May the LORD give us wisdom in reading, studying and applying HIS word.
2 Timothy 2:15
James 2:
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Romans 4:
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Ephesians 2:
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
May we be intercessors in CHRIST name, Isaiah 59:16, for those who have been blinded by the god of this world, 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4.
We are called to stand in the gap for others, Ezekiel 22:30, and plant the seed of the word that others may water and that GOD will give the increase.
Acts 15:
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
No the Bible does not teach anywhere that belief in christ is all that is required for salvation.
It repeatedly from beginning to end continues to teach faith together with obedience to God's ten commandments are a prerequisite to salvation. Everyone in the Bible is judged according to their works. Not according to their faith. Romans 3:31
"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." 1 John 2:4
"He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
King James
Luke 18:18
"And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Luke 18:19
"And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God."
Luke 18:20
"Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother."
King James
Matthew
5
Matthew 5:17
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
King James
John
15
John 15:10
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." John 14:15
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
King James
Luke
13
Luke 13:24
"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."
King James
Romans 2:6
"Who will render to every man according to his deeds:"
King JamesRevelation 22:12
"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."
King James
There is a ton of more verses that could be attached that continue to back up truth.
The main thing is you must read the Bible for yourself because ultimately you are responsible for your own salvation. Trusting what I say or what this person says is not the way to work out your own salvation.
Salvation is a gift from God, given to us because He is gracious and merciful. We receive salvation by faith-believing that God has indeed brought about salvation to those who believe in Jesus and His work to save us. This means believing that the eternal Son of God took on a human body and nature, though being God, and was born of a virgin (Mary), lived a life in perfect obedience to God, thus fulfilling completely any and all laws God has spoken to mankind, suffered in His body, soul, and spirit on the cross, having been crucified, He died, paying the just penalty for all the sin of mankind and accepting upon Himself all of the wrath of God that is due all of mankind for our sins, was buried and stayed dead physically for three days. His soul and spirit went to the abode of the dead. before dawn on the third day, He rose bodily from the dead by the power of God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, and Himself, God the Son. He appeared to His disciples many times, and ascended into heaven, taking His rightful place at the right hand of the Father.
Beverly, believing that these things really did happen to and in Jesus is necessary. But in addition, we, by faith, call on the name of Jesus and agree that He saved us from our own sinfulness, forgives us all of our sins, gives us new life (His) that is eternal, and will spend eternity with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit after we die.
Beverly, if you believe in Jesus and in all that He did as our Savior, then you can be assured that you are saved and that the Father has chosen you and drawn you to Jesus. No one can snatch you from Him. He will preserve you in faith in this life because He will not lose even one whom the Father has given Him. Praise be to our amazing God!
In our saved new life, we will certainly desire to live in faith and obedience to Jesus. The Holy Spirit dwells in us and helps us through God's grace. yet, as long as we are in this life with our sinful nature, we will sin.
1st Jesus is talking to covetous Pharisees. Jesus already knows their hearts. We have modern Pharisees today.
2nd A beggar in v20 & 21 is desiring to be fed, I think by using the word beggar and sores and crumbs, and dogs licking his sores means this person is in dire needs of help from a rich man whom he knew since the beggar was laid at his gate. This could apply to all kinds of good deeds work for God's glory today.
3rd Abraham's bosom must be a better place VS hell. This emphasizes there is indeed hell. It must be a true story and not a parable from Jesus Christ. Both person died-one comforted and the other tormented. Scary for this reality. We really need to examine ourselves.
4th v26 it appears you can see people in hell and from hell you can see people from Abraham's bosom. It is a great gulf fixed that you cannot just pass one place to the the other place. Shameful to see all people in hell at this point. I cannot bear to think how much I would cry to see our love one's in hell.
5th v27-28 talks about sending someone back to warned his 5 brothers about the reality of the tormented place where the rich man is experiencing. You cannot do that as well. One chance in life and we had 2,000 years of grace period to trust, have faith and believed in Jesus Christ alone.
