HEAVEN

A Study of the Book by Randy Alcorn

SESSION FOURRICH MAN, POOR MAN, MARTYR

"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At

his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with

sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his

sores. "The time came when the beggar died and the angels

carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was

buried.

In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his

side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and

send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my

tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things,

while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted

here and you are in agony.

And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor

can anyone cross over from there to us.'

"He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my

father's house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to

this place of torment.'

"Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them

listen to them.'

“ 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'

"He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' “

Luke 16:19-31

WARM-UP QUESTIONS• What’s the difference between literal and

figurative Biblical interpretation?

• Do you think this passage was meant to be literally or figuratively interpreted?

• What justification can you possibly think of to take this story literally?

LITERAL INTERPRETATION1. This is Jesus speaking.2. He gives us a narrative with very

concrete terms and constructs.3. Jesus uses this story to teach us about

the nature of Heaven and Hell.4. This is the only parable from Jesus where

specific names are given.5. Lazarus was a potentially confusing

name for a figurative illustration.

FIGURATIVE INTERPRETATION1. Strictly literal interpretation stretches

too far, unsupported by additional scripture.

1. (i.e. Communication between Heaven and Hell)

2. Other heavenly depictions express a realm not so easily communicated.

3. Yet, consider Jesus’ intent of teaching with this story.

1. Real places, real existence, real consequences.

WHAT DO WE LEARN?• Angels carried Lazarus to Paradise when

he died.• The rich man died and went to torment.• Lazarus is with Abraham, and by

inference, in the presence of others.• The rich man is depicted alone.• Intermediate Heaven and Hell are

separated by a fixed chasm with (limited?) opportunity for communication.

WHAT DO WE LEARN?• The rich man and Abraham showed the

capacities for reason and communication.• All three characters maintained their

continuous identities from Earth.• The rich man and Lazarus are depicted

with physical forms:– Tongue, thirst, need for water, finger.– There is apparently water available to

Lazarus.

WHAT DO WE LEARN?• The rich man:– Shows concern for his brothers.– Is aware of their continued lost state (perhaps

can see them?)– Is therefore conscious after death and retains

his memories of life on Earth.• Abraham declares that no one can cross

the gap between Heaven and Hell.–…and no one can!

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of

those who had been slain because of the word of God and

the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign

Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the

earth and avenge our blood?”

Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to

wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants

and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was

completed.

Revelation 6:9-11

21 OBSERVATIONS1. When they died, they were relocated to

Heaven. (v.9)2. They retained their earthly identities (as

martyrs). (v.9)3. Their deeds are remembered in Heaven

(because of their testimony) (v.9)4. They “called out,” meaning they have

the power of expression, possibly through vocal cords. (v.10)

21 OBSERVATIONS5. By raising their voices, they showed a

capacity as communicative, even passionate beings. (v.10)

6. Their singular “loud voice” suggests that Heaven is a place of unity and shared perspective. (v.10)

7. They are fully conscious, rational, aware of each other, God, and the situation on Earth. (v.10)

21 OBSERVATIONS8. They ask God to intervene on Earth on

their behalf. (v.10)9. By “asking God”, we see that they have

an audience with Him, can ask Him questions, have a capacity to learn, and desire understanding. (v.10)

10.They are aware of what’s going on with Earth, and know that their killers had not yet been judged. (v.10)

21 OBSERVATIONS11.They have a deep concern for justice.

They are not passive, and appear passionate to see God’s ultimate plan unfold. (v.10)

12.Their minds have not been “sanitized” of bad memories. They know they were murdered. (v.10)

13.They are depicted as interceding with God for the sake of the saints still on Earth. (v.10)

21 OBSERVATIONS14.They see God’s attributes (Sovereign…

holy and true). (v.10)15.They retained their individuality. “Each

of them was given a robe…” (v.11)16.By wearing these white robes, they are

potentially physical beings, or at least appear so to John. (v.11)

17.God communicates to them as well. The martyrs are also not all-knowing. (v.11)

21 OBSERVATIONS18.The present heaven is aware of the

present state of Earth’s sin. As they “wait a little longer,” there is anticipation for the future fulfillment of God’s promises, and the abolition of sin on the New Earth (v.11, Rev. 21:4)

19.They are apparently experiencing (perceiving) linear time. “How long?” “A little longer.” (v.10 & 11)

21 OBSERVATIONS20.They retained their ties and

relationships with “fellow servants and brothers.” (v.11) The Body of Christ will extend for us even in the attribute of time.

21.God knows every drop of blood shed in His name. (Possibly 150,000 per year, 400 per day). God will set up His kingdom when the last drop is spilled by the last martyr. (v.11)

REMEMBERING EARTH• The martyrs long for justice.• Lazarus received “comfort” in contrast to

his harsh existence. (Luke 16:25)• “Men will have to give an account” for

their deeds on the day of judgment. (Matthew 12:36)

• Our earned rewards in Heaven will serve as a reminder of our deeds on Earth.

• Memory is the key to personality. We appear to retain both.

WATCHING EARTH• The multitude celebrates upon delivery of

judgment. (Rev. 19:1-5)• The martyrs reign with Christ during His

millennial kingdom. (Rev. 20:4)– Probably not ignorant of world events prior.

• Samuel shows knowledge of Saul’s deeds after his own death. (I Sam. 28:16-19)

• Moses and Elijah spoke to Jesus “about His departure.” (Luke 9:31)

WATCHING EARTH• Hebrews 12:1 tells us that we’re

surrounded by “a great cloud of witnesses.”

• Abraham and Lazarus observed Hell, why not Earth?

• There is rejoicing in Heaven when one sinner repents. (Luke 15:7)– Luke 15:10 – There is rejoicing in the

“presence of the angels.”

PRAYING SAINTS• As protestants, we reject praying to

saints.• But what about saints praying for us?– They’re aware of Earth’s events.– They’re capable of communicating directly

with God about these events.–We would call that prayer, no?

• Revelation 5:8 refers to the “prayers of the saints.” What would these entail?

ANY NEGATIVE EMOTIONS?• We expect there to be zero negative

emotions in Heaven.• Jesus grieved for the lost while on Earth,

how about now?• In Acts 9:4-5, Jesus identifies Himself to

Saul as the “[one] you are persecuting.”• But, isn’t there a “no cry guarantee”

when it comes to Heaven?

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more

death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things

has passed away.“

Revelation 21:4

NO CRYING IN HEAVEN• The guarantee is placed into a specific

context of time: the creation of a New Heaven and New Earth.

• John does not indicate the absence of sorrow beforehand.

• Until this juncture, there is still sin and suffering to grieve over.–Mourning exits with death, crying, and pain

when “the old order of things has passed away.”

JOY IN HEAVEN• Do not discount the unsurpassed joy of

the present Heaven.– This joy is not based on shielded ignorance.– This joy is based on PERSPECTIVE. Imagine

living with God in a sinless state, watching His perfect plan unfold!

– Just try to imagine the glory and worshipful praise!

• Jesus describes Heaven to us as “Paradise.” I’m excited to see what He means!