Just asking (24): what if it’s neither about hell nor purgatory?
This could be viewed as a sacrilegious question.
Wouldn’t it be acceptable to overlook the colorful story of the rich man and Lazarus, and the former’s conversation with Abraham for a greater purpose? (see passage below)
Yes it’s very difficult to resist the temptation of these juicy bits.
- Rich man goes to eternal punishment vs poor Lazarus enjoys presence of Abraham.
- Fire unceasing for the rich man.
- Chasm between fiery existence and comfort of Abraham’s bosom.
- Hell or purgatory?
Such juicy bits.
Overlook them?
But to focus on what then?
Moses and the prophets!
That’s the focus of Jesus.
He points the way to Moses and the prophets.
What’s Moses and the prophets?
Of course, that was a way of saying “the Hebrew Scriptures”!
Moses stands for the Law.
Prophets then makes it “Law and Prophets”.
That was the subject immediately prior to the current episode under consideration.
The importance of the Law and Prophets, the Hebrew Scriptures!
“Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in. But that doesn’t mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God’s law to be overturned.” (Luke 16:16-17, New Living Translation)
Isn’t the key thrust of the juicy story of the rich man and Lazarus a teaching on the indispensable importance of Scriptures?
So important that if it is ignored, even a resurrected person could do no good!
Scriptures told you all that would be necessary.
There would be no fear of hell or purgatory, even if they were real and ghastly.
But fear not purgatory or hell.
Pay no attention to the hatred between the rich and the poor.
Because . . . there’s no need for dead man to return to educate.
Just listen to the Law and Prophets!
As such God’s Word stands.
Remains truthful guidance.
To live by.
No need dead man to come alive.
Even this: if you don’t trust the Law and Prophets, you have no need for the resurrection of Jesus!
Just asking.
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Luke 16:19-31, NLT
19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.
22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.
24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’
25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’
27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’
29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’
30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’
31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”