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.

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,833
13,558
113
Yes, I did. I spake plainly. You have your answer from me as clear as can be made. If you choose to not accept that answer, the answer itself cannot change to suit your incorrect worldview.

If asked again, I will say, "Asked and answered."
oh, thanks.
i must have misread it earlier.

so we are agreed; physical death is not annihilation of the soul.
the person continues to exist either in life or in death - not the same 'death/life' paradigm as pertains to the flesh
 
Feb 7, 2022
646
75
28
oh, thanks.
i must have misread it earlier.


so we are agreed; physical death is not annihilation of the soul.
the person continues to exist either in life or in death - not the same 'death/life' paradigm as pertains to the flesh
What do you mean by "continues to exist" "in death"? Please 'flesh' that out a little more.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,833
13,558
113
What do you mean by "continues to exist" "in death"? Please 'flesh' that out a little more.
Take Satan for example.

Per 1 John 5:12 whoever does not have the Son does not have life. This is clearly not using animation of the body of dust as a definition for 'life'

Satan does not have life. Ergo, Satan has death. Again, not using the animation of the body as a definition.
Satan continues to exist.

Granted this is an angel, but why should the case for a man be different? And Satan certainly has personhood.
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,191
1,577
113
68
Brighton, MI
I can't understand how people can draw such asinine conclusions as "at death, we go to straight to heaven with a 'spiritual body' and after a while we'll get our resurrection body in the resurrection" without a single shred of evidence to back up such nonsense. I mean, did Paul mention anything about a "spiritual body" in 2 Corinthians 5?

NO!

He only spoke of two kinds of bodies, the mortal body with which we are clothed now and the resurrection body with which we will be clothed then. Moreover, what about "naked" and "unclothed"? The Immortal Soul crowd cowardly runs from that part of 2 Corinthians 2 because it's key to properly interpreting "absent from the body and present with the Lord", and it's better to remain blissfully ignorant in false doctrine rather than swallow pride and admit they believed in satanic error. News flash: we ALL have fallen victim to some form of satanic error, which is precisely why the Holy Spirit was sent to "lead you and guide you into all truth" and it just stands to reason that if we're going to be led "into all truth", we must first be led "out of satanic error".

Paul told the Corinthians in his first letter we don't put on our immortal body until "the last trump" which is at the glorious appearing of Jesus, when we also will appear with Him in glory, as you pointed out. And yet, they will continue to deny God's Word that "ye shall surely die" and instead affirm the lie of Satan who said, "Ye shall not surely die...oh, you'll die alright...but not surely! You'll still be alive, either sitting in the smoking or non smoking section."
I think it only our spirit-soul that goes to paradise in heaven after the resurrection. Before that it went to the grave Brother, friend.

2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, yes, well pleased rather, to be absent from the body and present with the Lord.

Philippians 1:23
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.

Revelation 6:10
They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”

https://jesusplusnothing.com/series/post/deaththenwhat
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,191
1,577
113
68
Brighton, MI
The time came when the beggar died, and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. (Luke 16:22)

Tertullian says, “When by force of death the soul is snatched from the weight of the flesh that closed it in, it trembles with excitement to see the face of an angel, the summoner of souls, realizing that its eternal abode has been prepared.”
Ephrem imagines the confusion of a man when he sees the heavenly powers just after death: “When the armies of the Lord show themselves and when the divine commanders bid him to leave the body behind, he shakes and trembles at the unaccustomed sight of these figures.”
On the other hand, angels also have a consoling effect for the faithful at the moment of death, keeping demons at bay:

Gregory the Great says, “The hymns of the angels fill the soul with so divine a joy, that it does not notice the sufferings of death. And during its voyage toward heaven, the angels scatter the demons who try to bar the soul’s advance.”
Aloysius Gonzaga (a Church Father, though not an ancient one, living from 1568–1591) taught that when the soul leaves the body, it is accompanied and consoled by its guardian angel so that the soul can present itself confidently before the judgment seat of God.
The angels escort us upward toward Heaven and God’s judgment seat:

