regeneration

The Study of Sheol

I would entitle this study SPUR OF THE MOMENT.

Please take a moment and read Lu. 16:19-31.

Ironside entitled a sermon on this text, "A MISSIONARY - MINDED MAN IN HELL" - You'll see why as we go along.

My great-grandfather was working one day and just fell to the ground dead. No pain - just dropped dead as they say. I heard of another man that pushed back from the dinner table - he pulled out his pipe and slumped - dead.

We recently heard of the two friends that were flying over Microsoft in Washington and the pilot slumped over the controls dead leaving the friend to land the plane without any knowledge of flying.

A friend of my wife's was talking with her husband. He just died - No pain - no struggle - just taken from this life in an instant.

This man's father many years before went to the doctor with a cold and the doctor gave him a shot. The man never left the table that he was sitting on. He had an allergic reaction and was dead in moments.

The account we will be looking at in this study is one which tells of two men that were suddenly taken by death - a spur of the moment occasion for them! Indeed, is not death quite often a spur of the moment occurrence? Indeed, our time could be today - we don't know!

Christ is about to relate quite an account. He relates a very interesting account of two men. Two men that died somewhat unexpectedly.

19. "There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day."

"CERTAIN" rich man! A specific person. In verse 20 we are told of Lazarus another person.

This is not a parable as some set forth. It is an account of real people. Parables do not name people. There are very few theologians that even suggest that this is a parable. An account of two men that died unexpectedly.

A "certain" - Do you suppose it was someone that Christ's listeners knew? I suspect that it was.

The richness of this man stands in stark contrast to the poverty of the Beggar. The clothes and food, contrasted to the beggar and hunger.

Sumptuously = "1. Involving or showing lavish expenditure. 2. Luxurious; magnificent" Funk and Wagnell.

I had worked at the same business for a number of years in Denver. When we left Colorado to pastor in Nebraska one of my friends at work that also was a member of our church asked us over for dinner as a farewell. When we arrived, the couple was in very nice clothes and the house was spotless. We sat for awhile before dinner and the wife brought out small gifts for each of the kids. We then went downstairs for dinner. When we stepped into the room we were about floored with the beauty of the table setting.

The wife had spent hours preparing for our short visit. The table was set in the most perfect way. All the best dishes, the best silver and the best cloth. Before the dinner was over, they had given Faith a set of teaspoons. The dinner and evening were just great - to us sumptuous.

One translation mentions "He habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, gaily living in splendor every day." (NASB) At any rate this fellow was what we might call a fat cat. Could we dare put that into today's English? He always had a three-piece suit on and dined only at the Hyatt Regency.

A number of years ago we were attending a reception given by Regular Baptist Press, in Columbus, OH. We wanted to meet a cousin of mine while in town. Faith called to tell her we were in town. She said she would meet us and asked where we were. When Faith told her the Hyatt Regency, her response was OHHHHH! Faith was quick to tell her we weren't staying there - just attending the reception - in fact we used the hotel's rest rooms to change into and out of our good clothes.

Or could we say - He wore Jordaches and drove a BMW. RICH!

20. "And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who 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."

A CERTAIN beggar named Lazarus. Again the term "Certain".

What do we know about Lazarus?

1. A beggar - he made his living by begging at a gate, indeed if you call that a living. Some suggest that this was a city gate. Others suggest that this was the gate of the rich man. This seems to fit into the text quite well. Later we will see that the rich man seems to know Lazarus so this would fit also.

2. He had to be carried to the gate. A certain gate each day - carried would indicate he was in very poor physical shape as well.

3. Full of sores - we get a cold and we don't want to come to church or go to work! He had to go no matter what. FULL of sores - evidently all over. OUCH!!

4. Desired to be fed from the crumbs from the rich man's table. Another translation reads, "longing to be fed" (NASB) He really wanted some food. Evidently begging wasn't as profitable then as it is now. I hear a good panhandler can make $20-30,000 per year.

