End Times Revealed: The Underworld Part two

The Underworld Part two

What's under our feet according to the Bible

Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

The Ten Commandments in the Old and New Covenants

1. Compare Exo. 20:3 with Mat. 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27

2. Compare Exo. 20:4-6 with Acts 15:20, 15:29; 21:25; Rom. 1:18-32; 2:22; 2Cor. 10:7, 10:14; Gal. 5:20; Col. 3:5; 1Jhn. 5:20

3. Compare Exo. 20:7 with Mat. 12:31-32; Mark 3:28-29; 7:22; Luke 12:10; Col. 3:8

4. Compare Exo. 20:8-11. Not commanded in the new covenant for many reasons. Scriptures in the New Testament command absolute freedom from any obligation to the old Jewish sabbath (Rom. 14:5-6; Gal. 4:9-10; Col. 2:14-17)

5. Compare Exo. 20:12 with Mat. 15:4; 19:19; Mark 7:10; 10:19; Luke 18:20; Eph. 6:2; Col. 3:20; 2Tim. 3:2

6. Compare Exo. 20:13 with Mat. 5:21; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Rom. 13:9; Jas. 2:11; 1Pet. 4:15; 1Jhn. 3:15

7. Compare Exo. 20:14 with Mat. 5:27-32; 19:9, 19:18; Mark 10:11-12, 10:19; Luke 16:18; 18:20; Rom. 2:22; 13:9; Gal. 5:19; Jas. 2:11

8. Compare Exo. 20:15 with Mat. 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Rom. 2:21; 13:9; Eph. 4:28

9. Compare Exo. 20:16 with Mat. 15:19; 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Rom. 13:9

10. Compare Exo. 20:17 with Mark 7:22; Luke 12:15; Rom. 1:29; 7:7; 13:9; 2Cor. 6:10; Eph. 5:3-5; Col. 3:5; 1Tim. 3:3; 1Thes. 2:5; Heb. 13:5

“Before me”: meaning “over against Me,” this is a most appropriate expression in the light of the next few verses. All false gods stand in opposition to the true God, and the worship of them is incompatible with the worship of Yahweh. When Israel departed from the worship of the only one and true God, she plunged into religious confusion (Judges Chapters 17 and 18).

The phrase before me has been the subject of no small debate. Some suggest it means in addition to Me, as the preposition is used this way (in Gen. 31:50 and Deut. 19:9). Others take before to indicate in preference to Me. The preposition is translated in hostility toward (in Gen. 16:12). Thus the first commandment teaches that no deity, real or imagined, is to rival the one true God, who is the only One who matters. It demands an exclusive covenant relationship with Yahweh (Psm. 81:9-10).

They had just left a nation with many false gods. God had shown them, that without any doubt at all that He Jehovah, is the one true God. Many confuse this to mean only the Father when in fact God the Father, God the Word, and God the Holy Ghost make up this one God.

1Jhn. chapter 5:7 "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

They are one Spirit. God is a Spirit as we read (in John 4).

John 4:24 "God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth."

God is a jealous God, and will not share us with false gods.

Exo 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

The prohibition of any graven image forbids, among other things, the making of any likeness of what is in the heavens above. Obviously, that would include images of Yahweh. Archaeologists have observed that a figure of Yahweh has yet to be found in debris of an Israelite town. This would also seem to substantiate the antiquity of the second commandment, since such images of other gods are frequently found at later periods.

Verses 5-6: “unto the third and fourth generation … thousands”: Moses had made it clear that children were not punished for the sins of the parents (Deut. 24:16; see Eze. 18:19-32), but children would feel the impact of breaches of God’s law by their parents’ generation as a natural consequence of its disobedience, its hatred of God. Children reared in such an environment would imbibe and then practice similar idolatry, thus themselves expressing hateful disobedience. The difference in consequence served as both a warning and motivation. The effect of a disobedient generation was to plant wickedness so deeply that it took several generations to reverse.

any graven image... Hebrew: pesel, engraved or sculpted image. This command forbids making any kind of idol and every kind of idolatry.

פֶּסֶל

pesel

peh'-sel

From H6458; an idol: - carved (graven) image.

Twelve Things Not to Worship

1. Graven images of wood, stone or metal (Exo. 20:4; Deut. 4:15-16)

2. Any likeness of male or female (Exo. 20:4; Deut. 4:16)

3. Any likeness of any beast (Deut. 4:17)

4. Any likeness of fowls (Deut. 4:17)

5. Any likeness of creeping things on the ground (Deut. 4:18; cp. Rom. 1:23)

6. Any likeness of any creature in the ground itself (Exo. 20:4)

7. Any likeness of fish in the waters (Exo. 20:4; Deut. 4:18)

8. Likeness of any creature in heaven above (Exo. 20:4; cp. Rom. 1:23)

9. The sun (Deut. 4:19; cp. Eze. 8:16)

10. The moon (Deut. 4:19)

11. The stars (Deut. 4:19)

12. The host of heaven, heavenly bodies (Exo. 20:4; Deut. 4:19; 2Kgs. 17:16; 21:3; 2Ch. 33:3)

in heaven...

שָׁמֶה שָׁמַיִם

shâmayim shâmeh

shaw-mah'-yim, shaw-meh'

The second form being dual of an unused singular; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve): - air, X astrologer, heaven (-s).

above...

מַעַל

ma‛al

mah'-al

From H5927, properly the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc.: - above, exceeding (-ly), forward, on (X very) high, over, up (-on, -ward), very.

in the earth...

אֶרֶץ

'erets

eh'-rets

From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land): - X common, country, earth, field, ground, land, X nations, way, + wilderness, world.

beneath...

תַּחַת

tachath

takh'-ath

From the same as H8430; the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc.: - as, beneath, X flat, in (-stead), (same) place (where . . . is), room, for . . . sake, stead of, under, X unto, X when . . . was mine, whereas [where-] fore, with.

in the water...

מַיִם

mayim

mah'-yim

Dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively juice; by euphemism urine, semen: - + piss, wasting, water (-ing, [-course, -flood, -spring]).

under...

same as beneath listed above.

the earth...

same as the earth listed above.

