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The Truth About the Rich Man and Lazarus

ead this amazing story: One day a and despair. Evil creatures lurk just out of rich man and a poor man both die. eyesight, and his flesh is boiled by flame. His Instantly, they both awaken—but to life of selfishness and disdain has caught up Rfind themselves in very different circumstances. with him—he is in , paying the eternal price The poor man opens his eyes and sees for his sins. spread before him. Legendary heroes of faith It’s a horrifying story for those who live like are there to welcome him and selfishly like the rich man, but a hopeful one for bring him into their warm embrace. The years of those like Lazarus, the poor beggar who found hardship and rejection on earth have been worth his reward in . Is this what you believe it—he is in heaven, enjoying the promise of God. when you read the story of Lazarus and the rich The rich man now opens his eyes to see a man in your ? And most importantly, is much different scene. He is deep within the this what wants you to understand from heart of the earth, in a terrifying pit of torment this ?

Photo, this page: Khlongwangchao/iStockphoto/Thinkstock Opposite page: Iakov Kalinin/iStockphoto/Thinkstock 2 A Bible study aid presented by Beyond Today television © 2014 United Church of God, an International Association — www.ucg.org 3 The Truth About the Rich Man and Lazarus

The truth about the Rich Man and Lazarus

he most common interpretation of Jesus’ parable of Lazarus and the rich man is that we all have immortal that go T to either heaven or hell immediately at death. But does this parable really say that?

Let’s begin by reviewing the defi- a limited degree. However, they’re not nition and purpose of a parable. designed to make the deeper meaning Merriam Webster’s defines a parable clear to everyone. Spiritual compre- as “a short story that teaches a moral hension is given only to those whom or spiritual lesson.” Jesus often used God has granted His gift of divine in His teachings. His disciples insight (Matthew 13:18-23). asked Him why He spoke in parables. He answered, “‘Because it has been Understanding the parable’s given to you to know the mysteries of context the kingdom of heaven, but to them it An important principle to remember has not been given’” (Matthew 13:10- in studying the Bible is to always con- 11, emphasis added throughout). sider the context of any verse, chapter Jesus’ parables contain moral lessons or book. In the case of the parable of that most listeners can understand to the rich man and Lazarus, it’s import-

4 A Bible study aid presented by Beyond Today television Photo: Toby Burrows/Digital Vision/Thinkstock 5 The Truth About the Rich Man and Lazarus ant to understand the historical and sorbed greed, corruption and exploita- biblical context of this parable. tion. For example in Matthew 23:14 Jesus presents the following story: declared they were “devouring “There was a certain rich man who widow’s houses.” Also in verse 25 he was clothed in purple and fine linen declared they were “full of extortion and fared sumptuously every day. But and self-indulgence.” So the context in there was a certain beggar named which the parable of Lazarus and the Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at rich man can be understood involves a person’s responsibility to use money and wealth This was not the first time Jesus took properly—which includes caring for the needs of these men [the ] to task for other people. their self-absorbed greed, corruption and exploitation. Carried by the to Abraham’s bosom Let’s now move on to his gate, desiring to be fed with the the next verse in the parable of Lazarus crumbs which fell from the rich man’s and the rich man. “So it was that the table. Moreover the dogs came and beggar died, and was carried by the licked his sores” (:19-21). angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich Here we learn about a rich man who man also died and was buried” (Luke had everything he needed and want- 16:22). ed. Outside the door of his home lay We must be careful not to jump to source of feelings or the seat of inmost dom of God, and yourselves thrust out” a poor, sick, starving beggar named conclusions as to what we just read. thoughts.” Being in a person’s bosom (:28). So Abraham will be in Lazarus. The rich man wouldn’t even Let’s pause to ask what may seem can also mean that a person or thing God’s Kingdom! lift a finger to help him. To grasp the like an obvious question. What’s the is embraced or cherished. For example It’s often believed the Kingdom of spiritual significance of this story we definition of “bosom?” Webster’s in Deuteronomy 13:6 a man’s wife is God refers to heaven. But the Bible need to understand the biblical context New World Dictionary notes that spoken of as “the wife of your bosom,” explains that God’s Kingdom will be in which it was presented. the human bosom or breast is “the which signifies a close, intimate rela- established on earth at Jesus Christ’s Just prior to the parable of Lazarus tionship. : “Then the seventh and the rich man in Luke 16 is another Therefore, when Lazarus is carried blew his trumpet, and there were parable about the “unjust steward,” “to Abraham’s bosom” it indicates he loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The which begins with the phrase “there Learn More has a deep, personal connection to that kingdom of the world has become the was a certain rich man.” As Jesus How will poverty and many righteous man who “was called the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, relayed that parable to his disciples, other great problems of the friend of God” (James 2:23). The rich and he shall reign forever and ever’” human race eventually be the Jewish teachers, the Pharisees, eradicated? In His inspired man, on the other hand, was too wor- (Revelation 11:15, English Standard were listening. “Now the Pharisees, Word God tells us how that ried about himself and his possessions Version). Also, the resurrected saints will come about! Download who were lovers of money, also heard or request our free booklet to have a relationship with God. (including Abraham) will reign with all these things, and they derided Him” The of the Kingdom to learn the exciting But where will Abraham be when Christ as kings and priests “on the (Luke 16:14). These religious leaders answers! Lazarus is carried to him? Jesus told earth” (Revelation 5:10). For much sneered at Jesus because they knew Download it from our website or request it at the religious leaders of his day, “There more information on this important they were the direct object of His words. the address on the back page. will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, subject please download or request This was not the first time Jesus took when you see Abraham and Isaac and our free booklet The Gospel of the these men to task for their self-ab- www.UCG.org/booklets Jacob and all the prophets in the king- Kingdom.