John Chrysostom says, “If we need a guide in passing from one [earthly] city to another, how much more so will the soul need someone to point the way when she breaks the bonds of the flesh and passes on to the future life.”
Ephrem sees the angels “taking up the soul … and carrying it through the upper air.”
Gregory notes that the angels of paradise are asked by the lower angels to permit the soul to enter there.
Strangely, there is little mention of the presence of angels while we are at the judgment itself. Perhaps it is because this is a personal matter, just between our soul and the Lord. It seems likely that each of us will need some purgation. St. Paul speaks of a kind of fire that will both purify and refine us:

Each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).

As to this purgation, one ancient source (“The Apocalypse of Paul”) speaks of a man lifted up to a mystical vision of a river of fire; he asks an angel what it might be. The angel tells him that if anyone is impure yet repentant, he is led forward, first to adore God, and then by command of the Lord handed over to Michael and other angels, who “baptize” him in the river of fire and lead him to the City of God. At this point, it would seem that the guardian angel intercedes before God and seeks help among the people on earth to pray for the soul in its care. After the purifications have been completed, the guardian angel leads the soul into Heaven.

The angels in Heaven reserve special attention for virgins and martyrs:

Eusebius says that virgins will not walk toward the King, they will be carried by the angels.
Of the martyrs, Origen says that the angels look at them with wonder and greet them as conquerors. The angels sing, “Who is this coming from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength?” (Isaiah 63:1)
St. John Chrysostom says, “The martyrs go up to Heaven surrounded and preceded by the angels as an escort. When they arrive in Heaven all the holy powers from on high run forward and stand before them, trying to see their wounds. They receive them with joy and embrace them. Then they form an immense procession to lead them to the King of Heaven … taking part in mystical songs … leading them into the Holy of Holies.”
Surely, every soul is greeted with joy by the angels and saints, and they are caught up into the great movement and “dance” of love between the members of the Trinity.
https://www.ncregister.com/blog/angels-iv
How come we can't click an icon for our own posts?
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,191
1,577
113
68
Brighton, MI
Does resurrection only pertain to "the body", according to scripture?

The Bible says:

1Jn 5:11: "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son."

It says, "this life is in his Son."

It is not in us inherently.

1 Corinthians 15:12-58
Easy-to-Read Version
We Will Be Raised From Death
12 We tell everyone that Christ was raised from death. So why do some of you say that people will not be raised from death? 13 If no one will ever be raised from death, then Christ has never been raised. 14 And if Christ has never been raised, then the message we tell is worth nothing. And your faith is worth nothing. 15 And we will also be guilty of lying about God, because we have told people about him, saying that he raised Christ from death. And if no one is raised from death, then God never raised Christ from death. 16 If those who have died are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised from death, then your faith is for nothing; you are still guilty of your sins. 18 And those in Christ who have already died are lost. 19 If our hope in Christ is only for this life here on earth, then people should feel more sorry for us than for anyone else.

20 But Christ really has been raised from death—the first one of all those who will be raised. 21 Death comes to people because of what one man did. But now there is resurrection from death because of another man. 22 I mean that in Adam all of us die. And in the same way, in Christ all of us will be made alive again. 23 But everyone will be raised to life in the right order. Christ was first to be raised. Then, when Christ comes again, those who belong to him will be raised to life. 24 Then the end will come. Christ will destroy all rulers, authorities, and powers. Then he will give the kingdom to God the Father.

25 Christ must rule until God puts all enemies under his control.[a] 26 The last enemy to be destroyed will be death. 27 As the Scriptures say, “God put everything under his control.”[ b ] When it says that “everything” is put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself. God is the one putting everything under Christ’s control. 28 After everything has been put under Christ, then the Son himself will be put under God. God is the one who put everything under Christ. And Christ will be put under God so that God will be the complete ruler over everything.

29 If no one will ever be raised from death, then what will the people do who are baptized for those who have died? If the dead are never raised, then why are people baptized for them?

