Many have asked for the true explanation of the “Rich Man and Lazarus,” here is what the Bible really says!  A misunderstanding of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus is largely responsible for this confusion, dishonoring the doctrine of God, and the foundation for many false beliefs about heaven and hell.  First to prove this writing is symbolic and not to be taken literally, let’s examine exactly what we are told by Christ. 
 
    Of the forty parables of our Lord, this is the only one, which Bible teachers and preachers interpret as literal (Luke 16:19-31).  So let us see what is represented by the various symbols, which are used in this parable.

    Of our Saviour’s public teaching it is written: “All these things speak Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spoke He not unto them” (Mathew 13:34).

    This is where many preachers misinterpret this parable.  Lazarus will be in heaven where there will be no sickness, no death, no suffering or pain, no darkness, no burdens to heavy to bear; “and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorry, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former thing are passed away” (Revelation 21:4).  They will be able to see the lost who are burning there , where sinners are tormented forever, can anyone believe that a drop of water would relieve the pain and suffering for the rich man? 

    Yet that is exactly the kind of “heaven” that is being preached in most churches!  They rely more on Jesus’ account of Lazarus and the rich man than any other argument to support their teaching that the “saved” go instantly, at death, to heaven while the lost leave their bodies and are plunged into an ever burning inferno of eternal torture. 
 
    Now the Rich man with those who reject Christ will be sent into Hell where there will be murders, gamblers, drunkards and all liars will all have their part in the lake of fire and tormented day and night. They tell us that throughout the never-ending cycles of eternity, the redeemed will live in the immediate presence of this hell, which will burn forever.

    Would you really want to spend eternity in heaven where you would be forced to see those in hell and hear the screaming, in agony, and on fire, burning yet never dying? Would you be happy seeing such things happening to your loved ones?  Can the reader imagine what heaven would be like to the pious souls when they think of the dammed in endless torture, pain and suffering?  While they have their golden harps, while they lean over the battlement of glory and listen to the cries of the damned?  Will they strike a higher note on their harp and shout “Amen,” “Hallelujah,” at every cry of distress?  Is this Christian religion? I will say it again, if this is the Christian religion, then I do not care to have part in it!  But God is a merciful God; our God is a God of love and desires those to worship Him and who does so because they love him.

    Fear of hell can never make a single Christian.  Men who serve God only because they are afraid of hell are not a Christian.  They are the worst kind of hypocrites.  Remove the hell from their minds and they will soon expose their naked corruptions.
    A Christian is moved by love, and knows no fear, “for fear hath torment” and “perfect love casteth out fear” (1 John 4:18).