Center for Biblical Theology and Eschatology
The Rich Man and Lazarus
by Daniel Harris
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" And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 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; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 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. 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. 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. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. " -Luke 16:19-31 |
Introduction
Growing up in a church led by dispensationalists, I was indoctrinated in the teachings that the scriptures must always be read looking only at the literal meaning of what is being said. The preachers would often balk at those who "spiritualized away the Word of God." Very often these ministers preached on the subject of the rich man and Lazarus. They would use this story of Jesus as a literal example of what hell is like. At the same time they would forbid that we look at this passage as a parable, often lending the idea that those who look on this passage as a parable deny the reality of hell.
Then, by the grace of God, the Lord opened my eyes to the following scriptural truth: "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14). Spiritually discerned. To the natural eye, the words of our Lord are foolishness. They do not see the spiritual truths of the Word of God, because they are blind. Jesus taught his disciples , "Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand." (Matthew 13:13). It is not given to the natural man to see the things of God, nor to hear the things of God.
So when men demand that we look only to the literal meaning of the scriptures, in reality they forbid that our spiritual eyes should be opened that we may discern the true meaning of the Word of God.
Consider also, when Jesus said to His disciples, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees" (Matthew 16:6); were the disciples to look only for the literal meaning of Christ in this? Certainly not! Doing so only demonstrated their lack of faith (vs. 8).
When our Lord speaks to us, we are to dig into it and see if there be some spiritual truths that He is trying to teach us.
Let us attempt to so do, as we read the words of Christ in Luke 16:19-31.
May we, through this examination see and understand the true meaning of the Word of our Lord. And if there be any reader without Christ, may God grab a hold of him, that he might be saved from the fate of this rich man.
"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen"
The first three verses of this passage bring the same truth into our minds that is taught in Psalm 73. How is it that the heathen, the wicked, are often so prosperous, while those who are trusting in Christ often go without the luxuries that this world offers?
There are many so-called "Christian" ministers in our day that our teaching that if you trust God, he will bless you with great wealth (so, send a check to our ministry, and trust God to provide). They teach what is often termed, "the prosperity gospel." Nothing can be further from the truth. We are not guaranteed physical blessings for trusting in Christ. Jesus proclaimed that in this world we will have tribulation (John 16:33). If we have it easy in this world, then ought we not question if we are truly one of His?
Quite frankly, the "Prosperity Gospel" is a false gospel. Why must we trust in Christ? Is it so we should receive physical blessings from Him? No! Such carnal desires demonstrate the unrepentant hearts of the ones "so trusting" in Christ. The blessings that we ought to plead from Christ are spiritual. We trust Him to deliver us from our sins. And that, not just the penalty thereof (as is the attitude of many, seeking Christ only as a "fire escape"), but also from the power of our sins, and hastening unto the day (even so, come Lord Jesus!) that He will deliver us from the presence of our sins. Oh, that more men would have the God given desire for this three-fold deliverance from their sins!
So, here in Luke 16, we ought not be surprised that the servant of God is the one who is suffering, while the heathen is "faring sumptuously."
"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen"
Clothing in the scriptures often pictures righteousness. The righteousness of Christ is spoken of in the scriptures as a robe that those who are in Christ Jesus put on, i.e., the garments of salvation:
Isaiah 61:10 - I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Matthew 22:13,14 - And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Certainly the rich man was not clothed in the righteousness of Christ. He may have thought he was well covered in fine apparel, but spiritually, he wore only filthy rags. Consider the clothing of our first parents, Adam and Eve. Realizing that they were naked, they sewed fig leaves and covered themselves. They my have, in their own eyes, been well dressed, yet in the Eyes of the Lord, they were but naked still. They needed the skins of a sacrificed animal (picturing Christ) to be truly clothed. The rich man's "purple and fine linen" may have been enough for the rich man, but naked he remained in the Eyes of the Lord.
So also, he was not actually rich either; for his riches died with him. Only those who are in Christ are truly rich: "For ye
know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his
poverty might be rich."(2 Corinthians 8:9). Those things which make the believers rich are unknown to the world. The
world will perish and the riches thereof, but the riches that the believers have in Christ last forever.
Ah, this rich man's riches were not riches at all! What did it profit him to gain the wealth of the world, and lose his own soul (Mark 8:36)? Even so, this world is blinded to the riches of Christ. They may live luxuriously now, but the end thereof is the ways of death.
