Did the Rich Man Go To Hell?
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus…the time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.” (Luke 16:19-31)
So is this a historic account of two men, or a parable. A careful examination of the context beginning in Luke 14:7 shows me it is one in a series of parables, and therefore not a literal story. Everyone should be glad for it would teach that rich people who receive good things in this life go into hades, but the poor who receive bad things in this life go to heaven, regardless of the Cross, the Grace of God, or good works.
“So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony…”
Being a parable we can only grasp its meaning if “to us it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven”, according to Jesus...
“And the disciples came and said to Him, Why do you speak to them in parables? Jesus answered them, to you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted…" (Matthew 13:10-11)
So if you are a disciple you know what it means, if you are one of “them” however, you don’t and can't. One thing for sure, the context is the promises of God made to Israel…and nowhere in those promises within the word of God does he affirm Hades, the underworld of Greek mythology!
Do not fret too much if we don't understand all of the parables for at present we only see "dimly"...but one day we will know all...
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:12-13)
For now we should concentrate on strengthening our faith, hope and love.
So is this a historic account of two men, or a parable. A careful examination of the context beginning in Luke 14:7 shows me it is one in a series of parables, and therefore not a literal story. Everyone should be glad for it would teach that rich people who receive good things in this life go into hades, but the poor who receive bad things in this life go to heaven, regardless of the Cross, the Grace of God, or good works.
“So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony…”
Being a parable we can only grasp its meaning if “to us it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven”, according to Jesus...
“And the disciples came and said to Him, Why do you speak to them in parables? Jesus answered them, to you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted…" (Matthew 13:10-11)
So if you are a disciple you know what it means, if you are one of “them” however, you don’t and can't. One thing for sure, the context is the promises of God made to Israel…and nowhere in those promises within the word of God does he affirm Hades, the underworld of Greek mythology!
Do not fret too much if we don't understand all of the parables for at present we only see "dimly"...but one day we will know all...
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:12-13)
For now we should concentrate on strengthening our faith, hope and love.