Key Verse: Luke 16:19-31 (The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus)

Jesus revealed that there is life after death. We can have that blessed assurance if we accept Jesus into our lives.

Three things Jesus revealed await us after death:

1. What the afterlife was like before Jesus’ death and resurrection (v.22)

After the rich man died his spirit was drawn, like gravity, to hades. Whereas when Lazarus died his spirit was carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom. When the rich man found himself in hades he could remember the past, he could think, and feel. Even without a physical body you can feel. The decision is made, whether we go to heaven or hell, before we die.

Before Jesus’ death and resurrection both hades and paradise were separated by a great gulf under the earth.

2. By His death and resurrection He changed the underworld

(Matthew 12:40) For 3 days and 3 nights Jesus went to the heart of the earth (hades). He did two important things while there: Firstly, (Revelation 1:18) Jesus took the key of hades and death and now has power over the spiritual realm of hades and death. Death and hades has no power of believers because we have the blessed assurance of eternal life and not eternal death. Secondly, Jesus took captivity captive. (Ephesians 4:8-10) Jesus descended to the heart of the earth, rescued the saints who were in paradise under the earth and ascended up with the saints into the heavenly places.

Jesus emptied paradise under the earth and set the captives free.

3. By His victory paradise is now in heaven

(2 Corinthians 5:8) Absent from the body is present with the Lord. Paul was stoned to death, was resurrected and totally healed and the next day he and Barnabas went to the next city. Paradise is now in the third heaven, where the throne of God dwells.

We have this blessed assurance, absent from the body is present with the Lord, there is no waiting time. Confess Christ and you too can have this blessed assurance.

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If you would like to accept Jesus into your heart please pray the following prayer.
“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Saviour.”

If you have just prayed this prayer and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, congratulations! We invite you to contact us as we would love to pray a blessing over your life and help guide you on your journey.

The next step. As a way to grow closer to Him, the Bible tells us to follow up on our commitment.

• Get baptised as commanded by Christ.
• Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.
• Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long period of time. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.
• Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.
• Find a local church where you can worship God.

God bless you.