Mar 20, 2010 -- 2:27PM, Bob10 wrote:

Probably the best known alleged "resident" in heaven is the famous beggar Lazarus!

Countless millions have heard the story of "Lazarus and the rich man," much embellished, and with impassioned attacks against the unfeeling, insufferable hauteur of the rich and their disdainful contempt for the plight of the poor.

 The famous parable of Luke 16 seems to say, to many millions, that Lazarus died and went to heaven, but that the rich man died and went to hell! But is this what it really says? Jesus said, "No man has ascended up to heaven" (John 3:13). Did Jesus make a mistake? 

Bob,  Jesus used parables to teach truths and principles. This Parable was among many others and the subject was the lost and God's efforts in their salvation as well as the why others would not be saved. Jesus made no mistake.  It was the Scribes and Pharisees who as leaders had shut up the kingdom from the "publican and sinners". They were rich in the knowledge of GOD and HIS Mercies, but keep it to themselves.  The principle is seen in Matt.21:31

Mar 31, 2010 -- 1:51PM, davelaw40 wrote:

Lazarus wasn't a parable: Parables don't ever use proper names. Jesus was giving a message using people known to his audience.

Lazarus didn't go to Heaven. He went to Paradise aka Abraham's Bosom the secton of the Grave that does not involve punishment-notice Sheol was visible from Paradise.

Dave, that is great assumption, but no facts. Lazarus, The brother of Martha and Mary, wasn't ever identified as a beggar nor full of sores. Since Jesus was a frequent visitor at their home, He would have healed any sores that he had as he did others.    Also, since Lazarus was a beggar, why would Jesus take food from HIS friends mouth? Lazarus's death was an attestation to the power of Christ's promise of the Resurrection to come for all--- whether in the first or second one.

Chapter 17, answers the why of the parable. Don't be guilty of an offense against thy brother.  That second great commandment. And be ready to Forgive those who repent.

As Jesus said, the correct relationship to GOD and one's fellow beings was given by GOD at Sinai and all heard it spoken from God and saw the hand written tablets. The people were reminded of their part of the covenant for forty years.

Dave, as you wrote, the hebrew word "sheol" is translated into English as "hell",  "grave", or "pit". Therefore, which end of the grave is "punishment free"?  And how does "dust" feel such?  How do you reconcile Eccl.9:5, "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten." plus many other verses. 

John 5:28, "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,".    Paul, in 1Thess.4:15-17, "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. "" AND 

1Cor.15:51-53,  "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.""

Apr 1, 2010 -- 1:19AM, sincerly wrote:

Dave, as you wrote, the hebrew word "sheol" is translated into English as "hell",  "grave", or "pit". Therefore, which end of the grave is "punishment free"?  And how does "dust" feel such?  How do you reconcile Eccl.9:5, "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten." plus many other verses. 

 

Ecclestiastes is the Wisdom of man absent the revelation of God.