Christians, please explain for me the parable of Lazarus and the Rich man?

The parable has to do with the nation of Israel. The Rich man represents Israel. They were rich because they had a relationship with God. But they lost that favor in AD33 when they rejected their Messiah.

The favor then went to the beggar, the Gentiles who did not have a relationship with God. He became the seed of Abraham (in his bosom--part of the Abrahamic Promise) We see this from: If ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed and heir according to the promise.

The Rich man was now in a dry and thirsty place. This pictures loss of favor. We also see this pictured in Ezekiel 37 in the Valley of DRY bones.

Zec 9:11 As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.

Psa_63:1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Crumbs: Even the gentile woman told Jesus that the dogs eat the crumbs from the children's table. Crumbs are favors, or truths.

This is all I could remember at the moment as it is time for bed. Not all the Parables have to do with the Christian, some like the Prodigal Son have to do with the nation of Israel. Jesus was dealing with 2 ages at his first advent. The closing of the Jewish age and the beginning of the Gospel Age. He had to deal with both groups. He had to confirm the covenant for one week--that is till AD 36 when the way was opened up to the gentiles.

The rich man typifies the thoroughly self-absorbed, worldly person. His indifference is dramatized by stepping over a desperately ill man in his doorway each day, unwilling even to give him the garbage ("crumbs") left over from his feasts. He clearly rejected God's call to charity, which is central to Jesus' message, and he did not see any need to repent. His brothers are his kinsmen, equally indifferent to the duties of charitable work.

Lazarus represents those desperately in need--not the obese, professional welfare cheats with two cars, flashy jewelry, designer shoes, and cable flat-screen TVs, but the kind of poor found in Haiti or sub-Saharan Africa, who are emaciated and have no shoes at all. Lazarus is clearly saved because he is found in heaven (Abraham's bosom), with Abraham as his friend and patron.

The parable is about heaven and hell. The key clue is that "between us and you a great chasm is fixed, so that they who are willing to go over from hence unto you are not able, nor do they from thence to us pass through."

Cheers,

Bruce

The rich man was enveloped in worldly concern and wealth and comfort, thinking to himself "I have need of nothing" The love of money is a snare, and the very root of all evil. He rejected salvation by his attitude until it was too late. In the Old testament, we see clearly by this parable that there is seemingly a place of waiting prior to Jesus' first coming. This means to me that since Jesus' parables were always based upon the idioms and understanding of those who were listening at the time - they were framed in a profound truth although in the form of parables. This place called Abraham's bosom was divided the one side unable to cross to the other, and yet, transmission of words to The Almighty was permissible. The most profound thought comes to me that once mankind has been kissed by death, the judgement is sealed, there is no coming back. Furthermore there is no returning to warn others, and that this life we now possess is the one in which we must make our decision on who we serve (the Devil who is god of this world system at present, self, or the secular world with its many voices. OR do we choose this day as the day of our salvation, and obey God?) If we do not believe God, Who has in this dispensation of time, sent His Son, then we stand condemned already by our refusal, and rejection.

Not all rich folk are evil (this depends upon whether or not they use money or money uses them - where is their heart? is the issue); not all poor folk are evil (this depends upon their choice now in this life too - do they accept Christ or reject Him? this is the issue). It is the comparison between spiritual conditions that is being demonstrated here in this parable. Money can easily corrupt, and give a false sense of security - the trappings of this temporal life will not help us in the next.

Lazarus stands for? I don't know as I can only find New Testament reference and that leads me to a mere name of two particular Israelites.

Is Lazarus saved? He is in picture sense in a place of reward, awaiting the Messiah (Jesus first went down to Paradise and preached before He resurrected).

Lazarus is depicted as being poor because the point that is so evident here is that even the poor can be rich spiritually, and this will be eventually evident in the judgement. likewise the comfortably rich who reject God now will have their spiritual condition made obvious at the judgement, and there will be no recourse available.

I find it very interesting that when Jesus was being crucified He turned His Head towards the thief who recognised Him as Lord, and said, "This night you will be with Me in Paradise" (not Heaven).

I will make it simple the Lord Said "If Moses and the prophets they do not hear, heither if one may rise out of the dead wil they be persuaded."

Jesus knew that He would be crucified and rise from the dead on the third day. Today the Lord is preached crucifed, risen and gained victory over death, How many believe?

This is a marvelous message, revealed to me by God. I know most people will not click on this and read it, but it is well worth your time, to read this great message: http://forum3.aimoo.com/Buildonthetruefoundation/C...

since I doubt most will read this, here is a small excerpt from it: So they were full of sores, laying at this rich man’s gates. These are the gates to hell. These are Satan’s ministers transforming themselves as ministers of light. They are taking money as pay for their work in the ‘vineyard’. They acquired their ‘riches’ by taking money from the sick, and wounded ‘Lazaruses’. These ‘gates’ are the law and their priests. That Old Covenant is the gate to hell. You must enter in through them to go to hell. The Apostles are the gates to the Holy City of God. You must enter in through them to go to Heaven.

Crumbs

: Strong’s Greek# 5589-- a little bit or morsel. This comes from the base of # 5567. = to twitch or twang, i.e. to play a stringed instrument (to celebrate the divine worship with music and accompanying odes): make melody, sing. And this links with # 5568--a set piece of music with voice, harp or other instrument. Now this is powerful! These CRUMBS falling from this rich man’s table (spiritual eating place) is nothing more than music and singing. My, so this is why I have never cared for this kind of thing!