The message was brought by Rev. Tim Powers on Jan 18, 2026. The scripture reference is Luke 16:19-31: 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.
The rich man is not named. Jesus knew who he was, but his name was not written in heaven. The poor man is named: Lazarus. All he wanted was crumbs from the rich man’s table, so he’d have food to eat. He had nothing, but the Lord knew his name. The rich man had everything but the Lord. Now he had nothing. Lazarus relied on God and now lived in comfort. We have food and water. Having all a person needs tends to make him or her not trust the Lord. Let’s put more faith and trust in Jesus. The question for each person listening to consider is does Jesus know your name? Too many know him in their head, a simple head knowledge about Him; however, does He know you?
Both of these men died. We all will. What happened? The rich man lifted up his eyes in hell. Lazarus was taken by the angels into comfort in Abraham’s bosom. He was no longer hungry. He had no sores, no worries. Remember, if you’re a child of God one day it will be okay. We won’t have the pain and sorrows of this world. Both men had their senses. They were aware. The rich man was in torments. Now 2,000 years later he’s still there. Still thirsty. Still in torments. However, Lazarus is no longer in Sheol across the abyss from the rich man. He’s in glory with Jesus. At the time of the story, the comfort side of Sheol, called Paradise, was the waiting place for those who had put their faith in the Jehovah God. They watched and waited for the Messiah to come.
The rich man cried, wailing in pain. I can imagine it was a blood curdling scream. We cannot describe hell as it really is. It’s a terrible place. He cried for mercy, but there was none. You have mercy today. Across the great gulf Lazarus was in comfort away from the torment. The rich man didn’t ask to get out. He knew he couldn’t. But he did ask for Lazarus to raise from the dead and go warn his brothers so that they wouldn’t come to him. If they wouldn’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they wouldn’t listen to anyone. We have to listen to and trust Jesus.
Lazarus felt. He saw. He remembered. He loved. He felt every awful pain imaginable. He saw the flames, even saw Lazarus afar off. He remembered every time he had the opportunity to truly believe. The choices people make on this side of life determine where eternity will be spent. Don’t look at a man. Look to Jesus. Make the choice for Jesus! He loved his brothers and begged for them to be warned. Once there, no one wants anyone else to come. In heaven, we too will see, taste, smell, and hear. But we won’t remember the bad things of this life.
Look at Revelation 19:20b to see the final resting place of those in the torments of Sheol. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. Then chapter 20 shows us that those in torment will come out of Sheol, raised to stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment. Flames will be replaced for a brief period and the Books will be opened for judgment. No hope of anything better. 20:14 says And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. The lake of fire, worse than Sheol ever dared to be. Outer darkness. The place of the dead who died without the Lord. Here forever and ever.
While still here, you can make the choice for Jesus and avoid this awful place. I hope this makes all Christians remember there are many to pray for so that they don’t go to this horrible place.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 