Luke 16:22 Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. Not everyone dies and goes to a place of torment. Prior to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, those who believed in God’s coming promises went to be in a place of comfort, the Bosom of Abraham (Luke 16:19-31). Things changed after the good news of the works of Christ. But prior to…
Luke 16:23 In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. The text is clear. There are two different places in Hades or Sheol or the grave, the right side of the chasm and the wrong side of the chasm. One is a place of comfort. The other is a place of hell. The distance in the verse is “far away” or the Greek phrase makrothen apo. It means: a long way off, afar off, a great distance.
Luke 16:26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.
The distance between the two places is “great” or megas in the Greek text. Per Strong’s Concordance it means: great; of the external form or sensible appearance of things (or of persons); in particular, of space and its dimensions, as respects of compass and extent: large and spacious; of measure and height: long. In English we get the adjective “mega” from this Greek work. Anybody watch Mega Structures on TV?
The Greek word for “chasm” is the transliteration chasma. Per Strong’s it means: a gaping opening, a chasm, a gulf.
This gap is ridiculously huge no matter how it is defined. Notice the destination is fixed. Depending on which side you are, there are no transfers. The transfer request is one way. Those with Abraham are not requesting a move. The instructions are for those on the wrong side of gap. They can not come over.
Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. With Abraham’s space there is “comfort”. The original Greek word is parakaleo. It means: to receive consolation; strengthen; exhorting and comforting and encouraging; to call to one’s side, call for, summon. Abraham’s bosom was a call to comfort.
So how did these people arrive at a place of comfort instead of torment? The book of Hebrews provides the answer. With God, it has always been about faith in His word. Ultimately, does one believe what God says? Faith is defined by Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval.
Hebrews 11 provides many examples of Old Testament characters who believed of future things to come. Hebrews 11:13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
Faith without an object is pointless. “I believe! I believe! I believe!” In what?!?!
The Bible calls on humanity to have faith in the good news or Gospel of Jesus Christ, the promises of His second coming, and a future eternity of peace.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
