Interpreting the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus: It's Really Good News!

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,191
1,577
113
68
Brighton, MI
That phrase is taken from a completely differing context and "heart of the earth" never means grave or Sheol or Hades. I can detail that for you as needful.
Matthew 12:40
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Did Jesus go to paradise or the wrong side?
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,191
1,577
113
68
Brighton, MI
Hell is located in the heart of the earth. It does not refer to a tomb or grave six foot under.
Matthew 12:40
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,128
3,689
113
Matthew 12:40
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Yep, Jonah went to hell in the heart of the earth. Jonah's body was in the whale, yet his soul was being afflicted in hell.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,833
13,558
113
What? I didn't say any part of the parable is false. I said the opposite, that the parable as given in Luke 16 is truth, just given in symbols, things spiritual, not natural.
you said God could not possibly use the sorceress, on principle.
so i brought up Balaam, a sorcerer, whom God absolutely definitely used.
therefore your principle is falsified.

regarding types, in every account we have typologically Christ foremost, because all scripture is of Him and teaches of Him, and we have often the Father, and we have antichrist/Satan, and we have Israel, and we have the church and/or the world: the people of Christ or the people of antichrist/Satan.

yes, Balaam is a type of antichrist/people of the antichrist.
so who is the typological antichrist in 1 Samuel 28? Saul or the witch of Endor?
i'm going to tell you the witch of Endor is a type of the church. she recognizes & fears God. she repents. she does good to her enemy, showing him hospitality, mercy and kindness.
and who is the type of Christ in 1 Samuel 28?
what do you think? a demon represents Christ?

this passage has to be properly interpreted. you have to find Christ in it, or you have no hope of understanding it.
you need to leave your eisegesis outside, and let scripture speak for itself: it is the word of God, testifying of Christ. let God speak.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,833
13,558
113
Never said that but nice try. Did Saul go down to the heart of the earth? Yes, hell, across the gulf from where Samuel was.
yes --

All go unto one place;
all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

(Ecclesiastes 3:20)
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,833
13,558
113
I posted the text, Saul clearly saw the spirt of Samuel???(memory lapse).
the scripture says explicitly that Samuel spoke directly to Saul.
anyone who denies that simply has to refuse to believe the scripture.

there is no room for difference of interpretation on this -- there is only you believe it, or you have other views you hold more dear so you reject what is written.

Samuel can only mean Samuel. there is no nuance to what may be meant by Samuel.

so either it is really Samuel, or scripture is lying.
 

Duckybill

Well-known member
Aug 16, 2021
1,145
221
63
I believe in hell as given in scripture, just not your personal version.
Enjoy!

Matthew 25:41 (NKJV)
41 Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:
Revelation 20:10 (NKJV)
10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
 

Duckybill

Well-known member
Aug 16, 2021
1,145
221
63
Matthew 5:22 is in the context of legal matters.
Prove it.
Consider Matt 5
21Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Amen Jesus!
Parallel with Luke 12
57Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? 58When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. 59I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.

This is akin to bearing false witness of the nineth commandment.
What ducky bill has said OP "Does scripture tell us the law of the Lord is dead?"
Post #39 "Christians have NEVER been under the Law of Moses!"
Matthew 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
You KNOW you don't obey Moses. Stop telling us you do!
So what are you contradicting? Jesus maybe? Using a verse to slander, places you among those described in 2 Tim 3:3 "unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good," I think that too is a sin. Your caps, a christian without self-control in a chat room.
Caps get your attention.
Speaking against the Scriptures is basically blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus says to avoid slander or you will be destroyed, and then you use the same verse to slander and infer an eternal torture chamber called hell.
Mark 3:28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: 30Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

We will begin with this, till next post.:)
You blasphemed the Holy Spirit?

"The rich man also died"
"being in torments"
"he cried"
"I am tormented in this flame"
"this place of torment"
 
Feb 7, 2022
646
75
28
Enjoy!

Matthew 25:41 (NKJV)
41 Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:
Revelation 20:10 (NKJV)
10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Yeah, I believe and accept both verses as they read and defined in scripture. I don't believe your definition of those terms, but I believe God's (Isaiah 28:10,13).
 

Duckybill

Well-known member
Aug 16, 2021
1,145
221
63
Yeah, I believe and accept both verses as they read and defined in scripture. I don't believe your definition of those terms, but I believe God's (Isaiah 28:10,13).
I didn't have to define anything. You understood perfectly and you don't like what Jesus said. Satan wants your company in Hell "forever and ever". Hell will be filled with victims like you. And even worse, you're deceiving your friends and family.
 
Feb 7, 2022
646
75
28
I didn't have to define anything. You understood perfectly and you don't like what Jesus said. Satan wants your company in Hell "forever and ever". Hell will be filled with victims like you. And even worse, you're deceiving your friends and family.
Mat 10:25: "It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?"
 
Jul 24, 2021
494
78
28
Prove it.

Amen Jesus!

You KNOW you don't obey Moses. Stop telling us you do!

Caps get your attention.

You blasphemed the Holy Spirit?

"The rich man also died"
"being in torments"
"he cried"
"I am tormented in this flame"
"this place of torment"
Don't you check for context?

