“Now there was a rich man and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, making good cheer in splendor every day. And there was a poor man, by name Lazarus, who was laid at his gateway full of sores, and desiring to be filled with the crumbs which fell from the table of the rich man; but the dogs also coming licked his sores.” (Luke 16:19-21 DBY)

Just saying something that’s meaningless or has no real value would be unfruitful and unproductive. So, when Jesus spoke of the rich man and Lazarus, would he be just throwing out some random name in a parable that’s not true? For Jesus himself said: “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37 KJV) Therefore, I believe that this is not some parable that Jesus spoke, but an actual event that did happen. I say this because Jesus is mentioning someone by name which we never see happened in his parables.

Therefore Christians, it’s our job to find out whom Jesus is talking about here. And if you read through that same passage mentioned above, you would notice that Lazarus above both died and was being comforted in the arms of Abraham. Therefore, I believe that Lazarus is none other than Mary and Martha’s brother who both died and was raised from the dead. I say this because the “rich man” who was suffering in hell was asking that Lazarus would be sent back in order that his brothers would be warned about hell. For we read: “Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” (Luke 16:27-28 KJV)

Now, I don’t believe that Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus was some common beggar. For the majority of translations don’t use the word “beggar,” but they use the word “poor” instead. For even some of the disciples of Jesus were not wealthy but poor. For we read: “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20 ESV) Even Paul the apostle acknowledged that there are Christians (including himself) who are lacking in goods when he said: “We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, ... as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” (2 Corinthians 6:3-4, 10 ESV)

And let’s not forget that even our Lord Jesus Christ was viewed as being poor, for we read: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV)

Below are other verses concerning those who are poor:

• “the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.” (Matthew 11:5 ESV)
• “And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.” (Mark 12:42-43 ESV)
• “And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.” (Luke 7:22 ESV)
• “For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.” (Romans 15:26 ESV)
• “For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:2-4 ESV)
• “Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?” (James 2:5 ESV)

So, that all be said, Lazarus could have been viewed as being poor according to this world’s standards. This may have been the case with his two sisters, Mary and Martha as well. And thus, falling into some sickness and no longer being able to provide for himself, he was laid at the gate of a wealthy man. This with the hope that the rich man would show mercy and provide food and medical help for him. However, we know that he didn’t. Now, even though Lazarus did desire that the rich man would help him in his time. I don’t believe that Lazarus was crying out as some beggar normally would. For King David said: “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.” (Psalm 37:25 ESV) And we know that Lazarus was not forsaken, but was raised from the dead by Jesus himself. And thus, we have Jesus’ account of the “rich man and Lazarus” which is not some parable, but an actual event that took place.

“The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'” (Luke 16:22-24 ESV)

Now, as we already have read above, the rich man was pleading with Abraham that Lazarus would be sent back to warn his brothers not to make the same mistake he did. And we know that Abraham wasn’t convinced that this would help to change their hearts. However, we know that God always has the last say in all things. So, couldn’t God hear and answer the rich man’s passionate cry for his brothers and grant his request? Well: “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.” (John 11:41-44 KJV)

Below is a passage of scripture that supports what was mentioned above:

• Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. ... Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. ... Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. ... These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. ... Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. (John 11:1, 3, 5-6, 11, 13-14 KJV)

God bless you as you seek to do his will. Amen

Note: Bible versions used in this article are listed below to aid you in your study of God’s word:

• DBY = John Nelson Darby’s translation of the bible.
• KJV = The Authorized Version or King James Version (KJV), 1611, 1769. Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown.
• ESV = The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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To the Reader: This article is based on the subject of suicide that may be difficult for most of us to hear, including myself. So, why am I even writing about it? Well, because I have seen and witnessed the devastation that it can bring to a family. And yes, I know that there are differing opinions concerning the fate of those who have committed this act upon themselves. Therefore, we must use grace when it comes to these differing views. For God himself has the final say on where someone will be spending eternity. However, we must at the same time stand upon God's word for all things. This would be true even when faced with the ones that we’re uncomfortable with.

