· “And given to the poor (ptokos) Matthew 26:11.
· “A certain poor (ptokos) widow” Mark 12:42.
· “Preach the gospel to the poor (ptokos)” Luke 4:18.
· “Contribution to the poor (ptokos) saints” Romans 15:26.
· “As poor (ptokos), yet making many rich” 2 Corinthians 6:10.
· “And a certain poor (ptokos) man named Lazarus” Luke 16:20 New American Standard.
This parable is about the Jews who were rich in God’s word and the rest of the world that was poor (ptokos), in spiritual poverty, “having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12).
Dr. Gill, an orthodox Protestant who believed in the intermediate state of the dead, in his commentary of Luke said, "The rich man died: It may also be understood of the political and ecclesiastical death of the Jewish people, which lay in the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, and of the temple, and in the abolition of the temple worship, and the whole ceremonial law: a Loammi was written upon their church state, and the covenant between God and them was broken; the gospel was removed from them, which was as death...their civil power and authority, were taken away from them by the Romans." Many orthodox writers say the same.
LAZARUS
Lazarus is the Gentiles, the people in spiritual poverty who had only the crumbs of God's blessing (see Matthew 15:21-26), but become the seed of Abraham-the church. Lazarus (the Gentiles) becomes rich in God's blessing by the Gospel. Christ says, "The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof" (Matthew 21:43). "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ" (Galatians 3:14). See Matthew 8:11-12; Luke 8:28' Acts 8:46; 26:23; Romans 2:28-29; 9:3-5; 9:8; 3:26-29; 4:28; Philippians 3:3; Romans 11:7; Ephesians 2:12-13). In the parable Lazarus (the church) is now in Abraham's bosom where the Jews (the nation of Israel) once were. "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise" (Galatians 4:28). "For we are the circumcision, who worship by the spirit of God" (Philippians 3:3). "For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart" (Romans 2:29). "And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise" (Galatians 3:29). Paul calls the church "a new creation" "the Israel of God" (Galatians 6:15-16). Every person who is now a Christian is the seed of Abraham, and an heir of the promise made to Abraham.
ABRAHAM
Abraham was the father of the Jewish Nation, which was the chosen nation, the nation that was in covenant relationship with God (Galatians 3:6-22; Romans 9:8). The blessing of Abraham came to the Gentiles through the Church. Israel does not now by birth have the blessing of Abraham, and are not now God’s chosen people; therefore, are "in anguish, and sees Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom." Israel is not now in covenant relationship with God; the Church is now the "sons of Abraham" (Galatians 3:7), are now the chosen people. "So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham" (Galatians 3:9). Israel has been "broken off," or "cast off" (Romans 11). The church is now "the Israel of God," is now figuratively in Abraham’s bosom, is now God’s chosen people (Galatians 6:16; also 1 Peter 2:9-10; Hebrews 12:22).
THE GULF
The rejection of Christ cut Israel off from Abraham and the blessing of God. One cannot reject Christ and worship God. Without believing in Christ and His resurrection, there is a gulf between God and Israel. One cannot go back to the Law as some Jews in Paul's time tried to do. As long as they reject Christ, there is not "a drop" of spiritual comfort for them in Christianity. Those that believe in Christ can give no comfort, no hope of salvation to them that do not believe whether they are Jews or Gentiles. The Law of Moses, which Israel gloried in, died at the death of Christ. "Having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross" (Colossians 2:14). "Be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage" (Ephesians 2:11-22). Also Acts 15:24. We cannot cross the gulf and go back to the Law (Galatians 5:1). "That which Israel seeks for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it" (Romans 11:7). The only way any person can become a child of God today is by being born again. The Law is dead and will never be restored. The nation of Israel can never be restored. The only way any Jew could ever again be a child of God is to believe the Gospel and be baptized into Christ. "By their unbelief they (branches-plural, Jews, not nations-plural) were broken off," and Gentiles (plural Gentiles, not plural Gentiles nations) were grafted in. "And they (individual Jews) also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them (branches–plural Jews–not plural nations of Israel) in again" (Romans 11:17-24).
The rich man (Israel) went to the grave (hades). Israel is no longer God's chosen people. Lazarus, the Gentiles believers are now in Abraham's bosom, are now in a covenant relationship with God, not in the grave. Abraham's bosom is not a division of hades, not one side of hades – the grave. Many draw a circle and make one side of it be where the rich man is and the other side where Lazarus is with a gulf between the two sides. This circle is in the back of most Bibles printed by Star Bible and, and in many tract and books printed by members of the church of Christ.
THE FIVE BROTHERS
Christ was telling the Pharisees and scribes they would not believe even when He rose from the dead (See Trench "Notes On The Parables" page 162). In the parable Abraham tells the rich man that if their own scriptures cannot convince them of their error, neither would they be persuaded if one rose from the dead. Christ did rise from the dead, but few Jews believed on Him. After the judgment there will be none alive on earth to be persuaded by one sent back from the dead.