The second commandment

The worship of God was to be spiritual, not material. Israel was forbidden from worshiping idols (Exo. 20:3) and also from making images of God. Idol is pesel, carved wood or stone, from pāsal, to carve. Later (Exo. 34:17) cast idols made from molten metal were forbidden too. Since God is spiritual no material representation can possibly resemble Him. To make an idol of God like something in the sky (sun, moon, stars), or on the earth (animals), or in the waters below (fish, crocodiles, or other sea life) was forbidden because God is a jealous God (cf. Exo. 34:14; Deut. 5:9; 6:15; 32:16, 32:21; Jos. 24:19), that is, He is zealous that devotion be given exclusively to Him. His uniqueness (Exo. 20:3) requires unique devotion.

Job 28:5 As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.

Man's cleverness is such that he turns the earth to various uses. By tillage of its surface, he causes it to produce the staff of life, bread: and by his mining operations the under part of it is turned up as fire, or rather, as by fire.

And under it... Coal, which is fuel for fire; for, as in the earth are mines for gold and silver, iron and brass, out of which they are dug. Or the ore of them, so there is coal under the earth; which, when turned up, or dug, is taken for firing; or brimstone, or sulfurous matter, which is easily inflammable. And sometimes the same earth, the surface of which is covered with corn, out of which bread cometh; underneath is coal, or sulfur, and such like combustible matter. Some think precious stones are meant, which glitter and sparkle like fire (see Eze. 28:14).

Job was speaking of the treasures of the earth in all of these verses. In this particular verse, the spoke of the very food we eat coming from the earth. There is a heat in the center of the earth. About our only chance to see that, is when a volcano erupts. Someday, I am told, the heat for people's homes could come by tapping into that heat in the center of the earth.

As we follow the Hebrew below the earth is made up of the contents to have come out of it bread to feed humankind and animals. The Lord here is also revealing that the earth beneath is like fire. Follow below:

the earth...

אֶרֶץ

'erets

eh'-rets

From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land): - X common, country, earth, field, ground, land, X nations, way, + wilderness, world.

out of...

מִנֵּי מִנִּי מִן

min minnı̂y minnêy

min, min-nee', min-nay'

For H4482; properly a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses: - above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, X neither, X nor, (out) of, over, since X then, through, X whether, with.

it cometh...

יָצָא

yâtsâ'

yaw-tsaw'

A primitive root; to go (causatively bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proximate: - X after, appear, X assuredly, bear out, X begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), + be condemned, depart (-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, X scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, X still, X surely, take forth (out), at any time, X to [and fro], utter.

Bread...

לֶחֶם

lechem

lekh'-em

From H3898; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it): - ([shew-]) bread, X eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also H1036.

and under...

תַּחַת

tachath

takh'-ath

it is turned up...

תַּחַת

tachath

takh'-ath

as it were...

כָּמוֹ כְּמוֹ

k^emô kâmô

kem-o', kaw-mo'

A form of the prefix K, but used separately (compare H3651); as, thus, so: - according to, (such) as (it were, well as), in comparison of, like (as, to, unto), thus, when, worth.

Fire...

אֵשׁ

'êsh

aysh

A primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively): - burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot.

Phlp. 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.

That at the... The 2nd New Testament prophecy in Philippians (Phlp. 2:10-11, unfulfilled). Next, Phlp. 3:11.

at the name of Jesus (ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι)

Rev., better, in the name. The name means here the personal name; but as including all that is involved in the name. See on Mat. 28:19. Hence the salutation is not at the name of Jesus, as by bowing when the name is uttered, but, as Ellicott rightly says: the spiritual sphere, the holy element as it were, in which every prayer is to be offered and every knee to bow. Compare Eph. 5:20.

Jesus was the name bestowed at His birth, not His new name. The name for Jesus given in the fullest sense after His exaltation was Lord.

The entire intelligent universe is called to worship Jesus Christ as Lord. This mandate includes the angels in heaven, the spirits of the redeemed, obedient believers on earth, the disobedient rebels on earth, demons and lost humanity in hell.

This now is speaking of His creation, whether in heaven, earth, or under the earth. Creator God deserves all praise. We should praise Him that we are recreated in Him at our new birth. We do know that all prayers made to the Father must be spoken in the name of Jesus to receive entrance to the throne of God.

We do know that He has given believers on the earth the power of attorney to use the name of Jesus. We do know that miracles occur in the name of Jesus. There is great power in the name of Jesus. Look with me, at some of the other names this Jesus is called by.

Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

My own belief is that the name (Jesus), encompasses all these names.

of things in... Three worlds that are inhabited:

1. Heaven (Phlp. 2:10; Job 1:6; 2:1; Dan. 4:35; Col. 1:15-18; Rev. 12:12; 13:6)

Things in heaven, etc.

Compare Rev. 5:13; Eph. 1:20, 1:22. The words may apply either to all intelligent beings or to all things. The latter is in accord with Paul's treatment of the creation collectively in Rom. 8:19-22, and with the Old-Testament passages, in which all nature is represented as praising God, as Psm. 148:1-14; 65:13.

2. Earth (Phlp. 2:10; Col. 1:16; Rev. 12:12)

3. Underworld. Greek: katachthonios, under the earth; subterranean; infernal world (Phlp. 2:10; cp. Psm. 16:10 with Mat. 12:40 and Eph. 4:8-10). This includes the angelic inhabitants in tartarus (2Pet. 2:4; Jude 1:6-7; 1Pet. 3:19); the pre-Adamites and demon inhabitants of the abyss (Luke 8:31; Rev. 9:1-21; 20:3, 20:7); the giant races that have no resurrection (Gen. 2:4, see; Isa. 26:14; the human inhabitants of Sheol/Hades (Psm. 9:17; 16:10; 71:20; Prov. 9:18; 15:24; Isa. 14:9; Eze. 31:14-18; 32:18-27; Luke 16:1-31; Rev. 20:11-15); and all other inhabitants of the infernal world (Phlp. 2:10; Rev. 5:13). This proves that hell is not the grave.

