If it is literal at all, the whole thing is literal, and if it is symbolic at all, the whole thing is symbolic. Therefore we say without any question, this is a parable, because to take it literally would be to involve ourselves in statements of absurdity.
“The Scriptures were written and arranged in such a way by the Lord, through the inspired writers that they could not be understood excepting by those who would come into harmony with Him by faith and obedience. The Lord is pleased to enlighten His children by the operation of the holy spirit through His Divine purposes.
It is related of our Lord Jesus that in all of His teachings He addressed the multitudes in parables and dark sayings that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
“
I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.” (
Matt 13:34, 35)
Only afterwards did he explain them to His disciples.
The parable of "
The Rich man and Lazarus" is a remarkable prophecy of conditions relating to the Jews and the Gentiles and, we believe, could not have been stated in any other way without disclosing the realities which evidently the Lord intended were
to remain disguised or concealed from the world and the worldly church (the professing church, orthodoxy), and whose real significance would be made known only to His devoted followers (those who have been enlightened by his spirit).”
“
To you (the spirit begotten)
it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside (as typified both by those outside the courtyard condition, those without faith, the worldly as well as those outside the holy condition, those believers not fully consecrated, not in covenant relationship with the Lord, and thus not begotten of his spirit, to these),
all things come in parables (mysteries, dark sayings i.e. confusing statements),
so that ‘seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand…” (
Mark 4:11, 12)
This is precisely why you have felled to properly understand this parable, “
eyes they have, but they see not; ears but hear not” (
Psa 115:5, 6) Nevertheless, should you yet in humility lay aside your pride in your own understandings and that of other men and come to the Lord in meekness and humility perhaps he may yet enlighten you.
As stated we have already fully presented our view on this parable in our blog post entitled “
The Rich man and Lazarus”, but for now it is apparent that having already given yourself over to the false idea that this is
a literal presentation rather than
a metaphoric presentation (a parable) you show no interest in viewing the material. But then it is even as our Lord said it would be, for the time shall come (has come) when they will not stand for sound doctrine but having itching ears will be turned away from the truth to fables (lies, deceptions, errors). And it is for this cause (i.e. “
because they did not receive the love of the truth”, when it was made known to them) that God allows them to be given over to the delusion of their own choosing, that they may be condemned (denounced) for not believing the truth, but having preference for error for falsehoods.
Nevertheless for the sake of those who are still yet unsure as to whether or not this is a parable we will examine the texts to determine for ourselves if what is stated should be taken factually, i.e. literally as you suggest or metaphorically (symbolic or figuratively)
as we suggest.
Since this will require some time for a proper explanation and due to its length we will be posting it on our blog and will entitled it “
The Rich man and the Beggar”, so as not to get it confused with our other post on the subject.
