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Luke 16:19-31"There was a certain rich man (symbolising Judah), which was clothed in purple (royalty - Throne of David) and fine linen (Levi - the priestly tribe), and fared sumptuously every day (enjoying all God's blessings and the full ministry of the Temple in Jerusalem): and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus (symbolising 10 tribed Israel), which was laid at his gate (geographically) full of sores (spiritual sores of idolatry in Old Testament days), and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: more over dogs (Gentiles) came and licked his sores (treating him more kindly than his brother Judah did). "And it came to pass, that the beggar died (the dispersion of Ten-tribed Israel), and was carried by the angels (as on 'eagles wings', Rev. 12:14, Exud. 19:4) into Abraham's bosom (into the full riches of the. Abrahamic Covenant, becoming ultimately a "Great and mighty nation" Gen. 18:18). The rich man also died (destruction of Judah, A.D. 70), and was buried (perpetually 'broken' as the 'shattered pot' of Jer. 19:11); and in hell (Gr. 'Hades,' referring to national death) he lift up his eyes, being in torments (Jewish persecutions), and seeth Abraham (the Abrahamic Covenants) afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom (enjoying the blessings which he was denied). And he cried and said I am tormented in this flame (e.g. burning of Jerusalem and Temple, A.D.70; followed by further persecutions down the centuries). But Abraham said, Son (Judah was a 'son' or descendant of Abraham), remember that you (as once glorious Judah Kingdom) in your lifetime' received your good things (having obtained mercy - Hos. 1:7), and likewise Lazarus evil things (not having obtained mercy Hos. 1:6); but now he is comforted (Hos. 2:23) and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed (the gulf of the New Covenant in Christ Jesus, which ten-tribed Israel was willing to accept but the Jews were not, John 1:11) ....Then he said, "1 beg you therefore, Father, that you would send him to my father's house (Judah's five brothers from his mother Leah, Gen. 35:23) ....Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them', (The Jews today listen to the Law of Moses but they will not accept Jesus). And he said, 'No, Father Abraham: but if one went to them from the dead (e.g. Lazarus: or, better still, Jesus Himself) they will repent. And he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they 7 be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. " |
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