Rapture Picture?..Beggar at the Gate

Luke 16:19-31

19

There was a certain rich man,

which was clothed

in purple and fine linen,

and

fared sumptuously every day:

This rich man is a man of the world .. "purple" .. the color of his clothing indicates that he holds a high position in worldly affairs .. and "linen" ..  which represents "purity" .. could also speak of appearing pure and righteous .. however, without actually being pure. 

We see that he lived "sumptuously" .. every day .. revealing that he enjoyed an elegant worldly lifestyle .. filled with splendid luxuries .. in a magnificent way .. like many in this country .. that enjoy more than the basic requirements in life.

20

And

there was a certain beggar

named Lazarus,

which was laid at his gate,

full of sores,

On the other hand .. here is the beggar, Lazarus .. whose name found in the Greek #2976 and in the Hebrew form of "Eleazar" #499 both meaning .. "whom God helps" .. and both referring to a poor and wretched person .. the name "Eleazar" .. also connecting the rapture picture with one Jesus loved .. and raised from the dead.

Lazarus .. is "laid at the rich man's gate" meaning that someone was motivated .. by God .. to place Lazarus at this specific gate.

This poor man full of sores .. "wounded" [#G1668] .. had to be "dragged" [#G1670]  to the rich man's gate.  

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.

Not only is this poor man wounded ... but he is at the point of starvation.

We may see more of the rapture picture in the fact that not only could God's people be wounded (persecuted) just before rapture .. but also hungry.

We are told that there will be eating and drinking before rapture .. so more likely .. this picture refers to spiritually hungry .. (having difficulty seeking a place where the Word of God can be found and lived out) .. looking for the "Bread of Life" .. like the beggar .. even a place to feed on some crumbs of the Truth of the Word of God .. as opposed to physically hungry.

"... Moreover .. the dogs came" ...

These "dogs" are not sympathetic puppies who want to comfort the poor hurting man."

They are greedy unclean animals who would like to feed on misery and what is left of the poor man's blood and life.

In Scripture .. Jesus referred to Gentiles as "dogs" as opposed to Israelites .. a name they were given in those days .. before His death .. after which .. there would no longer be any spiritual distinction between Jews and Gentiles .. since Jesus made no distinction .. but offered salvation to all people.

Considering the pre-tribulation rapture ... we see the Gentiles being included in God's offer of salvation through the Blood sacrifice of Jesus at the cross .. but after rapture .. our Father will be focusing on reaching out to Israel in a much greater way.

However .. the term "dogs" as it relates to the beggar at the gate .. could be a means of establishing the timing of the Rapture because it will be a time when Gentiles will be involved and expected to minister to those in need because salvation was offered to them after Jews first rejected the offer .. yet some Gentiles will not respond to God's offer of salvation .. but .. like "dogs" at the gate .. take part in persecution of those who do receive Christ.

So before rapture we see a loss of identity in many .. regarding what it means to be human .. to have compassion .. empathy .. and desire to help those who have no help

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;

Today everyone dies ... except those who are carried up and away .. in the rapture.

Interesting that we find this distinction in the Word regarding dying and being carried away .. especially at verse numbered "22" .. a number of separation.

23

And in hell he lift up his eyes,

being in torments,

and

seeth Abraham afar off,

and

Lazarus in his bosom.

24

And he cried and said,

Father Abraham,

have mercy on me,

and

send Lazarus,

that he may dip the tip

of his finger in water,

and

cool my tongue;

for I am tormented in this flame.

It appears that the rich man has not repented .. even in hell .. for he is still looking at Lazarus as one who should serve him .. instead of seeing him as an equal.

25

But Abraham said, Son, remember

that thou in thy lifetime

receivedst thy good things,

and

likewise Lazarus evil things:

but

now he is comforted,

and

thou art tormented.

Abraham is speaking the Word of God when he reminds the rich man how he lived the good life enjoying considerably more .. way more .. than required to sustain a comfortable life .. while Lazarus suffered alone .. going without even his very basic needs being met.

The rich man needs to hear the reason he is now become the one left outside the gate to Heaven .. and understand .. this is the reason he is going to be the one eternally without help or hope.

26

And

beside all this,

between us and you

there is a great gulf fixed:

so that they which would pass

from hence to you cannot;

neither can they pass to us,

that would come from thence.

Judgment has come ... the time to repent and opportunity to help anyone else .. is over.

27

Then he said,

I pray thee therefore, father,

that thou wouldest send him

to my father's house:

The rich man still wants to be served saying:

28

For I have five brethren;

that he may testify unto them,

lest they also come

into this place of torment.

The man in hell wants to still use his influence to "help his family" .. but it is too late .. he doesn't have any influence from any perceived position he erroneously thinks he might still possess.

29

Abraham saith unto him,

They have Moses

and

the prophets;

let them hear them.

Abraham tells the (former) rich man that he isn't needed .. if his family really wanted to know about how to avoid hell .. they could learn about salvation from Moses and the prophets who brought forth the Word of God.

30

And

he said, Nay, father Abraham:

but

if one went unto them from the dead,

they will repent.

Does the man really care about his family .. or is he attempting to use his perceived influence again .. encouraging Abraham to consider "someone" .. "coming back from the dead" to testify to the existence of hell?

Is he still trying to have some influence over decisions .. and possibly looking for the opportunity to be "thee one" coming back from the dead to "testify" to its existence?

(...and now we know that Jesus did come back from the dead.)

31

And he said unto him,

If they hear not Moses

and the prophets,

neither will they be persuaded,

though one rose from the dead."

Abraham knows the "rich man" .. and he knows the family .. surely they would want to avoid hell .. but it's in their nature to love the world and keep their focus in life on things of the world.

Therefore .. they will not be interested in eternal consequences either .. until .. like this poor rich man .. it becomes too late.

*****

   It is wise to consider our eternal life and the consequences we will face for our lack of love and compassion .. (especially toward those who belong to Christ and are part of our "forever family") .. lest we fail to help those who have no help .. while we still have time.

   To make sure your eternal life is secure .. scroll to the top of this page and click on the gift of gold in the left column.

   Then begin looking for those who belong to Christ .. are alone .. lying at the gate .. and follow the example of Christ

... while there is still time to do what is right.

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