Have you ever watched THE LIFESTYLES OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS? Have you ever said, "Boy, I'd like to just have what they pay in taxes on that house!" The less fortunate always seem to desire the crumbs of the rich man's table. However, Lazarus desired or longed for only some crumbs of food.

5. The dogs licked his sores. Not only could he not get around on his own - it would seem that he may have been unable to even move enough to push the dogs away. If he was this immobile, his sores may have been from his lack of moving - bed type sores.

We get the feeling that the rich man and Lazarus knew one another. Later we will see the rich man knew Lazarus by sight.

Here Lazarus desired the scraps from the mans table.

WHAT A CONTRASTING PAIR!

While we were interim-pastor in Wyoming we were living on about $400 a month missionary support. One of the couples invited us to their home for lunch after church. When we arrived, we were ushered into the "informal dinning room" that was off the kitchen. The formal dinning room was about our house length away from where we were. Their house was huge! Everything was so elegant and rich. The kitchen was build just exactly the way they wanted it. All of the cupboards had metal racks and storage areas built in so you could pull them out to see what you were looking for. Even this contrast is limited when you think of the rich man and Lazarus!

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;"

The beggar died! He was carried away by the angels. Does that give you a hint of what may happen to us when we go to be with the Lord? That is a peaceful picture to draw up in your mind. A man full of pain that couldn't move on his own and angels come to carry him away.

Now, I know it was his spiritual being that was carried away, but I have such a soft peaceful feeling knowing his pain was over - no more - ever!

My pain isn't bad - just a real pain. I was feeling very odd one day and I couldn't figure out what was wrong. I have cracked cartilage in both knees, bad back and a few other aches and pains. I was walking out to the car after work when it dawned on me what was wrong. I hadn't had any pain that day! What a thing to look forward to! To leave this old worn out pained body and be carried away by angels! NEAT! Can we really relate to that? AMEN!

The rich man died also and was buried. One must wonder if his death was related to the death of Lazarus. One must wonder if Lazarus starved to death.

The Contrast between the two continues to develop. One is carried away by angels and the other "WAS BURIED". The statement seems to indicate that there were some very specific differences.

The beggar's body may have just been stuffed in the ground with no

ceremony, while the rich man was buried with all the honors available.

Let's consider the contrast between these two for a moment.

The rich man was rich and the beggar was poor.

The rich man had everything and the beggar had nothing.

The rich man was well fed and the beggar was hungry.

The rich man was physically well and the beggar was crippled and full of sores.

The rich man lived well and the beggar begged at the gate.

The rich man was buried and the beggar faded away with the angels.

Notice that this is all in the physical realm! Man naturally operates in the physical realm and many never desire to enter into activity in the spiritual realm!

OUR TEXT IS ABOUT TO THRUST US INTO THE SPIRITUAL!

The rich man had it all here on earth. The beggar man had nothing here on earth. You may be today operating in the physical realm and having a ball. You may have a neat car. You may have the latest clothes. You may have a neat house. You may have 2 VCR's and a big screen TV. You may have guns and jewelry. You may have everything that you want.

I had a student come to my office when I was teaching. The student was excited with what God was doing in his life. He related to me all of the exciting things that he was learning. He told me of all the great things that God was doing in his family life. He then shifted to tell me of all that he had at one time, house, cars, guns, etc. He said, "Stan, I had all that!" BUT now look what God is doing for me!!!! He was struggling financially, but God was working in his life - that is what was important.

The rich man fared "SUMPTUOUSLY"! The rich man fared LUXURIOUSLY! The rich man fared MAGNIFICENTLY! HE HAD IT ALL! HE HAD EVERYTHING OTHERS ARE DESIROUS OF! YET Verse 23. "And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom." He had it all and now he was in Hell! He had it all and now he had nothing! Not much of a position to desire all of a sudden is it?

I'd like to share a poem from the book Hell is No Joke by Mr. Sumner (Zondervan 1959).

"Catherine Dangell expressed it,

Hell! The prison house of despair.

