Interpreting the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus: It's Really Good News!

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Amanuensis

Well-known member
Jun 12, 2021
1,457
460
83
You mean pagan occultic Greek texts that preach homosexuality, beastiality, erotica, etc can help define how God in His word would use a Greek word?

There are several examples in modern English which if used as an example of how an English word in the Bible ought to be defined, God is in trouble for speaking perverse things.

Thank God, He already defined His words in scripture (Isaiah 28:10,13,&c) so we don't have to go outside of the text (even Psalms 119 is an aleph-bet primer).
I don't know what all that means. I think I am talking over your head so never mind. If you ever start taking classes to learn Koine Greek you will understand what I meant.
 
Feb 7, 2022
646
75
28
when you try to say the flame is not quenched means it doesn't get put out instead it burns out for lack of fuel
That's what unquenchable means by very definition.

"unquenchable (adj.) late 14c., of fire; 1560s, of thirst, from un- (1) "not" + quench (v.) + -able. Related: Unquenchably.unquenchable (adj.) late 14c., of fire; 1560s, of thirst, from un- (1) "not" + quench (v.) + -able. Related: Unquenchably." - https://www.etymonline.com/word/unquenchable

"quench (v.) Middle English quenchen, "to extinguish, put out" (heat, light, fire, also of desire, hunger, thirst), also figurative, "to bring to naught, eliminate, render ineffectual" (c. 1200), Old English acwencan "to quench" (of fire, light), from Proto-Germanic *kwenkjanan, probably a causative form from the source of Old English cwincan "to go out, be extinguished," Old Frisian kwinka. No certain cognates outside Germanic; perhaps a substratum word. Especially "to cool or extinguish by means of cold water," hence "to drench in water" (late 15c.). Related: Quenched; quenching." - https://www.etymonline.com/word/quench?ref=etymonline_crossreference#etymonline_v_3177

Just in case you do not understand "extinguish"

"extinguish (v.) "to put out, quench, stifle," 1540s, from Latin extinguere/exstinguere "quench, put out (what is burning); wipe out, obliterate," from ex "out" (see ex-) + stinguere "quench," apparently an evolved sense from PIE *steig- "to prick, stick, pierce" (see stick (v.)). But see distinguish (v.). Related: Extinguished; extinguishing.extinguish (v.) "to put out, quench, stifle," 1540s, from Latin extinguere/exstinguere "quench, put out (what is burning); wipe out, obliterate," from ex "out" (see ex-) + stinguere "quench," apparently an evolved sense from PIE *steig- "to prick, stick, pierce" (see stick (v.)). But see distinguish (v.). Related: Extinguished; extinguishing." - https://www.etymonline.com/word/extinguish#etymonline_v_14119

Isaiah speaking about Jerusalem when Nebuchadnezzar would later come:

Isa 34:10: "It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever."

Jerusalem burned so hot by fire that no one could put it out by any means. Jerusalem burned up with unquenchable fire, and once the fuel ran out, nothing of the fire remained, and only ashes left.

In the contexts of the NT texts referring to the finally impenitent, they are burned "up" by unquenchable fire. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame, and when they are consumed away, the fire ceases for lack of fuel, but no one quenched it.
 
Feb 7, 2022
646
75
28
We both just answered your question; "Who would you like to see be tortured for eternity?"

What's your point?
Why ask if we want certain people to burn forever?
How does that further or clarify Biblical truth?
Tells me something of your character. It is confused about what mercy and justice, even love is.
 

Amanuensis

Well-known member
Jun 12, 2021
1,457
460
83
That's what unquenchable means by very definition.

