Beyond the Chasm

​If the Dead Could Speak
by John Jansen
​
If all the dead could speak
Just what do you suppose
Would usher from their lips
As shivers touch your toes

Would they speak words of peace
Would comfort be proclaimed
Would hearts be set at ease
Would fear of death be tamed

Or is it possible
Our ears would hear the sound
Of things we've heard before
Of old truths still profound

Perhaps the recent dead
Would tell us the account
Of two men rich and poor
Whose lives had both run out

The poor man reaped rewards
Of comfort, rest and peace
The rich man suffered sore
But could not find release

In suffering he begged
To send a warning of
The torment of this place
To everyone he loved

The answer echoed back
They will not heed the dead
If they won't heed God's Word
Believing what it said

Though we don't hear a voice
The dead still speak aloud
They ask "Are you prepared,
To meet your Maker now?"

They warn us while alive
Our options total two
Repentance through God's Son
Or pay all that you're due

In Jesus we find life
With the eternal blessed
Without Him pain and loss
Without Him second death

The Rich Man and Lazarus

​Luk 16:19  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 
Luk 16:20  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 
Luk 16:21  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 
Luk 16:22  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; 
Luk 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 
Luk 16:24  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. 
Luk 16:25  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. 
Luk 16:26  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. 
Luk 16:27  Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 
Luk 16:28  For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 
Luk 16:29  Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 
Luk 16:30  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 
Luk 16:31  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.