In the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31, after their deaths, the beggar Lazarus is carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom (a place of comfort), while the rich man is in torment and sees Abraham and Lazarus from afar.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the story:
- The Setup: A rich man, dressed in purple and fine linen, lived luxuriously every day, while at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered in sores, who longed for the crumbs from the rich man’s table.
- Death and Afterlife: The beggar Lazarus died and was carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom, while the rich man also died and was buried.
- The Rich Man’s Torment: In the afterlife, the rich man, in torment, looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
- The Rich Man’s Plea: The rich man cried out to Abraham, asking him to send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool his tongue, as he was suffering in the flames.
- Abraham’s Response: Abraham reminded the rich man that while he lived, he had received good things, and Lazarus had received bad things, and now the roles were reversed. Abraham also stated that a great chasm separated them, preventing anyone from crossing from one place to the other.
- The Rich Man’s Final Request: The rich man then asked Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers, warning them to repent and not end up in the same place of torment.
- Abraham’s Final Word: Abraham replied that the rich man’s brothers had the teachings of Moses and the prophets, and if they wouldn’t listen to them, they wouldn’t be convinced even if someone were raised from the dead.
This sits so very deeply with me! If one were to have a glimpse of the afterlife, does it change that individuals life? Yes.
In the Bible, several individuals are said to have received glimpses or visions of heaven, including Stephen, who saw the glory of God and Jesus at the right hand of God before being stoned. The Apostle Paul also claimed to have been “caught up to paradise” and experienced “inexpressible things”.
Here’s a more detailed look at some of these instances:
- Stephen (Acts 7:55): As he was about to be stoned to death for his faith, Stephen “looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God”.
- The Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 12:2-4): Paul states that he was “caught up to paradise” and heard “inexpressible things” that cannot be spoken. He is unsure whether he was in his body or out of his body when he experienced this.
- John (Revelation 4-5): John was transported to heaven “in the Spirit” and given the privilege and responsibility to write down what he saw, so that we could see it too.
- Isaiah (Isaiah 6): Isaiah had a vision of God in heaven, with seraphim praising Him.
- Enoch and Elijah: The scriptures mention that Enoch and Elijah ascended to heaven in their earthly bodies.
- Jesus Christ: Jesus ascended into the fullness of heaven in his new, resurrected body.