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A Parable for the Ages
Some take the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus literally to preach torment. But if taken literally, the parable seems to imply absurdities -- Lazarus is blessed not because of faith, but just because he was sick and poor. So will only the poor/sick will be saved? And if this hell is literal, mustn’t Abraham's bosom also be a real place where millions of poor will reside? Jesus told this story as a symbolic lesson to the Pharisees. What really was his message?