6th So his brothers must be existing during Moses. We are here 2022 and we had plenty of warning from Paul who told us how to be saved. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
7th v30 You cannot cross from death back to life again. You only have one chance in life and when you die, you die pecker head. Everlasting torment is real.
8th last verse tells me you have someone like Moses sent by God, the five brothers have a chance to listen and if they don't, even if someone comes back to warned them from torment place they still will not change. We see more people today who are just not listening. Very sad. We have plenty of warnings. We pray!
I will quote some verses but am too lazy to look them up. Christ told some that how could he trust them with heavenly treasure if they weren't faithful with heavenly treasure (probably the parable of the talents). We are given in this lifetime "unrighteous mammon" and in some sense are to work with others in this world but not be of it to demonstrate using our resources faithfully. There certainly can be more than money involved such as time and a person's spiritual giftings. There is a warning verse in Revelation not to "lose our reward" so at the very least there are eternal positions of authority of rewards at stake. Another verse in the gospels explains that God will give "authority over many or few cities" depending on our stewardship now. In some sense as we are said for our "reasonable service" we are to be living sacrifices with our bodies as the Temple of the Holy Spirit this shows good stewardship in buffeting our bodies. All good gifts come from above; therefore we need to be proactive in performing "good works given to us to do from before the foundation of the world". There is also danger that an unregenerate soul such as Judas Iscariot the "son of perdition" a type of Antichrist himself may be allowed for a time to take advantage of the "filthy lucre" as so many TV evangelists today typify. It is the love of money at the root of all evil; not money itself. Money is a means to an end; either leading to selfishness falling for Satan's lies (which Christ clearly rejected as He was the only one who could be given a temptation of sharing the authority of the whole world that Satan was given); or for the sake of the gospel; missionary work and building up of the local church through faithful giving. We should be careful in that regard to "not let our right hand know what our left hand is doing"-to proclaim our "acts of righteousness" or promote our ministry unnecessarily is not good. We are all unworthy servants doing what we are told.
A stewardship is like what we call today a manger they were a steward who is appointed to oversee something of a king or his master like their treasury or goods or servants.
A person put over someone elses property, affairs, upkeep etc. Trusted with but belonging to another. Here are biblical examples. Genesis 1:26-30, Romans 14:12, In the Church: Hebrews 13:17, Titus 1:7,
Genesis 15:2, Gen 43:19,
Luke 16:1-15, Matthew 20:1-16, Luke 12:36-48,
Prophetic parable about Jesus & the religious Rulers of the time: Matthew 21:28-46, Luke 20:9-20, 'husbandman being "stewad" of the vineyard'
Hello Sean. Stewardship can be defined as special position assigned to a person, to act on behalf of another in managing various matters pertaining to a Business, Church, in the Home, etc. The person so appointed could be given responsibility over the financial, property, or workers of that institution, or responsibility in the Church or the home.
In Luke chapter 16 which you cited, the "rich man", probably a business owner, in the parable, had a steward to oversee his financial & material interests. When re-payment time came, the owner's debtors were not able to pay & the debt continued to stand probably for a long while. So when questioned by the owner, the steward took it upon himself to reduce the payment so that the debtors could pay, be free of debt & the owner satisfied. So as to not lose his position with his boss, he did what he did & fortunately his boss accepted the steward's ingenuity (though I'm not sure that would work today). But the point was that even if his boss sacked him, the wisdom of the steward is seen in the event that those debtors he helped might then give him a job, seeing that he was merciful to them. For this he was commended, even though the owner still had a shortfall.
And when we think of being 'a good steward' in terms of our faith, we would demonstrate wise use of all that the Lord gives to us, whether in finance, goods, even His enabling us to serve Him in the Church & community. Everything we have in our possession or own comes from the Lord, and He expects us to be wise stewards & if we are trustworthy, He will entrust even more to us.
