Bible Subjects |
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3. Dead--Lazarus & Revelation 6:9, 10 |
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Condition of the Dead
Special Scriptures
Perhaps some will object to the conclusion drawn on page one and two in regard to the condition of the dead. They will then most certainly want to use the following scriptures as part of their objection. To boil everything down, God is not a rambling fool giving us conflicting inspired messages. All of the inspired word MUST BE IN AGREEMENT. It is therefore easy to understand the scriptures below.
In Matt 13:34 we read, "these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable he spoke not to them.” Clearly, when viewed in the context of verses 14 and 15, Jesus uses the story about Lazarus and the rich man to teach the comparative value of material riches versus spiritual riches: (14, 15) “And also the Pharisees, being lovers of money, were hearing all these things, and were deriding him, 15and he said to them, `Ye are those declaring yourselves righteous before men, but God doth know your hearts; because that which among men is high, is abomination before God. (Webster)
For this reason, it has nothing to do with the condition of the dead. Ask yourself, are those in Heaven or Paradise so close to Hell that they actually are able to hold conversations? It's a parable without any connection to where or how the dead are.
What must not be ignored is the use of the word for hell in these scriptures ! The word Hades is used. If you read the "Hell Fire" page you will see that this word is Greek. The Hebrew word is Sheol and is commonly translated the grave. The places of damnation use the expressions Gehenna and the Lake of Fire. From this we can be doubly certain that since Jesus used a term referring to the common grave that all go to - this Hades is no place of torment. Please make sure by reading that material.
Similarly, all Christians know that the book of Revelation contains much that cannot be taken literally but has to be interpreted. In that sense the language in 6:9-11 tells us that this is not to be taken literally. After all, how could all these souls be beneath the altar, and what are they waiting for if they aren’t really dead?
If you have some comment or question, please contact me.
Rev 6:9-11, And, when he opened the fifth seal, I saw, beneath the altar, the souls of them who had been slain because of the word of God and because of the witness which they held. 10And they cried out with a loud voice, saying—How long, O Sovereign, the Holy and True, dost thou not vindicate and avenge our blood from them that dwell upon the earth? 11And there was given to them, each one, a white robe, and it was bidden them, that they should rest yet a little while—until the number should be made full of their fellow-servants also, and their brethren, who were about to be slain as even, they.
Luke 16:19-31, Now, a certain man, was rich, and he used to clothe himself with purple and fine linen, making merry day by day, brilliantly. 20And, a certain beggar, by name Lazarus, used to be cast near his gate, full of sores, 21and to long to be fed from the crumbs that fell from the table of the rich man: nay! even, the dogs, used to come and lick his sores. 22And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried away by the messengers, into the bosom of Abraham. And, the rich man also, died, and was buried. 23And, in hades, lifting up his eyes, being in torments, he seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And, he, calling out, said—Father Abraham! have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue,—because I am in anguish in this flame. 25But Abraham said—Child! remember—That thou didst duly received thy good things in thy life, and, Lazarus, in like manner, the evil things; but, now, here, he is comforted, and, thou, art in anguish. 26And, besides all these things, betwixt us and you, a great chasm, hath been fixed,—so that, they who might wish to cross over from hence unto you, should not be able, nor any, from thence unto us, be crossing over. 27But he said—I request thee then, father, that thou wouldst send him unto my father’s house,— 28for I have five brethren;—that he may solemnly testify unto them, lest, they also, come into this place of torment. 29But Abraham saith—They have Moses and the Prophets: Let them hearken unto them. 30But, he, said—Nay! father Abraham, but, if one, from the dead, should go unto them, they would repent. 31But he said unto him—If, unto Moses and the Prophets, they do not hearken, neither, if one, from among the dead, should arise, would they be persuaded.
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