In keeping with Christ’s exaltation and high name… every knee will one day bow and acknowledge Him for who He really is. Paul stressed the same truth in his letter to the Romans (Rom. 14:11). Both instances reflect Isaiah’s prophecy (Isa. 45:23) of the singular greatness of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The extent of Christ’s sovereign authority is delineated in the three-fold phrase, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. No intelligent being - whether angels and saints in heaven; people living on the earth; or Satan, demons, and the unsaved in hell - in all of God’s universe will escape. All will bow either willingly or they will be made to do so.

Phlp. 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Tongue should confess... The word for confess means to acknowledge, affirm or agree, which is what everyone will eventually do in response to Christ’s lordship. Willingly and blessedly or unwillingly and painfully.

Jesus Christ is... Means that we recognize Him as our Savior (Jesus), we recognize Him as Messiah, the Anointed One (Christ), and that we have turned our will over to His will and call Him Lord. Every tongue means all that have the gift of speech. It also, means everyone who has the breath of life.

Lord primarily refers to the right to rule, and in the New Testament it denotes mastery over or ownership of people and property. When applied to Jesus, it certainly implies His deity, but it mainly refers to sovereign authority.

For every tongue to confess would bring glory to the Father.

John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

confess (ἐξομολογήσεται)

See on Mat. 3:6; see on thank, Mat. 11:25; see on Rom. 14:11. The verb may also be rendered thank, as Mat. 11:25; Luke 10:21, that meaning growing out of the sense of open, joyful acknowledgment. The sense here is that of frank, open confession.

The glory of Jesus was the glory of His Father in Him. When we glorify Jesus, we are also glorifying the Father. Even earthly fathers are glorified in their sons.

To the glory, etc.

Connect with confess.

What all will confess is that Jesus Christ is Lord. This, the earliest Christian creed, meant that Jesus Christ is Yahweh-God. One day all will be made to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is all He claimed to be - very God of very God. Unfortunately, for many it will be too late for the salvation of their souls. The exalted place the Savior now occupies and the universal bowing in the future in acknowledgment of His lordship is all to the glory of God the Father.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

There was a... Jesus said there was a certain man, relating a true story. Even if this story were a parable, it is still true for it actually happened. Christ never did use lies to illustrate truths. But this is no parable any more than Luke 16:18. In no parable of Christ is a person named, but certain points are always given which the parable illustrates. Here there is no point illustrated. The story is a literal one of two beggars: one begged in this life; the other begged in his next life hell. This shows plainly the conditions of departed souls at death in the Old Testament.

It is satanic fallacy to make the story represent the Jews and Gentiles or portray any idea that is not stated in the text itself. The whole purpose of so doing on the part of false religionists is to do away with the reality of eternal hell and eternal punishment—or the reality of a temporary hell and torment. As well as temporary bliss and redemption.

It can be seen from the actual experience of these two men that Jesus Christ was declaring in plain terms the reality of immortality of the soul, the consciousness of souls after leaving the body, the fact of different places for the righteous and the wicked between death and resurrection of the body, and the truth of torment for the wicked and bliss for the righteous.

This rich man was very rich. It appears from the scene above that he was sure to use his money for his own personal wants. He seemed to be pampering himself by buying himself fine clothes and eating all sorts of delicate foods.

In 1Tim. 6:18-19 "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;" "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

You see a rich person must not hang on to his riches for themselves but must be quick to help others in need. That does not seem to be the case with this rich man above. He seemed to be thinking just of himself.

Was clothed

Imperfect, and frequentative; denoting his habitual attire.

purple (πορφύραν)

Originally the purple fish from which the color was obtained, and thence applied to the color itself. Several kinds of these were found in the Mediterranean. The color was contained in a vein about the neck. Under the term purple the ancients included three distinct colors: 1. A deep violet, with a black or dusky tinge; the color meant by Homer in describing an ocean wave: As when the great sea grows purple with dumb swell Iliad, xiv., 16). 2. Deep scarlet or crimson - the Tyrian purple. 3. The deep blue of the Mediterranean. The dye was permanent. Alexander is said by Plutarch to have found in the royal palace at Susa garments which preserved their freshness of color though they had been laid up for nearly two hundred years; and Mr. St. John Manners and Customs of Ancient Greece relates that a small pot of the dye was discovered at Pompeii which had preserved the tone and richness attributed to the Tyrian purple. This fixedness of color is alluded to in Isa. 1:18 - though your sins were as scarlet, the term being rendered in the Septuagint φοινικοῦν, which, with its kindred words, denoted darker shades of red. A full and interesting description of the purple may be found in J. A. St. John's Manners and Customs of Ancient Greece, iii., 224: sq.

fine linen (βύσσον)

Byssus. A yellowish flax, and the linen made from it. Herodotus says it was used for enveloping mummies (ii., 86), a statement confirmed by microscopic examinations. He also speaks of it as a bandage for a wound (vii., 181). It is the word used by the Septuagint for linen (Exo. 25:4; 28:5; 35:6, etc.). Some of the Egyptian linen was so fine that it was called woven air. Sir Gardner Wilkinson says that some in his possession was, to the touch, comparable to silk, and not inferior in texture to the finest cambric. It was often as transparent as lawn, a fact illustrated by the painted sculptures, where the entire form is often made distinctly visible through the outer garment. Later Greek writers used the word for cotton and for silk. See Wilkinson's Ancient Egyptians, first series, iii., 114 sq., and Rawlinson's History of Ancient Egypt, i., 4:87, 512. A yellow byssus was used by the Greeks, the material for which grew around Elis, and which was enormously costly. See Aeschylus, Persae, 127.

fared sumptuously (εὐφραινόμενος λαμπρῶς)

Lit., making merry in splendor. Compare Luke 15:23, 15:24, 15:29, 15:32. Wyc., he ate, each day, shiningly.

Eighteen Facts about the Rich Man and Lazarus

1. Regardless of the state in this life the next life may be different (Luke 16:22-32).

2. Poor people can be well off in the next life if they are saved; otherwise, they will suffer hell like the unsaved rich.

