"If a man die, shall he live again?
all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come."
(Job 14: 14)
Is the soul (or spirit) distinct from the body? Is the soul immortal or mortal? Does the death of the body mean the death of the spirit? Is the dying of a person the end of him? Of all existence (annihilation)? What happens when a person dies? Is there an afterlife? What does God have to do with the afterlife? Is there really a judgment by God for every person, a judgment that will grant access to heaven or condemn to torment? These are the questions we have been contemplating in the chapters preceding. In this chapter we will continue our look at the teaching of Christ about Hades and the place of the dead of Luke chapter 16 and the story of the rich man and Lazarus.
Concerning the story of Dives and Lazarus Peter Gurry of the Gospel Coalition wrote the following about the story and its use and misuse among theologians and bible students (See here- emphasis mine):
"It’s been used to rebuke the rich, defend salvation by poverty, teach about the afterlife, condemn antebellum slavery, even promote women’s suffrage. Jesus’s story in Luke 16:19–31 certainly raises a series of questions. Can heaven be seen from hell? Does wealth make the difference between the two? Are those in heaven aware of (and indifferent to) the suffering of those in hell? Is this a parable or a true story?"
No doubt that the story of Dives and Lazarus have been misused and abused. Also, it is true that the story raises questions in our minds as well as answering them. This is what I stated in the preceding chapter where I first introduced this story.
Curry says further:
"The account is unique to Luke’s Gospel and has several other exclusive features besides. How should we interpret it and what can it teach us today?"
Yes, indeed! "How should we interpret it"! Should we deny its plain teaching? Will we twist and distort it? Will we resist its teachings? Will we ignore what it says about the afterlife?
He says further:
"But does it matter whether or not this is a parable? I don’t think so and neither did Calvin. We agree that the main issue is comprehending “the doctrine which it contains.”"
I agree. However, I will insist that it is not a parable. But, for the sake of argument, I am willing to assume that it is a parable.
He says further:
"The angels, five brothers, and Moses and the prophets play supporting roles, as does Abraham. The main characters, of course, are Lazarus and the rich man. Although tradition has called this man “Dives” (the Latin word for “rich man”), he has no name in the original. He’s introduced as one who literally wears his wealth on his sleeve (“clothed in purple and fine linen”) and feels not the least pain of hunger (he “feasted sumptuously every day”)."
Yes, the story could well be called "reversal of fortune." He who was rich on earth became poor in Hades. He who was poor on earth became rich in Hades. The rich man became the beggar, begging for water.
He says further:
"The contrasts don’t end there. Upon death, Lazarus finds himself at Abraham’s “bosom,” which is probably a reference to the heavenly banquet (cf. John 13:23). For any Jew at the time, this seating arrangement would have been a mark of the highest honor. And what about the rich man? Despite the blessing of his great wealth, he ends up in Hades where he’s in torment. It’s hard to tell whether this Hades is intended to be different from hell (or Gehenna). It’s certainly not where he wants to be."
"Abraham's bosom" means that Lazarus is with his people, has been "gathered unto his people." It means that he is reclining at the banquet table (the ancient peoples often lay on sofas around the table). It tells us that Lazarus is enjoying himself and is peaceful and at rest. It denotes intimate communion with Abraham and all his kin. All believers are "children of Abraham." So Paul affirmed - "if you are Christ's (special possession) then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Gal. 3: 29) And, - "those who are of faith are sons of Abraham." (Vs. 7)
Curry says further:
"From this surprising turn of events, some conclude the parable teaches that the poor go to heaven and the rich to hell. The problem with such a view, as Augustine noted long ago, is that poor Lazarus is carried to the side of wealthy Abraham. If wealth alone determines our fate, then Abraham should be in Hades right along with the rich man."
Wealth alone does not assure one a place in the tormenting side of the gulf. Nor does poverty assure one a place on the comforting side of the great gulf. Yet the Bible teaches that very few rich folk are saved, the saved being made up mostly of those who were not rich on earth.
"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matt. 19: 23-26)
James, the Lord's brother, also wrote:
"Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?" (James 2: 5)
This text is not saying that a man is chosen to salvation because he or she is monetarily poor but is affirming that the chosen (elect) are mostly made up of people who were not of the rich class.
Curry says further:
"The most important lesson this parable teaches is a warning about money. Wealth calcified the rich man’s heart. Though wealth doesn’t always have this effect, who can deny that it often does? As many have realized, either we will own our money, or it will own us. You cannot serve God and money, as Jesus said a few verses before (Luke 16:13)."
Very few rich people go to heaven.
The apostle Paul said - "not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called." (I Cor. 1: 26) He did not say "not any" but "not many."
Jesus, in summing up one of his homilies on this very thing, said: “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12: 21)
The Story's Lessons
Lessons from the story involve the eternal destinies of human beings and what happens to them when they die and leave the body. And, the soul or spirit does leave the body in the story. It is specifically mentioned that Dives was "buried" but there is no mention of the burial of Lazarus. This is not without signification. Truly the rich man no doubt would have had a wealthy man's funeral, coffin, sarcophagus, and grave site and memorial stones.
It has much to say about salvation (or soteriology). It has much to say about the "intermediate state," and the afterlife, the subject of this treatise. It teaches against the idea of universal salvation. Though it does not positively state that the torments of Dives were unending, yet it seems to be implied.
Beliefs Overthrown
1. Man has no spirit or life separate from or outside of his physical existence in a body (Materialism).
2. There is no afterlife.
3. There are no angels or spirits (spirit world).
4. All go to a good happy place (heaven or paradise) when they die ("Universal Salvation").
5. There is no Hell or place of torment after death for people.
6. Wealthy people are humanity's elite class.
7. Hell's torments are remedial and end with entrance into paradise.
8. Reincarnation
9. Soul sleep
10. Purgatory and Limbo
Beliefs Upheld
1. Immortality or conscious existence of the soul or spirit after the death of the body.
2. There is an afterlife.
3. There is a spirit world where spirits (incorporeal beings) exist.
4. Salvation of some people (destiny heaven) and damnation of some people (destiny hell).
5. Hearing Moses and the prophets (and heeding their message) are a means of obtaining heaven.
6. The elect are made up of people who were generally poor on earth.
7. Eternal destinies are unchangeable in the afterlife (no salvation after death).
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