Lu 16:19 ¶ 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.
Parables in scripture are imageries and mysteries of the kingdom of Alahim which only elect of the Messiah understand and the rest are blinded.
Lu 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Alahim: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
To take a literal face value understading of parables is something which those void of the Spirit tend to do to teach eternal torment and doctrines of men and lack spiritual comparison. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is not a literal instance but an imagery which reveals a mystery which is hidden since ages and only the wise will understand.
In this study we will see TWO ASPECTS of this parable 1) Who did the Rich man and Lazarus represent? and 2) How this is a picture of end times when the sons of Alahim are revealed?
To view these TWO ASPECTS it is important that we compare spiritual with spiritual to see a clear picture of what this parable means.
First aspect:
1) Who did the Rich man and Lazarus represent?
It is interesting to know that there is no name mentioned of the Rich man but the name of Lazarus the poor man is mentioned and hence the characters mentioned are a representation and not literal persons.
The context in which this parable was taught also needs to be closely seen to understand both the aspects that we will look at in spiritual comparison.
Here is the context:
Lu 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of Alahim is preached, and every man presseth into it.
Verse 16 of Luke 16 is a parallel verse to Matt 11:12 where the Messiah tells us that since the time the kingdom of Alahim is preached it suffers violence as the violent who try to press into it tend to take it by force.
Mt 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
At the time of John the Baptist there rose a sect of Pharasees, Saducees, scribes and rulers which took prominent positions in ruling over Israel as their elders. These men represented Moses as they taught the law of Moses mingled with doctrines of men and were the violent men who had pressed into the kingdom of Alahim taking it by force. Hence the Rich man stood as a representation of being rich in covenants and glory.
Ro 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of Alahim, and the promises;
Being clothed in purple and fine linen is a picture of being rich in the covenant. A Nation whose boast was in its carnal heritage. The Messiah came with a message that the kingdom of Alahim doesn't come with and outward observance but is within you.
Lu 17:20 ¶ And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of Alahim should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of Alahim cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of Alahim is within you.
The within you is not to be understood as being inside a person but WITHIN the nation of Israel. Messiah was addressing the Nation and not a particular person. National Israel stood as a type of the Israel of Alahim which comprised of the elect of Alahim who were WITHIN. While the nation of Israel seemed to be rich and clothed with fine linen and purple on the outside what made them rich was the kingdom of Alahim within.
Lazarus was a representation of the poor Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles who came into the kingdom and was looked down upon as being a heathen full of sores and sat at the table desiring to eat the crumbs that fell from the Rich man's table.
We can see this picture from a woman of Cannan who came to the Messiah asking him to heal her daughter possessed with a devil. Yahusha tells her that he is sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel and it is not meet to take children's bread and cast it to the dogs.
Mt 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Yahuah, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Yahuah, help me.
26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
27 And she said, Truth, Yahuah: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
While on surface level it may seem to show that Yahusha only came for Israel but a closer examination shows he came for the lost sheep of the house of Israel which comprised both of Jews and Gentiles which is a further evidence of the kingdom of Alahim being within where the Gentile woman longed for the crumbs that fall from the master's table just as Lazarus a representation portrayed.
The parable further tells us that the rich man died and was buried and was in torments in Sheol while Lazarus at death was carried by the messengers to Abraham's bosom. This in no way is teaching about literal death and souls being immortal and is also not teaching about an intermediate postion called Sheol and Paradise at death as carnal men teach but is an imagery of 'Heritage'. For this I ask you to refer to my study 'What is my goodly heritage?' which is on the same blog.
I will just make a brief explanation from that study so that in spiritual comparison it becomes easier for us to understand this imagery.
The Jews were confident of the Abrahamic covenant in calling Abraham their father and through the Covennant made with him called Alahim as their father.Messiah affirms that they are Abraham's seed but also calls them as children of the devil.
How can one be a son of Abraham as well as the son of the devil?
