Thursday, August 4, 2005

Luke - Bosom buddies

Luke 16:19  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Luke 16:20  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
Luke 16:21  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Luke 16:22  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;
 

Some say this is only a parable, but, parables do not use men's names. Jesus described an actual occurrence. Abraham's bosom, was to be close to Abraham where he is.

John was at the bosom of Jesus, when with him on earth.  

John 13:21  When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
John 13:22  Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
John 13:23  Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
John 13:24  Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
John 13:25  He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?

Bosom, signifies (a) "the front of the body between the arms;" hence, to recline in the "bosom" was said of one who so reclined at table that his head covered, as it were, the "bosom" of the one next to him, Jhn 13:23. Hence, figuratively, it is used of a place of blessedness with another, as with Abraham in paradise, Luk 16:22,23 (plural in ver. 23), from the custom of reclining at table in the "bosom," a place of honor; of the Lord's eternal and essential relation with the Father, in all its blessedness and affection as intimated in the phrase, "The Only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father" ( Jhn 1:18) (Vines)    

 Luke 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  

Hell and Abraham's Bosom were far from each other. Hell could see the blessed place, Paradise, but those in Paradise probably could not see hell. These were blessed old covenant saints of faith, who believed the promises of God. By faith they are saved. Jesus had not yet made a place for them in heaven, so they were alive and well in spirit in this place of waiting.  

 John 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions (dwelling places): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
  

Paul has given us the hope, that to be absent from this world is to be present with God. This is the New Testament promise. in Christ Jesus.  

2 Cor 5:8  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2 Cor 5:9  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

But, you may say, are not those of the old testament sleeping in their graves? No, they were kept alive and well in spirit in the holding place called Paradise. As Jesus spoke about to the thief on the cross who repented.  

Luke 23:43  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.   Are these saints dead or sleeping;  living?  

Mat 22:31  But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
Mat 22:32  I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?

God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
Perhaps some are still waiting for the rapture, God knows.  

1 Th 4:15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1 Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

No believer will be left behind. No believer will face the wrath of God.  

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.  

Be encouraged.
 

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