No, Father Abraham?

In the 16th chapter of Luke Jesus relates the true story of a beggar who died and was taken to "Abraham's bosom," which was a place the righteous were taken before the death and resurrection of Jesus. There also was a rich man who died but he found himself in hell. From hell he called out to father Abraham asking that he send the beggar to his five brothers to testify to them so that they would not end up in this terrible place of torment. He was asking that someone from the dead appear to his brothers because he believed that would so amaze them that they would believe and repent.

The reply:

"Abraham said to him,
‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’"
Luke 16:29

Abraham's answer was that they need to heed "Moses and the Prophets" which was all of the Bible at that time. Abraham was saying that the way to salvation comes only when a person believes and receives the Word of God.

The rich man's answer to that was very interesting. He, even being in hell, denied what Abraham said to him:

vs 30:
“And he said, ‘No, father Abraham;
but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’"

NO? He said to Abraham ..."NO?"

NO, he replied, it's not necessary for them to "heed Moses and the Prophets?" No, not that, but send a miracle and they'll believe and repent?

Even from hell he was denying the power and necessity of the Word of God and wanted it done another way. He reasoned that it would be more effective if someone would appear to them from the dead, that that would have such an impact on them that they would believe and repent.

But Abraham answered:

vs 31:
"But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets,
neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”

God has given us his supernatural Word which contains everything we need to know about God, about life, about why we're here, and about the way of salvation. If anyone rejects orignores his Word he cannot be saved. Seeing miracles will not persuade someone into salvation because God did not say that that is the way, he said believing his Word is the way. The religious leaders in Jesus's day, the Pharisees, saw his miracles but did not believe. Even when Jesus was raised from the dead, they continued in unbelief.

If a person refuses or ignores the Word of God, nothing no matter how dramatic will persuade them. They might be entertained by seeing miracles, but they will not be persuaded by them into belief and repentance.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
Romans 10:17

It's all about the Word of God to mankind, the Bible. It's so important that God has said he places his Word even above his Name.

"I will worship toward your holy Temple,
and praise your name for your loving-kindness and your truth;
FOR YOU HAVE MAGNIFIED YOUR WORD ABOVE ALL YOUR NAME."
Psalm 138:2

The Word of God is all about Jesus the Messiah, the way of salvation.

"Then I said, 'Behold, I come;
in the scroll of the Book it is written of me.'"
Hebrews 10:7

In the days of the rich man and Lazarus, they only had the Old Testament. The truth is that the Messiah is portrayed throughout the Old Testament, from Genesis to Malachi. Jesus validated that:

"Then he said to them,
“O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe
in all that the prophets have spoken!
Ought not the Christ to have suffered
these things and to enter into his glory?”
And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets,
he expounded to them in all the Scriptures
the things concerning himself."
Luke 24:25-27

"...the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you
wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness..."
2nd Timothy 3:15-16