Joh 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
Joh 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Yahusha saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
The Jews boasted in their carnal heritage without understanding that their carnal heritage would lead them to Abram who was from Ur in Chaldees i.e in Babylon. That's where Alahim called Abram from.
Ne 9:7 Thou art the YAHUAH the Alahim, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham
Re 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against Alahim, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
The picture of Rich man's tongue being tormented in fire is a picture of judgment of damnation to Mystery Babylon and those part of her for teaching false doctrines.
The sores on Lazarus and dogs licking his sores:
Lu 16:20 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.
Sores is picture of sin. Lazarus is a picture of elect who desired the crumbs from the Master's table but over a period of time they lost their discernment to replace the Master with a Rich man ruler who taught them to fornicate with the whore, Jezebel was teaching and seducing them. They believed in the false doctrines taught to them by the once anointed rulers who were cut off.
Isa 1:4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the YAHUAH, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.
Re 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
The dogs licking his sores is a picture of false prophets trying to ease the pain of his sores/wounds with their tongue with their false doctrines.
Php 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Isa 56:11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
Jer 6:14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
While the parable doesn't directly show the journey of repentance from false doctrines but the words of Abraham the father of the spiritual seed in the imagery show the 'Comfort' that Lazarus received.
Lu 16:25 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.
The Greek word for 'comforted' here is 'parakaleo' which means 'comfort'/ 'besought'/'intreat'/'exhort'
Mt 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted (parakleo)
Finally we see the great gulf between the Rich man and Lazarus is the time when wheat and tares are separated. The destiny of each one which was sealed is revealed.
Lu 16:26 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.
Lu 16:27 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.
Lazarus cannot pass the great gulf to offer him or his 5 brothers the true gospel to cool his tongue. It is interesting to note that in this imagery the talking is between Rich man and Abraham whereas Lazarus is silent and has not spoken a word in it. This again is a picture of the prudent being silent in the evil time.
Am 5:13 Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.
The Rich man's 5 brothers also are a part of Mystery Babylon and have the law and the prophets which they failed to listen to so they won't listen to Lazarus who was raised from being dead in Mystery Babylon and now with the truth of Alahim's word. His brothers destiny is also sealed.
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.
Parables in scripture are imageries and mysteries of the kingdom of Alahim which only elect of the Messiah understand and the rest are blinded.
Lu 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Alahim: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
To take a literal face value understading of parables is something which those void of the Spirit tend to do to teach eternal torment and doctrines of men and lack spiritual comparison. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is not a literal instance but an imagery which reveals a mystery which is hidden since ages and only the wise will understand.
In this study we will see TWO ASPECTS of this parable 1) Who did the Rich man and Lazarus represent? and 2) How this is a picture of end times when the sons of Alahim are revealed?
To view these TWO ASPECTS it is important that we compare spiritual with spiritual to see a clear picture of what this parable means.
First aspect:
1) Who did the Rich man and Lazarus represent?
It is interesting to know that there is no name mentioned of the Rich man but the name of Lazarus the poor man is mentioned and hence the characters mentioned are a representation and not literal persons.
The context in which this parable was taught also needs to be closely seen to understand both the aspects that we will look at in spiritual comparison.
Here is the context:
Lu 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of Alahim is preached, and every man presseth into it.
Verse 16 of Luke 16 is a parallel verse to Matt 11:12 where the Messiah tells us that since the time the kingdom of Alahim is preached it suffers violence as the violent who try to press into it tend to take it by force.
Mt 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
At the time of John the Baptist there rose a sect of Pharasees, Saducees, scribes and rulers which took prominent positions in ruling over Israel as their elders. These men represented Moses as they taught the law of Moses mingled with doctrines of men and were the violent men who had pressed into the kingdom of Alahim taking it by force. Hence the Rich man stood as a representation of being rich in covenants and glory.