3. The rich do not suffer hell unless they are unsaved.

4. The rich, like the poor, must make proper preparation for the next life or be lost and punished.

5. The rich and the poor both dies, and their bodies are buried.

6. The saved are carried by angels into paradise (Luke 16:22; 23:43) which was then in the lower parts of the earth (Mat. 12:40; Psm. 16:10); but since Eph. 4:8-10 and Heb. 2:14-15, the righteous go to heaven (2Cor. 5:8; Phlp. 1:21-24; Heb. 12:22-23; Rev. 6:9-11).

7. There is something real at death for angels to carry and a real place to put it (Luke 16:22).

8. The unsaved go to hell when they leave their bodies (Luke 16:23; Jas. 2:26; Isa. 14:9; Rev. 20:7-15; Psm. 9:17; 55:15).

9. The lost are in conscious torment in hell (Luke 16:23-28; Deut. 32:22; 2Sam. 22:6; Psm. 18:5; 116:3; 139:8; Isa. 14:9-11; Eze. 32:21; Son. 8:6; Hab. 2:5).

10. Souls and spirits have spirit forms with physical parts, like the parts of the physical body. They wear clothes, talk, feel, etc. (Luke 16:22-24; Isa. 14:9-11; Mat. 17:3; Psm. 16:10; Heb. 12:22-23; Rev. 6:9-11).

11. Only God can put into hell (Luke 16:22-32; Eze. 31:16; Psm. 9:17; Mat. 10:28; Luke 12:4-5; Rev. 20:10-15; Mat. 25:41, 25:46; 2Pet. 2:4; Jude 1:6-7).

12. Souls are immortal in hell and heaven (Luke 16:22-32; 1Pet. 3:4; 4:6; Luke 20:38; 2Cor. 5:8; Phlp. 1:21-24; Heb. 12:22-23; Rev. 6:9-11).

13. Prayer and conversations continue in hell and heaven (Luke 16:22-32; Isa. 14:9-11; Jon. 2:2; Eze. 32:21; Rev. 6:9-11).

14. Fire and torments are in the past present and eternal hell (Luke16:22-32; Rev. 14:9-11; 19:20; 20:10-15; 21:8; Isa. 66:22-24; Mat. 8:12; 13:42, 13:49-50; 24:51; 25:41, 25:46; Mark 9:43-49).

15. Unsaved ones are confined to hell until the judgment (Luke 16:26; Rev. 20:11-15).

16. One can escape hell if conditions are met in this life (Prov. 23:14; John 3:16; Tit. 2:11-14; Luke 13:1-5; 2Cor. 5:17-21).

17. Both past, present and eternal hells are located in the lower parts of the earth (Psm. 63:9; Eph. 4:8-10; Mat. 12:40), the nether parts of the earth (Eze. 31:14-18; 32:18-27), and beneath the earth (Prov. 15:24; Isa. 14:9-15; Eze. 31:14-18; 32:18-27; Rev. 21:8).

18. Satan, angels, demons, and men will be put into eternal hell (Mat. 8:29; 25:41; Rev. 20:10-15; 2Pet. 2:4; Jude 1:6-7).

Not one of the above facts or scriptures could possibly apply to the grave, proving hell and the grave are two different things. See Psm. 9:17; Luke 12:5; 16:26; Rev. 20:3; Isa. 30:33.

“Lazarus”: Clearly not the Lazarus (in John 11), who died at a later time. This beggar was the only character in any of Jesus’ parables ever given a name. Some therefore have speculated that this was no imaginary tale, but an actual incident that really took place.

Luke 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

Either way, Christ employs it in the same fashion as all His parables, to teach a lesson, in this case for the benefit of the Pharisees. The rich man in the parable is sometimes called Dives, after the Latin word for rich.

Here is a picture of a person exactly opposite of the rich man. Lazarus lay at his gate, because begging was the only way he had of getting enough to live on.

A certain beggar...

the poor (οἱ πρωχιὸ)

Three words expressing poverty are found in the New Testament. Two of them, πὲνης and πενιχρός, are kindred terms, the latter being merely a poetic form of the other, and neither of these occurs more than once (Luke 21:2; 2Cor. 9:9). The word used in this verse is therefore the current word for poor, occurring thirty-four times, and covering every gradation of want; so that it is evident that the New Testament writers did not recognize any nice distinctions of meaning which called for the use of other terms. Luke, for instance (Luke 21:2, 21:3), calls the widow who bestowed her two mites both πενιχρὰν and πρωχὴ. Nevertheless, there is a distinction, recognized by both classical and ecclesiastical writers. While ὁ πένης is of narrow means, one who earns a scanty pittance, πρωχός is allied to the verb πτώσσειν, to crouch or cringe, and therefore conveys the idea of utter destitution, which abjectly solicits and lives by alms. Hence it is applied to Lazarus (Luke 16:20, 16:22), and rendered beggar. Thus distinguished, it is very graphic and appropriate here, as denoting the utter spiritual destitution, the consciousness of which precedes the entrance into the kingdom of God, and which cannot be relieved by one's own efforts, but only by the free mercy of God. (See on 2Cor. 6:10; and see 2Cor. 8:9.)

Lazarus

Abbreviated from Ἐλεάζαρος, Eleazar, and meaning God some help. It is striking evidence of the deep impression which this parable has made on the mind of Christendom, that the term azar should have passed into so many languages as it has, losing altogether its signification as a proper name (Trench).

was laid (ἐβέβλητο)

Lit., was thrown east carelessly down by his bearers and left there.

gate (πυλῶνα)

The gateway, often separated from the house or temple. In Mat. 26:71, it is rendered porch.

full of sores (εἱλκωμένος)

Only here in New Testament. The regular medical term for to be ulcerated. John uses the kindred noun ἕλκος, an ulcer (Rev. 16:2). See next verse.

Luke 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

And desiring to (ἐπιθυμῶν)

Eagerly, and not receiving what he desired. The same thing is implied in the story of the prodigal, where the same word is used, he would fain have been filled (Luke 15:16), but the pods did not satisfy his hunger.

