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Author: Karl Bullock

Bible Inferences

Reading the Bible is an adventure every time you open it. History, Tragedy, Hope, Love, and of course, Salvation. Every identifiable literary category can be found, and the amazing thing is that it’s all true (except where it specifically indicates an allegorical example is being used – e.g. “Parables”). While there is a lifetime of issues to focus on, one issue that has fascinated me are the inferences.

So much information is given, but yet there is much that is not the real focus. Many times this is because the Bible wishes to impart specific information, while at the same time leaving out details not necessary to impart the primary lesson. Many of these specifics were, at the time, more clear to those who first heard it because they understood the context – much of which has been lost in history. This sometimes serves to deny the casual reader deeper contextual understanding, while at the same time imparting the primary information the text was meant to convey. This may seem like a contradiction, but it is really not. As I said, it’s an adventure.

What follows are some of the particulars the Bible has not specifically focused on, yet enough information is given that we may infer some things which may also be true. This is not an attempt to add or subtract anything from what the Bible is meant to convey (See the warning in Revelation 22:19!), but to search for a deeper understanding, particularly by inferring what was actually going on “on the ground” at the time the words were written, or at the time being described by the text. In fact, many sermons are preached on this very assumption!

In other words, “given what the Bible is telling us, what would I see if my own eyes if I were there”? These are the things I think about…..

Heaven, Hell, and Paradise

First, let’s get a term out of the way. Purgatory is a concept invented by the Catholic Church, and absolutely does not exist as the Catholics define it. The destination of the soul is determined at the moment of death. Jesus Himself gave us insight into this, and we’ll cover that in a minute. But, the idea that one can have an after-death change of abode where their final destination is determined by actions or inactions of those still here alive on earth (i.e., “Prayers of the Saints”) has no basis in Scripture. In fact, Scripture says exactly the opposite!

With that in mind, there is a valid possibility presented herein, though again, Scripture does not speak precisely to this, but it does support this theory. With all these caveats in mind, here we go:

In Luke 16, Jesus tells the story of Lazarus1 and the rich man. Some believe this be a parable, others believe it to be a true account (I personally lean towards the true account theory, primarily because Jesus used an actual name – Lazarus – rather than “a poor man”. But as always, I reserve the right to be wrong). Either way, the facts are presented by the Son of God Himself. In the story the Rich Man was a sinner – accountable for his selfishness and disdain for those he considered below his “station”. Lazarus was considered so by the Rich Man, and suffered in this life, but he had placed his faith in God.

Both died.

Lazarus’ soul was immediately carried to “Abraham’s Bosom” (more about that later), and the Rich Man – “In hell2, he lifted up his eyes”. Two men, two destinations – the lesson being that the righteous will receive mercy, and the unrighteous will not. What makes one righteous? We are not righteous on our own, but are made to be righteous by our faith in Christ, or in the case of those before Christ, their faith in God’s promise of delivery which was accomplished on the Cross by the Messiah He would send. On this side of the Cross, the righteous are those who have placed their faith in Christ and His atonement on the Cross. The unrighteous refuse to choose faith in Christ, and thus place their faith in everything but Christ.

In the Luke 16 account, Lazarus was carried to a place of peace and rest Jesus called “Abraham’s Bosom3”. Now, Jesus, during His discourse in John:14 at the Last Supper, told His disciples that “No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me”. So, before Christ rose, the door into God’s presence was not yet open.4 Likewise, before the Great White Throne judgment spoken of in Revelation 7 and 20, the final destination of the eternal torment was not yet opened. So, just where did souls go after death?

Before Jesus the likely possibility is that there was a place of abode separate from both eternal torment, and eternal peace. There are several names the Bible uses for this place, but per Jesus’ description, this abode actually consists of two places: Hell (hades), and Abraham’s Bosom. Additionally, per Jesus’ own description, there is a gulf between the two that permanently separates them. It is also likely that Abraham’s Bosom was also the place Jesus called “Paradise” in His promise to the Thief that had just professed trust in Christ.

So, here’s the picture I’ve drawn: The Rich Man died and went to the Hell side of this abode. As he looked across the gulf, he saw Lazarus in “Abraham’s Bosom” – Paradise! He was even able to talk across the gulf to Abraham, and Abraham answered him! So, assuming this picture holds, all those who have died and not placed their faith in God’s promised solution are in Hell – the “bad” side of this abode – and they’re still there today, already in torment, awaiting their final judgment and sentence. However, all those who had believed God when they died, went to this Paradise/Abraham’s Bosom.

