Very charitable. Do you know what charity means?
Please restate any questions you need answered.
You asserted that the dead do not hear:
I have posted this before:
Lazarus was righteous. Why didn’t he go down to help the rich mans brothers? Answer because he was not allowed.
Misslollypops, you are initiating another argument…
As evidenced from your many posts - You maintain that the dead cannot see or hear and therefore any prayers to them are inappropriate…Now, because the Rich Man’s plea was answered in the negative it means what?..
That no prayers are ever answered in the affirmative? …You are not really going to say that prayers are ineffective based upon this one passage?? If so that is a different topic…perhaps for a different thread…
This passage proves more then that the dead hear the pleas of others. This passage proves that they are aware, hear, see and have recognition that is out of the norm…
Neither Lazarus nor the Rich Man would [or could have known what Abraham looked like - yet they recognize Abraham for who he is and his role in salvation history - Lazarus lies in the bosom of Abraham - that is probably how you came to realize he is ‘righteous’ a term used to describe Abraham.[/COLOR]
Now Lazarus is with Abraham; you might concluded [expect] that introductions were made.
But the Rich Man is in a totally different place and yet he can see across the chasm!
The Rich Man is aware of his own circumstance, that the conditions for Lazarus are different and that his brothers are headed for the same fate as his. The Rich Man is evidently aware that they [his brothers] are unrepentant and still sinners. ** He [the Rich Man] has concern for his brothers and attempts to intercede on their behalf.** It is not necessary for his appeal to be successful to illustrate that you position [the dead are unknowing, unaware, don’t care, etc]
This is really striking…it is compelling for the belief in the Communion of Saints, God as the God of the Living, Intercessory prayer, all of it. That Lazarus was not allowed to ‘personally’ leave and go to the brothers to tell them the Rich Man’s fate is not relevant…Being in HEaven or being Righteous also does not appear mmatter as the Rich Man was neither one…
Another passage is in Revelation; where the martyrs cry out for vindication…Jesus tells them that there will be more martyrs joining them and that their vindication will come [God’s timing!!!]. Again this illustrates that there is awareness and communications. The prayers of those on earth carried forth and presented to God in bowls…