The Rich Man and Lazarus: NOT a Parable!

It is no wonder more and more people are doubting the existence of hell, or simply downplaying it, when even individuals such as John MacArthur falsely refer to the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16 as "a parable." In John's latest book, Parables, on pages 157-174, he does precisely that.

What is a parable? A parable is a figure of speech using "like," "as," or "than" for comparison. A parable is a story designed to illustrate the truth of reality. Since a parable uses an illustration in order to convey a truth of reality, if the rich man and Lazarus is a parable, what truth of reality is it conveying for us?

Look at every one of Jesus' other parables and note how they illustrate something completely different from what He is actually saying. So, if this is a parable, what truth of reality is it revealing to us?

This story uses an actual person's name, which Jesus' parables never did. The story clearly says, "And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment" (v.23). If the Greek word "hades" (αδου) merely refers to the grave, how can an individual have consciousness, as is clearly demonstrated here, and also be "in torment"? If it is merely a grave, how does torment tie in with it? How is he able to lift up his eyes?

The parables Jesus told always referred to something else, to some spiritual form of reality. So, again, if this is a parable, what truth of reality is it revealing to us?

An Infallible Test

by Samuel Davies

"If anyone does not love the Lord--a curse be on him!" 1 Corinthians 16:22

If you truly love the Lord Jesus Christ--then you earnestly study and endeavor to please Him by a life of universal obedience. Love is always desirous to please the person beloved; and it will naturally lead to a conduct that is pleasing. This, then, you may be sure of, that if you truly love Jesus--then it is the labor of your life to please Him.

The only way to please Jesus, and the best test of your love to Him--is obedience to His commandments. This is made the decisive mark by Christ Himself: "If anyone loves Me--he will obey My teaching. He who does not love Me--will not obey My teaching." John 14:23, 24.

Jesus repeats this theme over and over in different forms: "Whoever has My commands and obeys them--he is the one who loves Me," verse 21. "If you love Me--you will obey what I command," verse 15. "You are My friends--if you do what I command." John 15:14. "This is love for God," says John; that is, it is the surest evidence, and the natural, inseparable effect of our love to God, "that we obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome." 1 John 5:3; that is, they will not seem grievous to one who obeys them from the principle of sincere love.

Here, then, you who profess to love the Lord Jesus--here is an infallible test for your love! Do you make it the great aim of your life to keep His commandments? Do you honestly endeavor to perform every duty which He has required--and that because He has commanded it? And do you vigorously resist and struggle against every sin, however constitutional, however fashionable, however gainful--because He forbids it? And is the way of obedience pleasant to you? Would you choose this holy way to heaven, rather than any other--if it were left to your choice?

Your not loving God--if it continues, will certainly lead you to Hell. You are fit for no other place! Where should the enemies of God be--but in an infernal prison? There is the same propriety in throwing you into Hell--as in shutting up madmen in bedlam--or rebels in a dungeon! Why, you are devilized already! You have the very temperament of devils! Enmity to God is the grand constituent of a devil--it is the worst ingredient in that infernal disposition; and this you have in your hearts, and, as it were, incorporated with your habitual temperament! And what do you think will become of you? Judge for yourselves--must you not be doomed to that everlasting fire, which was prepared for the devil and his angels--whom you resemble?

"If anyone does not love the Lord--a curse be on him!" 1 Corinthians 16:22

The Gospel of Christ Admits of No Compromise

by Jared Waterbury

"So then, any of you who does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple!" Luke 14:33

The gospel of Christ admits of no compromise. It demands our ALL. If it required less, it would be unworthy of its great author and finisher. I rejoice that it requires ALL--this is its glory. When we are brought to yield to its claims, and give up ALL--then, and not until then, will it throw around us its arms of mercy.

And do we talk about self-denial? Do we say, "It is hard to give up ALL!" I am ashamed to use such language--and ashamed to hear it used.