God knows the situation. He will bring fruit from your witness in this man. I am sure he as been thinking about your last conversation during these covid times. You planted, someone else may water, and God gives the increase.
Lord, I pray for this man that David has cared for as family. May your Word enliven him to eternal life in these his last years here in this life. Cause him to really consider how he wises to spend eternity so that he will come to realize that spending it with You is the best ever offer! We ask that David will once again be able to see this man and spend time with him as often as can be allowed. In your holy name, Jesus. Amen
I have a dear family friend, whom I consider family, who is 91 years of age and who has not called on the Lord for salvation. I witnessed to him a few years back; the Holy Spirit filled his soul to prepare him to accept the salvation of Christ. He was so very close to accepting Christ but said he just could not because he knew his parents and brother are not in heaven.
I'm kicking myself for not thinking of Luke 16:19.
I have not been able to sit and talk with him because of the covid restrictions at his retirement center. Pray that the Holy Spirit will give me another chance to present the plan of salvation again.
Abraham's bosom? Jesus refers to himself in the bosom of the Father? Lazarus is resurrected into the bosom of Abraham. why not Moses or Noah? Is it that these two are their with Abraham already? Perhaps it was because Abraham seed would become the promise of the Son, Jesus ? That even though Lazarus died before the life of Christ, it would be the same seed needed to enter into the life? The seed being the same, hope of Eternal life in and through the promise of the seed, the same seed we now call faith in the risen Christ! This is as the transfiguration into heaven, Lazarus carried into heaven by the Angels! Brought into the tree of life? This picture of the rich man in essence now begging, there is no indication that Lazarus is their experiencing the rich man's place in torment, this is Hell, the separation from life!
I am rich. I have a home, my health, not begging. Even so ,this parable should stop you, make you think what is important in this life! Is your stuff more important? Are you thinking that because you are not rich that this could not happen to you or me? Eternal separation, how awful this should ever be! That we too ,should cling even more unto Christ, asking for forgiveness in every moment of every day! God forgive me . For Jesus sake!
Here is what I believe a verse that gives the picture of Predestination.
Philippians 1:6. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
And also here.
Luke 15:1-4. Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
James since the word of God is the will of God, His will, determination will be accomplished on earth as it is in heaven in Jeremiah 10:23 it is not within man to know what to do. So basically dead in trespasses and sin, also God by His will called out abraham, moses,samson,gideon, and many others that did his will obeyed his word most of the time, the greatest of course our lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who was born as Gospel of John 1:13 states born by the will of God and always did the fathers will.
James keep in mind we got born again because we believed Gods Word Romans 10:9+10 which is His will, we never willed or it wasn't mans plan we all were lost dead in trespasses and sin without God and without hope it wasn't done by any of our works this was all freely given by God through Jesus Christ also his will. Jeremiah 10:23 It is not within man to direct his own steps, thats pretty bad. Something to think about
Hi james look at Ephesians Chapter 1:4-12 as the word says he worketh all things after the council of His will, abraham his will, moses his will, obviously Jesus Christ his will, Paul in due time 2 Corinthians 1:1 Gods will. Last in 2 Timothy 2:4 it is gods will that all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. The last part is whats available that does not mean all will believe. Something to think about.
In one of the responses to a question the person responding said LK 16 is a parable. Where did he get that information. In the text it does not say it is a parable
I just want to make a spelling correction. It is the Valley of Hinnom, not Henom. I was going off my memory of things I've learned when I gave a response about this valley and did not look up the correct spelling. Sorry about that!
I agree with Jesse, he gave a great answer, it is also called Gehenna, a destination of the wicked. Jesus used Gehenna as an illustration of hell (the lake of fire), the fire that shall never be quenched. This is a parable; in the Hebrew tradition Abrahams bosom was a place where the righteous dead would go. Excluding the context; is the point of this parable to show when we die, we go to heaven or hell as many teach?
