Rich Man and Lazarus

“Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and *saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. And [a]besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham *said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:19-31

A parable is a fictional, though commonly understood illustration of a principle of doctrine. Jesus made good use of parables in His teaching. Scholars think this is not a parable, but a true event, because proper names are given, which is not done in the other parables.

The rich man's opulent lifestyle seemed sufficient for him. Fine clothing, splendid surroundings, upbeat mentality. The beggar at his gate was sick, destitute and starving. And Rich Man knew him by name. Well, they both died. (Old Dogs: "You're Still Gonna"). All of us will. Death is final. When one wakes up in Hades, as did Rich Man, it is too late to make adjustments in one's spiritual identity. Hades is the abode of the unbelieving dead. A holding tank, so to speak, and a very unpleasant condition to be in. Please keep in mind Jesus Himself is telling this. He knows whereof He speaks. Rich Man was not in Hades because he was rich. He was there because he had not identified with the plan of God while he still lived.

Lazarus, however, went immediately to the Bosom of Abraham; figurative speech for paradise, or the presence of God. Heaven. Whatever time he spent on earth in his miserable body, it was over now, and he has eternal bliss with the Lord.

Now we see that there is consciousness in the afterlife, wherever the soul spends it. Rich Man was aware of his personal torment and he knew where Lazarus was. Apparently there is visual contact between the two compartments of Tartarus (the abode of the dead), while they await the Judgment. So, he asked for help. "Please send Lazarus with water. I'm in agony IN THIS FLAME." Does anyone think Jesus would have mentioned flames if there were none? Ironic, isn't it? Remember the crumbs that Lazarus desired from RM's table? But this decision is not up to Lazarus. His earthly issues are passed away. Father Abraham is the authority in charge of this request. And the answer is: not a chance. You had your pleasures in physical life, to the exclusion of all spiritual concerns, as well as the absence of compassion on the needy at your gate. Now he is comforted forever, and your agony will not end. There is no crossing over. The boundries are fixed. You decision has been made.

Well, at least send Lazarus to my brothers, to warn them not to come to this place. Thoughtful, now, isn't he? It's too late. I love Abraham's answer: "They have Moses and the Prophets (Old Testament Scripture). Let them hear them." There is nothing more powerful than the written Word of God. If one rejects the written Word, nothing more can be done for him. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1).

But, please. If someone goes to them from the dead, they'll REPENT! No. If they reject the Bible, they will not believe, even IF SOMEONE RISES FROM THE DEAD. Again, keep in mind: the One telling this story is the One Who came to die and rise again, for the propitiation of our sins, and Lazarus' and the Rich Man's. He knows the hearts of men. He knew that some would not believe the written Word or the Incarnate Word. Nevertheless, He died for them, too. No one is in hell because of his sins. The sins have been atoned for. People are in hell for one reason only: rejection of the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. There's nothing more He can do for them. It is finished.