Let’s explore the Parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus. Do people actually go to hell? A discussion…
An Article’s View
An article in Time Magazine was written intitled “What Jesus Really Said About Heaven and Hell.
“The vast majority of these people naturally assume this is what Jesus himself taught. But that is not true. Neither Jesus, nor the Hebrew Bible he interpreted, endorsed the view that departed souls go to paradise or everlasting pain.”
“Most people today would be surprised to learn that Jesus believed in a bodily eternal life here on earth, instead of eternal bliss for souls, but even more that he did not believe in hell as a place of eternal torment.”
Scripture is Truth
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Discussion of the Truth
There are many that believe that this “Parable” is not a parable at all but a true story. They say that when Jesus spoke in parables, he never used names. In this story Jesus uses the name Lazarus. Regardless if this is a parable or true story the events represent truth.
Jesus spoke twice as much about Hell than he did Heaven. This was because he wanted us to know the place we could go if we did not trust in him as our savior. Lazarus trusted in the Lord, though his life was a rough life compared to the rich man. The rich man trusted in his riches and his way of getting through life.
The rich man lifted his eyes in “torment”. The Greek word for torment is Odunao meaning to grieve; to cause intense pain and be in anguish. He was tormented in the “flame”. The Greek word here is Phlox meaning a Blazing Flame.
Jesus said that hell was for the devil and his angels.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Do People Actually Go To Hell?
God did not create Hell for us but does tell us that no sin can enter heaven. Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Death here is the soul separating from the body and living in Hell forever. The rest of the verse is the best news of all. THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. Eternal life in heaven and blissful living forever in comfort and peace.
God Bless,
Blaze
