Luke 16 (NKJV)

We continue now with Verses 24-26 of the parable of the Rich man and Lazarus.

For the sake of argument we are taking a look at this parable from the prospective of those who insist that it is to be taken literally to determine whether it be sound and scriptural. Thus far in our study the literal viewpoint has proven to be neither, nevertheless it seems only right that we examine the feasibleness of the whole parable before we make our final judgment.

“So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom.”

Verse 24 “Then 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.’”

Once again we must ask how it is that a man who has supposedly died can speak let alone see and even if it were possible: how an individual supposedly being tormented in the flames of hell could carry on a conversation with someone else, especially someone all the way up in heaven?

The dead cannot lift up their eyes, nor see either near or far, nor converse; for it is distinctly stated, “There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave“; and the dead are described as those who “go down into silence.” (Eccl. 9:10; Psa 115:17)

So how could this rich man speak?

We can be sure that the rich man is not suffering in hell, because not only do the Scriptures teach that full and complete reward is not given to the Church until Christ comes, “when he shall reward every man” (Matt 16:27), but that likewise the unjust are to receive their punishment at that time also. Whatever may be the present condition of our friend here, it cannot be his full reward, for Peter says: “God knows how to reserve the unjust until the Day of Judgment to be punished,” and he will do so. (2 Pet 2:9) “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Cor 5:10)

How could Lazarus dipping his finger in water cool the rich man’s tongue?

It’s highly doubtful if this truly be the hell which many imagine it to be that any liquid water could long exist, certainly not the mere bit of moisture one gets from dipping their finger in some water.

Verse 25 “But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.”

So then taking this text literally are we then to deduce that if you have received the good things of this life, a fine home, good health, riches, lack of want and etc. you are destined to suffer eternal torment, and if you suffer from some disease are poor and in want all your life you are destined to be comforted and to be ushered into heavenly bliss?

Is this how we are to be judged, according to how we fared in the present life?

Verse 26 “And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’”

Since it is assumed that the rich man is in a literal place, i.e. the “lake of fire”, hell and that the poor man is in heaven, the “great gulf” which separates them must be assumed to be in reference to the great height or distance lying between the two places. If it is truly a GREAT gulf then once again we question how the rich man can see Abraham and how he is able to carry on a conversation with him across this great expanse?

Likewise note Abraham’s statement that the great gulf is so fixed that those who want to pass from here (supposedly heaven) to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.

This is a rather odd statement to make don’t you think? Who in their right mind in heaven would want to leave to visit hell?

Taking these texts literally is pure nonsense, thus we must concede that what is being stated is not what is actually meant and so in our next post we will attempt to explain what actually is meant, i.e. the parabolic interpretation of these verses.