6 A Bible study aid presented by Beyond Today television Photo: Redvan Çelik/iStock/Thinkstock 7 No one Heavenhas ascended to *

hat is, except Jesus Christ, who came down from Heaven (John from one end of heaven to the other” we shall always be with the Lord” (1 3:13). But when you read in Luke 16:22 that “the beggar died, (Matthew 24:31). Thessalonians 4:16-17). and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom,” it’s easy to If Lazarus were to be resurrected *T from the grave he will be escorted Arising in a assume this means Lazarus was taken to heaven. by angels to meet Jesus Christ in Jesus certainly knew Abraham and the clouds at His second coming. other faithful individuals were dead in Likewise, Luke wrote in Acts 2:34 Even if Jesus were talking about a “For the Lord Himself will descend their graves and would be raised in a that “David did not ascend into the real event and not just a story, when from heaven with a shout, with the resurrection (John 8:52-56). “Do not .” So the Bible actually says that would Lazarus be taken to Abraham’s voice of an archangel, and with the marvel at this; for the hour is coming people do not go consciously to heaven bosom? This will occur at the time trumpet of God. And the dead in in which all who are in the graves will when they die. (For additional infor- of the first resurrection. “And He will Christ will rise first. Then we who hear His voice and come forth—those mation on this topic please download send His angels with a great sound of a are alive and remain shall be caught who have done good, to the resurrec- or request our free booklet Heaven and trumpet, and they will gather togeth- up together with them in the clouds tion of life, and those who have done Hell: What Does the Bible Really Teach?) er His elect from the four winds, to meet the Lord in the air. And thus evil, to the resurrection of condemna- 8 Photo: Meinzahn/iStockphoto/Thinkstock 9 The Truth About the Rich Man and Lazarus tion” (John 5:28-29). Also the prophet be judged to be unrighteous—those Daniel wrote, “And many of those who, knowing the truth, refuse to who sleep in the dust of the earth shall repent. “For just as in connection with awake, some to everlasting life, some Adam all die, so in connection with to shame and everlasting contempt” the Messiah all will be made alive. But (Daniel 12:2). each in his own order: the Messiah is It’s important to note that Jesus and the firstfruits; then those who belong Daniel are speaking about two separate to the Messiah, at the time of his . First, the righteous will coming; then the culmination, when be raised from the dead at Jesus’ return he hands over the Kingdom to God to earth. Then, more than 1,000 years the Father, after having put an end to later, there will be a resurrection of the every rulership, yes, to every authority “rest of the dead” (Revelation 20:5). and power” (1 Corinthians 15:22-24, Some of these people will ultimately Complete Jewish Bible).

Was the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus a Real Story?

