[quote=Raspy]Luke 16:19–31 shows that, prior to Christ's resurrection, Hades was divided into two realms: a place of comfort where Lazarus was (Abraham's bosom or Abraham's side) and a place of torment where the rich man was.
Before the cross, the spirits of those who died in faith of a coming redeemer, went to a place that came to be known as Paradise. The Jews also called it Abraham’s Bosom. It was located in Sheol, which is Hebrew for “the abode of the dead. ” Its Greek name is Hades.
Story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) above....They did not go directly to Heaven because Heaven was only opened to believers after the cross. When Jesus rose from the dead, these spirits were taken to Heaven (Ephesians 4:8).
Originally Posted by Hastings
Wasn't story about Lazarus a parable? As in a story to convey a lesson? Not a recounting of a thing that actually occurred? Like the story of the prodigal son?
Some say yes and some say not at all....
The argument is that Jesus always noted when He was using a parable, and because He did not do so in this case, we are to accept it as a historical account.
This argument, however, does not stand up under scrutiny. If we investigate the other gospels, we will see that we are often told by the narrator that what Jesus said was a parable, not by Jesus Himself. That this one is not indicated to be a parable does not mean that it is not one.
