And he said, “No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” The Rich Man
In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), Jesus told a parable that I believe has not been fully understood by those who claim to adhere to his teachings. The story contrasts two characters, a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus. The rich man lived a life of luxury and the poor man suffered greatly. Both of them die in the story.
The parable relates that the poor man was carried by angels into “Abraham’s bosom” while the rich man went to Hades and was in torment. As the story plays out, the rich man calls to “Father Abraham” seeking mercy. He wants Lazarus to bring him some water. Father Abraham informs the rich man that “those who would pass from here to you are not able to do so.” Upon hearing these words, the rich man begs Father Abraham to send Lazarus to his father’s house to keep his family from ending up in this place of torment.
The response of Father Abraham is missed by most teachers of this subject. He says, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.” The point is clear. In order to avoid the place of torment, they must hear Moses and the Prophets. The rich man pleads further saying that if someone comes to them from the dead, they will hear him and repent, but Father Abraham tells him that if they do not hear Moses and the Prophets neither will they be convinced if someone “should rise from the dead!” Many of those who claim to follow the teachings of Jesus fail to notice this. It is time for those who claim to follow the teachings of Jesus to grasp this message.
It is time to hear Moses and the Prophets –