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Could it be that the parable Jesus told of the Rich Man and Lazarus is not to be taken literally but rather symbolically? I think Jesus was teaching a valuable lesson in that parable and yet many miss the point because they are trying to fit it into their own idea of what heaven and hell are supposed to be. I have heard so many people claim that this parable is proof positive that we either go to heaven (Abraham's Bosom in the parable) or we go to hell, as the rich man, suffering in torments immediately when we die.
The rich man symbolized the self-righteous people of Israel who relied on Abraham being their 'father'. They believed that their works and their status of being the sons of Abraham would save them. Remember what Jesus told them in another passage how they could not hear His words because they were listening to their father? When they claimed that their father was Abraham, Jesus said if that was the case, they would be obedient as Abraham was. Instead, they were listening to their father, Satan, the father of lies. This parable is similar to that. The nation of Israel had the awesome responsibility to 'feed' the rest of the world with the light of God's Truth. Lazarus represents the beggar (the poor man desiring to be fed even scraps that fell from the rich man's table) but he also represents the awesome power of the resurrection of Jesus and the saints. The outcome of this parable is that when each man died, angels came to get them and took them to separate places. Lazarus was taken to 'Abraham's Bosom'. Of course, we can't take this literally, since I don't think heaven or paradise comprises of the small little area of Abraham's bosom. It's about faith. Having the faith that Abraham had, because we are sons of Abraham not through the Law or as outward Israelites, but we are sons by faith.
The rich man (remember how Jesus warned the Pharisees and Scribes and other religious leaders about making public displays of their 'righteousness'?) received his reward while he deluded himself into thinking that he was 'in' by mere outward shows of righteousness. When he died, the angel carried him to the fiery place where he thirsted for a drop of water. He sees Lazarus in "Abraham's Bosom' from a distance and he can't go where Lazarus is and Lazarus can't go where he is. There is a great gulf between them. Does this remind anyone of the verses in Revelation where the disobedient will NOT enter into the kingdom? This parable is giving us a glimpse of the lake of fire scene and the righteous that are in "Abraham's Bosom'. Those in 'Abraham's Bosom' are those who take part in the first resurrection, at Christ's coming.
What is REALLY, REALLY important about this parable though, is the fact that the rich man wanted Lazarus to warn his brothers about the place of torment - judgment followed by the lake of fire - the second death. Abraham answers and says that the rich man's brothers have the books of Moses and the Prophets (Old Testament). The rich man pleads and says that he is sure that the brothers would be convinced if someone from the dead were to come and talk to them. Again, Abraham says that if they don't HEAR Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded even if one were to rise from the dead.
What is the point? Moses sympolizes the law and the prophets symbolize faith in Jesus Christ, our Salvation. If people don't listen to the words of the Bible, not just the new testament, but ALL of the scriptures and follow them, no amount of miracles would persaude them to change their ways and enter into the faith of Abraham. Revelation tells us that the patience of the saints are those that keep the commandments and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. We need both.
The rich man symbolized the self-righteous people of Israel who relied on Abraham being their 'father'. They believed that their works and their status of being the sons of Abraham would save them. Remember what Jesus told them in another passage how they could not hear His words because they were listening to their father? When they claimed that their father was Abraham, Jesus said if that was the case, they would be obedient as Abraham was. Instead, they were listening to their father, Satan, the father of lies. This parable is similar to that. The nation of Israel had the awesome responsibility to 'feed' the rest of the world with the light of God's Truth. Lazarus represents the beggar (the poor man desiring to be fed even scraps that fell from the rich man's table) but he also represents the awesome power of the resurrection of Jesus and the saints. The outcome of this parable is that when each man died, angels came to get them and took them to separate places. Lazarus was taken to 'Abraham's Bosom'. Of course, we can't take this literally, since I don't think heaven or paradise comprises of the small little area of Abraham's bosom. It's about faith. Having the faith that Abraham had, because we are sons of Abraham not through the Law or as outward Israelites, but we are sons by faith.
The rich man (remember how Jesus warned the Pharisees and Scribes and other religious leaders about making public displays of their 'righteousness'?) received his reward while he deluded himself into thinking that he was 'in' by mere outward shows of righteousness. When he died, the angel carried him to the fiery place where he thirsted for a drop of water. He sees Lazarus in "Abraham's Bosom' from a distance and he can't go where Lazarus is and Lazarus can't go where he is. There is a great gulf between them. Does this remind anyone of the verses in Revelation where the disobedient will NOT enter into the kingdom? This parable is giving us a glimpse of the lake of fire scene and the righteous that are in "Abraham's Bosom'. Those in 'Abraham's Bosom' are those who take part in the first resurrection, at Christ's coming.
What is REALLY, REALLY important about this parable though, is the fact that the rich man wanted Lazarus to warn his brothers about the place of torment - judgment followed by the lake of fire - the second death. Abraham answers and says that the rich man's brothers have the books of Moses and the Prophets (Old Testament). The rich man pleads and says that he is sure that the brothers would be convinced if someone from the dead were to come and talk to them. Again, Abraham says that if they don't HEAR Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded even if one were to rise from the dead.
What is the point? Moses sympolizes the law and the prophets symbolize faith in Jesus Christ, our Salvation. If people don't listen to the words of the Bible, not just the new testament, but ALL of the scriptures and follow them, no amount of miracles would persaude them to change their ways and enter into the faith of Abraham. Revelation tells us that the patience of the saints are those that keep the commandments and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. We need both.
