Let’s read this important account of Lazarus and the rich man.  Luke 16:19-26 says, “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.”

There is no reason to think that this is a parable.  The Lord tells the story of two real men: a “certain rich man” and a man named Lazarus.  (This is not the same Lazarus from Bethany who had two sisters, Mary and Martha).  Now, this rich man had great riches, but his riches were not an indication of divine favor and blessing. Lazarus, on the other hand was a poor man, and his poverty was not an indication of divine displeasure.  These men were entirely different except for the great equalizer…they both died!

Upon their death, the Lord opens the veil to allow us to see what happened to each of these men.  This is a unique occasion to see what happens to those who die.  We are told that Lazarus “was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom.”  This certainly is the evidence of a saved man.  At the moment of his death, he was escorted by angels into Abraham’s bosom, or Heaven. 

Abraham’s bosom seems to be a Jewish phrase that refers to Heaven.  Jesus used this phrase only once. In other incidents, Jesus spoke of Heaven as a place where many would “come from the east and west and shall sit down with Abraham…” (Matthew 8:11). Abraham was called the father of the Jews (John 8:56).  Even those who had no faith in the Lord Jesus Christ claimed Abraham as their father.  We read in John 8:39, “They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.”  Although they could claim Abraham as their historical father, the Lord made it plain that they were not the spiritual children of Abraham because of their unbelief. 

In opposition to Lazarus’s death, upon the rich man’s death, we read “the rich man also died, and was buried.” (Verse 22).  There is no mention of an angelic escort to Heaven, but we are told in verse 23 about the rich man, “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments…”  Such a vast difference in the fate of these two men.  One escorted by angels and welcomed into Heaven.  The other buried and his soul imprisoned to hell and the torments there. 

Abraham referred to the rich man as “son” in verse 25.  We read in verses 24-25, “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.”  I believe Abraham calls him “son”, not in a spiritual sense; for he was not one of Abraham’s spiritual seed; but only because he was his son according to the flesh. 

Death fixes forever the eternal condition of every human being.  It was only after death that we see that the rich man asked for mercy.  God’s mercy today runs so freely and deeply to all who will accept it.  After death, it is too late to ask for mercy.  Too late to seek God’s grace and forgiveness.  The rich man asked, but it was too late for him.  Dear reader, how is it with you?  Have you accepted God’s free gift of salvation?  Have you ‘believed in your heart’ that Jesus is Lord, that He died for your sins and rose again?  If so, you are saved and are promised an eternity in Heaven in the presence of our Lord.  If you wait until after your death to seek God’s mercy, you will find it is forever too late and your eternity will be filled with torment.  2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “…behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.”  Do not wait until it is too late to accept Jesus Christ as your savior.  (478.4)