The Jewish people of the time of Jesus had been influenced by Babylonian and Hellenistic Greek cultures. The Pharisees were covetous, they flaunted their wealth and the seat of authority they had. Is this parable describing a holding place where the redeemed can live in peace and safety but can look and even talk across a vast chasm with the sufferings of the sinners in torment?
This parable also does not fit all of scripture, if we receive our reward as soon as we die, as said, we go to heaven or hell. In the text of Luke16 Jesus is talking to Pharisees and scribes and in context, Jesus covers stewardship, love of riches, adultery and no servant can serve two masters.
Many scriptures tell us when we will receive our reward and it is not when we die. Here are just a few and they all agree it is at the second coming of Jesus Christ. ( Matthew 16:27) ( 1 Corinthians 1:7-8) ( 1 Corinthians 15:22-23) ( 1 Thessalonians 2:19) ( Revelation 22:12).
I am sorry if this offends, I did not want to take away of Jesse's answer, but I feel some verses are taken out of context to teach untruths. If this parable is about how to escape hell and go to heaven when you die, then the lesson of the story is that eternal life can be earned by being poor. I'm sure many will disagree including you.
The rich man was the only one who had a funeral. There was no funeral for the poor beggar (Lazarus). What they used to do with the poor people in those days is take them over to the Valley of Henom which was right outside the city of Jerusalem. It was basically the garbage dump. People would throw their garbage over into the Valley of Henom which was constantly burning. And they would take the bodies of the poor people and just throw them over. There was no burial for the poor because they couldn't afford it. So the beggar died, was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom, and the rich man also died and was buried.
2 Timothy 2:15
James 2:
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Romans 4:
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Ephesians 2:
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
May we be intercessors in CHRIST name, Isaiah 59:16, for those who have been blinded by the god of this world, 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4.
We are called to stand in the gap for others, Ezekiel 22:30, and plant the seed of the word that others may water and that GOD will give the increase.
Acts 15:
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Salvation is by faith in CHRIST alone.
GOD bless everyone!
It repeatedly from beginning to end continues to teach faith together with obedience to God's ten commandments are a prerequisite to salvation. Everyone in the Bible is judged according to their works. Not according to their faith. Romans 3:31
"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." 1 John 2:4
"He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
King James
Luke 18:18
"And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Luke 18:19
"And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God."
Luke 18:20
"Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother."
King James
Matthew
5
Matthew 5:17
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
King James
John
15
John 15:10
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." John 14:15
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
King James
Luke
13
Luke 13:24
"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."
King James
Romans 2:6
"Who will render to every man according to his deeds:"
King JamesRevelation 22:12
"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."
King James
There is a ton of more verses that could be attached that continue to back up truth.
The main thing is you must read the Bible for yourself because ultimately you are responsible for your own salvation. Trusting what I say or what this person says is not the way to work out your own salvation.
This scripture may be exactly what you were looking for: 1John 5:13,14, in context 1John 5, continued from 1John 4,
I thank the LORD, showing me today.
Hopefully this is helpful
Salvation is a gift from God, given to us because He is gracious and merciful. We receive salvation by faith-believing that God has indeed brought about salvation to those who believe in Jesus and His work to save us. This means believing that the eternal Son of God took on a human body and nature, though being God, and was born of a virgin (Mary), lived a life in perfect obedience to God, thus fulfilling completely any and all laws God has spoken to mankind, suffered in His body, soul, and spirit on the cross, having been crucified, He died, paying the just penalty for all the sin of mankind and accepting upon Himself all of the wrath of God that is due all of mankind for our sins, was buried and stayed dead physically for three days. His soul and spirit went to the abode of the dead. before dawn on the third day, He rose bodily from the dead by the power of God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, and Himself, God the Son. He appeared to His disciples many times, and ascended into heaven, taking His rightful place at the right hand of the Father.
