Do you remember the Bible story of the rich man and the beggar, Lazarus? We read there, “In hell he [the rich man] lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom” (Luke 16:2323And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (Luke 16:23)).What a sight for those tortured eyes to see - Abraham, afar off, and Lazarus, transfigured and radiant with happiness, in his bosom.
He had seen the beggar at his gates on earth and may have tossed him a coin now and then. He may have missed him when he died, but he little thought when and where he would see him again.
What a change death made! It made the rich man poor and a beggar; it made the beggar rich with everlasting love and rest. Lazarus now lacked nothing, and the rich man lacked everything. Yet how often we envy the rich on earth; we envy them their position, their riches and their fame. Not one of these things can bring happiness apart from Christ. The king goes into eternity without his crown; the rich man goes with empty hands; the warrior must leave his weapons and his medals all behind him. The pomp and pleasure of earth all fade away with eternity in view.
I wonder if the unsaved man will see his believing wife for a moment after death? She, “afar off” and happy with her Saviour; he, with the curse of unforgiven sin upon him, in hell. Some of your children may be in heaven, and when you die your Christless death, will you for a moment see “afar off” your loved ones with the light of heaven on their faces and the peace of God like a crown upon their heads?
Oh, these eternal separations! Some will be in light, and some in darkness. Living in the same homes on earth, growing up together, and then death comes and there is separation forever and ever.
You must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved. Then you can share the Christian’s happy hope and expectation: to see Christ and be with Him in glory forever.