The mention off crumbs, sores, and dogs all made this poor man appear odious in the eyes of the Pharisees. They were inclined to see all such things as proof of divine disfavor. They would have to see all such things as proof of divine disfavor. They would have viewed such a person as not only unclean, but also despised by God.

the crumbs that fell (τῶν πιπτόντων)

Lit., the things falling. The best texts omit ψιχίων, crumbs.

We see here, the rich man had opportunity. It is strange that the rich man was not named, and the beggar was. Two separate dictionaries give two different meanings to Lazarus name. Perhaps this can shed some light on why Lazarus' name was mentioned and not the rich men. Lazarus means God help, or God helped. The other meaning was helpless.

This tells us a lot more about Lazarus. He is unable to help himself and God has heard his cry and helped him. It is not uncommon in the Old Testament for names to bring a hidden message to a Scripture, but we see more clearly from this name, the man Lazarus in this Scripture.

We see also that Lazarus was not asking much, just the crumbs. He had no one to doctor his sores so the dogs licked them.

moreover (ἀλλὰ καὶ)

Lit., but even. But (instead of finding compassion), even the dogs, etc.

licked (ἐπέλειχον)

Only here in New Testament. Cyril, cited by Hobart, says: The only attention, and, so to speak, medical dressing, which his sores received, was from the dogs who came and licked them.

A poor man, a crippled beggar named Lazarus, had nothing. One lived in luxury for himself, the other in abject poverty with hunger and poor health sores. Perhaps Jesus picked the name Lazarus because it is the Greek form of the Hebrew name which means God, the Helper. Lazarus was righteous not because he was poor but because he depended on God.

Luke 16:22 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;

beggar died, and...

Facts about Lazarus

1. He was a beggar full of sores which the dogs licked (Luke 16:20-22).

2. He laid at the rich man’s gate to beg the crumbs of his table (Luke 16:21).

3. He died, and his body was buried (Luke 16:22).

4. His soul and spirit were carried by the angels to paradise (Luke 16:22).

5. He was with Abraham and all the redeemed (Luke 16:23).

6. He was in comfort: no hell, no torment, no separation from the saved, no crying for mercy, no regrets of the past, and no thirst or punishment in hell fire (Luke 16:23-25).

7. He retained soul and spirit faculties capable of enjoying eternity with God (Luke 16:24-26).

carried by the... Angels do not carry people to graves, but to paradise (Luke 16:22; Heb. 12:23; Rev. 6:9-11; 2Cor. 5:8; Phlp. 1:21-24).

into Abraham’s bosom... A phrase used among the Jews to signify paradise. It is called paradise in Luke 23:43 and was located in the lower parts of the earth (Eph. 4:8-10; Mat. 12:40). There is another paradise in the third heaven (2Cor. 12:1-4; Rev. 2:7). The Greek for paradise is paradeisos, a park, forest, or orchard; it is used in the Septuagint for the garden of Eden. The Hebrew: pardec is translated orchard (Son. 4:13; Ecc. 2:5) and forest (Neh. 2:8). This same expression found only here in Scripture, was used in the Talmud as a figure for heaven. The idea was that Lazarus was given a place of high honor, reclining next to Abraham at the heavenly banquet.

Being in the bosom of another means the one next to him at the time (John 13:23). It is also an idiom of close relationship (2Sam. 12:3; Isa. 40:11; John 1:18).

Abraham's bosom

A Rabbinical phrase, equivalent to being with Abraham in Paradise. To the Israelite Abraham seems the personal centre and meeting-point of Paradise (Goebel).

Before the resurrection of Christ all righteous souls went to paradise where they were held captive by the devil against their wills (Heb. 2:14-15). When Christ died His body went to the grave, but He went to paradise and liberated those righteous captives taking them to heaven with Him when He ascended on high (Mat. 12:40; Eph. 4:8-10). Now when a Christian dies, he is no longer held captive by the devil in the lower parts of the earth, but he goes immediately to heaven awaiting the resurrection of the body (2Cor. 5:8; Phlp. 1:21-24; Heb. 12:22-24; Rev. 6:9-11). Christ now has the keys of hades and of death (Rev. 1:18). Paradise under the earth is now empty, but the torment department of hades is being filled more every day. It will hold all the wicked dead until the end of the Millennium when hades will deliver up the souls in it, and the graves will give up all the bodies in them. Then the bodies, souls, and spirits of the wicked will be cast into the eternal hell (Rev. 20:11-15).

rich man also...

Facts about the Rich Man

1. He was clothed in purple and fared sumptuously every day (Luke 16:19).

2. He died, and his body was buried (Luke 16:22).

3. His soul went to hell (Luke 16:23).

4. He was in torment (Luke 16:23-25, 16:28).

5. He possessed eyes that could see and distinguish persons (Luke 16:23).

6. He cried for mercy and begged for Lazarus to bring a drop of water to cool his tongue (Luke 16:24).

7. He still had a tongue, eyes, memory, intelligence, feelings, emotions, will, voice, reasoning powers, concern for his brothers, and all other soul passions and spirit faculties (Luke 16:23-31).

In the course of time both men died. Lazarus went to Abraham’s side while the rich man… was buried and was in hell, a place of conscious torment (Luke 16:24, 16:28). Hadēs, the Greek word often translated hell, is used 11 times in the New Testament. The Septuagint used hadēs to translate the Hebrew š^e'ôl the place of the dead on 61 occasions. Here hadēs refers to the abode of the unsaved dead prior to the great white throne judgment (Rev. 20:11-15).

Deut. 32:21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

have moved me to jealousy...

קָנָא

qânâ'

kaw-naw'

A primitive root; to be (causatively make) zealous, that is, (in a bad sense) jealous or envious: - (be) envy (-ious), be (move to, provoke to) jealous (-y), X very, (be) zeal (-ous).

have provoked me to anger...

כַּעַס

ka‛as

kaw-as'

A primitive root; to trouble; by implication to grieve, rage, be indignant: - be angry, be grieved, take indignation, provoke (to anger, unto wrath), have sorrow, vex, be wroth.

with there vanities... Hebrew: hebel, emptiness; vanity; something transitory and unsatisfactory. Here it refers to idols (Deut. 32:21; 1Kgs. 16:13, 16:26; Jer. 8:19; 10:8; 14:22; cp. Acts 14:15). Lying vanities are also spoken of (Psm. 31:6; Jon. 2:8).

