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The Rich Man and Lazarus 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 hell, paying the eternal price The poor man opens his eyes and sees paradise for his sins. spread before him. Legendary heroes of faith It’s a horrifying story for those who live like Abraham 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 heaven. 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 Bible? And most importantly, is much different scene. He is deep within the this what Jesus wants you to understand from heart of the earth, in a terrifying pit of torment this parable? 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 souls 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 parables 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: Christ 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 Pharisees] to task for other people. their self-absorbed greed, corruption and exploitation. Carried by the angels 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” (Luke 16:19-21). 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 (Luke 13:28). 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. second coming: “Then the seventh and the rich man in Luke 16 is another Therefore, when Lazarus is carried angel 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 Gospel 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 resurrection 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 heavens.” 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.
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