"...and fared sumptuously every day."
"For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men...these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches" Psalm 73:3-5, 12.
Envy. Such is our thoughts when we look through the eyes of the flesh, rather than with spiritually enlightened eyes. Only when we look through spiritual eyes do we say, as this psalmist, "Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are of a clean heart." Yes, these wicked men may have their prosperity now, but "how are they brought into desolation, as in a moment" (vs.19).
So likewise this rich man. He fared sumptuously for a little while. But as a vapor, it all vanished away, "and in hell he lifted up his eyes."
Let us not be envious of the things of this world. They shall soon come to nought. Rather, let us seek the eternal riches of
Christ, found in the three-fold freedom from our sins.
"And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores"
Lazarus must not have been listening to the evangelists who were promoting their "prosperity gospel". Herein (as in other places) is the Biblical answer to the "prosperity gospel"(vs 25): "Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivest thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things." Lazarus suffered through tribulation in his lifetime, while the rich man prospered. Yet the things Lazarus receive here are all but temporal.
"And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table:"
Was Lazarus hoping for wealth? Was Lazarus seeking a life of relaxation? Was Lazarus desiring the luxuries of this world? No, he desired nothing more than crumbs in this life.
Desiring crumbs. Such was the desire of the Canaanite woman who came to Christ (Matthew 15:22). In the likeness of a dog, she desired to have but the crumbs that fell from the Master's table. She saw herself worthy of no more.
Neither are we worthy to eat from the Master's table. We are not even worthy of the crumbs. How dare we then complain if we receive no more in this life than crumbs? Are we any better than Job, who said, "shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" May we likewise have this same attitude of humility wherein we see ourselves as dogs begging for the crumbs from our Father's table. Such an heart attitude is good in the sight of our Master, Who responds in grace, saying, "be it unto thee, even as thou wilt."
"The beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried"
Before we go any further in this study, let us ask the vigorously debated question that many have asked, that is, "Is this a true story, or is it a parable?"
There is a system of theology that centers on the literal interpretation of these verses. I grew up listening to preachers who taught that hell had three (or even four) separate compartments. These are: Paradise (the bosom of Abraham), the great gulf, hell, and (according to some) Tartaros (where the fallen angels are chained, Peter 2:4).
Why some men go to great lengths to defend their view of the "various compartments of hell", I do not understand. Maybe, we should ask, "Is it important if this is literal or not?" If the rich man lifted his eyes in hell, does it matter if it was in a particular compartment of Sheol, or if it is in the lake of fire? Regardless, he will spend eternity in torment.
Personally, I believe that this passage is a parable. Yet, before someone might suggest that I am seeking to spiritualize away the doctrine of hell, let me say this: the lake of fire is very real, and real people will be tormented therein forevermore.
Actually, a parabolic, or spiritual view of these verses is much worse than a physical view, as will be explained as we look at the following verses.
" And in hell he lift up his eyes"
How dreadful that the wicked never lift up their eyes to the truth until it is eternally to late! Why must men wait until the things of earth have passed away, before their spiritual eyes are opened to reality? Herein is the detrimental reality of man's reprobate condition. In our utter depravity, we have fooled ourselves into thinking that things are all right. The atheists say that there is no reality beyond the grave. They seek their pleasures in this life living for the temporal. The atheists will not be atheists forever; for in hell, they too, will lift up their eyes. They will experience an awakening of sorts, yet to no avail.
Dear reader, have you lifted up your eyes? Or will you wait as did the rich man, until in hell your eyes be lifted up?
"Being in torments"
Notice, that the verse says "being in torments", plural. There are many torments of hell, more than just the flames. There is outer darkness in hell; there is no rest in hell; there is no foundation to set ones feet on in hell (a bottomless pit). Yet these realities of hell are far outweighed by the spiritual realities of hell which are....
" He lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off"
Abraham, the patriarch of Israel, sometimes in scripture is a portrayal of God. (Certainly the shadow is far out-shined by the reality). Even as the nation of Israel were the children of Abraham, so also the elect (those who have salvation through Christ) are the children of God. When Abraham was called to offer up his son Isaac on the alter (Genesis 22), he pictured God the Father, who did offer His Son as a sacrifice for sin.
So also, in this verse, Abraham is but a portrayal of God. It is in God's bosom that we find rest, not in Abraham.
