The Gospel of Luke 16:22-22 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“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 16:22-24 KJV).

These lines of the Lord’s Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, reveal the immediate reversal of fortunes after death - between the haves and the haves not. This highlights that earthly wealth not stewarded under God’s grace becomes a curse that leads to the burning flame of hell. Physical death is the transition door to true realities of life. The moment this event comes, truth is revealed that every person’s consciousness remains, and their destinies are set.

Illustrated by the rich man and the beggar - being the darlings of the world and the deprived, respectively, tells us that those who trust in their own works, self righteousness, and earthly possessions, rather than in God, finds themself in torment. While the casts out of this world but depend on God - have no earthly funeral, their lives are precious in God's eyes, illustrating that God honors those who trust Him rather than their own resources.

This reveals that those deprived in this world, due to their dependence in God’s grace in Christ, as they cross death from the physical to be in the spiritual realm, they are carried by angels to the bosom of Abraham in paradise. This affirm that in grace by faith in Christ Jesus we are sons and daughters of Abraham and heirs to the promised blessings. Scriptures affirm that as we are baptized into Christ, not religion, we are heirs to the promise. It is written: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” (Galatians 3:27-29 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.