What did Christ give up for us? Let that question blot out "self-denial" from the Christian's vocabulary. When you think the Gospel makes severe requisitions by requiring ALL--go up to Mount Calvary and weep over such suggestions. See the blood of your Immanuel so freely gushing from a heart that never exercised towards you any emotion but love--love unspeakable--love unsought--and love for the guilty vile! Go hide your head in shame and penitence at such a thought.

It is a glorious privilege, my friend, to give up ALL to Christ. The soul that feels the constraining influence of His love, asks not how little may be given consistently with obtaining the heavenly reward--asks not for the lowest standard of discipleship. It burns with an ardent desire to devote ALL, and to aim at perfect "conformity to His death."

Determine, by the grace of God, that you will forsake all, and follow Christ. Do not, like Peter, follow Him afar off--but, like Mary, sit at His nail-pierced feet--like the beloved disciple John, rest upon His sweet bosom.

The Most Monstrous Iniquity

by Charles Spurgeon

"Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her!" Ephesians 5:25

"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." John 10:11

If Christ on His cross intended to save every man--then He intended to save those who were eternally lost before He died! If the doctrine of universal atonement is true, that He died for all men--then He died for some who were in Hell before He came into this world, for doubtless there were even then myriads there who had been cast away because of their sins.

Once again, if it was Christ's intention to save all men--then how deplorably has He been disappointed, for we have His own testimony that there is a lake which burns with fire and brimstone, and into that pit of woe have been cast some of the very persons who, according to the theory of universal redemption, were bought with His blood! That seems to me a conception a thousand times more repulsive than any of those consequences which are said to be associated with the Christian doctrine of special and particular redemption.

To think that my Savior died for men who were or are in Hell, seems a supposition too horrible for me to entertain. To imagine for a moment that He was the Substitute for all people, and that God, having first punished the Substitute, afterwards punished the sinners themselves--seems to conflict with all my ideas of divine justice. That Christ should offer an atonement and satisfaction for the sins of all men, and that afterwards some of those very men should be punished for the sins for which Christ had already atoned--appears to me to be the most monstrous iniquity that could ever have been imputed to Saturn, to Janus, to the goddess of the Thugs, or to the most diabolical heathen deities. God forbid that we should ever think thus of Jehovah, the just and wise and good!

We do not believe that Christ redeemed the damned. We do not believe that He poured out His life blood for souls already in Hell. We never can imagine that Christ suffered in the room and stead of all men, and that then afterwards these same men have to suffer for themselves.

We hold to this--that Christ laid down His life for His sheep, and secured the salvation of every one of them.

Hallowe'en Hypocrisy

It irritates me to no end the way parents (especially professing Christian parents) outright lie to their children about Santa Claus, the Easter bunny, and the tooth fairy. It is no wonder your children start questioning the things you say to them and stop trusting you when they find out you have been lying to them for however many number of years. Christian parents should know better! As bad as this is, what I find to be the most hypocritical is what parents do once a year.

Parents spend an exorbitant amount of time trying to teach their children not to talk to or take candy from strangers. Yet, once a year, they hypocritically undermine their own authority and teachings by sending their children directly to the strangers' doors in order to beg for candy. What a great way to confuse your children.

"Do not take candy from strangers, Billy! Do you understand me?"

"Okay, Billy, go up to the door of that stranger's house and say 'Trick or treat' so you can get some candy."

If parents were only doing this with the houses of people they knew, whom the children also knew, it would not be so bad. But when you are taking or sending your children to the doors of complete strangers, you merely expose the depth of your own hypocrisy and how nothing out of your mouth can be trusted.

Hallowe’en should not be practiced or participated in by professing Christians anyway. Yes, I am quite aware of the numerous ignorant Christians who will attempt to defend their participation in Hallowe’en, the same way they would ignorantly defend every other wrong deed they have committed in the name of "freedom" or "grace" (such as "witnessing" in a bar or strip club--Apparently they do not realize you can wait outside for people to leave and then witness to them.).

If you do not want your children taking candy from strangers, then have the intelligence to not participate in the stupidity that is Hallowe’en. Otherwise, if you do not care if your children take candy from strangers any other day of the year, then go ahead and send them out on Hallowe’en. Be consistent in what you say and do.