"unquenchable (adj.) late 14c., of fire; 1560s, of thirst, from un- (1) "not" + quench (v.) + -able. Related: Unquenchably.unquenchable (adj.) late 14c., of fire; 1560s, of thirst, from un- (1) "not" + quench (v.) + -able. Related: Unquenchably." - https://www.etymonline.com/word/unquenchable

"quench (v.) Middle English quenchen, "to extinguish, put out" (heat, light, fire, also of desire, hunger, thirst), also figurative, "to bring to naught, eliminate, render ineffectual" (c. 1200), Old English acwencan "to quench" (of fire, light), from Proto-Germanic *kwenkjanan, probably a causative form from the source of Old English cwincan "to go out, be extinguished," Old Frisian kwinka. No certain cognates outside Germanic; perhaps a substratum word. Especially "to cool or extinguish by means of cold water," hence "to drench in water" (late 15c.). Related: Quenched; quenching." - https://www.etymonline.com/word/quench?ref=etymonline_crossreference#etymonline_v_3177

Just in case you do not understand "extinguish"

"extinguish (v.) "to put out, quench, stifle," 1540s, from Latin extinguere/exstinguere "quench, put out (what is burning); wipe out, obliterate," from ex "out" (see ex-) + stinguere "quench," apparently an evolved sense from PIE *steig- "to prick, stick, pierce" (see stick (v.)). But see distinguish (v.). Related: Extinguished; extinguishing.extinguish (v.) "to put out, quench, stifle," 1540s, from Latin extinguere/exstinguere "quench, put out (what is burning); wipe out, obliterate," from ex "out" (see ex-) + stinguere "quench," apparently an evolved sense from PIE *steig- "to prick, stick, pierce" (see stick (v.)). But see distinguish (v.). Related: Extinguished; extinguishing." - https://www.etymonline.com/word/extinguish#etymonline_v_14119

Isaiah speaking about Jerusalem when Nebuchadnezzar would later come:

Isa 34:10: "It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever."

Jerusalem burned so hot by fire that no one could put it out by any means. Jerusalem burned up with unquenchable fire, and once the fuel ran out, nothing of the fire remained, and only ashes left.

In the contexts of the NT texts referring to the finally impenitent, they are burned "up" by unquenchable fire. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame, and when they are consumed away, the fire ceases for lack of fuel, but no one quenched it.
If the fire is not quenched it is still burning. Nothing in the word, English or Greek, or the context suggests that it ever goes out for lack of fuel. You are in violation of attempting to change the intended meaning. Jesus meant to communicate that the fire does not go out. You are trying to communicate that it does.

Your argument is not at all believable. You should be ashamed for even trying that one. It sounds like a kid who got in trouble and started coming up with all kinds of strange explanations of how he really was not the one who did it hoping his parents would fall for it.
 

Amanuensis

Well-known member
Jun 12, 2021
1,457
460
83
If people had a revelation of how evil sin really is, they would understand how just eternal damnation was. But we are so hard it takes much prayer and renewing of the mind to begin to get a glimpse of it and even then it is too overwhelming to contemplate.
 
Feb 7, 2022
646
75
28
Which part?

Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 7 March 1274) on the Globality of the Fire to consume all things, likened unto the Globality of the Flood [sections throughout Summa Thelogica, Suppliment, Question 74]...

"Article 3. Whether the fire whereby the world will be cleansed will be of the same species with elemental fire? ... it is declared that the fire of the judgment will rise as high as the waters of the deluge; ... following Augustine, say that "just as the deluge resulted from an outpouring of the waters of the world, so the fashion of this world will perish by a burning of worldly flames" (De Civ. Dei. xx, 16). ... by the Divine power ... the fire that will burn the surface of this world will result. ..."

"... Further, a gloss on 2 Thessalonians 1:8, "In a flame of fire giving vengeance," says: "There will be in the world a fire that shall precede Him, and shall rise in the air to the same height as did the waters of the deluge." But the waters of the deluge did not rise to the height of the higher heavens but only 15 cubits higher than the mountain summits (Genesis 7:20). Therefore the higher heavens will not be cleansed by that fire. ..."

"...Reply to Objection 2. Peter explains himself to which heavens he refers. For before the words quoted, he had said (2 Peter 3:5-7): "The heavens . . . first, and the earth . . . through water . . . perished . . . which . . . now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire unto the day of judgment." Therefore the heavens to be cleansed are those which before were cleansed by the waters of the deluge, namely the aerial heavens. ..."

"...Further, this final cleansing that will be effected by fire will correspond to the first cleansing which was effected by water...."

