This parable is a bit confusing. Is Jesus trying to teach us that rich men go to hell and poor men go to heaven? Is it a law that if you enjoy here on earth you suffer for eternity?
For one thing that story is no parable. Jesus never mentioned names in parables. He specifically mentioned father Abraham (who we know) and Lazarus in this story. A lot of the times the parables begin with “And He told them a parable saying…” as in Mt13:24, 31 Whether a parable or not, what does this mean? Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish Lk 16:25(ESV) . Will all who are rich go to hell? Is poverty the key to paradise? Is paradise a reversal of this life’s conditions?
The life after death is indeed a reversal for those who have been suffering for the faith, 2Tm 2:11-12(ESV) The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; however it is not poverty that took Lazarus to paradise or wealth that landed the rich man in hellfire. That much was clear to the rich man.
Now you have me confused. Where is all this stated in the story?
Look at Lk 16:30(ESV) And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ This clearly shows he knew what brought him there: his failure to heed the warnings given while he was alive on earth and repent. That is what he wanted by making the request in Lk 16:27, 28(ESV): And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ It was not riches. Have you forgotten Abraham was a very rich man? Gen 24:34, 35(ESV) I am Abraham's servant. The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, camels and donkeys. If it was wealth that took the rich man to hell then Abraham too should have been in hell.
Oh, I see. A second matter: salvation is by grace through faith, right? Why is it written in Lk 16:29(ESV) But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’?
Moses and the prophets all prophesied about the coming Messiah and bear witness to salvation by grace through faith. Lk 24:25, 27(ESV) And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Remember Rom 3:21(ESV) says But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: Whosoever has the heart for God and listens to Moses and the prophets repents at the preaching of Christ. Those who refused to hear Moses and the prophets refused to believe even when Jesus rose from the dead. That’s what Abraham foretells in Lk16:31(ESV). He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ Don’t be like them.
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