The Rich Man and Lazarus (Lu. 16:19-31)

There are five things this parable does not teach about life after death.

• It does not teach universalism.  The rich man did not go to paradise.  Lazarus did go to paradise.  Two people, two destinations.
• It does not teach purgatory.  The two locations were separated by a permanent barrier.  Where each person was is where each person stayed.
• It does not teach reincarnation.  Since neither the rich man nor Lazarus could leave his realm, it makes reincarnation moot.    
  It does not teach annihilationism.  Neither the rich man nor Lazarus ceased to exist after physical death. 
• It does not teach soul sleep.  The rich man and Lazarus retained consciousness after death.

What this parable does teach is this: Right now is the time to settle the issue about where you will spend eternity.