"...the authority of Scripture, because it is written (2 Peter 3:7) that those heavens are "kept in store unto fire," which were cleansed by water; and Augustine says (De Civ. Dei xx, 18) that "the same world which perished in the deluge is reserved unto fire."..." [The Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas
Second and Revised Edition, 1920
Literally translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province
Online Edition Copyright © 2008 by Kevin Knight
Nihil Obstat. F. Innocentius Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor. Theol.
Imprimatur. Edus. Canonicus Surmont, Vicarius Generalis. Westmonasterii.
APPROBATIO ORDINIS
Nihil Obstat. F. Raphael Moss, O.P., S.T.L. and F. Leo Moore, O.P., S.T.L.
Imprimatur. F. Beda Jarrett, O.P., S.T.L., A.M., Prior Provincialis Angliæ
MARIÆ IMMACULATÆ - SEDI SAPIENTIÆ] - SUMMA THEOLOGICA: The fire of the final conflagration (Supplementum, Q. 74)
 

Diakonos

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2019
1,381
434
83
31
Anacortes, WA
If people had a revelation of how evil sin really is, they would understand how just eternal damnation was. But we are so hard it takes much prayer and renewing of the mind to begin to get a glimpse of it and even then it is too overwhelming to contemplate.
Yes. People do not apprehend how reprehensible, evil, and damnable sin is. Consider the ramifications of a single act of sin (Adam's sin). It brought the whole creation under bondage and corruption. Imagine what a lifetime of sin deserves. Jesus said that to blaspheme the Holy Spirit is an eternal sin. Eternal sin = eternal wrath.

"What's wrong with you people?"
-R.C. Sproul
 

Amanuensis

Well-known member
Jun 12, 2021
1,457
460
83
Which part?

Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 7 March 1274) on the Globality of the Fire to consume all things, likened unto the Globality of the Flood [sections throughout Summa Thelogica, Suppliment, Question 74]...

"Article 3. Whether the fire whereby the world will be cleansed will be of the same species with elemental fire? ... it is declared that the fire of the judgment will rise as high as the waters of the deluge; ... following Augustine, say that "just as the deluge resulted from an outpouring of the waters of the world, so the fashion of this world will perish by a burning of worldly flames" (De Civ. Dei. xx, 16). ... by the Divine power ... the fire that will burn the surface of this world will result. ..."

"... Further, a gloss on 2 Thessalonians 1:8, "In a flame of fire giving vengeance," says: "There will be in the world a fire that shall precede Him, and shall rise in the air to the same height as did the waters of the deluge." But the waters of the deluge did not rise to the height of the higher heavens but only 15 cubits higher than the mountain summits (Genesis 7:20). Therefore the higher heavens will not be cleansed by that fire. ..."

"...Reply to Objection 2. Peter explains himself to which heavens he refers. For before the words quoted, he had said (2 Peter 3:5-7): "The heavens . . . first, and the earth . . . through water . . . perished . . . which . . . now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire unto the day of judgment." Therefore the heavens to be cleansed are those which before were cleansed by the waters of the deluge, namely the aerial heavens. ..."

"...Further, this final cleansing that will be effected by fire will correspond to the first cleansing which was effected by water...."
"...the authority of Scripture, because it is written (2 Peter 3:7) that those heavens are "kept in store unto fire," which were cleansed by water; and Augustine says (De Civ. Dei xx, 18) that "the same world which perished in the deluge is reserved unto fire."..." [The Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas
Second and Revised Edition, 1920
Literally translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province
Online Edition Copyright © 2008 by Kevin Knight
Nihil Obstat. F. Innocentius Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor. Theol.
Imprimatur. Edus. Canonicus Surmont, Vicarius Generalis. Westmonasterii.
APPROBATIO ORDINIS
Nihil Obstat. F. Raphael Moss, O.P., S.T.L. and F. Leo Moore, O.P., S.T.L.
Imprimatur. F. Beda Jarrett, O.P., S.T.L., A.M., Prior Provincialis Angliæ
MARIÆ IMMACULATÆ - SEDI SAPIENTIÆ] - SUMMA THEOLOGICA: The fire of the final conflagration (Supplementum, Q. 74)
Imagination about some taking longer to drown than others.
It is you imagining how it must have been. It has no authority to create a teaching that some will burn longer than others in the Lake of Fire.
And the heavens and earth being burned up with a fervent heat and the element dissolving is separate from the Lake of Fire subject. So how long people burn in the Lake of fire, some longer than others because of their sin is an invented teaching not based on scripture other than the parable I posted about the one who receives more stripes than the other. Which might relate to the Lake of Fire, I don't know.