Beverly, believing that these things really did happen to and in Jesus is necessary. But in addition, we, by faith, call on the name of Jesus and agree that He saved us from our own sinfulness, forgives us all of our sins, gives us new life (His) that is eternal, and will spend eternity with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit after we die.
Beverly, if you believe in Jesus and in all that He did as our Savior, then you can be assured that you are saved and that the Father has chosen you and drawn you to Jesus. No one can snatch you from Him. He will preserve you in faith in this life because He will not lose even one whom the Father has given Him. Praise be to our amazing God!
In our saved new life, we will certainly desire to live in faith and obedience to Jesus. The Holy Spirit dwells in us and helps us through God's grace. yet, as long as we are in this life with our sinful nature, we will sin.
Hopefully these are helpful
There are many emphasis on these verses:
1st Jesus is talking to covetous Pharisees. Jesus already knows their hearts. We have modern Pharisees today.
2nd A beggar in v20 & 21 is desiring to be fed, I think by using the word beggar and sores and crumbs, and dogs licking his sores means this person is in dire needs of help from a rich man whom he knew since the beggar was laid at his gate. This could apply to all kinds of good deeds work for God's glory today.
3rd Abraham's bosom must be a better place VS hell. This emphasizes there is indeed hell. It must be a true story and not a parable from Jesus Christ. Both person died-one comforted and the other tormented. Scary for this reality. We really need to examine ourselves.
4th v26 it appears you can see people in hell and from hell you can see people from Abraham's bosom. It is a great gulf fixed that you cannot just pass one place to the the other place. Shameful to see all people in hell at this point. I cannot bear to think how much I would cry to see our love one's in hell.
5th v27-28 talks about sending someone back to warned his 5 brothers about the reality of the tormented place where the rich man is experiencing. You cannot do that as well. One chance in life and we had 2,000 years of grace period to trust, have faith and believed in Jesus Christ alone.
6th So his brothers must be existing during Moses. We are here 2022 and we had plenty of warning from Paul who told us how to be saved. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
7th v30 You cannot cross from death back to life again. You only have one chance in life and when you die, you die pecker head. Everlasting torment is real.
8th last verse tells me you have someone like Moses sent by God, the five brothers have a chance to listen and if they don't, even if someone comes back to warned them from torment place they still will not change. We see more people today who are just not listening. Very sad. We have plenty of warnings. We pray!
Genesis 15:2, Gen 43:19,
Luke 16:1-15, Matthew 20:1-16, Luke 12:36-48,
Prophetic parable about Jesus & the religious Rulers of the time: Matthew 21:28-46, Luke 20:9-20, 'husbandman being "stewad" of the vineyard'
Hopefully these are helpful.
In Luke chapter 16 which you cited, the "rich man", probably a business owner, in the parable, had a steward to oversee his financial & material interests. When re-payment time came, the owner's debtors were not able to pay & the debt continued to stand probably for a long while. So when questioned by the owner, the steward took it upon himself to reduce the payment so that the debtors could pay, be free of debt & the owner satisfied. So as to not lose his position with his boss, he did what he did & fortunately his boss accepted the steward's ingenuity (though I'm not sure that would work today). But the point was that even if his boss sacked him, the wisdom of the steward is seen in the event that those debtors he helped might then give him a job, seeing that he was merciful to them. For this he was commended, even though the owner still had a shortfall.
And when we think of being 'a good steward' in terms of our faith, we would demonstrate wise use of all that the Lord gives to us, whether in finance, goods, even His enabling us to serve Him in the Church & community. Everything we have in our possession or own comes from the Lord, and He expects us to be wise stewards & if we are trustworthy, He will entrust even more to us.
God knows the situation. He will bring fruit from your witness in this man. I am sure he as been thinking about your last conversation during these covid times. You planted, someone else may water, and God gives the increase.