"Matthew 5:22 is in the context of legal matters. Prove it."
A liitle up. Jesus Fulfills the Law
Matt 5:17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
A liitle up. Old law of thou shalt not murder
Matt 5:21Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
A liitle down. Old law at that thou shalt not commit adultery
27Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Further down, divorce issues
31It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: Vows

"You KNOW you don't obey Moses. Stop telling us you do!"
It is not about me duckybill, if that is your real name. :)
I am comfortable with the times and seasons. It is your claim that you speak for Jesus. You have already disregarded Matthew 5:18.

"Caps get your attention." Yes it does. It is somehat amusing. Can I ask how long that takes to show your anger in such a way? It feels like a young child talking, no offence.

"You blasphemed the Holy Spirit?" I could be if the hell doctrine was true. How many possible Christians would be turned of by An All Loving God.? Hmm, what a dastardly message all supported by the bible. But I will stick to my guns. Hell is a false doctrine of the nicolaitan sort. Which segways to my duckybill hypocrisy numero deux.

Anyways Post "Interpreting the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus: It's Really Good News!"
"OT? The NT teaches MUCH about the "everlasting fire". No need for OT." Post #1,846
speaking about definitions

Jesus fulfilled the Wisdom of God.
Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

In fact, h\He did as His Father Said.
John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

So when you belittle the OT are you insulting God or Jesus? Both are blasphemies in my book.
 
Jul 24, 2021
494
78
28
Prove it.

Amen Jesus!

You KNOW you don't obey Moses. Stop telling us you do!

Caps get your attention.

You blasphemed the Holy Spirit?

"The rich man also died"
"being in torments"
"he cried"
"I am tormented in this flame"
"this place of torment"
Blasphemy of hellmongering

Consider earthly conduct
James 2:11For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

This is the explanation of the Law vis-a-vis your denial of the OT. But, carrying on, does mercy triumph over judgement in your hell or will you deny this verse also?

Consider false prophets
Matt 15:3He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.
15Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”
16“Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17“Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

So what of torture in your spectrum of heartfelt thoughts like adultery or slander? Don't hellmongers imagine the writhing pain of the resident. Think of cheating you are a cheater. Think of slander you are a murderer. Are these true or are you going to deny these notions too?

Cancer to the body of Christ
2 Tim 2:15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

Milleniallists perhaps? Hellmongers with their immortal soul? Doctrines that destroy the faith of others are not Christian. It is the hallmark of wickedness. But hey, hell is like a sanctioned assassination from a secular nation. Is God a secular nation to you?

Consider the purpose of Christ
John 3:17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Where is hell in this formula. John in the whole synoptics never even hinted a hell, only eternal life if one accepts the Gift from God.

What is the Characteristic of Christian faith
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"

How does hell demonstrate the Glorious Love of God? Hellmonger, fearmonger, nicolaitan - they all speak of something other than the blessings of a Divine Father. So when a hellmonger condemns those who are taught lessons of mercy and are firmly obedient in the Father's Love, are you obeying Jesus. When you compell the slaves of mercy to imagine all sorts of torture before God, are you preparing them for judgement? Your doctrine of hell when spoken defiles the lessons of Jesus and the idea of sonship.

So here is the blasphemy. Hell is filled with those that do not believe in hell. It is foundational in your mind. So those who obey hell have an image of hell imprinted in their mind. Torture, screaming, exquisite pain etc... But before God such thoughts are not acceptable. So those who believe would go to the lake of hell and those who don't believe go to the lake of hell. So in theory, everyone goes to hell! You are calling God's Creations absurd. A total catch-22. Sounds like Blasphemy of the Most High to me.

You have already disregarded Matthew 5:18.
What about James 2:11. Matt 15:19,
Are 2 Tim 2:15 applicable to hellmongers.
Was Jesus sent to show hell? Is hell supposed to give the Christian faith or fear? Show me the hell formula in John3:17 conform 1 John 4:18, Romans 8:15
 
Aug 3, 2019
3,744
507
113
Was Lazarus resurrected? Jairus’ daughter? Should I name all? Yes or no, did they return back to the living?
While the power of God can resurrect the dead, the satanic power of a witch can never do the same. So, what was it the witch of Endor raised up? A demon spirit impersonation Samuel.
 
Aug 3, 2019
3,744
507
113
The Lord was in it. The witch was deceived. Was Samuel speaking the truth? Absolutely! Yet you called it a demon.

12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.
Yes, I can see how the Lord would allow credit for His resurrection to be attributed to a satanic witch :rolleyes:

"I am the LORD: that is my name: and My glory will I not give to another..."
 
Aug 3, 2019
3,744
507
113
that's so you can fall backward and be broken, snared, and caught.

finish reading the verse:

But the word of the LORD was to them,
“Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little,”
That they might go and fall backward, and be broken and snared and caught.
(Isaiah 28:13)
Yes, OSAS proponents continually find themselves broken, snared, caught by failing to compare Scripture with Scripture. Here's an example of Isaiah 28 approved hermeneutics:

Saint Paul did not want to be a "castway".
David prayed not to be "castaway" and devoid of God's Spirit.
Paul says "If any man hath not the Spirit of God, he is none of His."

Conclusion: Saint Paul did not want to become a castaway devoid of God's Spirit, leaving him no longer the property of Jesus (Galatians 3:29 KJV) and lost.