Lawrence DeMetrius

Lyrics

Letter of Apostle Luke – The Gospel
An Intimate Review
Pt 9
By Lawrence DeMetrius

The Rich Man and Lazarus

In [Lk 16:19-31] Apostle Luke gives a literal account of two REAL men that is NOT a parable. Jesus Christ uses their experiences to expound upon the following FIVE POINTS.

1. Christ uses the term CERTAIN to denote a RICH man and a BEGGAR by the name of Lazarus. Ironically, no name is given for the RICH man. This gives credence to the idea that not all RICH people are worthy of the fate this RICH man received. Neither are all BEGGARS worthy of the fate that Lazarus inherited.

*certain Gk #5100 tis (tis) it means some or any person or object

*rich Gk #4145 plousios (ploo-see-os) it means wealthy and abounded with

*beggar Gk #4434 ptochos (pto-khos) it is a pauper or beggar as cringing and distressed persons

2. Christ mentions that Lazarus the BEGGAR laid at the RICH man’s gate, full of sores, being licked by domestic dogs and happy to eat the crumbs that fell from the RICH man’s table. He was clearly a distressed person in dire need of help. Lazarus also knew where to get help. Apparently, both men were Hebrews and were well aware of Israel’s culture of hospitality, especially toward their own countrymen. Thus, it was proper for Lazarus to expect help from a countryman who was able to assist him in his need. [Lk 16:20, 21, 24, 25]

3. At some point both men transitioned to immortality and were allotted their proper places in Sheol, the Underworld. This place is first spoken of by Enoch. [Eno 22] Christ referred to Sheol as HELL. It is where all mortal spirits are preserved until The Final Day of Judgment.
There are designated sections for the righteous and unrighteous spirits. As the character of the RICH man was one of extreme selfishness and lack of compassion at his transition, it remains that way forever. Thus, he inherited a pit in Sheol with a FLAME that TORMENTED him and no satisfying waters. Spirits in this section of HELL can see the PARADISE of Sheol, to remind them of what they could have inherited by living a life of love. However, there is a GULF between these sections that cannot be crossed from either side. [Lk 16:23a, 24, 25b, 26; St Jn 3:19] The spirit of Lazarus inherited the section of PARADISE and was at rest in the BOSOM of Abraham their forefather. [Lk 16:22]

*hell Gk #86 haides (hah-dace) it means unseen and is the place of departed souls

*tormented Gk #3600 odunao (od-oo-naho) it means to grieve, sorrow and torment

*flame Gk #5395 phlox (flox) it is a flaming blaze

*gulf Gk #5490 chasma (khas-mah) it is a chasm, which is a deep cleft in the EARTH’S surface, a breach in a wall or other structure, a gap or marked interruption of continuity, vacancy, an impassable interval and sundering breach

4. The place inherited by the spirit of Lazarus is likened the BOSOM of Abraham. It is a place of great comfort inherited by mortal spirits that are considered righteous in Yahweh’s perspective. This indicates that Lazarus was a just man who happened to be in an unfortunate disposition at the time of his transition to immortality. However, in spite of his disposition, he still believed in the Law of Love until the moment of his transition. In fact, it was his hope of survival even as he lay at the gate his RICH countryman. His act of faith displayed genuine humility, which is discipline to do what is necessary to get what is needed, per the Law of Love. His character reflected the steadfast devotion of righteous people, whose spirits inherit the COMFORTS of the PARADISE in Sheol. [Lk 16:22b, 23b, 25b]

*comforted Gk #3870 parakaleo (par-ak-al-eh-o) it means to call near, invite and invoke
*bosom Gk #2859 kolpos (kol-pos) it is the breast of a human being and is figurative of a bay of water

5. A primary idea presented in this passage is that Yahweh created all things by Chris the Word. It is the same Word by which reconciliation to divine worship and eternal life is made possible. No other Source is able to provide these divine gratuities. [Rm 1:16, 17; I Cor 1:18; II Cor 5:17-20; St Jn 1:1-4, 9-14; 8:31, 32, 36] Per Christ’s dialogue with the spirit of the RICH man, those who fail to believe the message sent by Yahweh through HIS spokespersons, will not believe the words of a person who comes back from the dead.

Stumbling Blocks

In [Lk 17:1, 2] the idea of STUMBLING BLOCKS that OFFEND is addressed. Also noted is the impossibility of keeping OFFENCES from happening in the world because of sin. Christ ascribes inevitable WOES to sources that cause OFFENCES, namely those purposed to HURT little children and new Christian converts. He said that it would better for such OFFENDERS to have a MILLSTONE hung about their necks and cast into the sea.

*offenses Gk #4625 skandalon (skan-dal-on) it is a trap-stick, bent sapling and snare, which is figurative of a cause of displeasure or sin

*offend Gk #4624 skandalizo (skan-dal-id-zo) it means to scandalize, entrap, trip up, stumble and entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure…namely that of Yahweh’s

Forgiveness

In [Lk 17:3, 4] Jesus Christ teaches on the importance of practicing FORGIVENESS on a continual basis. An element of this practice is to rebuke a brother when they have committed a trespass. It is a born-again believer’s personal responsibility to afford their brother opportunity to acknowledge and rectify a wrong they have committed against them. This also gives opportunity for misunderstandings to be disclosed, which exposes satanic forces that are attempting to sow discord among born-again believers. [Pro 6:16-19; Eph 4:27]
It is not good to pretend to be alright with a wrong that has been committed against one by his brother in THE LORD. If an OFFENSE has truly been committed then a true brother will acknowledge and rectify it. It is proper for Christian brethren to do so and to ask/grant forgiveness when it is required. [I Jn 1:8-10]

Increased Faith

In [Lk 17:5, 6] Apostle Luke notes that one must first possess FAITH in order to receive an INCREASE of FAITH. Divine FAITH must be imparted by Yahweh through Christ and the Holy Ghost. [Gal 2:16, 20; 5:22, 23; Heb 12:2] Per Jesus Christ, the smallest measure of divine FAITH can empower one to perform incredible feats and is expressed by one’s practice of righteousness and forgiveness.

