Abraham’s Bosom

Life Hereafter

When the Bible mentions Abraham’s bosom, I think of eternal life and heaven. The Bible gives us clues that when a person died, he went to be with his fathers. One example is Genesis 15:15. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. To me, fathers mean forefathers. The Bible mentioned Abraham’s bosom in Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus. In Luke16:19-22, the beggar is carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The Bible is simply telling us that there is life after death. Yes, we will be buried when we die, but I believe that it is only for the body. I believe the spirit goes back to God. Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

As far as the rich man that went to hell, according to Jesus’ parable, his body was buried, but his spirit did not die. Luke 16: 23-31 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Some say that Jesus’ parable was just a story. I believe that it was more than a story because the characters are real. Abraham is real and in heaven. Lazarus is real and in heaven, and the rich man is real and in hell. The poor man had a name, but the rich man’s name was not given. Maybe his name was not important to be known.