Parables and analogies – Page 2 – My Daily Scriptures

Lazarus and the Rich Man: Heaven and Hell

In this second part of our discussion about the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, we get a small glimpse of heaven and hell. Keep in mind this is prior to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Also, keep in mind I am no expert, but this is just my take based on what I have read in the Bible.

Several words have been used in the Bible to describe where one goes when they die. A general term used is Hades or Sheol. In the story of Lazarus, Hades is a place of torment for the wicked and unrighteous. Abraham’s bosom is where the righteous go (before Jesus’ resurrection when He declares victory over death and Hades). Jesus also called this Paradise, as He did when talking to the thief on the cross). After the resurrection, people go to heaven or hell, those who believe go to heaven, those who do not go to hell. Gehenna is when final judgement (the Great White Throne Judgement) occurs, where the unrighteous will be thrown into the Lake of Fire (the second death).

Lazarus and the Rich Man: Doing What’s Right

Jesus told a story of Lazarus and the Rich Man. Some think this was not just a parable but something that may have actually happened, because no other parable uses someone’s name. Whichever is the case, what Jesus was teaching is what is important. This is a story of a man who had much but did not use it to help others and only cared about His own desires. But when they died, he went to hell, a place of eternal torment, but Lazarus was righteous, and went to heaven. In Part 1 we will discuss doing what’s right and how to treat those in need. Part 2 we will talk about heaven and hell.

What Kind of Steward Are You?

Jesus mentions stewardship a few times during His ministry, as do the apostles in their letters to the churches. In this parable, he talks about an unjust steward who is applauded by his rich employer for his shrewdness. This is a hard one to understand the lesson behind the story. What do you think?

We Are All Prodigals

Most of us know the story of the Prodigal Son. I think there were two parts to the story, Jesus had two lessons in mind. First, God loves us all like sons and daughters. And, no matter what we have done in life, He still loves us and wants us to come back to Him. As it says in 2 Peter 3:9, He is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” Second, we should not be jealous of others and we need to be humble and not self-righteous, because we all fall short. As Paul says in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Knowing and Discerning

Jesus often talked about discerning the truth. We should not follow someone blindly, but be sure that what others teach is the truth. He reminds us that there are many false teachers out there. He also reminds us that we should have enough knowledge and wisdom to know if a teaching is true or not. If you are a part of a church, find out what their beliefs and teachings are. Does it follow the word of God? Do they teach from scripture? If not, find another one. Do they compromise what the Bible says to fit in with the world? If so, find another church. Jesus chastises the leaders of His day that they can discern the simple things but they do not see the truth that He is who He is. We need to be discerning and know what we believe. John says to not follow the world, but to follow Christ.

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: