Chizuk Emunah (Pt 2) Under the Microscope: Chapter 39

Luke 16:22, 23, Lazarus is stated to enjoy after his death the bliss of immortality in the bosom of Abraham, whilst the rich man, who indulged in the pleasures of this world, is to suffer the torments of hell. It is further said, that there subsists an infinite distinction between the abode of glory and that of perdition.

According to this account, it does not appear that either Abraham or Lazarus were after their death doomed to the punishment of hell, although the alleged work of the redemption of mankind had not yet been achieved by Jesus. We are therefore at a loss to know what the Christians mean by salvation wrought by Jesus, and what can be the danger of the original sin, when we see that it did not affect those who died unredeemed. 

 Let's take a look at the parable in Luke 16 in its entirety.

There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.

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.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’

And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house—for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’

(Luke 16:19-31) 

 The main point of the parable is the ending. Those who do not pay attention to the teachings of God will not turn around and obey simply on the basis of seeing a miracle. Not even the resurrection of Jesus is enough to convince many people to follow him. This story also addresses objections by skeptics today. New Atheists often say that they would believe in God if only they would be shown a miracle.

Sure, they might believe in God, but mere belief is not enough. Even the demons believe in God. What God wants is not mere belief, but humble submission to his will. The Egyptians saw the open miracles performed by God, and yet did not repent. Their hearts were still hard, and they paid the ultimate price for it. God has provided enough evidence that those who are actively and humbly seeking him out will find him, while those who are not doing so, will likely not find him.

But to answer Troki's question, salvation was available to people before the time of Jesus because the faith of the people in God's redemption was counted to them as faith in Jesus. The abode of the dead is a temporary place until the final resurrection and judgment at the end of the world. This belief long preceded Christianity, having its origins probably in early Second Temple Judaism.

As far as Troki's objections about those who die unredeemed, remember that the salvation brought about by Jesus is ultimately for the final judgment at the end of the world.