Judea and his five brothers became six of the twelve tribes. Some believe five brothers are used to identify the rich man as Judea to the Pharisees to whom He was speaking this parable.
PART TWO
SCRIPTURES ABOUT THE DESTRUCTION OF ISRAEL
THAT ARE MISAPPLIED TO HELL
Israel's destruction, her weeping, gnashing of teeth, outer darkness
Many of the passages spoken by John the Baptist and by Jesus about Israel's rejection of Christ and its destruction are misapplied to Hell. Matthew 24 is often misused to prove Israel will be restored, and Christ will return to earth and rule the world forever from Jerusalem, and that the saved will forever live on this earth, not in Heaven.
· The Jews that came to John the Baptist, Matthew 3:7-12.
· The Samaritian woman, John 4:20-23.
· Six parables condemning Israel.
1. Israel, the fruitless fig tree, Luke 13:6-9
2. The rich man and Lazarus, Luke 16:19-31.
3. The two sons, Matthew 21:28-32.
4. Israel the husbandman, Matthew 21:33-45.
5. The marriage feast, Matthew 22:1-14.
6. The narrow door, Luke 13:24-30.
· Weeping and gnashing of teeth and outer darkness.
Judgment of Israel Matthew 21-25:
· Parable of the fig tree. This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be accomplished, Matthew 24:32-34.
· Israel the unfaithful servant, Matthew 24:45-51.
· Unprofitable servant cast into outer darkness Matthew 25:30.
THE JEWS THAT CAME TO JOHN THE BAPTIST
"But when he saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, you offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth; therefore, fruit worthy of repentance: and think not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to out father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to rise up children unto Abraham. And even now the axe lies at the root of the trees: every tree; therefore, that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance; but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire: whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor; and he will gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire" (Matthew 3:7-12). John was the Elijah that was to come (Matthew 17:11; 11:10). Cutting down a tree or forest is a common symbol of judgment and destruction of cities and nations in the Old Testament (Isaiah 10:34; Jeremiah 46:22-23; 22:7-8; Ezekiel 31:3-14). The warnings of John the Baptist are that Israel is on trial and the axe that would destroy them was already at the tree. Matthew 24 states how and when the ax fell.
Adam Clarke said this is, "The desolation which was about to fall on the Jewish nation."
Lightfoot: "By the axe being now laid to the root of the tree, may fitly be understood, first, the certainty of their desolation; and second, the nearness, in that the instrument of their destruction as already prepared, and brought close to them; the Romans that should ruin their city and nation, being already master and rulers over them."
B. W. Johnson: "Think not to say...we have Abraham to our father. They believed that Abraham's race was to be saved, if all else was destroyed...'The axe is laid at the root of the tree' a sign that the tree is to be cut down. The tree meant is the Jewish nation. Every tree. A fruitless fig tree was afterward made by our Lord to representative of the whole Jewish nation (Luke 13:6)." Also, Matthew 3:10-12 "And with fire. The term fire is used in verse 10, and there means a destroying agency; it is used again in verse 12 in the same sense; it is used in verse 11, also, the intervening verse, and must be used in exactly the same sense as in the other two verses. It cannot mean a curse in verses 10 and 12, and a blessing in verse 11, without a word of explanation. It is strange, therefore, that all commentators should not agree that the baptism of fire is a baptism of trial and suffering. There were two classes before John. Some would repent and be baptized finally in the Holy Spirit; there were others who would remain impenitent, and be baptized in the awful trials that would come upon Israel" B. W. Johnson, "The People New Testament With Notes," 1889, Gospel Light Publishing Company.
Micah Redding: In context, Jesus was talking about how the centurion showed more faith than anyone in Israel. And he says this to make a statement: the kingdom was being accepted by gentiles (and prostitutes and tax collectors!) before it was being accepted by the Jews. The Jews placed great value in their heritage from the patriarchs. Being a descendent of Abraham meant you were in the kingdom. But a time would come when the Jews would suddenly realize the kingdom had passed them by, and (being outside the kingdom) they would find themselves separated from the patriarchs they had valued so much. Instead, gentiles would be "feasting with Abraham" in God's kingdom. Jesus is simply prophesying that with his fellow Jews rejecting him, gentiles were going to be the ones who would accept his message. The Jews would find themselves in "outer darkness" (away from the feast and light of God). And they would respond with tears and anger: "weeping" and "gnashing of teeth"…Jesus is ALWAYS referring to Jews when he talks about "weeping and gnashing of teeth" and "outer darkness". He NEVER said this would happen to anyone but the Jews.” Church of Christ, “There Is No Hell (part 4)” at:
http://micahredding.com/blog/2008/09/15/there-no-hell-part-4-scriptures-outer-darkness
THE SAMARITIAN WOMAM
“Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Out fathers worshipped in this mountain; and you say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus said unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall you worship the Father. You worship that which you know not: we worship that which we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and truth: for such does the Father seek to be his worshippers” (John 4:20-23). Worship under the Law required both (1) the temple in Jerusalem (2) and the Levitical Priesthood. Both were destroyed in A. D. 70; now there would be no way to know who was a Levite even if there were any living. God cannot be worshiped by the Old Testament Law without both (1) the temple in Jerusalem, (2) and the Levitical Priesthood. He is now worshiped any place where there are believers.