Ro 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of Alahim, and the promises;
Being clothed in purple and fine linen is a picture of being rich in the covenant. A Nation whose boast was in its carnal heritage. The Messiah came with a message that the kingdom of Alahim doesn't come with and outward observance but is within you.
Lu 17:20 ¶ And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of Alahim should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of Alahim cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of Alahim is within you.
The within you is not to be understood as being inside a person but WITHIN the nation of Israel. Messiah was addressing the Nation and not a particular person. National Israel stood as a type of the Israel of Alahim which comprised of the elect of Alahim who were WITHIN. While the nation of Israel seemed to be rich and clothed with fine linen and purple on the outside what made them rich was the kingdom of Alahim within.
Lazarus was a representation of the poor Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles who came into the kingdom and was looked down upon as being a heathen full of sores and sat at the table desiring to eat the crumbs that fell from the Rich man's table.
We can see this picture from a woman of Cannan who came to the Messiah asking him to heal her daughter possessed with a devil. Yahusha tells her that he is sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel and it is not meet to take children's bread and cast it to the dogs.
Mt 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Yahuah, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Yahuah, help me.
26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
27 And she said, Truth, Yahuah: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
While on surface level it may seem to show that Yahusha only came for Israel but a closer examination shows he came for the lost sheep of the house of Israel which comprised both of Jews and Gentiles which is a further evidence of the kingdom of Alahim being within where the Gentile woman longed for the crumbs that fall from the master's table just as Lazarus a representation portrayed.
The parable further tells us that the rich man died and was buried and was in torments in Sheol while Lazarus at death was carried by the messengers to Abraham's bosom. This in no way is teaching about literal death and souls being immortal and is also not teaching about an intermediate postion called Sheol and Paradise at death as carnal men teach but is an imagery of 'Heritage'. For this I ask you to refer to my study 'What is my goodly heritage?' which is on the same blog.
I will just make a brief explanation from that study so that in spiritual comparison it becomes easier for us to understand this imagery.
The Jews were confident of the Abrahamic covenant in calling Abraham their father and through the Covennant made with him called Alahim as their father.Messiah affirms that they are Abraham's seed but also calls them as children of the devil.
How can one be a son of Abraham as well as the son of the devil?
Joh 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
Joh 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Yahusha saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
The Jews boasted in their carnal heritage without understanding that their carnal heritage would lead them to Abram who was from Ur in Chaldees i.e in Babylon. That's where Alahim called Abram from.
Abram means 'exalted father' and Abram was childless. Alahim called him to be a pilgrim and sojourner living in tents and gave him the name 'Abraham' which means 'father of multitude'. Abraham believed Alahim's promise and this was accounted to him for righteousness. He saw the day of the Messiah, the promised one who would come from his seed by whom all nations of the world would be blessed with salvation. Abraham looked for the heavenly country in which righteousness dwelt and did not see Canaan as a permanent dwelling place. The Jews looked for a carnal heritage which led them back to Babylon from where their father was called and were in no way behaving like Abraham. The spiritual seed was accounted for who would behave like Father Abraham dwelling as a pilgrim and sojourner here.
Coming back to the parable of the Rich man and Lazarus, the rich man's heritage led him straight to Babylon in torments where Alahim pours out his wrath on whereas Lazarus's goodly heritage was 'Abaraham's bosom' which is a imagery for the spiritual seed of Abraham who would inherit the Heavenly country.
This brings us to the second aspect of the parable.
Second Aspect:
Now that we have seen the Representation of who the Rich man and Lazarus are in spiritual comparison and their 'heritage' let us once again see the context in which the parable was taught.
Lu 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of Alahim is preached, and every man presseth into it.
17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.
We already saw the first part of the context where the violent taking the kingdom of Alahim by force. We saw how the Pharasees, Saducees and scribes added man made doctrines to the law of Alahim and presented an adulterated gospel to Israel.
Mr 7:5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8 For laying aside the commandment of Alahim, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of Alahim, that ye may keep your own tradition.
