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Death: The entry into . . .

Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 11:06 am
by Charles L. Cotton
Hades will be full of people everyone would call evil, but there will be more people the world called "good people" because they chose poorly. Chose wisely; I want to see all of you in Heaven.

Chas.
Luke 16:19-31 wrote:19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Re: Death: The entry into . . .

Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 11:28 am
by The Annoyed Man
Amen, and amen.

Thank you Charles for this stark reminder. It also brings to mind:
Mark 10:17-27
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Rich Young Ruler

17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.” 21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But at these words [a]he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.

23 And Jesus, looking around, *said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus *answered again and *said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 They were even more astonished and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Looking at them, Jesus *said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”

It wasn't the Rich Young Ruler's wealth would keep him out of heaven, it was that he could not find joy in the Lord apart from having joy in his wealth. If God were to take away his wealth in this life, would he still love God? For the Rich Young Ruler, the answer was "no", and that is why it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven. As Paul said:
Philippians 4:11-13
English Standard Version (ESV)
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

The Rich Young Ruler was not able to do that. My prayer for each of us is that we would all be able to do that—to be content in Christ, in the face of either abundance or deprivation—so that we may all know each other eternally.

Re: Death: The entry into . . .

Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 1:04 pm
by Oldgringo
Well, if earthly possessions and wealth are the criteria, we are good to go.

Re: Death: The entry into . . .

Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 10:33 pm
by Ed4032
People seem to think that God is an accountant. So if your liabilities are less than your assets your GTG. But it is by his grace only that we will see him.

Re: Death: The entry into . . .

Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 10:47 pm
by The Annoyed Man
Ed4032 wrote:People seem to think that God is an accountant. So if your liabilities are less than your assets your GTG. But it is by his grace only that we will see him.
Exactly.

Re: Death: The entry into . . .

Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 11:08 pm
by Texas_Blaze
Eternity. It is the entrance into eternity.

we will either be completely separated from God because we call Him a liar, or...

Acknowledge our sin, turn from it, and call Him savior
then we will be in His presences, where our fears are gone, tears are wiped away, and death is no more.

Easy choice.

Re: Death: The entry into . . .

Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 3:41 pm
by tbrown
Amen. The idolators who think they're saved are in for a big surprise in the next life.

Re: Death: The entry into . . .

Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 6:59 pm
by The Annoyed Man
tbrown wrote:Amen. The idolators who think they're saved are in for a big surprise in the next life.
Matthew 7:21-23 wrote:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Re: Death: The entry into . . .

Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 10:55 pm
by Oldgringo
"In My Seat" is in keeping with the theme of this thread.

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=cLj4akmncsA[/youtube]

Re: Death: The entry into . . .

Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 11:49 pm
by txcharvel
Amen

Re: Death: The entry into . . .

Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 6:05 am
by jmra
Oldgringo wrote:"In My Seat" is in keeping with the theme of this thread.
Wow. Thanks for sharing.

Re: Death: The entry into . . .

Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 10:42 am
by Charles L. Cotton
Oldgringo wrote:"In My Seat" is in keeping with the theme of this thread.
What a powerful statement. Thanks so much for posting this link.

Chas.

Re: Death: The entry into . . .

Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 1:47 pm
by K.Mooneyham
An incredible story with such a powerful message. Thank you for posting that video.

Re: Death: The entry into . . .

Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 4:44 pm
by 10Shooter
Oldgringo wrote:"In My Seat" is in keeping with the theme of this thread.

Wow, thanks for posting, very powerful, very thought provoking.

Re: Death: The entry into . . .

Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 10:37 pm
by Texas_Blaze
thanks for the video.