So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at what the scriptures teaches in order to get a better understanding of this controversial, yet important subject. So then, my brothers and sisters in Christ: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). Amen.

“When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27:3-5 NLT)

Judas, who was a disciple of Jesus was complaining about a woman who was using expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet. However, Jesus rebuked him for this in front of everybody present (see John 12:4-6). So, what happened next? “Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?’ And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.” (Matthew 26:14-16 ESV) So, Judas made his way to the priest to betray Jesus. However, after seeing Jesus being condemned to death, Judas felt remorseful for what he did. So, he went back to the priests and confessed that he did wrong. However, they had no mercy or comforting words for him. Therefore, apparently feeling guilty and full of despair, he went out and hanged himself. This was a sad and disappointing ending for Judas who betrayed his Lord.

“For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!” (Matthew 26:24 NLT)

So, where is Judas right know? Well, according to what Jesus said above, it’s apparent that Judas didn’t enter the realm of God’s saints. For Jesus did say “how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him.” So, even though Judas realized what he did was wrong, he didn’t seek forgiveness from Jesus, nor did he run to the other disciples to confess that he had sinned. And again, because he felt he was not worthy to live, he ended up killing himself. And unfortunately, we see this happening today as well. For so many people (including those who profess Christ) for one reason or another feel that they need to end their own life. But what they don’t know is that they leave behind them family, friends and acquaintances who are devastated, perplexed and heartbroken. For as said before, I myself have been a witness of the devastating negative effect that it has on others.

Therefore, brothers and sisters in Christ, shouldn’t we be making it our aim to discourage and warn others to stay clear of this destructive act. This would be true whether they are confessing Christians or not. For when I search God’s word, the only thing I can compare it to is: “you shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13 ESV). And with that in mind, let’s remember that Revelation 21:8 says that murderers will end up in the Lake of Fire.

So, God help us to stand strong as Paul the apostle who suffered much in his walk with Christ. For even after receiving a heavenly revelation, he was harassed by a messenger of Satan. For we read: “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ESV)

So then, let’s make it our aim to encourage and pray for those who are suffering and hurting. This would also be true for those who do not know Christ as well. For we should be sharing the grace of God with them and letting them know that God gives us the strength to endure all things. Amen.

Below are a few things that Paul the apostle suffered and endured for the glory of God. Now I must say that it sounds like he and his traveling companion were suffered so much that they desired that their life would be taken from them. Yet, we see form scripture that they never tried to take this action upon themselves but instead trusted fulling in the Lord. For we read: "We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us." (2 Corinthians 1:8-10 NIV)

• "Are they servants of Christ? (I am talking like I am out of my mind!) I am even more so: with much greater labors, with far more imprisonments, with more severe beatings, facing death many times. Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with a rod. Once I received a stoning. Three times I suffered shipwreck. A night and a day I spent adrift in the open sea. I have been on journeys many times, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from my own countrymen, in dangers from Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers at sea, in dangers from false brothers, in hard work and toil, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, many times without food, in cold and without enough clothing. Apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxious concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast about the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever, knows I am not lying. In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to arrest me, but I was let down in a rope-basket through a window in the city wall, and escaped his hands." (2 Corinthians 11:23-33 NET)

“Then Samson called to the LORD and said, “Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes.” Then Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and braced himself against them, the one with his right hand and the other with his left. And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!" And he pushed outwards powerfully, so that the house fell on the governors and all the people who were in it. And the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed during his lifetime.” (Judges 16:28-30 NASB20)

Okay, some may be wondering if Samson committed suicide because of that passage above. Because not only did he ask God to give him strength to take vengeance on the Philistines, but he also said: “Let me die with the Philistines.” However, I personally don’t see this to be an act of suicide. I say this because Samson left both of these requests in the hands of God. Therefore, God had had the power to except or deny his request? For Samson’s main intent was to destroy the Philistines which was God’s plane for him all along. For God said to Samson’s mother: “For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.” (Judges 13:5 KJV)

So, Sampson was raised up to help free Israel from their enemy. Therefore, just like a good soldier who is following the orders of his commander; Samson was willing to do what God called him to do. And yes, even if it meant losing his own life in the process. For even our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ laid down his life for us all as well?