It Is ALL Homosexuality

Pansexual, polysexual, omnisexual, and ambisexual are nothing more than various terms for bisexuality. Why? Because there are only two genders: male and female. These other terms merely exhibit a greater mental confusion than those who claim to be bisexual. Pansexuality is defined as someone with a sexual attraction to (or sexual relation with) people of either gender, regardless of whether they are straight, gay, transgender, androgynous, etc.

The simple reality is this: All of these terms are nothing more than different forms of homosexuality, just as pederasty is. Anyone who has sex with someone of the same gender is committing homosexuality. Homosexuality is not an identity, it is an act a person commits. Anyone who attempts to find an "identity" in sex is a colossal idiot. That is like trying to find your identity in being an adulterer, a fornicator, or a rapist. Absolutely absurd!

Transsexuals, or transgendered individuals, are nothing more than homosexuals, too. Changing your external appearance so you can get away with committing homosexual acts does not change a thing. You were born a man, you have a penis, you are a man, regardless of the physical changes you make to yourself or the changing of your name (Ahem! Bruce Jenner.). You were born a woman, you have a vagina, you are a woman, regardless of the physical changes you make to yourself or the changing of your name. You are not a woman trapped in a man's body or a man trapped in a woman's body. If you think or feel that way, you are in need of severe mental help and ought to commit yourself so that you can receive that help.

Homosexuality is homosexuality is homosexuality. That is what professing homosexuals do not understand. It does not matter how you dress it up or what title you call it, homosexuality is still homosexuality. Whether they called it homosexuality or not back before the word "homosexual" was ever invented does not change the fact it is still homosexuality. Pederasty, bisexuality, pansexuality, polysexuality, omnisexuality, ambisexuality; it is all homosexuality. They are not different genders. Look at any creature on this planet and you will see two different types: male or female. You are either one or the other.

Biology and nature inform us that the penis was created to be inserted into the vagina and the vagina was created to receive the penis. The penis does not belong in the anus. Period! Talk about humiliation and degradation. Falsely slapping the label "love" on it does not make it alright, nor is it loving in the least. It is not even an expression of love. Homosexuality, like fornication, adultery, rape, incest, polygamy, bestiality, necrophilia, and pedophilia, is an expression of lust. Pure and simple. It has nothing to do with love whatsoever. It is truly sad how society has forgotten what love actually is and has associated the act of sex with love (beginning in the 60s).

"And [Jesus] answered and said, "Have you not read, that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, and said, 'FOR THIS CAUSE A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND SHALL CLEAVE TO HIS WIFE; AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'? Consequently they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."" Matthew 19:4-6

That verse deals with the fact of two genders (male and female), it deals with the fact of proper sexual conduct (a man and a woman), and it deals with the correct definition of marriage (one man with one woman for life). Homosexuality, regardless of its appearance, is not an appropriate form of sexual conduct (nor is bestiality, necrophilia, or pedophilia), nor is the union of two homosexuals "marriage" by any stretch of the imagination. Homosexuality is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord our God and it is a perversion of both human and sexual natures.

Christian or Jesus Follower?

Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me; for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me." John 8:41

Here, Jesus says that the dissimilarity between the Jews and Abraham makes them bastards. Hence, their claim to be the children of Abraham is only a nominal one. Their true father is the devil (see 8:44).

Likewise, this is also true of most people who call themselves Christian, but who bear no evidence in keeping with that name. Their claim to be Christian is only a nominal one because their true father is the devil.

The New Testament scriptures are very clear on what it takes to be a Christian and what a Christian looks like. Someone who claims to be a Christian and does not pursue holiness but revels in the same lifestyle they did prior to their "conversion" is not a Christian in the least. 

Some fools these days refuse to call themselves "Christian" (for a number of illogical arguments) but instead call themselves "Jesus Followers." I am sorry to say, but the two are one in the same. A Christian is a Jesus Follower, and a Jesus Follower is a Christian. Whether you call yourself a "Christian" or a "Jesus Follower," if you do not bear any evidence to support that claim, then your claim is false and you are neither. You do not belong to Jesus or the Father, you are still dead in your sins, your father is the devil, and you will find yourself in Hell when you die. I am sorry, but the Bible is very clear on this. Faith alone will not save you. You need the right kind of faith, and works must proceed from that faith.

