The Parable of The Rich Man & Lazarus

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The Parable of The Rich Man & Lazarus

Luke 16:19-31 "Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day. A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores. It happened that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom.

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 in anguish in this flame.’

"But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in like manner, bad things. But now here he is comforted and you are in anguish. Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’

He said, ‘I ask you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house; for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, so they won’t also come into this place of torment.’

"But Abraham said to him,
‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’

"He said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’

"He said to him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.’"
(web)

Comments

There are those who object to the illustration of the afterlife that Jesus presents here. There are those who propose that this is only a story and therefore is not necessarily true to life. However, notice that all of Jesus' other stories and parables were true to life. He doesn't use science-fiction scenarios in his stories. He presented the after-life the way it actually was.
The afterlife was referred to as Hades and was composed of two parts. One for the unrighteous, which is often called "Hell", and the other for the righteous which may also be called "Paradise" along the lines of Jesus promise to the thief on the cross to whom he promised "Today you will be with me in Paradise" Luke 23:43

There are only these two sections and nothing in between. There is no one half-righteous and half-unrighteous. There is no one half-born of God. "He who has the son has life. He who does not have the son of God does not have life." 1John 5:12 Those who have the son are reckoned righteous, their sins having been forgiven and forgotten.

The Major Theme:
Evangelism from Hell


In this story, it is not specified as to why the rich man went to hell. It was implied that it was because he was given over to luxuries and pleasure while at the same time not loving his neighbor. But this was not the major theme. The major theme has to do with the last verse. It has to do with the Bible alone being sufficient to bring people to repentance and salvation. "Faith comes from hearing the message." Rom 10:17 And Jesus said, "If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?" John 5:46,47
Yet many Christians have been taught that it is highly dependent upon the messenger. It is not! If someone doesn't listen to the Bible, it wouldn't matter even if the messenger speaking to them had been raised from the dead! "Lifestyle Evangelism" is a misnomer. If you think you are going to convert people by not telling them what the Bible says, but rather by impressing them by what a good person you are, you will indeed make converts, few of whom will believe the Bible. Rather they'll end up being just like you - putting their faith in themselves rather than in the Word of God.

The rich man in hell wanted to start his own evangelistic program. He had his own ideas as to how it should be done which seemed logical to him. Let's make a big show and impress people with miracles. That's evangelism from hell. And while the Evangelical community is caught up in "lifestyle evangelism", the Charismatic community is caught up in trying to impress through alleged "signs and wonders". But let those who are born of the Word, put their trust in the Bible. Let the Jesus who is preached be the Jesus of the Bible and not a "Jesus" that people make up in their own minds. Let the message be exalted and preached through humble messengers who put their trust in the Word of God.

But then there are those refusing to heed Jesus' message who say that "whatever works is how evangelism should be done." They measure if it "works" based on numbers of converts. But they fail to consider what kind of converts they produce. Yes, if the word of God is preached, there may very well be those who are converted and born of God. But often with "numbers" being the priority, a large portion of such "converts" end up being Christians in name only, not having been born of the Spirit. And such converts end up having the same kind of mentality as the messenger - a contempt for the Word of God putting one's own opinion above the Bible and thus an over-exalted view of oneself or of the messenger. The "Jesus" of such converts often becomes not the Biblical Jesus, but the "Jesus" they make up in their own minds conforming him to their own image.

The Resurrection of Lazarus

It may be hard to believe that the raising of Lazarus wouldn't convert the skeptic to truth faith. But in fact there was a "Lazarus", a friend of Jesus, who was raised from the dead in John 11. And this is how Jesus' enemies reacted: "Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him." John 12:9-11 However this brings up another issue. For Jesus often used miracles to affirm his message.The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep." John 10:24-26But notice that he says that even though the miracles affirm his message, just as the rich man in hell had reasoned, yet it is to no avail if they had not believed the Word of God that they already heard through Moses. (John 5:46,47) So also, among those in John 12:11 mentioned above who were putting their faith in him on account of the resurrection of Lazarus, were those who had been believing Moses and the Prophets, and also those who were of a nominal faith only impressed by the miracle.

Remember that Acts is historical in nature, recording what people were called and did outwardly, not necessarily what they were inwardly. For many, as in John 6, who followed him because of his miracles later turned away because of his words. Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill." John 6:26 "From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him." John 6:66 And that's the problem if you rely on "Evangelism from hell". If you want to keep the numbers you have to throw away the Bible. But Jesus was not interested in "what worked" in a numbers sense. He was more concerned with quality than quantity. Indeed, it seems that in many churches, Jesus Christ would be expelled from their evangelistic ministry team. Things were going so well, Jesus. We had so many crowds of people. But then you opened your mouth and spoke the Word of God and screwed up everything. Now no one comes but a bunch of Bible fanatics. Seems that things never change!