30 And what about us? Why do we put ourselves in danger every hour? 31 I face death every day. That is true, brothers and sisters, just as it is true that I am proud of what you are because of Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 I fought wild animals in Ephesus. If I did that only for human reasons, then I have gained nothing. If we are not raised from death, “Let us eat and drink, because tomorrow we die.”[c]

33 Don’t be fooled: “Bad friends will ruin good habits.” 34 Come back to your right way of thinking and stop sinning. Some of you don’t know God. I say this to shame you.

What Kind of Body Will We Have?
35 But someone may ask, “How are the dead raised? What kind of body will they have?” 36 These are stupid questions. When you plant something, it must die in the ground before it can live and grow. 37 And when you plant something, what you plant does not have the same “body” that it will have later. What you plant is only a seed, maybe wheat or something else. 38 But God gives it the body that he has planned for it, and he gives each kind of seed its own body. 39 All things made of flesh are not the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds have another, and fish have yet another kind. 40 Also there are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. But the beauty of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the beauty of the earthly bodies is another. 41 The sun has one kind of beauty, the moon has another kind, and the stars have another. And each star is different in its beauty.

42 It will be the same when those who have died are raised to life. The body that is “planted” in the grave will ruin and decay, but it will be raised to a life that cannot be destroyed. 43 When the body is “planted,” it is without honor. But when it is raised, it will be great and glorious. When the body is “planted,” it is weak. But when it is raised, it will be full of power. 44 The body that is “planted” is a physical body. When it is raised, it will be a spiritual body.

There is a physical body. So there is also a spiritual body. 45 As the Scriptures say, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.[d]”[e] But the last Adam[f] is a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual man did not come first. It was the physical man that came first; then came the spiritual. 47 The first man came from the dust of the earth. The second man came from heaven. 48 All people belong to the earth. They are like that first man of earth. But those who belong to heaven are like that man of heaven. 49 We were made like that man of earth, so we will also be made like that man of heaven.

50 I tell you this, brothers and sisters: Our bodies of flesh and blood cannot have a part in God’s kingdom. Something that will ruin cannot have a part in something that never ruins. 51 But listen, I tell you this secret: We will not all die, but we will all be changed. 52 It will only take the time of a second. We will be changed as quickly as an eye blinks. This will happen when the last trumpet blows. The trumpet will blow and those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we will all be changed. 53 This body that ruins must clothe itself with something that will never ruin. And this body that dies must clothe itself with something that will never die. 54 So this body that ruins will clothe itself with that which never ruins. And this body that dies will clothe itself with that which never dies. When this happens, the Scriptures will be made true:

“Death is swallowed in victory.”

55 “O death, where is your victory?
Where is your power to hurt?”

56 Death’s power to hurt is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But we thank God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Don’t let anything change you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. You know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
1 Corinthians 15:25 control Literally, “feet.”
1 Corinthians 15:27 Quote from Ps. 8:6.
1 Corinthians 15:32 Quote from Isa. 22:13; 56:12.
1 Corinthians 15:45 person Literally, “soul.”
1 Corinthians 15:45 Quote from Gen. 2:7.
1 Corinthians 15:45 Adam The name Adam means “man.” Here, “the last Adam” refers to Christ, the “man of heaven.”
1 Corinthians 14
1 Corinthians 16
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,191
1,577
113
68
Brighton, MI
Those who are yet alive exist...those who are dead in Christ don't exist. Those who are dead without Christ don't exist either.

That's why Paul put everything on the resurrection: our hope, our means of comforting bereaved saints, our ultimate rest from this body of "burden" and "groaning", he put everything on the resurrection down here, not that at death we appear immediately up there.
Unless I misunderstand you. Is it fair for a recreated soul and body to be judged for someonelse's sins on earth?

Clarification please.
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,191
1,577
113
68
Brighton, MI
I keep dropping 10 Megaton truth bombs on these guys, but truth seems to have no effect on these guys...or maybe they keep respawning with some crazy cheat code, I don't know.

