*In this chapter, Jesus is teaching using parables including this story in the following scriptures: (parable = a short simple story intended to illustrate a moral or religious lesson)
Luke 16:19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.20 “But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate,21 “desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.22 “So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. …
*Many people understand 'Abraham’s bosom' to mean heaven, and so think that Lazarus went to heaven to be with Abraham. However, the verse doesn’t say that Lazarus went to heaven.
What does it mean that Lazarus went to Abraham’s “bosom”? If a parent gives their child a hug, they hold them to their bosom. It is a picture of an intimate relationship. Lazarus is pictured as having an intimate relationship with Abraham. Christians have an intimate relationship with Abraham. In Gal 3:29 it says, “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
*So, when it says that after Lazarus died he “was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom,” it means that he was carried to receive and share in the promises that were made to Abraham – which of course include eternal life. (Jesus is using parables to teach faithfulness & righteousness)
2 Cor 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
*In chapter 4, Paul talks about serving the Lord faithfully by enduring persecution & possible death for the sake of the gospel, knowing that though the flesh is destined to die, the spirit is renewed daily. He goes on to say that because we know that a glorified body awaits us, we long to put off this body & be present with Jesus (where He is).(John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.)
*So, what happens when we die ‘in the Lord?’
Job 14:12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. *man lies down (dies) & does not rise up until the heavens be passed away...they shall not be awakened. (Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away... / 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise...)
Ps 13:3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
Dan 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
John 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
1 Thess 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 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.
16 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:
17 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.
*Don’t be sad for those that have died, for when the Lord returns from heaven, the dead (those that sleep) in Christ shall rise first...
*These scriptures are very clear that the Bible equates death with sleep. There is no suffering in the grave & no awareness of time. When we are awakened by the Lord, it will be as though we had just closed our eyes.>
1 Cor 15:52 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.
*What about the thief on the cross? >
Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
*Remember, Jesus was not immediately taken up to heaven (Acts 1:9,10) & the word, “paradise,” in Greek / Hebrew means ‘place of future happiness.’ When we receive Christ according to his plan of salvation (Mt. 28:19 / Acts 2:38), we are promised to be with Him in paradise. John the Baptist preached, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Mt. 3:2
*The people in that day, including his disciples, believed that Jesus would set up his kingdom on earth...but his kingdom is a spiritual kingdom.
Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
*The Pharisees believed that Jesus would set up his kingdom on earth, but his kingdom is a spiritual kingdom. > Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
*It is a wonderful, spiritual, peaceful place in Jesus.
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