A
REASONABLE BUT IMPERATIVE WARNING FROM THE FRIEND OF GOD
11-07-21 This message may be viewed live streaming video at youtube.com
and tabernacleofmoses.org today Sunday at 11:00 am, and repeated 24/7
thereafter. The video, audio, and study notes are archived.
(Luke 16:19-21) There was a certain rich man, which was clothed
in purple and fine linen [expensive clothing of the wealthy], and fared
[Gk: be in a good frame of mind; rejoice: be glad, merry] sumptuously
[Gk: luxuriously] every day: And there was a certain beggar named
Lazarus, which was laid [Gk: thrown] [disdainfully thrown down] at his
[the rich man’s] gate, full of sores [Gk: ulcers] [1], And
desiring [Gk: longing] to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the
rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came [even the scavengers had pity
on him] and licked his sores [Gk: ulcers].
1. ulcer = Dict: 1. an open sore (other than a wound)
characterized by the disintegration of the tissue and, often the
discharge of pus. 2. any corrupting or festering condition or
influence.
(Luke 16:22-24) And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and
was carried by the angels into [the embrace of] Abraham's bosom [chest]
[i.e., into Heaven] [1]: the rich man also died, and was buried [into
the dirt of the ground]; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being
in [conscious] torments [Gk: (through the notion of going to the
bottom): torture], and seeth Abraham afar off [Gk: separated] [extreme
separation], and Lazarus [embraced, held] in his bosom. And he [the
rich man] cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy [Gk: compassion]
on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water
[water is symbolic of God’s Holy Spirit that was completely absent in
the rich man’s life and in his death], and cool [Gk: refresh] my tongue
[Gk: language] [i.e., manifestations of his thoughts]; for I am
tormented [Gk: grieved: in sorrow] in this flame [2].
1. (James 2:23) And the scripture was fulfilled
which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed [Gk: concluded,
reckoned] unto him for righteousness [Gk: justification] [i.e., in the
OT, equivalent to being born-again in the NT]: and he was called
the Friend of God.
2. (Matt 25:41) Then shall he [Jesus] say also
unto them on the left hand [i.e., the unsaved people; metaphorically,
the goats], Depart [Gk: remove: go away] from me, ye cursed [Gk:
doomed], into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
(Luke 16:25,26) But Abraham said [to the now dead rich man], Son,
remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things
[“comforts and delights” Amplif.], and likewise Lazarus evil things
[“discomforts and distresses” Amplif.]: but now he is comforted, and
thou art tormented [Gk: grieved: in sorrow]. And beside all this,
between us [in Heaven] and you [in Hell] there is a great gulf [Gk:
chasm or vacancy (impassable interval)] fixed [Gk: set fast:
established]: so that they which would pass from hence [from here; that
is, from Heaven] to you [in Hell] cannot; neither can they pass to us
[in Heaven], that would come from thence [from there; that is, from
Hell].
(Luke 16:27-30) Then he [the rich man] said, I pray thee
therefore, father [Abraham], that thou wouldest send him [Lazarus] to
my father's house: For I have five brethren [Gk: brothers]; that
he may testify [Gk: witness] unto them [“and warn them” Amplif.], lest
[unless] they also come into this place of torment [Gk: (through the
notion of going to the bottom): torture]. Abraham saith unto him,
They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear [Gk: hear: give (in
the) audience (of), come (to the ears)] [i.e., listen to] them.
And he [the rich man] said, Nay [(characterizing why he is unsaved)],
father Abraham: but [(another unsaved characterization)] if one went
unto them from the dead [i.e., was resurrected], they will repent [Gk:
to think differently, reconsider].
(Luke 16:31) And he [Abraham] said unto him [the rich man], If
they hear [Gk: hear: give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears)]
[listen to, i.e., read the Bible] not Moses and the prophets, neither
will they be persuaded [Gk: convinced: believe], though one rose from
the dead.