Like, when they say that at death they immediately take a "spiritual body" with them to heaven, I launch a warhead from 2 Corinthians 2 where it mentions only TWO types of bodies, the mortal we have now and the immortal at the end time resurrection, according to 1 Corinthians 15...this mysterious "spiritual body" exists only in the minds of the Immortal Soul crowd.
???
I do not think you dropped any bombs.
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,191
1,577
113
68
Brighton, MI
Jesus' humanity and His Deity was intertwined in His soul; and it was His Divine Human Soul that was offered up as an offering for sin (Isaiah 53:10).
I am not sure if there was two natures in Jesus. What other texts are you thinking of brother, friend?
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,833
13,558
113
In other words, the spiritualism, or spiritualization, of your (and other immortal soul/spirit theologists) position places people (persons) not in the grave but as existing already alive and well in heaven, or alive and in ill health in a never ending torment of a fiery sort (whether you believe that to be physical, spiritual or both).
How does Christ describe it in Luke 16?

Is Abraham's bosom, and Sheol, heaven and hell?
God certainly knows the words for heaven and for hell. But He doesn't use them here. Neither does He say the two men are annihilated, nor does He say they are in a frozen stasis.

Some people in this thread argue that God is lying in Luke 16, and that He is teaching pagan mythos and doctrines of demons. They say we are supposed to be smart enough not to believe Him.

But I believe God.
Am I stupid for doing so?
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,833
13,558
113
Mankind does not so much "have a soul" as mankind is a "soul" (person, being creature), see Gen. 2:7.
he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the LORD and said,
“O LORD my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him"
(1 Kings 17:21)
why does the Bible so often & ubiquitously speak about the soul as though it is a thing person has?
an entity which exists, has volition and emotion and understanding, and knowledge and capability to trust and understand and take action? why does God describe us as though our soul is an independent construct distinct from ourselves and our bodies?


your understanding of Genesis 2:7 seems awfully contrary to the entire witness of scripture. :unsure:


Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble;
My eye wastes away with grief,
Yes, my soul and my body!
(Psalm 31:9)
 
Feb 7, 2022
646
75
28
Take Satan for example.

Per 1 John 5:12 whoever does not have the Son does not have life. This is clearly not using animation of the body of dust as a definition for 'life'

Satan does not have life. Ergo, Satan has death. Again, not using the animation of the body as a definition.
Satan continues to exist.

Granted this is an angel, but why should the case for a man be different? And Satan certainly has personhood.
Not have life in that text refers to spiritual life. Satan is a living being that does not have spiritual life. He grieved away the Holy Spirit, but still has physical life.

Satan has a "celestial body", not of this "terrestrial" earth, but it is a physical body, as all angels have, having their own celestial flesh nature which differs from God's nature (Hebrews 2:16) and man's nature (Psalms 8:5; Hebrews 2:7,9) See also 1 Cor. 15:38-44; Jude 1:7; Ezekiel 28:13 (see also Philippians 3:21; Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25; Malachi 4:1 &c.)

Satan is dead spiritually speaking, but will not be dead physically until the End of Revelation 20; Ezekiel 28:19 at least.

Thus to be dead spiritually and physically, without possibility of resurrection, is to be anihilated, or second death. Satan will be burnt up into "smoke" and "ashes", see Malachi 4:3.

A man who dies, because of the sacrifice of Jesus for all, goes to the grave and sleeps until their respective resurrection.

The only existence of any one of them (deceased of physical life), exists in the mind of God, who knows all their thoughts, and in the record books of Heaven. None who die are physically alive anywhere.

The righteous who die (sleep death) and get resurrected soon, will not experience the second death. Jesus referred to this.

The unrepentant who die (sleep death) and get resurrected after the 1,000 years (Isa. 24; Rev. 20), will be punished and then experience the second death, total annihilation from which there is no resurrecting from. They will be spiritually dead, physically dead and undone permanently. God then recreates the New Heaven & Earth after they, including satan and his angels are all gone for good.