SIX PARABLES CONDEMNING ISRAEL
(1) Israel, the fruitless fig tree (Luke 13:6-9): "And he spoke this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none. And he said unto the vinedresser, behold, these three years I came seeking fruit on this fig tree, and found none: cut it down; why does it also cumber the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit thenceforth, well; but if not, you shall cut it down." Barren national Israel would be cut down. "And seeing a fig tree by the way side, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only; and he said unto it, Let there be no fruit from you hence forward forever” (Matthew 21:18-19; see John 1:11). The point of this parable is clear, if Israel did not bear fruit it would be cut down – destroyed; John the Baptist had declared that the axe was already at the root of the tree.
(2) The rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31): See "Part one" of this chapter.
(3) The two sons (Matthew 21:28-32): Christ speaking to “the chief priests and the elders” of Israel said, "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, Son, go work today in the vineyard. And he answered and said, I will, sir; and he did not go. And he came to the second and said the same thing. But, he answered and said, I will not; yet he afterward regretted it and went. Which of the two did the will of his father? They said, the latter. Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you the tax-gatherers and harlots will get into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax-gatherers and harlots did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not ever feel remorse afterward so as to believe him."
(4) Israel, the husbandman (Matthew 21:33-45): Still speaking to, “The chief priests and the elders” Jesus said, "Hear another parable: there was a man that was a householder, who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and dug a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandman, and went into another country. And when the season of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandman, to receive his fruits. And the husbandman took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them in like manner. But, afterward he sent unto them his son, saying, they will reverence my son. But the husbandman, when they saw the son, said among themselves, this is the heir; come, let us kill him, and take his inheritance. And they took him, and cast him forth out to the vineyard, and killed him. When; therefore, the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do unto these vine-growers? They say unto him, he will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will let out the vineyard unto other vine-growers, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons, Jesus said unto them, did you never read in the scriptures, the stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner: this was from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And he that falls on this stone shall be broken to pieces: but, on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust. And when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke of them" The vineyard is the nation of Israel with it’s rulers, the messengers are the prophets and apostles, the Son was Jesus. The kingdom was taken from Israel and given to the church made up of all nations. Israel beat and killed many of the prophets, and killed the Son of God, and they were scattered as dust in A. D. 70 when no Jews were left in Jerusalem or the country around it. Most Millennialists admit that this refers to the Jewish rejection of Christ; the kingdom was taken from the Jews and given to the Gentiles at the death and resurrection of Jesus, but Millennialists think it will be taken from the Gentiles and given back to the Jews.
(5) The marriage feast Matthew 22:1-14: Also still speaking to, “The chief priests and the elders” Jesus said, "And Jesus answered and spoke to them again in parables, saying, The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king, who gave a wedding feast for his son. And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come. Again, he sent out other slaves saying, Tell those who have been invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast. But, they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them. But, the king was enraged and sent his armies, and destroyed those murders, and set their city on fire. Then he said to his slaves, the wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast. And those slaves went out into the streets, and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests. But, when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw there a man not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes? And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen." The Jews killed the prophets God send to them, the Gentiles were brought into the kingdom, and they and their city were destroyed.
(6) The narrow door Luke 13:24-30: "Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and has shut the door, and begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us; and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not where you are; then shall you begin to say, we did eat and drink in your presence, and you did teach in our streets; and he shall say, I tell you, I know not were you are; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and the gnashing of teeth, when you shall see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and yourselves cast forth without. And there shall come from the east and the west, and from the north and the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And behold, there are last who shall be the first, and there are first who shall be last" This is about the coming rejection of Israel, and the Gentiles being accepted into the kingdom of Heaven, which is the church. Not about some being cast out of Heaven, which is what it would be if the weeping and gnashing of teeth were in Hell. Israel was the "sons of the kingdom" ("children of the kingdom" King James Version) that was cast into outer darkness, not those who never believed. The Jews, who were then the children of the kingdom, were cast out of the light into the darkness of the world without the light of God's revelation, and they are no longer God's chosen people. "O Jerusalem...behold your house is left unto you desolate" (Luke 13:34-35). Those who believe in Hell leave out the rest of what Christ said in the next two versus when He says the Gentiles will come into the kingdom, and verse 30 the Gentles who were last become first. If this weeping and gnashing of teeth, casting out, and the Gentiles coming in were after the judgment, (1) the Gentiles would be coming into the kingdom in Heaven after the judgment, (2) and “and yourselves cast forth without” would be Jews being cast out of Heaven after the judgment.
"Therefore say I unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken away from you (the Jews), and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof" (Matthew 21:43).
WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH
Both are used in the Old and New Testament.
1). Weeping for miseries and grief, both for personal miseries, and miseries and grief as a nation are used to often to list them, use any good concordance. It is used in the New Testament the same way