הֲבֵל הֶבֶל

hebel hăbêl

heh'-bel, hab-ale'

From H1891; emptiness or vanity; figuratively something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb: - X altogether, vain, vanity.

not a people... As the LORD was provoked to jealousy by Israel’s worship of that which was not God, so He would provoke Israel to jealously and anger by humiliation before a foolish, vile no-nation. In (Rom. 10:19), Paul applied the term not a nation to the Gentile nations generally, Jews who worship a no-god will be judged by a no-people.

עַם

‛am

From H6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively a flock: - folk, men, nation, people.

I will provoke... The 10th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Romans (Rom. 10:19; Deut. 32:21). Next, Rom. 10:20. Just as Israel made God jealous and angry over their worship of gods which are not real, so God was to provoke Israel to jealousy and anger by choosing a people who were not His chosen ones. Quoted in Rom. 10:19

כַּעַס

ka‛as

kaw-as'

A primitive root; to trouble; by implication to grieve, rage, be indignant: - be angry, be grieved, take indignation, provoke (to anger, unto wrath), have sorrow, vex, be wroth.

The salvation and blessing of Gentiles will be the means of provoking Jews to seek and claim again their blessings. (cp. Rom. 11:11).

This is saying that God is so moved with jealousy about their worship of false gods, that He will strengthen their enemies to destroy them. Their enemies are not God's people, but God will use them against His rebellious family. The chastisement from God will be brought on Israel by the heathen people around them.

In His righteous indignation God withdrew His beneficial presence I will hide My face from them, Deut. 32:20) and judged Israel by a foreign nation, those who are not a people (Deut. 32:21). This may mean that a nation would conquer Israel which could have never done so if Israel had been following the Lord. Israel had made God jealous (Deut. 32:21; cf. see Deut. 32:16) and angry, so He would make them envious and angry.

Deut. 32:22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

a fire...

אֵשׁ

'êsh

aysh

A primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively): - burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot.

is kindled...

קָדַח

qâdach

kaw-dakh'

A primitive root to inflame: - burn, kindle.

in mine anger...

אַף

'aph

From H599; properly the nose or nostril; hence the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire: - anger (-gry), + before, countenance, face, + forbearing, forehead, + [long-] suffering, nose, nostril, snout, X worthy, wrath.

and shall burn...

יָקַד

yâqad

yaw-kad'

A primitive root; to burn: - (be) burn (-ing), X from the hearth, kindle.

unto...

עַד

‛ad

Properly the same as H5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or conjugation; especially with a preposition); as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with): - against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for (-asmuch as), [hither-] to, + how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, (+ as) yet.

the lowest hell... Hebrew: she’owl, the unseen world; the place of departed spirits in the lower parts of the earth (Deut. 32:22; cp. Mat. 12:40; Eph. 4:8-10).

the lowest...

תַּחְתִּי

tachtı̂y

takh-tee'

From H8478; lowermost; as noun (feminine plural) the depths (figuratively a pit, the womb): - low (parts, -er, -er parts, -est), nether (part).

hell...

שְׁאֹל שְׁאוֹל

sh^e'ôl sh^e'ôl

sheh-ole', sheh-ole'

From H7592; hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranian retreat), including its accessories and inmates: - hell, pit.

This verse reveals five facts about hell:

1. It is a place of fire (Son. 8:6; Luke 16:19-31).

2. It was kindled because of God’s wrath on sin (Psm. 9:17; Mat. 25:41).

3. There are different compartments, one being the lowest hell (Luke 16:19-31; 23:43).

4. Hell shall consume the earth’s increase of men who die in rebellion (Isa. 5:14; 14:9; Rev. 20:11-15).

5. It will set the foundations of the mountains on fire.

Not one statement here or in any other place teaches that hell is the grave. There is no fire in the grave.

and shall consume...

אָכַל

'âkal

aw-kal'

A primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively): - X at all, burn up, consume, devour (-er, up), dine, eat (-er, up), feed (with), food, X freely, X in . . . wise (-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, X quite.

the earth...

אֶרֶץ

'erets

eh'-rets

From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land): - X common, country, earth, field, ground, land, X nations, way, + wilderness, world.

with her increase...

יְבוּל

y^ebûl

yeb-ool'

From H2986; produce, that is, a crop or (figuratively) wealth: - fruit, increase.

and set on fire...

לָהַט

lâhaṭ

law-hat'

A primitive root; properly to lick, that is, (by implication) to blaze: - burn (up), set on fire, flaming, kindle.

the foundations...

מֹסָדָה מוֹסָדָה

môsâdâh môsâdâh

mo-saw-daw', mo-saw-daw'

Feminine of H4144; a foundation: - foundation.

of the mountains...

הַר

har

A shortened form of H2042; a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively): - hill (country), mount (-ain), X promotion.

For the fire of Divine wrath is kindled against them. It burns in Yahweh with an all-consuming power, and fills the universe even to the lowest depths of Sheol. Upon this sinful people it is about to burst forth; Yahweh will exhaust all His arrows upon them. By famine and drought; by disease and the rage of wild beasts, and of the crawlers of the dust; by giving them up to their enemies, and by overwhelming them with terror. He will destroy this people, the young man and the virgin, the suckling and the man of grey hairs alike. Nothing could save them, save Yahweh’s respect for His own name.

The metaphor of a fire (Deut. 32:22) points to the awful consequences and comprehensive nature of God’s judgment.

Psm. 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

The wicked shall... The 5th prophecy in Psalms (Psm. 9:17-18, partially fulfilled and will be completed when the last of the wicked are in hell and the righteous are vindicated and safe with God forever. Next, Psm. 10:15. Some render it, shall return to the grave, to the earth, the original dust from whence they came. But this is common to all men, to the righteous as well as the wicked. Rather here signifies the place of torment, commonly called hell, where devils and damned spirits are. Here the souls of the wicked go immediately upon their departure from their bodies (Luke 16:23). And after the judgment is over, they will be remanded there in soul and body; and their damnation is called the destruction of soul and body in hell. Which will consist in an everlasting separation from God, and in a sense of his wrath and fiery indignation. And though this is true of all the wicked, yet here that wicked one, antichrist, and his wicked followers, are chiefly designed. Even the beast and false prophet, who shall be cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone (Rev. 19:20.

