A Wall of Doom
A mini study on a warning from Jesus
A rich man with a wall and a gate rejected the cries of a poor and hurting man asking for minimal help.
Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table,
Dogs showed more compassion than the rich and secure guy.
the dogs would come and lick his open sores.
The poor guy died and was welcomed by the blessings guy, Abraham.
“Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet.
The rich guy was not welcomed and suffered curses.
There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.
The formerly rich guy demanded that the poor guy help him now.
“The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’
The blessings guy told the formerly rich guy you set your lasting fate.
“But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’
The formerly rich guy then begged for help warning people he did care about.
“Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’
The blessings guys said people could read and learn if they were teachable.
“But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’
The formerly rich guy wanted extra help getting the message across to people he did care about.
“The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’
The blessing guy said that people who harden their hearts against the tons of stuff in the Hebrew scriptures would not even care what the risen lord says.
“But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
The Blessings Guy
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.
I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt.
All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” — Genesis 12:1–3
Jesus constantly warned about the rich making excuses not to help the poor:
- I would list these, but I am writing to people with well marked Holy Bibles who can reread for themselves, if they really want to.
- Who knows, maybe the chasm is not set yet?