Here are some things that won't be there:

No flowers will bloom on the banks of Hell,

No beauties of nature we love so well;

No comforts of home, music and song,

No friendship of joy will be found in that throng;

No children to brighten the long weary night;

No love nor peace nor one ray of light;

No blood-washed soul with face beaming bright,

No loving smile in the region of night;

No mercy, no pity, no pardon nor grace,

No water, oh, God, what a terrible place!

The pangs of the lost no human can tell,

Not one moment's ease - there is no rest in HELL!

"Hell! The prison house of despair.

Here are some things that will be there:

Fire and brimstone will be there, we know,

For God in His Word has told us so;

Memory, remorse, suffering and pain,

Weeping and wailing, but all in vain;

Blasphemers, swearers, haters of God,

Christ-rejectors while here on earth trod;

Murderers, gamblers, drunkards and liars,

Will have their part in the lake of fire;

The filthy, the vile, the cruel and mean,

What a horrible mob in Hell will be seen!

Yes, more than humans on earth can tell,

Are the torments and woes of eternal HELL!"

Not only will the trash of the earth be there, but also I fear, many "right living" lost people. People that live like a Christian - some may even call themselves Christians. People that think they will make it to heaven on what they have done in this life.

A week before my father's death I was talking to him about Christ. He told me that he was HOPING he had done enough good in his life to gain entrance to heaven.

SUCH CONTRASTS!

RICH & POOR

LUXURY & POVERTY

HELL & PARADISE

TORMENT & PERFECT COMFORT

vs 25 He could see Abraham and Lazarus.

We see here that we will all know everyone in the eternal state. We will be able to seek out David and talk to him. We will be able to go see Noah and ask him of the world in which he lived - that is if we are interested, with the Lord to go see!

Imagine the conflict in the rich man's mind. To be at one moment fairing sumptuously and the next moment in torment. Instantly! From pleasure to torment. CAN YOU PICTURE IT? THEN To see Lazarus and Abraham in comfort!

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." And he "CRIED" - Not mentioned, not discussed, not announced, not whimpered, but HE CRIED! "HAVE MERCY ON ME" "SEND LAZURUS" Notice that he did not ask for his Jordaches or his BMW, nor for his good food, BUT for A DROP OR TWO OF WATER! A MAN THAT HAD IT ALL NOW CRYING FOR DROPLETS OF WATER! HE FINALLY HAD HIS PRIORITIES STRAIGHT! "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."

MORE CONTRAST

Abraham asks if the rich man remembers.

IN LIFE

YOU HAD GOOD THINGS LAZARUS HAD EVIL THINGS

NOW

YOU ARE TORMENTED HE IS COMFORTED

You had it all! Now you have only torment. He had nothing! Now he has everything. This verse seems to indicate that his material possessions were certainly a part of his current situation.

26. "And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that they who would pass from here to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from there."

There is a gulf fixed!

Sheol was a place for all departed spirits. The lost were placed in the side of torments, and the righteous people were placed in the side of comfort. Between these two places is a great gulf that none of the departed spirits could cross. The gulf that is fixed rather forcefully shows that there is no second chance to accept the Lord once you have died as some of the "isms" of our day teach.

It is of interest that there is indicated here that there may have been a desire by those on the paradise side to help those in the torment side. It is also of interest that there will be an eternal desire to leave the torment side - which will be an impossibility.

27. "Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house" 28. "(For I have five brethren), that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment."

ANOTHER REQUEST: He is able to remember His family in the place of torments. Remember Ironside's title, "A missionary - minded man in Hell"? You can get the picture can't you! Can you imagine - "IN AGONY" AND KNOWING THAT YOUR FAMILY IS ON THEIR WAY TO THE SAME DESTINATION!