רָשָׁע

râshâ‛

raw-shaw'

From H7561; morally wrong; concretely an (actively) bad person: - + condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.

shall be turned...

שׁוּב

shûb

shoob

A primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbially again: - ([break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep]) X again, (cause to) answer (+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call [to mind], carry again (back), cease, X certainly, come again (back) X consider, + continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back, fetch home again, X fro, get [oneself] (back) again, X give (again), go again (back, home), [go] out, hinder, let, [see] more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), X repent, requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, + say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, X surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.

into hell...

שְׁאֹל שְׁאוֹל

sh^e'ôl sh^e'ôl

sheh-ole', sheh-ole'

From H7592; hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranian retreat), including its accessories and inmates: - hell, pit.

all the nations... Which is not to be understood of the Pagan nations, though they may be said to forget God, since he is to be known by the light of nature, and yet they worship idols, the works of their hands. But the Papal nations, who adore the pope of Rome as God on earth, worship angels and saints departed, and images of gold and silver, and wood and stone. It may be applied to every wicked man who forgets there is a God who sees and knows all things, and to whom men are accountable (see Psm. 50:22).

גֹּי גּוֹי

gôy gôy

go'ee, go'-ee

Apparently from the same root as H1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts: - Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

Now, we see the terrible fate of all who reject Jesus as their Savior. The individual, or the nation, that turns their back on God, wind up in hell.

that forget...

שָׁכֵחַ

shâkêach

shaw-kay'-akh

From H7911; oblivious: - forget.

God...

אֱלֹהִים

'ĕlôhı̂ym

el-o-heem'

Plural of H433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative: - angels, X exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.

The expression forget God is sometimes contrasted in the Psalms with the word remember, a term that signifies faith and prayer. Those who reject and ignore the Lord have no hope.

Psm. 55:15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

Let death seize... Hebrew: maveth, death. Translated death 128 times; dead 8 times; die 22 times; and deadly once.

יְשִׁימָה

y^eshı̂ymâh

yesh-ee-maw'

From H3456; desolation: - let death seize [from the margin].

upon...

עַל

‛al

Properly the same as H5920 used as a preposition (in the singular or plural, often with prefix, or as conjugation with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications: - above, according to (-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through (-out), to, touching, X with.

Ahithophel and his accomplices, Judas and the men with him; as a mighty man, as the king of terrors, and shake them to pieces. Or, let him exact upon them; as a creditor upon the debtor, and demand the debt of punishment for sin. Or let him come upon them at an unawares; let them not die a natural, but a violent death. The Targum mentions Doeg and Ahithophel.

and let them... Since God had done this once with the enemies of Moses (Num. 16:30), David asks Him to perform the same judgment on his enemies. As Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, went down quick or alive into the earth; so let these men die, and descend into the grave, in their full strength. And accordingly, Absalom and Ahithophel died sudden and violent deaths (2Sam. 17:23). And so did Judas (Mat. 27:5); and the beast and false prophet, another part of the anti type, will be taken and cast alive into the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20).

יָרַד

yârad

yaw-rad'

A primitive root; to descend (literally to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively to fall); causatively to bring down (in all the above applications): - X abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come (-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go (-ing) down (-ward), hang down, X indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.

go down quick... Hebrew: chay, living. The request is for them to go to Sheol alive, proving that hell is not the place of the body which dies when the soul and spirit leave it (Jas. 2:26). The soul and spirit are immortal (see, 1Pet. 3:4). The word is translated quick 3 times (Psm. 55:15; 124:3; Num. 16:30); alive 31 times (Gen. 43:7, 43:27-28; Num. 16:33; etc.); and live with various endings 205 times (Gen. 9:3; 45:3; etc.). David, by the Holy Spirit, thus recognized that men went alive into she’owl or Hades.

חַי

chay

khah'ee

From H2421; alive; hence raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively: - + age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life (-time), live (-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, + merry, multitude, + (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.

for wickedness is... And dwells in them. Wherever they go or sojourn, this goes and abides with them, being the reigning principle in their hearts and lives.

This is David’s reason for praying for hell to receive the wicked.

רָעָה רַע

ra‛ râ‛âh

rah, raw-aw'

From H7489; bad or (as noun) evil (naturally or morally). This includes the second (feminine) form; as adjective or noun: - adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, + displease (-ure), distress, evil ([-favouredness], man, thing), + exceedingly, X great, grief (-vous), harm, heavy, hurt (-ful), ill (favoured), + mark, mischief, (-vous), misery, naught (-ty), noisome, + not please, sad (-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked (-ly, -ness, one), worse (-st) wretchedness, wrong. [Including feminine ra’ah; as adjective or noun.]

and among them... In the midst of them; their inward part is very wickedness. The Targum is, in their bodies. But rather the sense is, in their hearts. Wickedness was both in their houses and in their hearts, and is the reason of the imprecation on them. Which arises not from a revengeful spirit, but from a zeal for the glory of God. And is to be considered as a prophecy of what would be, and not to be drawn into an example for private Christians to act by.

קֶרֶב

qereb

keh'-reb

From H7126; properly the nearest part, that is, the centre, whether literally, figuratively or adverbially (especially with preposition): - X among, X before, bowels, X unto charge, + eat (up), X heart, X him, X in, inward (X -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, + out of, appurtenance, X therein, X through, X within self.

David is expressing here, the fact that if they have turned against David a servant of God, they have turned against God. Their fate is an eternity in hell. They have chosen wickedness over God. There is no more hope for them.

Thus the psalmist wished God’s swift destruction by death on all his enemies (cf. Psm. 55:23).

