RE: What does the Bible say about the dead? - Part 1
Thanks for the comment, you brought up a common issue people run into when reading the Bible. In this case, it would appear that the Bible is saying that the dead know nothing, have no feelings and cannot speak, and then in Luke, it seems to say they DO feel, think and speak. In this case, you must ask yourself the simple question. Can the Bible contradict itself on something this big?
You only have two options.
- It's contradicting itself which begs the questions, what else does it contradict?
- Or, Luke's intent is not about describing heaven but is trying to make a point.
After studying the short story of Luke 16:19-31 it becomes clear that this is not intended to be a depiction of what heaven is like. If that was a description of what heaven was like, then this would contradict how the Bible describes heaven (Rev 21) as a city of Gold. Is it a city of gold or is it Abrahams boosm? Furthermore, Luke 13:28 says we're going to actually meet Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets. How are we meeting Abraham if we're all walking around on him? I don't think Abraham wanted to be everyone's doormat.
The short story in Luke 16 is nothing more than a parable. An allegorical story designed to convey a truth or moral lesson. This parable uses the typical symbolic imagery and figurative expressions.
The Old Testament writers weren't told about hell. They were talking about death based on their own human knowledge. You can't reject what Jesus said and accept what the Old Testament says.
You can't say it's a parable. Luke doesn't say it's a parable. Jesus has no explanation for what it means. You have to accept what it says: that the righteous are in heaven and the unrighteous are in hell and they're suffering. The bottom line is that you refuse to accept the truth. That's dangerous for anyone.
If it's a parable then what does it mean???