"TESTIFY" Christian does that term ring in your ears. Let it rattle around in your mind this week! "TESTIFY"

Note, also the context of testify. HELL. Today we try to sweet talk people into heaven - however the EYEWITNESS of hell tells us to testify of hell as well as heaven! Those today that concentrate on the love of God in their witnessing are setting aside GOD'S JUSTICE, HIS VENGENCE, HIS PUNISHMENT AND HIS RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION! Indeed, they are not giving the whole Gospel. Christ saved us from ETERNAL PUNISHMENT! That is part of the glorious message that we are to proclaim!

29. "Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." Abraham again speaks: Do you feel a calmness in Abraham's voice?

We should have a quiet calmness in our minds when we talk to men of their souls. We have the authority of the Word of God as to what will happen and we need to communicate effectively what we know of it.

Abraham tells the rich man that his brothers have Moses and the prophets. Let them hear them. Salvation can be known from Moses and the prophets! Can we find application in this thought for our own day? Some today say we have unevangelized in America and that we need to reach them! We are spending too much on foreign missions and we have a real need here at home.

True, there are unevangelized here and true we need to reach them,

HOWEVER THE BIBLE IS TO BE HAD IN EVERY DEPARTMENT STORE, EVERY BOOKSTORE, EVERY MOTEL OR HOTEL ROOM! YET We have 3 billion people in the world that have never heard the Gospel. THEY DON'T HAVE MOSES AND THE PROPHETS!

A New Tribe's missionary mentioned recently that there are 2000 tribes that do not have the Bible. 2000 TRIBE'S THAT DON'T HAVE MOSES AND THE PROPHETS MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF OTHER PEOPLE!

30. "And he said, Nay, father Abraham; but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent."

31. "And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, through one rose from the dead."

The rich man honestly thought if Lazarus would return from the dead that his brothers would repent. Abraham says if they won't listen to Moses and the prophets -(whom they had grown up on probably) - they wouldn't even listen to one raised from the dead.

The rich man had it all on this earth. The beggar man had nothing on this earth YET IN ETERNITY the rich man had nothing but agony and the beggar had EVERYTHING FOR ETERNITY!

NOW, when do you want to have it all, HERE? OR THERE?

Nothing on this earth is more important right now to a lost person than the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I heard someone say "I wouldn't miss heaven for anything." Think about it.

There seems to be one more item to look at. The rich man didn't do certain things. 1. He showed no remorse - evidently he knew he was where he belonged. 2. He didn't ask for release. he must have known his punishment was just. 3. He didn't apologize to Lazarus. he must have known it was too late to make amends.

TALK ABOUT A HOPELESS POSITION! Once death overtakes you it truly is too late - indeed, he did not request a second chance - he must have known all was done concerning him.

In closing I would like to share an old song. This is a song that people used to sing in church! You'd be run out of most churches if you sang it for a special number in this day and age. Consider the words.

FIVE SECONDS AFTER DEATH

The Lament of a Lost Soul in Hell

"Five seconds after death, and now my eyes do see

The awful, flaming pit of hell is opening under me.

My blinded eyes are open now, when it is far too late. (Vs 1)

"Five seconds after death and now my ears do hear

The terrible shrieks and cries of souls in agony and fear.

I would not hear God's earnest call I would not heed His plea,

And now, I too, am here, in Hell for all eternity. (Vs 2)

"Five seconds after death and I'm forever lost,

O that I had not given tho't to our salvation's cost!

But foolishly, like multitudes, I just ignored God's Word,

I would not listen, would not heed, the warnings of our Lord. (Vs. 3)

"Lost I'm lost! Yes, I'm forever lost!

Lost! I'm lost! O soul, think of the cost!

I'll never walk the streets of gold,

I'll never see those in the fold,

The Christ of God I'll ne'er behold,

For I am Lost! lost! lost! (chorus)

I hope that as you have been reading you have been wondering about why this study was included in a book on regeneration. A simple question will suffice. Why would God go to all this trouble to develop this place of departed spirits if all Old Testament saints were regenerated and fit for His presence? Why would He shuffle them off somewhere to await the cross if there wasn't good reason? He would not. The conclusion I have arrived at is that they were not ready for God's presence, that they were lacking in some respect, and I personally believe it was the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.