As to some people taking longer to die in judgments poured out on the earth or in the final burning up of earth, who knows. We can only imagine but it serves no didactic purpose.
 
Feb 7, 2022
646
75
28
If the fire is not quenched it is still burning.
No because quench is a verb, an action word.

The word is used as I gave even in modern English.

"Mystery of the unquenchable Olympic flame in Beijing 2022" -
https://www.newsgd.com/node_99363c4f3b/4784c651c7.shtml

Even other old Greek sources, like Homer (because someone said we should look to non scriptural Greek sources to see how a word was used, right?) used "unquenchable fire" that could not be put out, or extinguished, but when the fuel ran out died of itself - https://www.google.com/search?tbm=b...oq="unquenchable+fire"+homer&aqs=heirloom-srp..
 
Feb 7, 2022
646
75
28
Yes. People do not apprehend how reprehensible, evil, and damnable sin is. Consider the ramifications of a single act of sin (Adam's sin). It brought the whole creation under bondage and corruption. Imagine what a lifetime of sin deserves. Jesus said that to blaspheme the Holy Spirit is an eternal sin. Eternal sin = eternal wrath.

"What's wrong with you people?"
-R.C. Sproul
That's mistaking what I said about everlasting punishment, and limited torment leading to it.

Strawmanning.
 

Amanuensis

Well-known member
Jun 12, 2021
1,457
460
83
No because quench is a verb, an action word.

The word is used as I gave even in modern English.

"Mystery of the unquenchable Olympic flame in Beijing 2022" -
https://www.newsgd.com/node_99363c4f3b/4784c651c7.shtml

Even other old Greek sources, like Homer (because someone said we should look to non scriptural Greek sources to see how a word was used, right?) used "unquenchable fire" that could not be put out, or extinguished, but when the fuel ran out died of itself - https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q="unquenchable+fire"+homer&oq="unquenchable+fire"+homer&aqs=heirloom-srp..
It still means it cant be put out and you have no right to add to that "except.. blah blah blah"

In this scenario there is no such thing as it burning out of itself. You wish that was the case but you are wrong. It never goes out.

Period. You can't explain a way where it goes out because it is never quenched. By lack of fuel or anything else. It is a flame God created, it doesn't need fuel. If God wants it to burn forever it does.

The sun will end according to scriptures but this flame never goes out. It is not like your "camp fire" theoretical flame. It is not of this world. You can't subject it to the laws of physics and think that proves it has an end "that is not quenched by outside forces" nonsense. Total nonsense.

It is never quenched and that means it never ends. The flame is always on going.

You can have the last word. I don't think there is much to be accomplished by repeating the same points over and over again. We seem to be at an impasse.

But at least you know why we don't accept your "scriptures proving that the torment is not eternal" It's because you do such a bad job of trying to interpret scriptures and force a horrible hermeneutic and no one who is intellectually honest can twist unquenchable to "it goes out" using the Greek or English.
 

Diakonos

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2019
1,381
434
83
31
Anacortes, WA
I respect your honesty, but your assumption of me just isn't true.

There are a handful of things in the Bible that I prefer weren't so. This is because I am flesh, incomplete, fallen, and with partial knowledge, journeying to comprehend the infinite wisdom of God. In Biblical study, what I cannot understand by intellect, I apprehend by faith. I have apprehended so many things I don't understand or don't prefer. This is the outworking of faith. I trust that God knows what He's doing and that his way is best.