The rich man has now been enlightened to reality. Why is it that the rich man knew not how far he was from God, until he died? He was not close to God while he lived. But many who are afar off from God in their lifetimes, do not realize it. Eventually, all men will realize how far they are from God.
Being afar off from the presence of God, the rich man realizes his forsaken condition. In his lifetime he enjoyed great blessings from God. Yet now those blessing have departed. Rather God has forsaken him. This reality of hell is dreadful beyond what we can imagine. To be forever forsaken and forgotten!
"And Lazarus in his bosom."
Herein we see both the grace of God, and the surety of His Promises.
It is only by grace that Lazarus was brought into the bosom of God. It is only by grace that any are allowed into the bosom of God. We who were rebels against God and His law, throughout our lives, to be allowed to enter into the presence of a Thrice Holy God, and to find rest in Him, what love is demonstrated by this truth.
The promises of God are sure. He has promised to give rest to His people. He will keep His promise. Those who are in Christ Jesus can rest on this sure promise. He will redeem His people Israel (the chosen seed from all nations).
"And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me,"
Now, the rich man cries out to God for mercy, as now his eyes have finally been opened. Yet it is two late. While he lived, it was still the day of salvation: "behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). Yet the day of salvation had passed the rich man by. Now in the anguish of his torment he plead with God, that he may find rest from his torment.
"Send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue;"
He pleads that God would send Lazarus to give him water.
In the Bible, water is used as a picture of the gospel:
John 4:10,13-15 - "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have
asked of him, and he would have given thee living water...Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But
whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in
him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst
not, neither come hither to draw."
If only the rich man had that living water he would be out of his predicament. Yet there is no water where this rich man now dwells. Should God send him a messenger with some of that water, he would be free from his torment (i.e., his tongue would be cooled). Yet it is not possible:
"Between us and you there is a great gulf fixed:"
It is not possible that a messenger should be sent to this man, because there is a great gulf of separation between them.
A great gulf of separation. God is on the other side of that gulf!! How dreadful that it is not possible for the rich man to cross that gulf, so that he may find rest in the bosom of God. He is now forever separated from God.
There is no way that gulf can be bridged for him to cross, nor for one to be sent to him to give him the living water to quench his thirst.
There is eternally no hope for this man. Forever he will be tormented in the flames.
A great gulf fixed. This gulf pictures the payment for sin. For the rich man to enter the land of rest, his sins must be payed for: "For the wages of sin is death", and that death is eternal. He will never fully pay the penalty for his sins that he may be freed from the bondage thereof.
"They which would pass from hence to you cannot neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence."
"They which would pass from hence to you cannot". To those who are in Christ, this is blessed news! There is no way possible that those who find rest in the bosom of our Lord should be tormented in hell. It is impossible that they should lose their salvation. Their sins have been payed for, and that payment cannot be taken away.
"Neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence." As surely as they who are in Christ cannot lose their salvation, so those who are separated by this gulf cannot gain their salvation. The same gulf that is a blessing to those who are in Christ, is a cursing to those who are separated from Him.
"I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:"
Understanding his folly, the rich man now fears for those whom he once knew, lest they should follow. He thinks, "Oh that God would send Lazarus as a messenger to them to warn them of the danger that awaits them: Lest in hell they lift up their eyes.
" They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them."
Oh that men might truly here the words of Moses and the prophets: that they may turn from their wickedness and live. Yet, many that live out their lives under the hearing of the written Word of God are never changed by it.
"If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
The darkness of the reprobate mind. Even if this rich man were sent again to preach to the living, they would not repent. No matter how obviously the truth of man's condition is revealed, he will not repent that he may have life. If the written Word of God will not persuade them, how can a mere man persuade them, even if the man was sent from among the dead.
None would be persuaded to come to Christ, because we are all rebels by nature. The Bible declares that there is none that seek God (Romans 3:11). Nothing short of a miracle would persuade a man to abandon himself and to prostrate himself before the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We are that wicked. We will not come.
But we have no excuse for not coming. It is our own perverse nature and defiance of God and His law that forbids us to come, and we've no one to blame but ourselves if we do not obey the gospel.
Dear reader, Is the God of Lazarus your God? Are you completely surrendered to His will? Are you seeking rest in God's bosom, or are you defiantly opposed to His law? Will you not be persuaded by the Word of God to repent and be delivered from the power of sin? If not, you will share in this rich man's fate.
It is my prayer that God may open many impenitent hearts to receive His Word.
Amen!