Prov. 15:24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

The way of... Four contrasted ways:

1. The way of the wise—the way of fools

2. The way of life—the way of death

3. The way above—the way beneath

4. The way to heaven—the way to hell

We see that the wise choose the way that leads to heaven above. They are aware that hell exists beneath. They are on a higher plane. They seek the way of the Godly. Their home is in heaven; and they refuse the way of sin that leads to hell.

The way...

אֹרַח

'ôrach

o'-rakh

From H732; a well trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan: - manner, path, race, rank, traveller, troop, [by-, high-] way.

of life...

חַי

chay

khah'ee

above...

מַעַל

ma‛al

mah'-al

From H5927; properly the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc.: - above, exceeding (-ly), forward, on (X very) high, over, up (-on, -ward), very.

to the wise...

שָׂכַל

śâkal

saw-kal'

A primitive root; to be (causatively make or act) circumspect and hence intelligent: - consider, expert, instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent (-ly), (give) skill (-ful), have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand (-ing), wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise (-ly), guide wittingly.

he may depart...

שׂוּר סוּר

sûr śûr

soor, soor

A primitive root; to turn off (literally or figuratively): - be [-head], bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get [you], go (aside), X grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away, down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, X be sour, take (away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without.

depart from hell... Hebrew: She’owl, the unseen world, the place of departed spirits.

Greek: gehenna, the place of future and eternal torment. Found 12 times and always rendered hell. It is the same as the lake of fire found 5 times (Rev. 19:20; 20:10-15; 21:8). Cast into hell, men can put into the grave after killing the body, but God alone can cast into hell (Rev. 20:11-15; Psm. 9:17).(see Hell; note, Luke 12:5; 16:19-31).

מִנֵּי מִנִּי מִן

min minnı̂y minnêy

min, min-nee', min-nay'

beneath...

מַטָּה

maṭṭâh

mat'-taw

From H5786 with directive enclitic appended; downward, below or beneath; often adverbially with or without prefixes: - beneath, down (-ward), less, very low, under (-neath).

Each of Prov. 15:24, 15:26-33 refers directly or indirectly to a characteristic of the godly: wise (Prov. 15:24), humble (Prov. 15:33), pure (Prov. 15:26), honest (Prov. 15:27), cautious (Prov. 15:28), prayerful (Prov. 15:29), joyful (Pro. 15:30), teachable (Prov. 15:31-32), and reverent before the Lord (Prov. 15:33). Wisdom can keep a person from a premature death, a point often made in Proverbs (cf. Prov. 3:2, 3:16; 4:10; 9:11; 10:27; 14:27).

Mat. 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Ye serpents, ye... Serpents and a brood of vipers destined to gehenna fire (see, Luke 12:5). This name is given to them on account of their pretending to be pious, and very much devoted to God, but being secretly evil. At the heart, with all their pretensions, they were filled with evil designs, as the serpent was (Gen. 3:1-5). The sin branded, sentence follows: "Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers." Since you will not be saved, there is nothing for it but that you go on in sin to the bitter end: serpents, for ever hissing at the heels of the holy, a brood of vipers, with no hope now of escaping the judgment of Gehenna!

damnation of hell... Question 141. Next, Mat. 24:2. This refers, beyond all question, to future punishment. So great was their wickedness and hypocrisy, that if they persevered in this course, it was impossible to escape the damnation that should come on the guilty. This is the sternest language that Jesus ever used to wicked people. But it by no means authorizes ministers to use such language to sinners now.

Christ knew that this was true of them. He had an authority which none now have. It is not the province of ministers to denounce judgment, or to use severe names, least of all to do it on pretense of imitating Christ. He knew the hearts of people. We know them not. He had authority to declare certainly that those whom he addressed would be lost. We have no such authority. He addressed persons; we address characters.

In severe language Jesus condemned the religious leaders, calling them snakes and a brood of vipers, whose eternal destiny was hell lit., Gehenna, the place of eternal punishment (cf. Mat. 23:15; cf. See on Gehenna in Mat. 5:22). The evidence that they were deserving of hell would be their continual rejection of the truth.

Mark 9:44,46, 48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

worm dieth not... Referring to the real consciousness and life of the individual who goes to hell. The word worm is used of man several times (Job 25:6; Psm. 22:6; Isa. 41:14; 66:24). It has to do with the remorse of the conscience that each man will have over his failure to do what was necessary to escape hell. It is the living, conscious, never-dying part of the human being that will feel eternal torments of fire in eternal hell (Mat. 8:12; 13:42, 13:50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30, 25:46; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:10-15; 21:8; Isa. 66:24). It is that part that feels and knows, the inner man that dwells in the resurrected body. Both body and soul will be cast into hell at the judgment (Rev. 20:11-15; Mat. 10:28)

And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. And if thy foot cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life halt, rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell. And if thine eye cause thee to stumble, cast it out: it is good for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell; where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

All flesh—natural men on the earth will be permitted to look into eternal hell, at certain openings, and see the punishment of rebels forever as a perpetual warning against sin and transgression. This a happening during the Millennial reign of Christ.

The carcasses here are the bodies of men in eternal hell which will never be destroyed—bodies that will have been resurrected to immortality or deathlessness so that they may be punished for deeds done in the body before death. These eternal bodies in hell are considered dead carcasses because of being without the life of God given to the resurrected saints at the rapture.

Men that have transgressed against me. Remember only the Holy Father can send to hell. This refers to all people of all ages who have died in sin and will be sent to eternal hell where their worm will not die and the fire will not be quenched (Mark 9:43-49). It is clear here that the carcasses and the worm are in a fire which shall never be quenched. They will be an abhorring to all the flesh living on the New Earth. The purpose of this opening to hell will be to cause coming generations to abhor sin and its consequences. When natural men can actually see into eternal hell it will be a great warning to them to walk in the ways of God. Not only men of the New Earth, but angels and all other beings will be able to look into this place and see how horrible the punishment of sin can be (Rev. 14:9-11). Horrifying as the thought may be, the view may be God’s best method of keeping eternal generations in line with His laws and commandments as they progress in the New Earth in the eternity future.

End Times Revealed

Friday, May 24, 2024

The Underworld Part two

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