“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.
For my wife, children and grandchildren..and anyone else who may be interested!
The "So in So" in the House of the Pulled Off Sandal
"This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time." (1 Timothy 2:4-6)
In ancient Israel there was the "kinsman redeemer", the firstborn male of the family who had the responsibility of saving the family from extinction. If he was asked to do so and refused he was required to pull off his sandal and give it to the relative who needed to be saved, and would forever after be known as the "so in so" of "the house of the house of the pulled-off sandal". At least that is how I interpret the story of Ruth and Boaz in the 3rd chapter of Ruth.
The bible calls Jesus Christ "the firstborn of all creation".
"We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." (Colossians 1:1,15)
As the "firstborn" it was his responsibility to redeem mankind from extinction. God the Father asked him to do so requiring his death as the "ransom". He obeyed. And instead of becoming another forgotten person, just a "so in so of the house of the pulled off sandal", he is our kinsmen redeemer, and at our resurrection, his name will be above all names, and all will bow and confess Jesus the King of Kings and Lord of Lords...
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to cling to, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man he humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place, and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:8-11)
Now that is something to be thankful for!
In ancient Israel there was the "kinsman redeemer", the firstborn male of the family who had the responsibility of saving the family from extinction. If he was asked to do so and refused he was required to pull off his sandal and give it to the relative who needed to be saved, and would forever after be known as the "so in so" of "the house of the house of the pulled-off sandal". At least that is how I interpret the story of Ruth and Boaz in the 3rd chapter of Ruth.
The bible calls Jesus Christ "the firstborn of all creation".
"We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." (Colossians 1:1,15)
As the "firstborn" it was his responsibility to redeem mankind from extinction. God the Father asked him to do so requiring his death as the "ransom". He obeyed. And instead of becoming another forgotten person, just a "so in so of the house of the pulled off sandal", he is our kinsmen redeemer, and at our resurrection, his name will be above all names, and all will bow and confess Jesus the King of Kings and Lord of Lords...
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to cling to, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man he humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place, and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:8-11)
Now that is something to be thankful for!
Grace Rules!
“The Law was given so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness, to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20-21)
What value is there to the Ten Commandments, and the rest of the Law given Moses if its purpose was to increase trespasses?
Paul says it reveals just how sinful "all" people are...
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God …Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too…" (Romans 3:23, 29)
What value is there to the Love and Grace of God?
"…at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly…God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through him?...For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 5:6-8;6:23)
Paul says "grace" demonstrates that the love of God for sinners far exceeds the weight of their sin. The grace of God trumps the sinfulness of "ungodly" people...
All that we sinners can do about our sin is to have faith that God's "grace" is greater than our sin, and wait for the final proof of the His love and mercy when we sinners are resurrected to receive "the free gift of eternal life"…
“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive…The last enemy to be destroyed is death…so that God may be all in all…just as we have borne the likeness of the earthy man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man…the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ?” (1 Corinthians 15:20-58)
Death, the wages of sin, is then swallowed up in the Victory.
Grace rules!
What value is there to the Ten Commandments, and the rest of the Law given Moses if its purpose was to increase trespasses?
Paul says it reveals just how sinful "all" people are...
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God …Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too…" (Romans 3:23, 29)
What value is there to the Love and Grace of God?
"…at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly…God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through him?...For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 5:6-8;6:23)
Paul says "grace" demonstrates that the love of God for sinners far exceeds the weight of their sin. The grace of God trumps the sinfulness of "ungodly" people...
All that we sinners can do about our sin is to have faith that God's "grace" is greater than our sin, and wait for the final proof of the His love and mercy when we sinners are resurrected to receive "the free gift of eternal life"…
“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive…The last enemy to be destroyed is death…so that God may be all in all…just as we have borne the likeness of the earthy man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man…the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ?” (1 Corinthians 15:20-58)
Death, the wages of sin, is then swallowed up in the Victory.
Grace rules!