Parable Poem

There was rich man dressed in fine linen
Living in luxury though he was sinnin
At his gate lay a beggar, Lazarus by name
Covered with sores being treated with shame
He wanted to eat crumbs from the rich man's table.
Even dogs licked his sore, for he was not able.
Then the time came when the beggar died
And angels carried him to Abraham's side.
The rich man man died also his body but a shell
For he awoke to his torment, ending up in hell
He looked up and saw Abraham far away
And Lazarus by his side. That's what he saw that day
He called "Father Abraham have pity on me
And send Lazarus to attend to my plea
For I ask just a bit of water to acquire
For my tongue burns in agony in this fire
But Abraham replied, "Remember my son
You received your good things and had plenty of fun.
While Lazarus had only asked for a crumb
While he suffered he was treated just like a bum
But now he is in comfort and you in agony
That seems rather fair, wouldn't you agree?
And besides all this a big gap has been fixed
Between here and you so we cannot be mixed."
The rich man answered, "Then I beg you
Send him to my house to tell my brothers what's true
So they won't come to this place" (He supposes)
Abraham replied, "They have the prophets and Moses
Let them listen to what is read"
"No," He replied, "Let someone come from the dead.
Then they will listen and even repent."
But he got this reply to his argument
"If they don't listen as the Bible advises
Nor will they listen even though someone rises."
 
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Leavened yet Adopted

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This reminds me of Luke 18:9-14, the pharisee and the tax-collector

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
 
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EmethAlethia

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There are those who object to the illustration of the afterlife that Jesus presents here. There are those who propose that this is only a story and therefore is not necessarily true to life. However, notice that all of Jesus' other stories and parables were true to life. He doesn't use science-fiction scenarios in his stories. He presented the after-life the way it actually was.

So far, from the studies I have done, I have come to the conclusion that prior to Jesus death, the dead who were O.T. believers were in a type of holding place in the earth, not a part of hell, but a pleasant location. When Jesus died he descended into this place and took all the Old Testament saints to heaven itself. From that perspective I see this as a possible illustration even of a true event. "Possibly". Not necessarily. Not a hill I am willing to die on.


The afterlife was referred to as Hades and was composed of two parts. One for the unrighteous, which is often called "Hell", and the other for the righteous which may also be called "Paradise" along the lines of Jesus promise to the thief on the cross to whom he promised "Today you will be with me in Paradise" Luke 23:43
Yep. Paradise, not heaven.

There are only these two sections and nothing in between. There is no one half-righteous and half-unrighteous. There is no one half-born of God. "He who has the son has life. He who does not have the son of God does not have life." 1John 5:12 Those who have the son are reckoned righteous, their sins having been forgiven and forgotten.
...
These are Old Testament saints, not New Testament ones. Faith in God, yes. I can't apply new Testament standards for salvation to them.
...

The major theme has to do with the last verse. It has to do with the Bible alone being sufficient to bring people to repentance and salvation. "Faith comes from hearing the message." Rom 10:17 And Jesus said, "If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?" John 5:46,47

It is not to say that God can't make stones or a donkey talk about the bible, He can. That said, one of the things a True Christian is always said to be doing is sharing the faith/scriptures with others. "Having gone" (Greek meaning) Make disciples. Baptize Disciples, and Teach Disciples ALL that I have commanded you." Including what I am commanding you now.

Yet many Christians have been taught that it is highly dependent upon the messenger. It is not! If someone doesn't listen to the Bible, it wouldn't matter even if the messenger speaking to them had been raised from the dead! "Lifestyle Evangelism" is a misnomer. If you think you are going to convert people by not telling them what the Bible says, but rather by impressing them by what a good person you are, you will indeed make converts, few of whom will believe the Bible. Rather they'll end up being just like you - putting their faith in themselves rather than in the Word of God.

I see two parts. First is what do those you speak with love: Truth or their current beliefs? That determines their response/fruits. (Mat. 7:6 or 7:7-12) We are commanded to stop sharing with those responding like Mat. 7:6 and keep sharing with those responding like 7:7-12 but the sharing is something we are commanded to do "up until we see those responses. Of course if we fail Mat. 7:6 because we failed to properly do 7:1-5 first, we are not going to hear the truth even when it is shared. Here's a good passage that illustrates why people respond like this:

2Th 2:10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. 13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

Paul applies the same standard to the deceived and lost in the end times to the people he was writing to. They received a love of the truth and those in the end times did not. But the sharing is essential, and if we are disobedient, God will use someone else. The gospel is designed to be spread by men.

The rich man in hell wanted to start his own evangelistic program. He had his own ideas as to how it should be done which seemed logical to him. Let's make a big show and impress people with miracles. That's evangelism from hell.

Well, the rich man wanted to "change" the evangelism program he had witnessed, "upping the levels" so to speak. Interestingly, Jesus took him up on it and indeed did exactly this. But again, the preparedness of hearts. What do those hearing the message believe already? Do they love their beliefs or truth? Look at the responses. We will know them by their fruits. God judges hearts, we only have the responses to go by.