"Unless I understand the Cross, I cannot understand why my commitment
to what is right must take precedence over what I prefer.”
-Ravi Zacharias

“The LORD has made Himself known; He has executed His decision.
In the work of his own hands the wicked is snared. Selah.” (Psalm 9:16)

“His judgments are true and righteous.”” (Revelation 19:2)
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,177
3,700
113
Have you any idea how unreasonable it is to argue that God will cast into a fiery "holding cell" humans who had only faith as evidence for God and chose not to walk in that faith..but demons which knew God intimately and beheld Him face to face before trying to snatch Him from His throne are spared that same "fiery holding cell"?

Bro, the wages of sin is death, not eternal torment, because the only way for Jesus to deliver us from eternal torment is that HE BE ETERNALLY TORMENTED.
Where‘s that last statement found in the Bible? Man’s logic never equates to biblical truth.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,177
3,700
113
What do you base that on? An uninterpreted parable in Luke 16?
Revelation 20
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
 
Aug 3, 2019
3,744
507
113
Then Use the Greek of the Textus Receptus. Learn it. Be able to read it and write and speak it. Only then could you honestly say that you you are using what you believe to be the uncorrupted text.

To use the KJV you have departed from that source material and are using an English translation. You would still need to be able to examine the Greek Manuscripts (NT) to see if the KJV has faithfully communicated in English the same ideas that the Greek words communicate to a Greek reader.

Until you can do that you have no way of knowing. You are simply hoping it is so or relying on experts that can tell you. And many experts will show you where the KJV can use some improvement in accomplishing that goal (faithfully communicating the Greek meaning in English words) even if the verse in question is coming from your beloved Textus Receptus.

Take for example Candlesticks being the English word KJV chose for the word lychnia in Rev 1:12. The Greek word is intended to communicate a lampstand or oil fed lampstands. Not a wax candlestick. But the KJV scholars used a word that communicated the wax candlesticks of their day. However these were not used in the first century. Oil lamps were. Wax candlesticks became popular in the middle ages. So here is just one example of how the KJV needs a correction to be faithful to the original Textus Receptus.
One MUST concede that this is true or they are not being intellectually honest about their devotion to the Textus Receptus and the KJV at the same time. One must choose the Greek over the English and agree that the word should be lampstands and communicate the oil fed lamps that John actually saw, because we know he did not see wax candlesticks since these were not used at that time and that is not the meaning of the word lychnia.

If the NIV faithfully translates lychnia to lampstands then it has done a better job of faithfully communicating the Greek in the Textus Receptus manuscript of Revelation than the KJV has.

The only way that you can know if a verse has been translated into English while retaining the meaning of the Greek as it would have been understood by a Greek reader is to know Koine Greek.

They say it takes about 3 years to begin to be proficient. You can sign up for online classes here:
https://www.billmounce.com/
Ok
 
Aug 3, 2019
3,744
507
113
There is a reason it is used by most of the evangelical bible believing scholars and commentary writers. So you seem to be misinformed. Many of the best commentary authors that believe in the inspiration of the scriptures and are conservative evangelicals use their own translations since they are expert in the original languages and also in all the known manuscripts in extant. However many of them that don't provide their own translation, use the NIV for reasons you can learn about in the book "How to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth" If you read other authors besides SDA that is.
I suggest you YouTube Battle of the Bible’s from the Total Onslaught series. I guarantee you’ll learn more in one hour than you’ve learned up till now.

Unless you’re afraid of having your views challenged.
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,223
1,584
113
68
Brighton, MI
You think it's just to sentence a murdering terrorist to non-stop torture where their vitals are closely monitored so that death is prevented as he endures unending agony?

If so, congrats...you're not "more just" than God.

However, when it comes to "love your enemies", I think Houston has a problem ;)
A terrorist is not a personal enemy, they are combatants, like Satan they are out to torture and murder the human race.
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,223
1,584
113
68
Brighton, MI
A

Anecdotal, not scriptural.

Anecdotal:. I know Catholics and (so called) Protestants, Muslims who believe in eternal torment and serve God from fear, rather than love, and live sinful lives in secret (unless they're Catholic and attend auricular confession to be relieved of having to overcome). And many unrepentant unbelievers think they're gonna "party on dude" in hell.
I posted that a few times. It is a question on how you would consel your fellow church neighbor, who thinks and lives that way.

So, please answer the question, thanks