One of the most important ques- just as the man Lazarus did in the tions to consider about the parable story. of the rich man and Lazarus is The New Bible Dictionary is cor- whether or not the story is based rect when it states that Jesus’ story on actual events. Some argue that, “is a parable which made use of since Jesus specifically mentions certain Jewish thinking and is not Lazarus’ name and talks about his intended to teach anything about and the rich man’s fate, it must be a the state of the dead” (The New true account with a literal meaning. Bible Dictionary p. 388). However, we must understand One of the most important that this is a parable—“an imagi- principles of effective Bible study The state of the nary story…to illustrate and incul- is that you must derive meanings cate some higher spiritual truth” based upon the greater context of (International Standard Bible the Bible. Many other scriptures Encyclopedia, “parable”). If we take point to the fact that the dead are its lesson at face value, it’s in com- unconscious, awaiting a resurrec- plete harmony with the rest of the tion at a later time. Therefore it’s dead Bible. Jesus’ straightforward point clear that this parable was never et’s go back over the second part of Luke 16:22, which states, is that it’s too late to change one’s meant to be taken literally—it’s “The rich man also died and was buried.” Let’s pause once again behavior and character after death. simply a captivating story meant L to ask a fundamental question. What does the Bible reveal His point is that we must live in a to make a point about repentance about the state of the dead? “For the living know that they will die; godly manner when we are alive, and judgment. but the dead know nothing…For there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10).

10 A Bible study aid presented by Beyond Today television Photo: george tsartsianidis/iStockphoto/Thinkstock 11 The Truth About the Rich Man and Lazarus The dead are completely uncon- to the present condition of restraint scious. They are not cognizant of or imprisonment of fallen angels or anything. When a person dies, all of demons (2 Peter 2:4). The other word his thoughts, knowledge and feelings is Gehenna, which is derived from come to a complete halt. Absolutely no the Hebrew expression Gai-Hinnom, awareness or consciousness continues or the Valley of Hinnom. This valley in another location or state of being. bordered on the south. One The Bible likens death to sleep (Job Jewish source relates that, in Christ’s 7:21; 14:10-12). Daniel 12:2 describes day, it was used as the city’s garbage dead individuals as “those who sleep in dump. When Jesus spoke of Gehenna the dust of the earth.” They will awak- His listeners understood that this en later in a resurrection (Isaiah 26:19). “hell” was a destroying fire in which For much more information on this trash and even the bodies of criminals subject please download or request were reduced to ashes. He warned that our free booklet What Happens After this kind of fire would be the ultimate Death? fate of those who remain unrepentant (Matthew 13:41). “But I will show Three different words for hell you whom you should fear: Fear Him We can now explore Luke 16:23. who, after He has killed, has power to Speaking about the rich man it cast into hell [Gehenna, or Valley of reads, “And being in torments in Hinnom]; yes, I say to you, fear Him” Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw (:5). be raised from the dead as a mortal opened his eyes, he immediately “saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his man, just as he was before he died. Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” Again, we must be careful The rich man awakens from Revelation 20:4 explains that God’s bosom” (Luke 16:23). According to not to presume the story means that death spirit-begotten children will be res- Bible language expert Dr. Lawrence the rich man died and went to an Continuing in Luke 16:23 we read urrected to immortal life at Christ’s Richards, writing in The Victor Bible ever-burning hellfire. This is an incor- about the rich man: “And being in tor- second coming. However, verse 5 Background Commentary: New rect assumption and not stated in this ments in Hades [the grave], he lifted continues by stating, “But the rest of Testament, Jesus employed contempo- passage. It directly contradicts other up his eyes.” Once again we must be the dead did not live again until the rary Jewish thought about the biblical teaching on the matter. Jesus alert to read exactly what the passage thousand years were finished.” So the in this parable (which by this time was used the Greek word Hades (“hell” in says. Just how could the rich man have rich man’s resurrection to physical life influenced by pagan mythology). the King James Version), which sim- “lifted up his eyes” after he died? The would occur after that thousand year Dr. Richards wrote that Hades, the ply means “the grave.” The Expositor’s Bible reveals the only way this can period (Revelation 20:11-15). abode of the dead, was “thought to be Bible Commentary (vol. 8, p. 992) happen is through a resurrection. It Abraham and the other faithful indi- divided into two compartments” and states: “In the Hades explains that the dead can be raised viduals, including Lazarus, would have “conversations could be held between is never used of the destiny of the to either immortal (:35-36; been raised as immortal spirit beings persons” in the abode of the righteous believer. Neither is it identified with Romans 8:13) or mortal (physical) life. at the return of Jesus Christ. Since the and those in the abode of the unrigh- Gehenna, which is usually connected For example, Jesus raised anoth- rich man would be resurrected near teous. The New Bible Dictionary (p. with fiery judgment as in Matthew er man named Lazarus to mortal the end of the thousand year timespan 388) says, “Probably the story of Dives 5:22, 29-30; Luke 12:5).” life (:17). Also, immediately as a physical man, it would seem to [meaning ‘rich’ {man} in ] and It’s important to also understand after Jesus died on the cross many of him as if it is the very next second after Lazarus (Luke 16), like the story of the that in the Greek language, there are His faithful followers who had died he died. He would know absolutely unjust steward (Luke 16:1-9), is a par- two other words in the Bible often were raised to physical life (Matthew nothing of the vast number of years able which made use of certain Jewish translated “hell.” One is tartaroo, 27:50-53). In the case of the parable since his death. thinking and is not intended to teach which is used only once and refers we are studying, the rich man would When the rich man “lifted up” or anything about the state of the dead.”

