Luke 16:27-31

The rich man's concern -- Luke 16:27-31: The rich man begged God to send Lazarus to his father's house to warn his brothers. "Then he said, I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment." While the rich man was on earth he could have prayed and been heard but now he prays in vain. There is no indication the rich man ever cared for his own soul or the souls of his brothers while he lived on earth. But now he has deep concern. These brothers had the written word, God's powerful means of conviction and conversion. A message from the dead could say no more than what is said in Scripture. So Abraham concluded, "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead." The Scripture is God's one and only way of making known His will to us. Those who desire salvation must hear and obey the law and testimony of God. (Isaiah 1:18-20) If you will not open your heart and obey the word of God you will not be saved. Jesus is God's Son and He, "Learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." (Hebrews 5:8-9)

Heaven is comfort and Hell is torment; Heaven is joy, Hell is misery, weeping and pain. Through His word God and His Son Jesus are saying, "Please don't go to Hell." God desires that you learn His will (John 6:44-45), believe with all you heart (Acts 8:37), repent of every sin (Acts 17:30), confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10), be baptized to put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27), and then always be "found faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:2) Learn from the rich man and do not go to Hell with him!