What about the rich man and Lazarus? Luke 16:26
Between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here you you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.
This passage is saying that while the chastisement is taking place, one cannot up and leave at will. It does not say that once the last penny is paid, there will be no release. For Christ says, “You will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny” (Mt. 5:26; 18:34-35; Lu. 12:57-59). The “fixed gulf” refers to a situation relative to a given period of time. If a road has been covered with deep snowdrifts, we well might tell someone who wants to drive through it, “You cannot cross over from there to us.” However, once the snow trucks plow the road, or the sun melts the snow, the road is clear once again. When you are in prison, iron bars are your fixed gulf; you cannot come and go as you please. But once you have served your time you are released.While God is the jailor, there will be no prison breaks!
Who holds the prison keys? “I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens” (Re. 1:18, 3:7). Christ has already used His keys! He went and preached to the spirits in prison who formerly were disobedient in the days of Noah (1Pe. 3:19-20). The Gospel was preached also to those who are dead that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit (1Pe. 4:6). “He ascended on high and led captivity captive, giving gifts to men. Now this ascending means that He first descended into the lower parts of the earth [Hades?]. He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things” (Ep. 4:8-9). Christ, having all authority and power and holding the keys of Hades, has Himself crossed the great gulf, as Peter and Paul imply.
What if Christ had not demonstrated His power to cross the gulf? Is anything too hard for Him? (Ge. 18:14; Jer. 32:17; Mt. 19:26; Mk. 10:26-27; Lu. 1:37; 18:27). Even if Christ lacked the power or will to cross the “gulf,” (which is inconceivable) it will be destroyed in the lake of fire, also called the second death (Re. 20:14). Once Hades and Death are destroyed (1Co. 15:26), what’s left? Life! The absence of death can be none other than life. The last enemy to be destroyed is death (1Co. 15:26)! “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory” (1Co. 15:55)? But, if most of humanity were locked in hell forever, Hades would be victorious.
Scripture sheds much light on this parable if our eyes are open. “We went through fire… but you brought us out to rich fulfillment” (Ps. 66:12). “When your judgments are in the earth the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness” (Is. 26:9). “You appointed them for judgment…you marked them for correction” (Hab. 1:12). “For I am the Lord, I do not change, therefore you are not consumed” (Mal. 3:6, He.13:8, Ja.1:27). “Everyone will be purified by fire” (Mk. 9:49 GNT). Everyone! This parable displays God’s corrective purpose in judgment. Notice the rich man’s deep concern for his brothers. God is changing him. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ez. 36:26). “All Israel will be saved, as it is written…He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob” (Ro. 11:26). And here we have a son of Abraham, being tormented, yet showing compassion. God, open our eyes!
This passage in no way negates limited judgment. If it did, it would contradict the whole Bible. Judgment is always according to deeds. (Ps. 62:12; Pr.24:12; Is. 59:18; Jer. 17: 10, 25:14; Ez.24:14, 36:19; Hos.12:2; Zec.1:6; Mt.6:14-15, 7:1, 16:27, 18:34-35; Mk.4:24, 11:25-26; Lu.12:47-48,59, 14:14, 18:14; Ro.2:6; 2Co. 5:10, 11:15; Ga.6:7; Ep.6:8; Col.3:25; 2Ti.4:14; Ja.2:13; 1Pe.1:17; Re.2:23, 18:6, 20:12-13, 22:12, etc.). Judgment is always measured; “With what judgment you judge you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Mt. 7:2). The rich man is reaping the exact consequences of his acts. Judgment is always fair; “eye for eye, tooth for tooth” (Le.24:20). Judgment is always according to guilt and “no more” (De. 25:3). No more! Every sin receives a just retribution (He. 2:2). Some receive many stripes, others few, but no one receives unending stripes (Lu 12:47). Judgment is always until the last cent is paid (Mt. 5:26, 18:35, Lu. 12:59)! Now, if Hades is an eternal prison with no hope of release, how could Jesus say “Fear not, I… have the keys of Hades” (Re 1:17-18)? Of what use are keys if He cannot or will not use them?
Paul never once mentions Hades or Gehenna in all His letters (or in Acts) except to proclaim its defeat! “O Hades, where is your victory?” (1Co. 15:55). How can we explain this in light of Paul’s unique calling/authority (see page 108, 144)?
“Sheol” is translated as “hell” in the KJV 31 times! Peter translates “Sheol” as “Hades” (Ac. 2:27). This means “Sheol” of the O.T. is the same “Hades” in this parable! Now consider this: “God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol (Hades)” Ps. 49:15 NAS. “I will ransom them from the power of the grave (Sheol/ Hades)…O grave (Sheol/ Hades) I will be your destruction” (Hos. 13:14)! Did you see that? Read it again and again until it sinks in!
One last point – “Torment” in this parable is from the Greek words, basanos (v.23, 28) and odunaomai (v.24, 25). Neither means torture. The Greek word for torture, tumpanizomai, used only in He. 11:35. Odunaomai is “anxiously” and “sorrowing” in Lu.2:48 and Acts 20:38. Tradition makes these words more dreadful than is warranted. “My servant lies at home dreadfully tormented” (Mt. 8:6). If basanizo is something especially dreadful, why add the adjective “dreadfully”? Why is there no adjective in our parable if Hades is as horrendous as claimed? See “Hope Beyond Hell” page 211 for more on basanizo.
This parable offers no support for eternal punishment. Jesus warned us about following the traditions of men, “You invalidate the Word of God for the sake of your tradition” (Mt. 15:6, NAS). “These people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the commandment (tradition) of men” (Is. 29:13). What fear, terror, and horror has the distorted teaching of this parable caused! My heart longs for the truth to be known. Let Scripture interpret itself!
Taken from Hope Beyond Hell pages 227-229!
