Maybe they are just not familiar with one of the teaching methods that Jesus used.
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: (Matthew 13:34) What is a parable ? A fictitious narrative of common life conveying a moral. It is often an illustration of truth or principles by using events or circumstances that people are familiar with.
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus was the last of 3 parables that are found in Luke 15:11-16:31. All 3 parables were about “a certain” man and all 3 involve principles of stewardship. Unfortunately, many have tried to convert the parable of Lazarus and the rich man into a doctrinal teaching of the Bible.
The lesson of the parable is a lesson for today. “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” (Luke 16:31) If a person cannot be persuaded by the evidence of Scripture, nothing else is going to influence him or her to accept truth. No matter what the Bible teaches, there are those who will still choose to cling to the false theory that God will give eternal life to those who reject His love so that they can burn for trillions of centuries. Some misguided souls even insist on making this parable a true representation of how God rewards human beings for their brief span of life on this earth.
No one is burning in hell today. It is not necessary for anyone to experience the lake of fire and the 2nd death. Heaven is another option. A Christlike character is the requirement. It is the only kind of character that could enjoy heaven and the only kind of character that could be trusted in heaven. We are given a lifetime, with the offer of God's grace to develop this character before we die. Many people have different opinions about hell and punishment but only the Bible teaches what you have just read.
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: (Matthew 13:34) What is a parable ? A fictitious narrative of common life conveying a moral. It is often an illustration of truth or principles by using events or circumstances that people are familiar with.
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus was the last of 3 parables that are found in Luke 15:11-16:31. All 3 parables were about “a certain” man and all 3 involve principles of stewardship. Unfortunately, many have tried to convert the parable of Lazarus and the rich man into a doctrinal teaching of the Bible.
The lesson of the parable is a lesson for today. “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” (Luke 16:31) If a person cannot be persuaded by the evidence of Scripture, nothing else is going to influence him or her to accept truth. No matter what the Bible teaches, there are those who will still choose to cling to the false theory that God will give eternal life to those who reject His love so that they can burn for trillions of centuries. Some misguided souls even insist on making this parable a true representation of how God rewards human beings for their brief span of life on this earth.
No one is burning in hell today. It is not necessary for anyone to experience the lake of fire and the 2nd death. Heaven is another option. A Christlike character is the requirement. It is the only kind of character that could enjoy heaven and the only kind of character that could be trusted in heaven. We are given a lifetime, with the offer of God's grace to develop this character before we die. Many people have different opinions about hell and punishment but only the Bible teaches what you have just read.
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Leave a comment and we can correspond via email.
Leave a comment and we can correspond via email.
If you've been simply accepting what your pastor or minister or church teaches without searching the Bible for yourself, please stop doing it. Don't reject the truth or the love of God because it contradicts what you've been told or taught. Don't twist Scripture or keep perpetuating lies about God's character. Our heavenly Father wants us not to merely attend church, but to truly become Christ-like before we die so that we can be prepared to enjoy eternity with Him. A Christlike person is the only kind of person that could enjoy heaven and the only kind of person that could be trusted in heaven.
© 2014 Tyrone Keels
www.issues-of-life.com