12 A Bible study aid presented by Beyond Today television Photo: Khlongwangchao/iStockphoto/Thinkstock 13 The Rapture vs. the Bible

The rich man in mental torment

hat did the rich man do next? “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may Wdip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame’” (Luke 16:24). Again let’s be careful not to assume wicked will be completely burned the rich man in the story is already up”). Rather, he would be aware of engulfed in an unbiblical ever-burn- approaching flames of the ing hellfire. If this were a genuine into which, he realizes, he would soon description of the punishment of the be cast. “And anyone not found writ- wicked after death, he could not actu- ten in the Book of Life was cast into ally be burning yet (see sidebar “The the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

14 A Bible study aid presented by Beyond Today television Photo: furtaev/iStockphoto/Thinkstock 15 The Truth About the Rich Man and Lazarus Facing imminent death he cries out And besides all this, between us and father Abraham; but if one goes to them. Speaking to the Pharisees at to Abraham to “send Lazarus that he you there is a great gulf fixed, so that them from the dead, they will repent’” an earlier time Jesus said, “For if you may dip the tip of his finger in water” those who want to pass from here to (Luke 16:27-30). believed Moses, you would believe to cool his tongue. If he were already you cannot, nor can those from there Finally, Abraham replies, “‘If they Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you burning in a searing inferno wouldn’t pass to us’” (Luke 16:25-26). do not hear Moses and the prophets, do not believe his writings, how will he really want pails of water to put This great gulf would include the neither will they be persuaded though you believe My words” (John 5:46-47)? out the flames, rather than just a few infinite distance between mortal and one rise from the dead’” (Luke 16:31). Jesus advised His disciples that the drops on his tongue? So the rich man immortal life (1 Corinthians 15:50- Why did Jesus include this statement prophets’ message about Him had is not in a fire but is, rather, beset by 54). Faithful, obedient believers who in His parable? Because even though everything to do with loving God tremendous mental anguish to the are made immortal will never die the Pharisees felt they followed Moses and fellow human beings (John 1:45; point where his mouth has become (Luke 20:34-36; :26; Revelation and the prophets, they in fact rejected Matthew 22:37-40). nearly dry. 20:6). However, human beings who The rich man then says, “I am tor- refuse to repent of their sins lose their mented in this flame” (Luke 16:24). opportunity for everlasting life. “For if The word “tormented” is translated we sin willfully after we have received The wicked will be completely burned up from the Greek word odunao. The the knowledge of the truth, there no NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but It’s essential to understand the or rubbish: “And even now the explains that this word can describe a certain fearful expectation of judg- truth about the lake of fire. It’s ax is laid to the root of the trees. not only intense pain but also men- ment, and fiery indignation which not a place of merciless, unend- Therefore every tree which does tal anguish or distress. The NAS will devour the adversaries” (Hebrews ing torture where a person burns not bear good fruit is cut down and Exhaustive Concordance states the 10:26-27). and burns and yet never burns up. thrown into the fire (Matthew 3:10). word “in” here in Greek is en which Because of his unrepentance over This fire will in fact consume the Furthermore, verse 12 declares, can mean being “in” or “on,” but it can his love of money and pleasure to the wicked completely and turn them “His winnowing fan is in His hand, also mean “at, by, with.” If a real por- neglect of another human being the into ashes. They will then be dead and He will thoroughly clean out trayal of going to the lake of fire, the rich man had destroyed his relation- forever with no further hope of His threshing floor, and gather His rich man would be in extreme mental ship with God (Isaiah 59:1-2). He resurrection. Even the memory wheat into the barn; but He will distress as he realizes his fate is to be knew what was about to happen to of them will perish (Isaiah 26:14). burn up the chaff with unquench- utterly burned up. him. He realized his fate was sealed “‘For behold, the day is coming, able fire.” It’s vital to grasp Christ’s warning and he would die shortly in the lake burning like an oven, and all the In Matthew 13:30 Jesus likened here to the Pharisees—that those who of fire. As a result, the rich man’s last proud, yes, all who do wickedly will wicked people to tares—weeds were unrepentant would be “weeping thoughts turned to some of his family be stubble. And the day which is that are gathered in bundles at the and gnashing” their teeth after real- members. coming shall burn them up, says the time of the harvest and are totally izing they are excluded from God’s Without awareness of time hav- Lord of hosts, ‘that will leave them burned up. Psalm 37:20 says: “But Kingdom (Luke 13:28). ing passed and assuming his five neither root nor branch’” (Malachi the wicked shall perish; and the brothers were still alive, he implored 4:1). Also verse 3 states, “‘You shall enemies of the Lord, like the splen- The infinite gulf between mortal Abraham to have Lazarus encourage trample the wicked, for they shall be dor of the meadows, shall vanish. and immortal life them to repent lest they too would be ashes under the soles of your feet on Into smoke they shall vanish away.” After the rich man pleads with punished. “Then he said, ‘I beg you the day that I do this,’ says the Lord Our merciful God will quickly end Abraham to have Lazarus cool his therefore, father, that you would send of hosts.” the lives of sinful, unrepentant indi- tongue with a few drops of water him to my father’s house, for I have warned the viduals. They will not live on for- Abraham replies to him, “‘Son, five brothers, that he may testify to Pharisees that if they did not repent ever burning in torment and agony remember that in your lifetime you them, lest they also come to this place they would be burned up as chaff (Revelation 20:14, Romans 6:23). received your good things, and like- of torment.’ Abraham said to him, wise Lazarus evil things; but now he ‘They have Moses and the prophets; is comforted and you are tormented. let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No,

