George Carlin
A passage from Luke chapter 16 made me think of the famous atheist entertainer George Carlin. People who likewise hate the true and living God still revere this dead comedian.
Carlin became wealthy from his sarcastic, Christ-rejecting quotes which are widely spread across the Internet and other media. But the King James Bible suggests that Carlin would try to warn all of these unbelieving lost people who are still alive… mockers of the Lord Jesus who still have a chance to repent and be saved from the judgment to come….
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
I was giving a testimony to a group of brothers and sisters in Christ, and when I do that, I tend to start preaching. Later, one of these brothers pulled me aside and said something like, "You're a good speaker. But stay away from this talk of hellfire." Not exactly those words, but that was his meaning.
The issue is that this brother, like many people saved or lost, do not want to hear about hell, what it is, and what's in there. This talk of being cast into hell offends even Christians.
Jesus Christ tells us multiple times in one passage (Matthew, chapter 9) that there is literal fire in hell. You might not like to think about that. You might not want to hear any of that talk. If so, you're forgetting willfully that Jesus preached on hellfire more than anyone in the entire Bible. The Lord Jesus knows that hell is real and he doesn't want anyone to go there. Do what you will, but I'm going to believe what Jesus says about hell, that the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. I'm going to take his word over yours if you disagree with his description.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.