April 26, 2025 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Luke - The Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which 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. 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; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 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. 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. 26 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. 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. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 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, though one rose from the dead.
In this true account of two men dying we find Lazarus went to a place called Abraham’s bosom and the rich man was in hell. The rich man cried to have Lazarus give him water. It is believed then that the Rich man could see Lazarus. Some believe that Lazarus could him as well.
This is where people get the idea that their loved ones are looking down from heaven and watching them.
No were does the bible say that people can see from heaven to earth, let alone from heaven into hell. Who would ever want to do such a thing. I personally would not want to see into hell and observe the horrors of such a place.
The presumption that departed loved ones seeing from heaven down to earth is just that, a presumption.
This is also where people and religions get the idea of purgatory. They believe that those in Abraham’s bosom were there suffering until they were made righteous by others baptizing for the dead and paying for their release. This is nothing more than the religious church using their parishioners as cash cows, causing them to believe such a thing and keeping them harnessed to the church always working always paying for their salvation. My friend, Jesus already paid the debt.
No where in this passage does it talk about Lazarus suffering. No where does it indicate that those dear saints wait for those on earth to help them.
Remember Lazarus was in Abraham’s bosom; Abraham’s bosom was emptied and all those who were there were taken to heaven when Jesus rose from the dead.
Psalm 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.
Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
My dear friend, Jesus when He died and was buried, went and preached righteousness to those in both Abraham’s bosom and those in hell.
1Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
When He rose from the dead He took the righteous with Him to heaven. Some even walked on this earth until Jesus ascended to the Father for the atonement.
Matthew 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
My friend, there is no such thing as purgatory, there is only heaven and hell. The only one watching you from heaven is God.
The only way to get to heaven is through the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Where will you be when your life is over?
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
