Where is the thief on the cross, today?

I see no praising or celebrating with God as you seem to have injected into the story. 

Luke 16:22, 25 KJV And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

We see in the parable everything from the life of the two men is reversed. "in life" the rich man lived it up. But in the parabolic "after life" the beggar was living it up. Here, the passage says he "was comforted".

Worship is not "injected into the story" because it is supported by the presence of angels of God.

"That the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom:"

We must not be limited to this passage only when we consider the angels. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.Rev 7:15

It is not possible for a righteous person to be in the presence of God without praising him.

But of this parable, it is time to demonstrate that it is only a story with a point and it is not to be taken literally.

Luke 16:19-31 KJV

There was a certain rich man, (each parable in the previous chapters start with "and there was a certain" . That is how we today would say "once upon a time") which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores (the story is an obvious exaggeration). And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom(this is a fictional location in hebrew thought) (note:he did not descend but was taken up by the angels."Today, it would be like referencing "the yellow brick road."): the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up (because he is below Lazarus. They ARE NOT IN THE SAME LOCATION) eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom (if this is a literal place as you say, how can a grown man Lazarus be in the chest of Abraham? ). And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame (you stated that the lake of fire comes after the second coming when men are judged, But here men are already being burned. Then how ridiculous it would be for a man on fire to talk. Besides that how could a drip of water on the tongue, cool an inflamed man?). But Abraham said (from another location, some how Abraham can see and here this man that is on fire and they begin a conversation), Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us (again they are in different locations) you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 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. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent(this us the point of the story. That there is no chance in the afterlife to accept jesus). And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Here are similar parables in Luke. They drive home a specific salvation all point but they are not to be used for instruction on doctrine.

·      Two Debtors (Luke 7:41-43)

·      Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)

·      Importunate Friend (Luke 11:5-8)

·      Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21)

·      Barren Fig-tree (Luke 13:6-9)

·      Lost Piece of Silver (Luke 15:8-10)

·      Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32)

·      Unrighteous Manager (Luke 16:1-9)

·      Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)

·      Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-8)

·      Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)

/r/BeyondAdventists Thread