The Work Of Faith
“To this end, we always pray for you, that our God will count you worthy of His calling, and that He will powerfully fulfill your every good desire and work of faith…” (2 Thessalonians 1:11)
The church today is all about works. It is implied, if not taught directly, that the more work you do for God through the local church, the more righteous you become. But often those works become wearisome and take time away from what gives us joy and peace.
The only work that brings lasting peace and joy in this age is the “work of faith”.
The church today is all about works. It is implied, if not taught directly, that the more work you do for God through the local church, the more righteous you become. But often those works become wearisome and take time away from what gives us joy and peace.
The only work that brings lasting peace and joy in this age is the “work of faith”.
It is OK to do stuff in and through our churches if it is YOUR desire to do so. Paul says God will “powerfully fulfill YOUR every good desire".
Sooo, what is it YOU "desire" that is “good”? Once you figure that out, get after it so “that our God will count you worthy of His calling”.
As for me, well I “desire” to trust God, and to be a good husband, father, and grandfather. I am pretty sure those "desires" are among the "good" ones. Only time will tell if they will be fulfilled.
"Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you." (Psalm 37:3-5)
Sooo, what is it YOU "desire" that is “good”? Once you figure that out, get after it so “that our God will count you worthy of His calling”.
As for me, well I “desire” to trust God, and to be a good husband, father, and grandfather. I am pretty sure those "desires" are among the "good" ones. Only time will tell if they will be fulfilled.
"Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you." (Psalm 37:3-5)
Heaven Is Not On Earth
“…they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews.” (Galatians 2:7)
When we get to the part of the New Testament that is authored by Paul we find no references to fig trees, beautiful cities, lambs, promised lands, or the garbage dump of Gehenna (hell). Those things are related to Israel and its Kingdom on earth. Those blessing for Israel are FROM heaven, not IN heaven.
We are told that the destiny of the “body of Christ” is “among the heavens”. This body is composed of both Gentiles and Jews. Our blessings are not FROM heaven but IN heaven, and Paul tells us to “set our minds on things above” and look forward to being “caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air”.
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it…so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another… And he is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead... Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things…our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to subject all things to himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body…we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord...God raises us up with Christ and seats us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." (1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:5; Colossians 1:18; 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 4: 15-17; Ephesians 2:6)
To understand the Bible we should distinguish between what Israel has on the earth sent FROM heaven and what belongs to the "body of Christ" IN heaven.
God’s chosen people are destined to rule in a future earthly Kingdom. However, Heaven is for all people, both Gentile and Jew. We are God’s chosen people to dwell “in the heavenly realms”, after our resurrection, in the Empyrean of our great God.
When we get to the part of the New Testament that is authored by Paul we find no references to fig trees, beautiful cities, lambs, promised lands, or the garbage dump of Gehenna (hell). Those things are related to Israel and its Kingdom on earth. Those blessing for Israel are FROM heaven, not IN heaven.
We are told that the destiny of the “body of Christ” is “among the heavens”. This body is composed of both Gentiles and Jews. Our blessings are not FROM heaven but IN heaven, and Paul tells us to “set our minds on things above” and look forward to being “caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air”.
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it…so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another… And he is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead... Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things…our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to subject all things to himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body…we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord...God raises us up with Christ and seats us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." (1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:5; Colossians 1:18; 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 4: 15-17; Ephesians 2:6)
To understand the Bible we should distinguish between what Israel has on the earth sent FROM heaven and what belongs to the "body of Christ" IN heaven.
God’s chosen people are destined to rule in a future earthly Kingdom. However, Heaven is for all people, both Gentile and Jew. We are God’s chosen people to dwell “in the heavenly realms”, after our resurrection, in the Empyrean of our great God.
Imperfect People Need Mercy, Grace And Prayer
There have now been 44 different men elected to be President, all of them imperfect. God intended that citizens pray for them and God demands that from us after this election. God does not sanction the protests and violence...those doing so are just immature, selfish, imperfect people out of control and their childish tantrums will not change anything. However, prayer might...