10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
13 Making the word of Alahim of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
They were the violent taking Alahim's kingdom by force by ruling it and this is Mystery Babylon. A kingdom within Alahim's kingdom comprising of wheat and tares. A flourshing kingdom which was clothed in purple and scarlet but adulterous in nature just as the Rich man. In the context of the parable in Luke 16:18 Messiah speaks of 'Adultery'.
Re 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
The Rich man and Lazarus being together is a picture of wheat and tares being within the kingdom of Alahim just as prophesied as wolf and lamb,leopard with a kid and young lion with the fatling dwelling together.
Isa 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the YAHUAH, as the waters cover the sea.
The Rich man fared sumptuously everyday. The Greek word for 'sumptuously' is 'lampros' which means 'luxuriously'
Lu 16:19 ¶ There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Re 18:7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
The Rich man fared sumptuously everyday. The Greek word for 'sumptuously' is 'lampros' which means 'luxuriously'
Lu 16:19 ¶ There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Re 18:7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
Rich man in Sheol:
Lu 16:23 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.
It is interesting to see the imagery of the Rich man in the flame/fire but the torment is on his 'tongue' and he makes an appeal to Abraham that he would send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool his tongue. What does this mean? In a spiritual comparison we see the judgment of damnation to those who are a part of Mystery Babylon because they prophesied lies in the name of the Yahuah. They believed and taught false doctrines blaspheming Alahim, his tabernacle and those who dwell in it.
Re 16:10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
Re 16:11 And blasphemed the Alahim of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
Lu 16:23 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.
It is interesting to see the imagery of the Rich man in the flame/fire but the torment is on his 'tongue' and he makes an appeal to Abraham that he would send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool his tongue. What does this mean? In a spiritual comparison we see the judgment of damnation to those who are a part of Mystery Babylon because they prophesied lies in the name of the Yahuah. They believed and taught false doctrines blaspheming Alahim, his tabernacle and those who dwell in it.
Re 16:10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
Re 16:11 And blasphemed the Alahim of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
Jas 3:1 ¶ My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Re 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against Alahim, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
The picture of Rich man's tongue being tormented in fire is a picture of judgment of damnation to Mystery Babylon and those part of her for teaching false doctrines.
The sores on Lazarus and dogs licking his sores:
Lu 16:20 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.
Sores is picture of sin. Lazarus is a picture of elect who desired the crumbs from the Master's table but over a period of time they lost their discernment to replace the Master with a Rich man ruler who taught them to fornicate with the whore, Jezebel was teaching and seducing them. They believed in the false doctrines taught to them by the once anointed rulers who were cut off.
Isa 1:4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the YAHUAH, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.
Re 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
The dogs licking his sores is a picture of false prophets trying to ease the pain of his sores/wounds with their tongue with their false doctrines.
Php 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Isa 56:11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
Jer 6:14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
While the parable doesn't directly show the journey of repentance from false doctrines but the words of Abraham the father of the spiritual seed in the imagery show the 'Comfort' that Lazarus received.
Lu 16:25 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.
The Greek word for 'comforted' here is 'parakaleo' which means 'comfort'/ 'besought'/'intreat'/'exhort'
Mt 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted (parakleo)
Finally we see the great gulf between the Rich man and Lazarus is the time when wheat and tares are separated. The destiny of each one which was sealed is revealed.
Lu 16:26 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.
Lu 16:27 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.
Lazarus cannot pass the great gulf to offer him or his 5 brothers the true gospel to cool his tongue. It is interesting to note that in this imagery the talking is between Rich man and Abraham whereas Lazarus is silent and has not spoken a word in it. This again is a picture of the prudent being silent in the evil time.
Am 5:13 Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.
The Rich man's 5 brothers also are a part of Mystery Babylon and have the law and the prophets which they failed to listen to so they won't listen to Lazarus who was raised from being dead in Mystery Babylon and now with the truth of Alahim's word. His brothers destiny is also sealed.
No comments:
Post a Comment