(5) Luke 16:19-31

from its context? These families in heaven are clearly set in

"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and

contrast with the family of God upon earth. In verse 10 the

fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a

earthly family is used as an object lesson to the heavenly family.

certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of

Now, these being the positive and clear statements of

sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the

revelation as to man in life and in death, there are certain

rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

passages in the New Testament which seem to speak with a

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the

different voice, and to bear a different testimony. We say

angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was

advisedly "seem"; for when properly understood, and accurately

buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and

translated, not only is there no difference or opposition to the

seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried

teaching of the Old Testament, but there is perfect harmony and

and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus,

unity in their testimony. The one corroborates and supports the

that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my

other. If not, meaning must be given to those passages which we

tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son,

have quoted above from the Old Testament: and Traditionalists

remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things,

must show us how they understand them; and support their

and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and

interpretations by proofs from the Word of God.

thou are tormented. And beside all this, between us and you

There are five passages which are generally relied on and

there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from

referred to by Traditionalists, viz:

hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would

come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father,

(1) Matthew 22:32

that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have

"I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of

five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come

Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."

into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have

Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay,

(2) Luke 23:43

father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they

"And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, to day shalt

will repent. And he said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the

thou be with me in paradise."

prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from

the dead."

(3) II Corinthians 5:6,8

"Therefore we are always confident, know that, whilst we are at

(1) We will deal with them in this order. The first is "The

home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: We are

God of the Living" (Matt. 22:32. Mark 12:27. Luke 20:38). In

confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body,

these scriptures it is stated that "God is not the God of the dead,

and to be present with the Lord."

but of the living". But Traditionalists, believing that the "dead"

are "the living", making God the "God of the dead", which He

(4) Philippians 1:23

distinctly says He is not. Interpreting the words in this way, they

"For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and

utterly ignore the whole context, which shows that the words

to be with Christ; which is far better:"

refer to the RESURRECTION, and not to the dead at all. Notice