"First of all, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered on behalf of all men, for kings and all those in authority, so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all goodness and dignity. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior..." (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
"First of all, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered on behalf of all men, for kings and all those in authority, so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all goodness and dignity. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior..." (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
It is hard for me not to get mad at imperfect people out of control, however I have to remind myself that we are all imperfect. And being imperfect people, our views about life are imperfect. That is never more obvious than in politics and among religious people.
But God is in control if the Bible is true, and I am thankful He has not left our salvation up to the imperfect doctrines of imperfect people. He will deliver us all, eventually, by His grace and mercy...
"...it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved...justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus...it does not depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy...for God has consigned all men to disobedience, so that He may have mercy on them all...it is by grace you have been saved" (Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24; 9:16; 11:33; Ephesians 2:5)
Faith in the Grace of God
The Bible says this about Jesus Christ…
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” (Colossians 1:19-23)
“Before the creation of the world” God chose to RECONCILE sinners to God “through the blood of his cross”, “if” we “continue in” our faith. NOTE: He is talking about the gospel (good news) of “reconciliation” (being at peace with God).
It is said in the Bible that mankind was predestined before creation to be adopted as sons of God..
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious GRACE, which He has freely given us in the one He loves.” (Ephesians 1:3-6)
Note that mankind was “predestined” to become Sons of God “in accordance with His pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace”. That too is the gospel (good news) which gives joy to those in this life if we have “faith”.
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” (Colossians 1:19-23)
“Before the creation of the world” God chose to RECONCILE sinners to God “through the blood of his cross”, “if” we “continue in” our faith. NOTE: He is talking about the gospel (good news) of “reconciliation” (being at peace with God).
It is said in the Bible that mankind was predestined before creation to be adopted as sons of God..
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious GRACE, which He has freely given us in the one He loves.” (Ephesians 1:3-6)
Note that mankind was “predestined” to become Sons of God “in accordance with His pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace”. That too is the gospel (good news) which gives joy to those in this life if we have “faith”.
But we do not choose God, or Christ, God chooses us. And God has “predestined” mankind to be “holy and blameless in his sight”. Obviously that has not happened yet, but awaits our resurrection from death, not some decision we make. The final salvation, reconciliation, and glorification of all mankind is a promise we have now to be finished in the future when all will be “blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ”.
What we have available to us now is our “faith” that God will do what He says.
There is precious little of this faith in our world it seems to me, even among Christianity. Nevertheless, the eventual salvation, reconciliation and glorification of all is guaranteed by God’s “glorious GRACE”.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God…For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men...For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all...” (Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; 1 Timothy 2:5-6)
There is precious little of this faith in our world it seems to me, even among Christianity. Nevertheless, the eventual salvation, reconciliation and glorification of all is guaranteed by God’s “glorious GRACE”.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God…For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men...For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all...” (Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; 1 Timothy 2:5-6)
Rahab's House Of Ill Repute
“Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho. So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night.” (Joshua 2:1)
Ok, did you notice that the first place the two spies go to in Jericho is the local Brothel where they are introduced to Rahab the prostitute. I can hear the Church fathers weeping and gnashing their teeth – sorry, but that is what the Bible says.
Rahab had heard about the God of Israel, believed and feared what she heard, and so she helped the two Israelite spies get away from the King of Jericho. Nothing says she changed her profession and I doubt she did. And, as payment for her varied services, she is saved when Israel comes to destroy Jericho. And later she hooks up with a good old Jew named Salmon and they have a son named Boaz, the great, great grandfather of King David.
And one more thing, about a thousand years later, Rahab's and King David's great, great, great, great, great....grandson Jesus is born to save you, me and the whole world!
Three cheers for Rahab the Harlot!
You just can't make this stuff up...I just love God and His Bible!
You just can't make this stuff up...I just love God and His Bible!
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