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In Lk. 16:19-31--- We have the continuation of 5
parables, some teach that this is an actual event that Jesus described
and not a parable the arguments for this is Jesus used the word
certain however he also said certain in another place (Mt 21 33
Hear another parable: There was a
certain
householder,) also they say because Jesus used a name ( Lazarus )
but there is a good reason for this which I will go into in this
article.
There are many reasons why this cannot be an actual
story one being Jesus only spoke about the mysteries of the kingdom to
the Pharisees in parables, but most of all it is a fitting
description of Judah and the Gentiles which is primarily what Jesus
was always speaking to the people about because he came to the Lost
sheep of the house of
Israel and to establish a new covenant by His blood.
19 There
was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen,
and fared sumptuously every day:
The rich man is the religious Jew his
riches was his inheritance and the promises of God , the purple speaks
of kingship the linen speaks of priesthood "A King-Priest ministry".
20 And
there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate,
full of sores,
21 And
desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's
table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
The term laying at the gate was a
common term used toward the gentiles, also crumbs was a common thought
for that day an example the Syrophonesian woman ask for crumbs to
bring healing for her daughter, they the Gentiles were also called
dogs.This spiritual beggar called Lazarus stands
for the nations of the world and is right at Judah's gateway so to
speak. The Greek 'Lazarus' has it's counterpart in Hebrew 'Eleazer'
which means: 'he whom God helps' or 'whom God aids'. The Greek word
for name is 'onoma' and not only means 'a name' but implies 'one
possessing a certain character' or characteristic. Thus it could be
written: 'Outside the gate of Judah there were the nations of the
world, whose characteristic was they were beggars and diseased, all
needing the help of God'.
22 And
it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels
into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Notice the beggar was carried by the
angels it doesn't say he was buried, and the rich man was buried (the
grave) but both systems died this is symbolic,
representing a change in the order. Lazarus carried into the bosom
of Abraham represents the heathen nations of the world and we see the
transfer of relationship.Matthew 21:43
'Therefore I say unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you,
and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof' It is
Judah (Jews, so called) represented here.
23 And
in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar
off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
In Hades ( the grave; not Gehenna ) In
torment (not torture) "fear has torment" it means a place of anguish
of mind or soul. He still had good vision to see Abraham and Lazarus
in his breast or bosom. 'Notice How he cries to Abraham for mercy
(They said to Jesus in Jn. 8:39 We have Abraham as our father)
Consider the following for a moment. If he was engulfed in Hell-fire
as many suggest, how on earth would he be able to hold a conversation
with someone else? Any human being having been caught in such
torture would be consumed, his hair burned off, his skin blistered
infinitely worse than third degree burns. The trauma of such a
"consuming fire, along with the shock to a human being would be
intolerable."
24 And
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 tormented in this flame.
Here is a rich man who cries from a
long way off must have had a good strong voice and good eye sight, he
calls Abraham his father (a term of respect and relationship) He still
had the presence of mind to know Lazarus asking only for him to put
his finger in some water, now in a fire of torture he would need more
than a dip of water, if he was a selfish rich man you would think he
would have asked for the fire to be completely put out, the word
tormented in this flame cannot be taken as a literal fire, this was a
term more common among the people of that day.
25 But
Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy
good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is
comforted, and thou art tormented.
Abraham called him son (again denoting
relationship), surely having good things would not be enough to cause
him to spend eternity in hell? this is saying because of the
Jews rejection of the Messiah they were tormented.
26 And
beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so
that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they
pass to us, that would come from thence.
A great gulf or chasm symbolizes that
these two systems are over, God has brought in a new and everlasting
covenant through His son greater than Abraham.
He has broken every barrier down, removed all hindrances and opened
up the way to full restoration. Galatians 3:28 'There is neither
Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male
nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus' Ephesians 2:13-18
'But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made
nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both
one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
27 Then
he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to
my father's house:
28 For
I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also
come into this place of torment.
Here he shows his love for his family,
His prayer though was to Abraham not to God not acknowledging The
messiah Jesus, but still looking to Abraham. It is also significant
to the people of that day and they would have known, that Judah ( the
Jew ) had 5 brothers again showing the rich man as the Jew.
29 Abraham
saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
The Jews had been given the law
through Moses
30 And he said,
Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they
will repent.
31 And
he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither
will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
If the Jews would not hear what was
written of the Messiah through Moses and the prophets then neither
would they hear when Jesus was raised from the dead.
There is still much i have left out on this subject if
you desire to know more please contact me.
Scott Stimson Sr.
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