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NASB | Luke 16:19 ¶ "Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 16:19 ¶ "Now there was a certain rich man who was habitually dressed in expensive purple and fine linen, and celebrated and lived joyously in splendor every day. |
Subject: IS LAZARUS AND THE RICH MAN A PARABLE |
Bible Note: Hi Tim, Thanks for you comments. You make good points. It is using a negative to teach a principle. In my mind it still helps explain the Rich man and Lazarus story that follows. I believe that scripture never contradicts itself, and there are some texts that I can't reconcile to this story. Death is equivalent to a sleep Job 14:12,21 John 11:11-14 1 Thes 4:13-15 Matt 9:24 Along with many OT references to Kings sleeping when dead. Ps 146:4 "His spirit departs, he returns to the earth; In that very day his thoughts perish." In Gen 2:7 we are told that dust plus God's Breath equals a living being. In Eccl 12:7 we are told that death equals dust minus breath. Note - see margin note 1 on eccl 12:7. In Dan 12:2 says we sleep until the resurrection. Dan 12:13 says that Daniel was to enter into rest and rise again for his allotted portion at the end of the age. You must assume he is not receiving his allotted portion now. Is 57:1,2 Says the dead rest in their beds. Gen 3:17-19 God tells Adam that you are dust and to dust you shall return. Not your body but "you". Ps 115:17 "The dead do not praise the Lord". If they are in heaven why do they not praise the Lord? They will praise the Lord when they are awaken from their sleep. John 7:34 Jesus tells the disciples that where He goes they can not come. He must come back to get us. John 14:3 tells us that Christ left, but will come again to receive us to Himself, "THAT WHERE I AM, THERE YOU MAY BE ALSO". In context of these verses I can not believe that would God contidicts Himself in Luke 16. If the dead are asleep then the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus must have been a parable, or it was a glimps into the future when the wicked would be finally destroyed in hell. There are many other verses, but these give the basis of my thoughts. I know you don't share this view, and I do not mean to belittle yours or anyone else's views. I truly respect the comments that I have read on this board, and have found so much guidance. I simply share what my studies have lead me to believe. Your's in Christ |