2. You correctly stated that "... refused to listen to Moses & the prophets would refuse to listen to Jesus as well." But then, you state that "...at least they had a choice. They were not created solely to suffer “eternal punishment”.
2 problems:
a)The majority of the dead have never heard of Moses, the Prophets, or Jesus, yet their destiny is the same: Eternal torment in the Lake of Fire, as you hold.
b)In Romans, Paul explains some were created solely to be destroyed.to wit:
Roman 9:15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
And especially 9:22 What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction?
God is Sovereign!
‘1. Regarding Lazarus and the Rick Man, this parable is about the state of the dead prior to the last judgement, so it would have no bearing on the condition of those in the Lake of Fire.’
So, prior to the Day of Judgment, people are judged. Some are sent to a ‘place of torment’ while others are comforted. After that, comes the Second Judgment.
That is a remarkable interpretation. Entirely non-Biblical, but quite remarkable.
I’ll get to Pharaoh after I’ve heard your explanation of the Two Judgments.
‘The majority of the dead have never heard of Moses, the Prophets, or Jesus, yet their destiny is the same’
This is Calvin’s problem, not mine. Jesus dealt with it handily, to Calvinism’s demolition:
‘“And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, 48 but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”’ [citation above]