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

Ezekiel 33:12 gives us a glimpse into the character and sentiments of the Merciful God. He's nothing like dirty harry.

Say to them: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’



So, if you put a dog down for going rabid, would you rather it be a quick and "painless" death or would you rather torture him and just take him to the edge of death so you could watch him die slowly, forever even, if it was within your power?

When Scripture speaks about the death of the soul, it is referring to the second death of burning in the lake of fire. See:

Revelation 20:10-14: "The Great White Throne Judgment
10The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 11Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire."

Hell may be terrifying, but that is only reason to (1) be so grateful to Our Lord Jesus Christ for His Gift of Salvation, and (2) to work as hard as possible to save our Non-Christian friends from going there. It is not reason to deny hellfire, since the Holy Bible clearly teaches it.

Matthew 25:46 contradicts you friend.

start with #2,259

wife is kicking me off, Good night all and God Bless,
Daniel

This isn't personal to me.

I am just explaining your premise for why you're wrong. Being an eternal tormentor, given the body of evidence against it, is definitely a deliberate choice if after having come to the knowledge of the truth it is still embraced. That makes you the eternal tormenter, not God.

I know it says forever, but that isn't literal.

Forever is not always forever in the Bible.

I gave you two examples, now I'll show you more:

And there's more. Again, this is called apocalyptic language and it's just dramatic, not literal.

That's false. The Bible doesn't say that. You have one verse that has been debunked repeatedly, but from Genesis to Revelation the Bible teaches the death and or destruction of the soul. I could probably dig up a couple of dozen verses, in addition to what I have already quoted, to establish this.

Are you aware of what Jesus said about certain people? He said their judgement will be more tolerable, not their punishment. The wages for all sin is death. I am afraid you have a lot to learn sir.

Brother, then why did someone have to "put him down" ???

Doesn't say that he wasn't given food when he begged.

Go back and read it again.

Someone started the speculation by saying he was lazy. So, why don't you admit that? Maybe you did, and I missed it.

Brother, why did someone have to "put him down"? Historically, it is believed he was a leper --- thus could have lost a limp or was weak.

If I had the choice, I would allow unsaved to go into non=existence.

Context matters.

Matthew 25:46
46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Death is an eternal punishment.

This doesn’t say eternal punishing.

Furthermore, only the righteous receive eternal life, but you seem you be saying that the unrighteousness receive eternal life,

too, forever being punished. Amazing how the proof verse you provided contradicts you.

It doesn’t say why someone put him down.

Maybe he was given a ride there on a donkey, as a kind of taxi service, and dropped off there?

There are other possibilities than him being a cripple. You don’t seem to be considering any other option than trying to force the scripture to make the beggar unable to walk or work.

He’s begging at a gate rather than working. What’s your definition of lazy?

You have been shown clear evidence FOR eternal torment, but you have chosen to reject it. And there is NO body of evidence against it. One could say you have deceived yourself. The Bible is clear. Rev 20 is clear; all of it.{/QUOTE]

If it was clear then I wouldn't be debating it with you. If I see something I agree with you on I'll either say so or not challenge it. For your benefit and others reading I'll go the extra mile until you understand it or leave you to your own ways at some point.


Why do you get to decide "forever" torment in Revelation 20:10 is literal when I just showed you Exodus 21:6 and Jonah 2:6, and Isaiah 34 where forever is not literally forever? What are the other verses that support eternal torment? If you have any to establish eternal torment as a well-known creed preached by Jesus and the apostles then don't be shy.

I'm not deceived. I was not raised in a Christian home and indoctrinated into a denomination like you were from an early age. I made a conscious decision as an adult to come to Christ. My faith is genuine, concrete, and I believe I have been hand-selected by God Himself to serve Him.


Ah. I see you you're just deflecting and now you're invoking the Calvinists to compare me to them. That's amateur and your demonization tactics won't work on me.


Interesting. Do tell which parts of the book of Revelation, arguably the most symbolic book in the entire Bible, are literal and not. You have to really be trying at this point to deceive yourself.


Literal language can be dramatic, but there's plenty of reasonable doubt to conclude Revelation 20:10, which applies to three specific persons and not everyone, is not literal. Continue to reject it if you will. It isn't a matter of salvation to not understand this correctly.

I've made no such discussion about Revelation 6 until now so I think you're confusing me with a different commenter. Unfortunately, now that you've revealed more error, I am forced to correct you.

Revelation 6:11
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Look up the word rest here in Revelation 6:11. It can be interpreted as sleep.

Sorry, you're thinking of someone else I think.


Wrong again. Babies are not sinful. Now you have to explain why you think baby Jesus was born a sinner.

I'm always willing to learn.

Unbelievers go to their "second death." The wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23. You seem to really want people to suffer forever.

A death sentence is a judgment. On earth being put to death is the greatest possible punishment. Suddenly, when it comes to the Bible, to you a death sentence is no longer a problem. That's fascinating cognitive dissonance.

TheLearner said:
Lazarus who was put down at his gate.

The gate was on earth where he was begging for food.

And TL never said that he wasn't given food.


I'm really disappointed at your lackadaisical reading.

I guess most annihilationists don't realize that their view of the unsaved parallels that of atheists who deny any afterlife at all.

The only difference is annihilationists have to admit some amount of suffering before the soul is annihilated. That wouldn't hardly impress an atheist.

Oh, this is just pitiful. What is most obvious is that he was in bad health and couldn't work or crippled and couldn't work.

You are desperate for any excuse.

I already posted that many times here.