Here’s the wrinkle, though. Because of what Christ has done on the cross, the door is now open to God’s presence5. In Ephesians 4:8, Paul tells the Church at Ephesus that Christ “Ascended up on high, He led captivity captive”, and in Verses 9-10, “Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same that ascended far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.”

Pulling all this together, then, before Christ, when those who had placed their faith in God died, their soul went directly to Abraham’s Bosom – the “good”, if you will, side of the temporary abode, or holding place. When Christ arose, He rescued these souls and carried them into the Father’s presence, so the “good side”, the place He called “Abraham’s Bosom”, is now empty! After Christ, a believer, at death, is carried directly into the Father’s presence because of what Christ did on the Cross. However, disbelievers, both before and after Christ, go to Hell (hades), the “bad side” of this abode awaiting the final resurrection and judgment, where they all will be sentenced to eternal destruction.

Of course, all this is depends on interpretation of what the Bible has said about other things. One thing is certain, though: The Bible has no discrepancies or inaccuracies. That’s what we do here on earth…..

Footnotes

1Not to be confused with the Lazarus Jesus raised from the dead.
2 The actual Greek word used here is the word “hades”, the unseen place of departed souls.
3 The term ‘Abraham’s bosom’ is only used in this passage in the Bible that has different meanings, depending on how it’s used. Here it’s the Greek word ‘kolpos’ which generally refers to the upper part of the chest of a garment that would fold to make a pocket. However, it could also be a ‘bay’, or a ‘creek’, possibly meaning a beach-like place (as in Acts 27). Either way, it was a pleasant place of peace and safety.
4 Remember, God cannot look upon sin. The price has to be paid. So until Christ atoned for our sins on the Cross, there was no way to be in God’s presence.
5 We know this because of two things: First, Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55, Romans 8:34), and second, when we die we are absent from the body and present with the Lord (II Corinthians 5:8)

Welcome to My Website!


Here you’ll find my latest Blog entry (and maybe a favorite or two), and in the links to the right you’ll find archives of my blogs as well as some essays I’ve written, and other (hopefully) interesting things.

I’ve now been on Planet Earth for 70 years(!) and I’ve been fortunate to pursue many of my interests, worked in some rewarding positions, traveled all over the United States, and met many interesting people. I hope you find some things on this site of interest, and possible of use.

First, before reading my blog or any of my essays, you might want to see where I’m coming from. So, here’s a link to my “First Things First” perspective:
http://www.bullock.org/category/perspectives.

Second, check out my Book:

Thanks for stopping by, and come back often!

Below are my latest Blog posts!

There’s a War Coming!

On March 27, 2022, the South Carolina Legislature voted to be the 19th State to call for an Article V Convention of States (if you are unfamiliar with the provisions of Article V, here’s a link to review). When we reached 17 the year before, we were halfway to the required 34 State Petitions required to force a CoS. Although some are paying attention now, my guess is that once we hit 20+ states, two things will happen: First, Congress will begin to pass legislation to thwart other States from calling for a CoS. Now, while that may have some positive benefits, it is NOT a positive thing. Second, the forces opposed to what these Legislatures are trying to do will ramp up their opposition. Further, the closer we get to 34, the harder they will fight – and it’s going to get nasty.

One of the most popular, and necessary elements of a possible Convention of States is to pass an preposed amendment and send to the States mandating Term Limits on Congress, the Courts, and possibly other governmental institutions and agencies. Over 80% of Americans surveyed favor some form of term limits on Congress. It’s the one item that could change the way things work in Washington (personally, I’d like to move Washington to the middle of the country where there is more sanity, but I digress….). Other things to be considered would be to force a balanced budget, reduce the scope and power of the government, and address fiscal responsibility.

BUT, none of this will happen until after the War. Those who have power, or vested interests in keeping things the way they are, will spare no expense, leave no stone unturned, and will not forsake any action to prevent this Convention from happening. When (not “if”) such a Convention is called, the attack will shift from prevention a Convention, to either destroying anything the Delegates try to do, or to disrupt the proceedings to make it as difficult as possible to complete any proposed Amendments.

As this time approaches, you need to decide how much you want things to change, because this battle will not be fought just in Washington or in the highly-compromised “Press”, but will involve every one of us, from your employer, to your friends and any groups or organizations you are affiliated with.

So, when the battle lines begin to be drawn, you need to already be familiar with the issue to address the attacks, from answering concerns that people you know might have, as well as vetting public figures (particularly politicians) for their position as well.

Make no mistake, though – this will be a war. I just pray it doesn’t escalate beyond the exchange of ideas and political action. The Founders knew the Convention of States would be a “Hail Mary” (though they had not heard of that term) which would be used when normal tools (elections, court challenges, and common sense) had all failed.

Pretty astute of them to see this coming, don’t you think?