"A Thought of Eternity"

  I was reading the words of Jesus about the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16). I've read it many times before but something struck me as I was reading the words spoken by Jesus. Something caught my attention about eternity. People wonder about eternity as there is so little that we can grasp in our human comprehension. People wonder if we will recognize one another? People ask where do we go when we die if we are faithful in the Lord? I guess the list of questions continue but I'm not addressing any of these. Something really grabbed my heart.

  The rich man was in Hades upon death. Just a very quick side-note. Lazarus, despite what some are teaching and charts that have been made, is not in Hades. That's not mentioned but we mention it as if it were stated. He is in Abraham's bosom. Abraham is the father of the old covenant. Jesus hasn't died. (Just for those who wonder, Paul said to die is to go be with Jesus (Phil. 1:23) but again, I'm getting us off track to the point!) The rich man is in agony in the flames. Not only agony but torment. How bad was it? If one can be so parched that the request is to take the tip of finger and dip it in water and cool off the tongue, that is major! I know when I have been so thirsty that to dip my finger tip in water would not suffice! This man cried out just for that which tells us how horrible his situation was. What is the depth we miss that Jesus was teaching?

  Here's another thought. It is a place eternally that is set. There is no hope of improvement or possible parole. There is no hope of cooling and ending agony. There is no relief from misery. Why? Because it is a place that God does not reside! When God is absent, hope is absent. Being away from the presence of God brings everything that comes without God. Even in our society, at least God gives His physical blessings to even His enemies with sunshine and rain, His air, the beauty of creation but when eternity is entered, ALL aspects of God are removed in the place of punishment. "These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power." (II Thes. 1:9) Think of everything that God brings and when you are left completely without God, what is left? What a horrid thought.

  What about you? Rejection of God here will leave you in a place where God's presence is completely removed. Is that what people want? Apparently because people seem more comfortable with enjoying themselves without God now, giving little thought to His will or ways but enjoying His creation and some of His benefits now. That will be taken away one day and Jesus knew it! That's why He died because He fully understood the fate of man and He could not bear the thought of man in eternity, living in a place where God's presence is removed in EVERY aspect. Thank God for Jesus!