"And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then 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.'" (Luke 16:23, 24)
There has been debate over this passage for generations. What I noticed again this quarter as I read it is that while the "modern" translations use the word, "Hades," we need to also remember that traditionally, "Hades," has been described only as "the abode of the dead," not Hell as we understand it, e.g., "the Lake of Fire." So if all the myriad of interpretations are correct, why does our text say of, "Hades," that the rich man said, "for I am tormented in this flame"? Personally, I take no chances.
Regardless, for me, the great words of the Christmas Carol, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," declares the "good" in the Good News of the Gospel, "to save us all from Satan's power," whatever Hades and Hell may be. It is "Satan's power" which seduces mankind from our Lord Jesus Christ. Everything Satan does is meant to destroy you and me; he is one who hates everything which Jesus creates, everyone whom Jesus loves and gave Himself for, which means everyone on the planet, now and always. This whole scenario sounds Medieval to many, "....but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God."
So, "God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day to save us all from Satan's power when we had gone astray. O, tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy. O, tidings of comfort and joy."
Father, in Jesus' Name, You are my "comfort and joy." Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
