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GoBeDoministriesGo Be and Do as the Lord commands!
Study the Prophecies of Revelation and Daniel |
last update: 17 August 2005 |
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The Parable of the Rich Man and LazarusLuke 16:19-31 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 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; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 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. 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. 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. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: This parable has caused more discussion than perhaps any. The Jewish historian, who lived shortly after Christ, tells us that this story was popular at the time of Christ. It is a tale of theological contrast within Judaism. The Sadducees rejected the idea of a resurrection. They believed that when one died they went straight to their eternal reward at death while the Pharisees believed that the wealthy were blessed of God for his righteousness and the poor was rewarded for some evil whether hereditary or hidden. (John 9) Act 23:6-9 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. Jesus told this well-known tale of many opposites and tied them together to explain some important points. He wanted to teach an important lesson not a theological point. The Jews were very wealthy and they had been given God's richest blessings, as they were His chosen to carry the gospel. The poor Gentiles did not have the opportunities of the Jews, but things do change. The gospel was later given to the Gentiles at the end of the 490 years in AD 33. With their roles changed the converted Jew in torment cries out to the Gentile in heaven, For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Luke 16:28-31 Jesus concludes His story by placing Himself in the heart of the story saying " but if one went unto them from the dead they will not be persuaded. Jesus was speaking of Himself. Jesus was predicting His forthcoming rejection, a point lost by most. Even after His resurrection He knew the Jews would remain unchanged. If we take this parable literally, we must conclude all rich people are going to hell and all the poor to heaven!
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©GoBeDo 2004-2005 17 August 2005
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