16 A Bible study aid presented by Beyond Today television 17 The Truth About the Rich Man and Lazarus

Most importantly, we found that the coming of the day of God?” (2 Live a life of how a person lives today is what truly Peter 3:11-12). matters. The rich man chose to ignore the desperate needs of Lazarus while Examining our personal righteousness he personally lived a self-indulgent attitudes and actions life. Even though he knew he should It’s easy to misunderstand the para- have helped Lazarus, and had every ble of Lazarus and the rich man if you now chance to do so, he simply ignored lose sight of the main point of Jesus’ the beggar’s hardship and suffering. message. When you look at it in the As a result, the rich man passed up context of one of Jesus’ main messag- his opportunity for eternal life in the es, which is to be concerned about Kingdom of God. the need of others, the real meaning The vital point Jesus was making in becomes clear. this parable to the Pharisees and to all Although it’s important to under- of us should be clear, if we have “ears stand the real facts about the afterlife, to hear” (Luke 16:14; Matthew 11:15). it’s even more vital that we carefully Are we consumed with our personal examine our personal attitudes and interests, concerns and pleasures? Do actions. Are we in sync with what we ignore those who need encourage- God wants from us? Are our priorities ment, support and a helping hand? in sync with God’s priorities? “But whoever has this world’s goods, Jesus used the story of the rich man and sees his brother in need, and and Lazarus as a strong verbal and shuts up his heart from him, how visual lesson to his disciples—to us. It does the love of God abide in him? shows us the importance God places My little children, let us not love in on kindness and being outward-fo- word or in tongue, but in deed and in cused instead of inward-focused. To truth” (1 John 3:17-18). be sure, how we care for others is the The apostle James mirrored Jesus’ dynamic spiritual lesson Jesus wants comment when he wrote, “If a broth- us to learn through this parable er or sister is naked and destitute of (James 1:27). We need to avoid being daily food, and one of you says to like the rich man who, in the end, them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed realized it was too late to change. and filled,’ but you do not give them The good news is that it’s not too the things which are needed for the late to change. Change can begin hat have we learned about Jesus’ parable body, what does it profit?” (James today by letting God lead you to more 2:15-16). A time of judgment is com- understanding through study of His about Lazarus and the rich man? We ing for every person who has had Holy Bible. It can begin today by his eyes opened to the genuine truth dedicating yourself in prayer to get to discovered the biblical truth about the of the Bible (2 Peter 3:7). As Peter know God more intimately. W asked, “What manner of persons Let’s listen to God’s Word now and resurrection of the dead and the fallacy of an immortal ought you to be in holy conduct and make a diligent effort to prepare for godliness, looking for and hastening eternal life in God’s future Kingdom. going to heaven or an ever-burning hell at the time of death.

18 A Bible study aid presented by Beyond Today television Photo: Kuzma/iStockphoto/Thinkstock 19

What’s Inside

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• 2 Introduction • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The truth about the rich man • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

4 and Lazarus

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• 8 No one has ascended to Heaven* • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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• 11 The state of the dead • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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• 14 The rich man in mental torment • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 18 Live a life of righteousness now • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Photo, cover: Kuzma/iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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