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.’
Luke 16:26 NIV
The parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man tells a story of two men who were as opposite as possible. One was wealthy and lived in luxury, while the other was a poor beggar covered in sores. In the course of time, both men died, and their situations were reversed. The rich man found himself tormented in Hades, while Lazarus, the beggar, was taken to Abraham’s side, also known as paradise.
The rich man begged to have Lazarus sent to bring him some relief. But Abraham responded that there was an uncrossable chasm separating them. A gulf that could not be crossed in either direction.
This parable is not intended to teach us what heaven or hell is like. Nor is it meant to imply that all rich people end up in hell while the poor go to heaven. The Scripture is clear that our relationship with the Lord Jesus will determine that.
But it does tell us that our eternal destiny is fixed once we die. There is no crossing over from one side to the other. Once a person dies, there is no second chance to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Ultimately, every knee will bow and confess that Jesus is Lord (Phil 2:9-11). But it will be too late for those who failed to do that in this life.
If Jesus is not your Lord now, I urge you to surrender your life to him before it is too late.