*increase Gk #4369 prostithemi (pros-tith-ay-mee) it means to place additionally, lay beside, annex and repeat

*faith Gk #4102 pistis (pis-tis) it is…
1. persuasion and credence
2. moral conviction of a religious truth, the truthfulness of Yahweh or a religious teacher
3. reliance upon Jesus Christ for salvation and constancy in such profession
4. the system of religious truth based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ

The Parable of the Unprofitable Servant

In [Lk 17:7-10; Rm 10:14, 15] Christ teaches the principle of proper protocol with The Parable of the Unprofitable Servant. In this parable, He expounds upon proper acknowledgement of one’s assigned duties and expected quality of service. True servants are not to expect excessive praise for doing what they are supposed to do. One’s true appreciation of THE LORD’S servant is allowing them to serve them as they are sent by THE LORD to do.

The Ten Lepers

In [Lk 17:11, 12] Apostle Luke writes about ten LEPERS who encounter Jesus Christ while on His journey to Jerusalem.
*leper Gk #3015 lepros (lep-ros) it means scaly or one who is a leper

1. scaly is being…
a. covered with or abounding in scales
b. characterized by or consisting of scales
c. scale-like, peeling or flaking off in scales

2. leper is a person who has leprosy, which is a…
a. chronic, mildly infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, affecting the peripheral nervous system, skin and nasal mucosa and is variously characterized by ulcerations, tubercular nodules and loss of sensation, which at times lead to traumatic amputation of the effected body part

b. modern-day disease called, Hansen’s Disease, named after G. H. Hansen (1841-1912), a Norwegian physician and discoverer of leprosy-causing Mycobacterium leprae

c. figurative of one who is rejected or ostracized for unacceptable behavior, opinions, character and is deemed accursed or an outcast

In [Lk 17:13] Apostle Luke notes that when the ten LEPERS recognized Christ, they all reverenced Him and humbly asked for His MERCY. It is wise to acknowledge one’s ailments and to seek the assistance of those who can help alleviate such ailments when opportunity avails itself.

*mercy Gk #1653 eleeo (el-eh-eh-o) it means to compassionate, which is to be sorry and feel pity or compassion for, specifically by divine grace and word

Certain situations require MERCY that is genuinely empowered by divine grace. Such was the case for these ten LEPERS. It is likely they were all loved by someone. However, the law of their day did not permit them to be about in public because of their infectious disease. Without MERCY fueled by divine GRACE, their fate was certain. However, they desired to be delivered from such fate and believed that Christ could and would grant them MERCY, which He did. In [Lk 17:14] Christ SAW them from afar, which He does all souls.

*saw Gk #1492 eido (i-do) it means to see and know perfectly

Jesus Christ SEES every soul PERFECTLY. He KNOWS everything about them, including that which they do not KNOW about themselves and that which they keep secret from others. In [Lk 17:15-19] after healing them, Christ instructs them to show themselves to the priests. This was the traditional method of certifying one cured of leprosy. While they believed and asked Christ for healing, it did not manifest until did what He instructed them to do. Only one of them returned to give thanks to Christ. It is noted that he was a STRANGER meaning not of the Hebrew race. This gives credence to the idea that the others were Hebrews and may have fostered a sense of entitlement due to their heritage. Nevertheless, Yahweh is not a respecter of persons. HIS gratuities are available to all mortals, namely those who desire healing from the power of sin, the worst disease of all. [Rm 2:11; 3:23-26; Heb 7:25]

The Kingdom Within

In [Lk 17:20, 21] Apostle Luke writes of irreverent Pharisees who inquired about the season in which a temporal Kingdom of GOD would be established on earth. At that time, many Hebrews believed such a rule would come to relieve them of Roman Rule and re-establish their former independence and glory. Hebrew historian, High Priest and Warrior, Josephus Flavius writes of revolts against Roman rule in homage of this belief. Christ was also asked of this kingdom prior to His ascension back to the FATHER. [Act 1:6; Mt 24:36] There was a season of great tribulation specifically appointed to Israel for their crimes against Christ. The ultimate sign to Israel regarding the ultimate demise of their former independence and glory as Yahweh’s chosen people was the erection of Caesar’s statue in Yahweh’s Temple. It was an event that foreshadowed the demise of Lucifer’s rule on earth. Christ advised His disciples that the kingdom He came to establish was not one that would COME with OBSERVATION, as it is a spiritual kingdom that abides WITHIN each born-again believer. [Lk 17:21; St Jn 3:5; Rm 14:17; T.C. #2007] Furthermore, it is a kingdom that consists of souls redeemed from various earthly nations, tribes and tongues.

*come/cometh Gk #2064 erchomai (er-khom-ahee) it means to come or go

*observation Gk #3907 parateresis (par-at-ay-ray-sis) it means inspection and is ocular evidence, which means can be seen with the natural eye

*within Gk #1737 endidusko (en-did-oos-ko) it means to invest or cloth as with a garment

Thus, The Kingdom of GOD that Christ came to establish on earth is only realized within the souls of those who embrace Yahweh the true GOD by faith filled obedience to HIS Christ. It exists WITHIN every born-again believer and consists of benefits that manifest throughout their mortal and immortal lifetimes. [Mt 6:33; Jn 14:1-4; Rev 3:8, 10]

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