, Abraham’s expression, “they have Moses and the prophets, let them listen to them” {Luke 16:29}, shows that GOD always provides abundant workforce for the propagation of the gospel. For, according to the Scripture, “the LORD gives the WORD, and great is the company of those who publish it”, {Psalm 68:;11}. Therefore, the Rich Man was in error when he supposed that Lazarus could be sent from the dead to preach to his brothers, as those who claim they died and were returned to preach the gospel on earth, may not have really died, but may have had what is known as Near Death Experience {NDE}. Yet, Davis continues to say, {Luke 16:30};

BUT IF SOMEONE FROM THE DEAD

GOES TO THEM, THEY WILL REPENT

     GOD does not raise preachers from the dead, but calls them from among the living, to reach out to the living, and, this is why the love and the attempt of the Rich Man to save his brothers from hell through Lazarus was not successful, coupled with the biblical truth that the prayers of sinners are heard, but are never answered,{John 9:31}. In line with this, for one to be saved, one must repent, and for one to get the desired answers to the prayers one prays for the salvation of one’s brothers and sisters, one must be in good relationship with the LORD, and the foregoing must be within one’s lifetime on earth.

But, the Rich Man repented and prayed in hell to no avail, and for your information, everyone in hell is truly repentant and sincerely prays for salvation, but every effort at this point remains effort in futility. Once again, ...”now is the time for GOD’S favour, now is the day of salvation”, {2Cor. 6:2}, and so, “today, if you hear HIS VOICE, do not harden your heart, {Heb 3:7}.

     In conclusion, be informed that those in hell, who in agony long to be saved or get the approval that someone be sent from the dead to preach to their loved ones on earth, still get the answer, “if they do not listen to Moses {church leaders} and the prophets {preachers}, they will not be convinced, even if someone rises from the dead” and preach to them,{Luke 16:31}. DON’T REGRET IN HELL!

    

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