Kinds of Faith

1. Intellectual or Historical Faith.
   This apprehends the truth intellectually as a result of education, tradition, rearing, etc. It is human and does not save. Matthew 7:26, Acts 26:27-28, James 2:19
2. Miracle Faith.
   This is faith to perform or have performed a miracle and may or may not be accompanied by salvation. Matthew 8:10-13, 17-20, Acts 14:9
3. Temporary Faith.
   It seems similar to intellectual faith except that there seems to be more personal interest involved. Luke 8:13
4. Saving Faith.
   This is a reliance on the truth of the Gospel as revealed in the Word of God (intellectual, emotional and volitional [act of will] faith).

TO BELIEVE (verb) in the full sense is to rely on, trust in, commit oneself to the object of belief.

People who claim to be "Christians" or "Jesus Followers" get angry when you tell them this stuff because they do not read their Bibles. If they happen to, they sure are not paying any amount of attention to what is being said. When I read the New Testament, I am convicted on every page. The church has been preached a false gospel for so long that Christians and people who think they are Christians believe lies about how they can be. Stop listening only to what some pastor says and open your Bible and read it for yourself! The way to heaven is a narrow road because so much is demanded of you. Why do you think Jesus tells people to count the cost of what it means to follow Him? There is no "Your best life now." There are no promises of "health, wealth, or prosperity."

If you are a Christian, then you are a Jesus Follower. If you are a Jesus Follower, then you are a Christian. Quit being a fool and trying to segregate these terms as if they are completely different from one another. Whether you call yourself a Christian or a Jesus Follower, you had best be a Jesus Imitator, a Jesus Mimicker. If you were on trial for being a Christian or a Jesus Follower, would there be enough evidence to convict you? If you do not bear the evidence the New Testament talks about, then you are not a Christian. Pure and simple.

The Ignorance of Modern Americans

Quite recently, several U.S. Supreme Court judges forcibly legalized same-sex "marriage" in all 52 States. There are several problems with this:

1. Supreme Court judges do not have that kind of authority. They would do well to learn their place and to honour and uphold it correctly.
2. Every State operates independently of every other State. Taxes are different between States. Laws are different between States.
3. The public/people can override the judges' ruling. Remember, the U.S. government is a "government of the people, for the people, by the people."

The U.S. government is not a dictatorship, despite Muslim President Barack Obama's attempts at otherwise. However, the sad reality of modern day America is that most people have rolled over and relinquished their rights. They need to wake up and realize the above three facts.

Homosexuals account for less than 2% of the American population. How is it that a less than 2% population is manipulating and controlling the other 98% population, forcing them to do and/or accept what 100% of the population knows intrinsically to be unnatural; a perversion of both human and sexual natures?

As this law was forcibly passed illegally, other perverts have begun to fight for their "rights." Pedophiles and Zoophiliacs have been arguing that they cannot help the way they are—that they were born that way. By these arguments, we were all born helpless to our vices. Murderers cannot help themselves, they were born with those tendencies. Rapists cannot help themselves, they were born with those tendencies. Adulterers cannot help themselves, they were born with those tendencies. Fornicators cannot help themselves, they were born with those tendencies. Thieves cannot help themselves, they were born with those tendencies. Liars cannot help themselves, they were born with those tendencies.

We all know the above arguments are unsound and nothing more than a crock of dung. It is an attempt at excusing and justifying one's sins. Homosexuals are merely paving the road for other perverts to follow. The simple fact is, what is happening in the U.S. today is both the cause of and result of God's judgment. Read Romans 1 and you will see it. Study the history of past civilizations such as Rome, Greece, Babylon, and Sodom and Gomorrah, and you will see it. Unless people smarten up and start standing up for the truth, being a "government of the people, for the people, by the people" the way it was intended, things are only going to get worse.

