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 seeing 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 you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and you are 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 there.

Then he said, I pray you therefore, father, that you would 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 said 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.

This is really important, you have to know this:

  • Jesus did not tell this parable to entertain; He told it to warn. The rich man wasn’t condemned for being wealthy, but for being blind to the suffering at his doorstep and deaf to the Word of God.

  • He lived for himself, ignored the cries of the needy, and treated God’s revelation as optional—until it was too late.

  • Lazarus had nothing in this life, yet he clung to faith. In death, he was carried by angels into comfort, while the rich man awoke in unending torment.

  • And still today, people demand signs, miracles, and wonders, refusing to listen to the Scriptures.

  • But Jesus declared that if they will not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, even if someone rises from the dead.

Someone has risen from the dead. His name is Jesus. Hear Him. Believe Him. Obey Him. While you still can.