Summary of the Story of the Rich Man and Lazarus

This story is a culmination of the teaching of Jesus on the subject of life after death. He warned more about hell and eternal judgement than any other subject. The story was intended to be taken literally.

The story presents the reality of life after death in an Old Testament context. Things changed slightly after the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. He now has the keys of death and Hades. (See Revelation 1:18)

When a believer dies today, their soul and spirit go immediately to the presence of God. (See 1 Corinthians 5:8 and Philippians 1:20-24)

I hold to a literal biblical world view. I believe in God, who created all things. I believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe in angels and I believe in fallen angels which are called demons. I fully embrace a supernatural and not purely natural view of reality. The Bible teaches interaction between spiritual and physical realms.

I also believe in life after death as taught by Jesus Christ. There is a literal heaven and a literal hell. Eternal destiny is set at the moment of death and cannot be changed thereafter.

I also believe in the good news of the gospel and eternal life for those who place saving faith in Jesus Christ. I believe the Bible is trustworthy, true and the only inspired source of revelation from God.

I also believe that people can know and walk with God in this life through a personal born-again experience and can be filled with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. This results in a transformational walk with God. Eternal life with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places “in Christ” begins at the moment of salvation. The walk in the Spirit is utterly transformational.

Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. He is the only way to God. (John 14:1-6; Acts 4:8-12) the gospel is good news! I can say with Paul, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippines 1:19-24)

I do not look at the above as being a doctrinal statement. To me this is a biblical world view. This is my view of life and reality based on a life of studying the Bible and walking with God.

Daily Bible Commentary

By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global