Muslims and homosexuals have one major thing in common—both attack Christians with the ultimatum, "Convert, or lose everything!"

Feeding Sheep, or Amusing Goats?

by Charles Spurgeon

An evil is in the 'professed' camp of the Lord, so gross in its impudence, that the most short-sighted Christian can hardly fail to notice it. During the past few years this evil has developed at an alarming rate. It has worked like leaven, until the whole lump ferments!

The devil has seldom done a more clever thing, than hinting to the Church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them. From speaking out the gospel, the Church has gradually toned down her testimony—then winked at and excused the frivolities of the day. Then she tolerated them in her borders. Now she has adopted them under the plea of reaching the masses!

My first contention is that providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the Church. If it is a Christian work, then why did not Christ speak of it? "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature—and provide amusement for those who do not relish the gospel."

No such words, however, are to be found. It did not seem to occur to Him. Where do entertainers come in? The Holy Spirit is silent concerning them. Were the prophets persecuted because they amused the people—or because they confronted them? The 'concert' has no martyr roll.

Again, providing amusement is in direct antagonism to the teaching and life of Christ and all His apostles. What was the attitude of the apostolic Church to the world? "You are the salt of the world"—not the sugar candy; something the world will spit out—not swallow.

Had Jesus introduced more of the bright and pleasant elements into His teaching, He would have been more popular. When "many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him," I do not hear Him say: "Run after these people, Peter, and tell them we will have a different style of service tomorrow; something short and attractive with little preaching. We will have a pleasant evening for the people. Tell them they will be sure to enjoy it! Be quick, Peter, we must get the people somehow!"

No! Jesus pitied sinners, sighed and wept over them—but never sought to amuse them!

In vain will the epistles be searched to find any trace of the 'gospel of amusement.' Their message is, "Therefore, come out from them and separate yourselves from them... Don't touch their filthy things..." Anything approaching amusement is conspicuous by its absence. They had boundless confidence in the gospel, and employed no other weapon.

After Peter and John were locked up for preaching, the Church had a prayer meeting, but they did not pray, "Lord, grant unto your servants that by a wise and discriminating use of innocent recreation we may show these people how happy we are!"

No! They did not cease from preaching Christ. They had no time for arranging entertainments. Scattered by persecution, they went everywhere preaching the gospel. They turned the world upside down—that is the only difference from today's church.

Lastly, amusement fails to effect the end desired. Let the heavy-laden who found peace through the concert not keep silent! Let the drunkard to whom the dramatic entertainment had been God's link in the chain of their conversion, stand up! There are none to answer! The mission of amusement produces no converts!

The need of the hour for today's ministry is earnest spirituality joined with Biblical doctrine, so understood and felt, that it sets men on fire.

Lord, clear the Church of all the rot and rubbish the devil has imposed on her, and bring us back to apostolic methods!

The God of This Generation

by Arthur Pink

"Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases!" Psalm 115:3

Ah, my reader, the God of Scripture is no make-believe monarch, no mere imaginary sovereign; but King of kings, and Lord of lords! To countless thousands, even among those professing to be Christians, the God of the Scriptures is quite unknown.

The god of this generation no more resembles the Supreme Sovereign of Holy Writ, than does the dim flickering of a candle, the glory of the midday sun!

The god who is now . . .

    talked about in the average pulpit,

    spoken of in the ordinary Sunday School,

    mentioned in much of the religious literature of the day,

    and preached in most of the so-called Bible Conferences—

is the figment of human imagination, an invention of mushy sentimentality!

The heathen outside of the pale of Christendom form gods out of wood and stone, while the millions of heathen inside Christendom manufacture a god out of their own carnal mind! In reality, they are but atheists, for there is no other possible alternative between an absolutely supreme God and no God at all. A god whose will is resisted, whose designs are frustrated, whose purpose is checkmated, possesses no title to Deity—and so far from being a fit object of worship, merits nothing but contempt!

"I know that You can do anything, and no plan of Yours can be thwarted." Job 42:2

"Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!" Revelation 19:6