Do you like happy endings? 

Jesus told a true story about two very different men.  One was a wealthy man and the other a poor, sore-encrusted man.  Both died and they had very different destinations.

One was welcomed by Abraham in heaven and the other had torment and was agony in the flames… of hades (hell).  Luke 16:19-23

Both men died and after they died?  These two men were separated by a fixed chasm between heaven and hell.  No one, not ever, crosses that chasm after they die.  Luke 16:24-26

The rich man went to the agony of being in hell… for eternity.
The poor man went to the reward of heaven… for eternity.

What made the difference for two very different endings of these two men’s lives?
Jesus made a definite point about their beliefs when they were alive on earth.

One of those men believed what Moses and the Prophets wrote about Messiah… that man was the one in heaven. 

The rich man desired, fervently, for the poor man to be sent to the rich man’s five brothers to warn them.  The rich man believed that if his brothers knew what he was suffering in hell, they would repent if someone from the dead went to them.  Luke 16:27-30

Jesus said, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.”

What do you believe about Jesus, Messiah?  He rose from the dead after being in the grave three days.
Death: Luke 24:44-47; John 19:30, 38, 42
Risen: John 20:1, 3-9
Prophecy fulfilled: Matthew 16:21

~ Take it to heart ~

What will be the ending of your life’s story?
Heaven? – or – Hell?