Lessons

The lesson on November 8, 2015 was part 4 of the “Man, His Nature and Destiny” study.  A quick review of the previous lesson was given and then the lesson turned to Luke 14-16, particularly the Bible story of the rich man and Lazarus.  The context of the parables and lessons given by the Lord in these chapters are in direct conflict of the Pharisees who were not in good favor with Jesus.  We learn of their desire to be above everyone else and how that was contrary to what the Lord wanted.  In learning of the context, it clarifies the contradictions found in chapter 16 in what is being described as in intermediate state between death and resurrection.  In the end, we learned that what was said in chapter 16 was based on what the Pharisees believed and the Lord used it against them to prove how wrong they were.  There is no Abraham’s bosom and there is no intermediate state upon death.  The scripture reading was from Luke 16:19-31 KJV

“19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”