THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

135A GREAT CHASM (16:25-26)Abraham gives a reply to the rich man that makes it clear that justice eventuallyprevails:"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received yourgood things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted hereand you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasmhas been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, norcan anyone cross over from there to us" (vv. 25-26).Abraham explains the situation and describes a great, impassable chasm (chasma) thatprevents anyone from passing from either side to the other. There is no hope of moving fromtorment to the blessings of Abraham's side, or of Lazarus helping the rich man. As the writer ofthe book of Hebrews puts it:“. . . man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Heb 9:27).There is no second chance. The die has been cast. The outcome is irreversible.GOD’S WORD IS SUFFICIENT WARNING (16:27-31)"He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, for Ihave five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come tothis place of torment.' Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets;let them listen to them.''No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them,they will repent.' He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and theProphets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead'" (vv. 27-31).The rich man wants Lazarus to warn his brothers of the dangers of hell, but Abrahamresponds by pointing out that if they won't listen to the truth they have already received fromtheir Lawgiver Moses and the Prophets, then they wouldn't believe even if someone rises fromthe dead.