And while the Evangelical community is caught up in "lifestyle evangelism", the Charismatic community is caught up in trying to impress through alleged "signs and wonders". But let those who are born of the Word, put their trust in the Bible. Let the Jesus who is preached be the Jesus of the Bible and not a "Jesus" that people make up in their own minds. Let the message be exalted and preached through humble messengers who put their trust in the Word of God.

Faith without works is still-born. A birth that does not produce life. Yes we should have lifestyle evangelism ... it includes a life of sharing the truth with those not responding like Mat. 7:6 How important is your faith to you? If it is essential and faith comes by hearing the word of God, you will share it ... and look at the responses.

But then there are those refusing to heed Jesus' message who say that "whatever works is how evangelism should be done." They measure if it "works" based on numbers of converts. But they fail to consider what kind of converts they produce. Yes, if the word of God is preached, there may very well be those who are converted and born of God. But often with "numbers" being the priority, a large portion of such "converts" end up being Christians in name only, not having been born of the Spirit. And such converts end up having the same kind of mentality as the messenger - a contempt for the Word of God putting one's own opinion above the Bible and thus an over-exalted view of oneself or of the messenger. The "Jesus" of such converts often becomes not the Biblical Jesus, but the "Jesus" they make up in their own minds conforming him to their own image.

The tares in with the wheat is a common theme of Jesus. Few people love truth. Most just love what they "want to believe" "as" truth. But then the responses in Mat. 7:6 show on which side of the board they are on. Churches are each focused on their "groups" beliefs. Believe and teach what is in alignment with their beliefs and you will get along great. Believe and teach something else and you will be silenced/removed. It is the nature of those who love beliefs, not truth. Then if you share the truth with the groups leadership they will respond like those in Mat. 7:6. But then it is the few on the "to groan" it is so tight path that are saved. The "Many" are those who believe Jesus is their Lord, God and Savior who are doing all the exact same things the true Christians of the day were doing, but who will hear, "Depart from Me ye who work iniquity for I never knew you."

...

I agree. People show up because of the free food, the free show, to hunt down a good looking date for Saturday night. It was the same way with Jesus. It is the same way today. It didn't meant that He didn't do these things to get the attention of the people. He did. Then He shared the truth with them. Some believed. The rest just kept showing up for the free food and entertainment.

Remember that Acts is historical in nature, recording what people were called and did outwardly, not necessarily what they were inwardly. For many, as in John 6, who followed him because of his miracles later turned away because of his words. Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill." John 6:26 "From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him." John 6:66 And that's the problem if you rely on "Evangelism from hell".

Are you saying that Jesus performing signs and wonders, creating food from nothing ... and then sharing the truth with them is evangelism from hell because it produced a bunch of people who only show up for the food and entertainment? Certainly not.

If you want to keep the numbers you have to throw away the Bible.

To a certain extent, this is true. Eventually, if we keep on preaching and teaching truth, some will leave. "They went out from us for they were never truly of us." It happened for Jesus. It happened for Paul ... It will happen to everyone who keeps on sharing the truth ... but then that's the rub. Every person whether Atheistic, Agnostic, Mormon, Buddhist, Roman Catholic, Baptist, ... all knows that they have the truth and believe the truth, and many believe that they are evangelizing for the truth. They have a zeal for God but not in accordance with knowledge.


But Jesus was not interested in "what worked" in a numbers sense. He was more concerned with quality than quantity.

I would say His is a more long term process. "Make disciples, Baptize disciples. Teach disciples to obey all that I have commanded you." The last requires teaching people how to cut-straight the word of God for themselves and by themselves so that they can become mature having their senses trained so that they can tell good and evil because of their own practice in the word of God. If you keep quality ... and provide the food and the free show ... eventually the numbers come.

Indeed, it seems that in many churches, Jesus Christ would be expelled from their evangelistic ministry team. Things were going so well, Jesus. We had so many crowds of people. But then you opened your mouth and spoke the Word of God and screwed up everything. Now no one comes but a bunch of Bible fanatics. Seems that things never change!

Hmmm ... considering that most people in most churches fail the test in Mat. 7:6 it is more of a blind leading the blind thing. Most groups love their beliefs, and want nothing at all to do with any truth that might cause anyone to consider any other views. If Jesus wording is correct about the many on the broad path who believe Jesus is their Lord, God and Savior, but who are mistaken verses the few on the "to groan" it's so tight path, then perhaps, given the wording, 2-3 out of a thousand are true Christians in the first place. The rest just believe they are His... but are wrong.

We all get what we want. Either we get what we need to believe what we want to believe, or, if we truly love truth we will keep on seeking, proving all things over and over again, we will keep on being manual laborers cutting straight the word of God ... and if we do all these things that are in the present tense as a habit and way of life because we love truth and not the beliefs ... we will eventually find. No one comes to God apart from belief in the truth.

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me."

Miss the truth. Miss salvation... regardless of what you believe. (2Th. 2:10-13)

...
 
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