• “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 KJV)

Now, there was another person who wanted to die and that was Elisha the prophet. For we read concerning him: “But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers”.” (1 Kings 19:4 NASB95) So, Elisha fled into the wilderness and requested that he would die. However, we know that God did not grant his request. Therefore, we shouldn’t wrongfully use these examples as an excuse to justify the act of suicide. For both Samson and Elisha left the request to die in the hands of God himself.

So, some may be still wondering where is Samson now? Well, according to God’s word, it sounds like he is in the realm of the departed saints. For we read: “And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. ... And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. … Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 11:32-34, 39-40, 12:1-2 ESV)

Now, I know that suicide is a very sensitive and debatable topic. Therefore, we’re going to see disagreements in one degree or another. However, we should all agree that suicide is an act of putting to death one’s own life. Also, we should agree that it can have a lasting devastating effect on others as well. And as said before, we know that God has the final say and judgment in the end. For we know whatever he decides to do will be right and just. For he is a merciful God and understands perfectly our situations in all things. But again, we must not make light of suicide especially in light of God’s sixth commandment already mentioned. 

Therefore, whether we’re being chastened by the Lord for our wrongs, having our faith tested, or even being attacked by the devil, let’s not lose faith and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For our Lord is with us in both good times and bad. For: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13 KJV)

So again, let’s make it our aim to encourage one another to keep the faith and not to lose hope. Also, let’s make sure we’re preaching Christ to those who are suffering ether emotionally or physically. This would be true whether they are professing Christian or an unbeliever. Amen. 

Consider some scripture below:

• “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” (Proverbs 3:11-12 KJV)
• “Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up. You have not yet resisted to the point of bloodshed in your struggle against sin. And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons? “My son, do not scorn the Lord’s discipline or give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son he accepts.” Endure your suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons. Besides, we have experienced discipline from our earthly fathers and we respected them; shall we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father of spirits and receive life? For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness. Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:3-11 NET)

Below is a comment from Saint Augustin concerning suicide:

• “For if it is not lawful to take the law into our own hands, and slay even a guilty person, whose death no public sentence has warranted, then certainly he who kills himself is a homicide, and so much the guiltier of his own death … It is not without significance, that in no passage of the holy canonical books there can be found either divine precept or permission to take away our own life, whether for the sake of entering on the enjoyment of immortality, or of shunning, or ridding ourselves of anything whatever. Nay, the law, rightly interpreted, even prohibits suicide, where it says, Thou shalt not kill. … Thou shalt not kill, there is no limitation added nor any exception made in favor of any one, and least of all in favor of him on whom the command is laid. … The commandment is, ‘Thou shall not kill man;’ therefore neither another nor yourself, for he who kills himself still kills nothing else than man … For suicide we cannot cite the example of patriarchs, prophets, or apostles; though our Lord Jesus Christ, when He admonished them to flee from city to city if they were persecuted, might very well have taken that occasion to advise them to lay violent hands on themselves, and so escape their persecutors. But seeing He did not do this, nor proposed this mode of departing this life … And, at all events, if it be true, as the truth plainly declares, that suicide is a detestable and damnable wickedness.”

God bless you as you seek to do his will. Amen

(Note: Bible versions used in this article are listed below to assist you in your study of God’s word.)

• KJV = The Authorized Version or King James Version (KJV), 1611, 1769. Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown.
• ESV = The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
• NLT = Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
• NASB20 = New American Standard Bible 2020 Copyright (c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.
• NET =      The NET Bible®, New English Translation Copyright © 1996 By Biblical      Studies Press, L.L.C. NET Bible® is a registered trademark The NET Bible®      Logo, Service Mark Copyright © 1997 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All      rights reserved.

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