Lord, I pray for this man that David has cared for as family. May your Word enliven him to eternal life in these his last years here in this life. Cause him to really consider how he wises to spend eternity so that he will come to realize that spending it with You is the best ever offer! We ask that David will once again be able to see this man and spend time with him as often as can be allowed. In your holy name, Jesus. Amen
I'm kicking myself for not thinking of Luke 16:19.
I have not been able to sit and talk with him because of the covid restrictions at his retirement center. Pray that the Holy Spirit will give me another chance to present the plan of salvation again.
I am rich. I have a home, my health, not begging. Even so ,this parable should stop you, make you think what is important in this life! Is your stuff more important? Are you thinking that because you are not rich that this could not happen to you or me? Eternal separation, how awful this should ever be! That we too ,should cling even more unto Christ, asking for forgiveness in every moment of every day! God forgive me . For Jesus sake!
Both men die and one goes to heaven and one to hell.
Richman in hell begs much like Lazarus when they were both alive.
Richman ask Abraham to save his brethen who are like him so they may repent and change their ways.
Abraham says they have Moses and the prophets. If they don't listen to them how will they listen to me?
Great read.
Predestination is to the believer.
Here is what I believe a verse that gives the picture of Predestination.
Philippians 1:6. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
And also here.
Luke 15:1-4. Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
God bless.
Matthew 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables, and without a PARABLE SPAKE HE NOT unto them:
All the bible is the WORDS OF JESUS; according to Jesus all the Bible is a PARABLE.
Jesus walked three and a half years with his disciples, and they never understood a word he said, until he took them aside and explained it to them.
We TODAY can't understand the words, until the HOLY SPIRIT takes us aside and explains the meaning to us.
You are BORN AGAIN by the word (truth) of God.
Can two walk together (in the word) and not be AGREED.
I just want to make a spelling correction. It is the Valley of Hinnom, not Henom. I was going off my memory of things I've learned when I gave a response about this valley and did not look up the correct spelling. Sorry about that!
I agree with Jesse, he gave a great answer, it is also called Gehenna, a destination of the wicked. Jesus used Gehenna as an illustration of hell (the lake of fire), the fire that shall never be quenched. This is a parable; in the Hebrew tradition Abrahams bosom was a place where the righteous dead would go. Excluding the context; is the point of this parable to show when we die, we go to heaven or hell as many teach?
The Jewish people of the time of Jesus had been influenced by Babylonian and Hellenistic Greek cultures. The Pharisees were covetous, they flaunted their wealth and the seat of authority they had. Is this parable describing a holding place where the redeemed can live in peace and safety but can look and even talk across a vast chasm with the sufferings of the sinners in torment?
This parable also does not fit all of scripture, if we receive our reward as soon as we die, as said, we go to heaven or hell. In the text of Luke16 Jesus is talking to Pharisees and scribes and in context, Jesus covers stewardship, love of riches, adultery and no servant can serve two masters.
Many scriptures tell us when we will receive our reward and it is not when we die. Here are just a few and they all agree it is at the second coming of Jesus Christ. ( Matthew 16:27) ( 1 Corinthians 1:7-8) ( 1 Corinthians 15:22-23) ( 1 Thessalonians 2:19) ( Revelation 22:12).
I am sorry if this offends, I did not want to take away of Jesse's answer, but I feel some verses are taken out of context to teach untruths. If this parable is about how to escape hell and go to heaven when you die, then the lesson of the story is that eternal life can be earned by being poor. I'm sure many will disagree including you.
RLW
The rich man was the only one who had a funeral. There was no funeral for the poor beggar (Lazarus). What they used to do with the poor people in those days is take them over to the Valley of Henom which was right outside the city of Jerusalem. It was basically the garbage dump. People would throw their garbage over into the Valley of Henom which was constantly burning. And they would take the bodies of the poor people and just throw them over. There was no burial for the poor because they couldn't afford it. So the beggar died, was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom, and the rich man also died and was buried.