6/4/21- CARRIED or BURIED..?

Those two words leaped off the pages of my Bible and caught my attention as I read the text I’m about to share. I had never noticed the contrast before. There really is a marked difference between the death of a saint and the death of the unsaved. No wonder the apostle Paul wrote that we don’t grieve or handle death as one without hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13. We may be buried in the same way, but we don’t rise or are received the same.

The account in Luke 16 serves as a warning to those who reject the Lord Jesus, it also serves as a reminder to those who don’t take their relationship with Jesus seriously enough to live a separated life from the world. Half-stepping. Mixing the Holy with the profane. Those who preach that hell is a state of mind have got it all wrong and are making light of the warning written throughout scripture. No doubt that what some people are going through may feel like they’re in hell, but there’s no comparison to what Jesus was describing here. We can get help with our problems, but there’s no do over in hell.

“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 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. 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. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Luke‬ ‭16:19-31‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The redeemed of the Lord are carried as it were to a place of rest, the other to eternal suffering. I know no one likes to talk about death and hell, but Jesus did, and so should we. This world is not our final destination, and we shouldn’t live as though it is. When the gospel message is being preached, that leads to salvation, we had best heed the call to repent. This rich man was begging for Lazarus to be sent to warn his five brothers so that they would avoid his fate. But if, as Abraham stated, they won’t hear the living why would they hear the one who rose from the dead. Furthermore, there’s no way to pass from one place to the other, a permanent separation has been established because heaven and hell, like the holy and the profane, don’t mix. If only the Church would get that truth.

It’s fascinating that Jesus used the words “rose from the dead” His message is still being carried after His resurrection, and yet men are rejecting its Truths. Hell and heaven are literal places. Jesus and Satan are also very real. One has the power to deliver from eternal death to eternal life. Only One has the power to destroy both body and soul. Only One is Creator of all life. Hollywood may glamorize Satan but he’s a disembodied spirit whose demise is already set. He doesn’t even own or control hell. It was made for his final destruction. Satan offers a broad road filled with worldly pleasures but its path leads to eternal destruction. Temporary pleasure for eternal torment. Jesus’ path to life is narrow, no room for the excess baggage of compromise, pride, arrogance, lying, cheating, broken promises and grief. But it’s eternal joy and hope for those who find it.

The reality of hell as described by Jesus, and what happens there, clearly shows us that there’s torment and suffering continuously. There’s no break or relief. Why would anyone reject the message of hope, pass up being carried to be buried? The world may seem like they have it all together, just as the rich man did. But there are some things money cannot buy. Salvation being one of them. It is a free gift from the Father through His Son Jesus Christ. Don’t you want the assurance of being carried into His bosom? Assurance of eternal life? We’re precious in life and death to Him. He looks forward to receiving us. Psalm 116:15

When I think of the persecution of Christians worldwide, their bold and courageous faith in spite of hostility and constant threats. I can’t help but be comforted by the words of Jesus. “Lazarus also died and was carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom.” Abraham’s bosom is a type and shadow of heaven or Jesus’ bosom. He receives us at our new birth and receives us at our death. We have a believing or living hope. We don’t need to be lifting our eyes from hell, we can make the decision now to ensure that we will be carried and not buried. To be carried is life eternal, to be buried is to be forever lost. Hell has no catch and release policy. The choice is ours.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with Him the believers who have died.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4:13-14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Love warns, infatuation deceives. In Revelation chapters 2 & 3, Jesus did an evaluation of seven churches. Those seven churches cover every denomination in the organized church world today. Some got glowing reviews until we got to these words. “Nevertheless, I have this against you.” Will Jesus have anything against us? Will there be a nevertheless in our future? Are you still breathing? Then you have an opportunity to move from buried to carried. What will you do? Still need more proof that there’s a carried group and a buried group? Let’s read Jesus’ own words.

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom. ” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭23:39-43‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Written by permission of the Holy Spirit

W. Tennant

June 4, 2021