RE: And here is where you touch on the meaning of the parable.
Sure ( again, I am simply assuming that it is a parable, but that, I doubt ), let us not forget the FATE of the rich man. His fate is NOT metaphorical. It was meant to be a warning.
The word — torment, the fact that he is conscious, cannot be taken to be metaphorical. That would be stretching the parable ( even if we concede that it is ).
It was meant to be a warning.
http://bible-truths.com/lazarus.html
The first two paragraphs:
“Before reading my opening statement there will be many who will find fault with this paper. “What parable?” they will ask. Contrary to all the Scriptural proof that Luke 16:19-31 is indeed a classic example of a parable, there are many who deny this fact. The reason for so many desiring to take this parable literally is an attempt to add credence to the heretical teaching that God Almighty is going to torture the vast majority of all humanity who has ever lived by burning their flesh with real fire in a hellhole of insane pain for all eternity. But even if we take this parable literally, it still does not support such an absurd and evil teaching. When the truth is seen, the Rich man is overcome with great emotional torment by whatever “this flame” represents, but he is not physically being burned or barbecued in this flame..
“That the Rich man is in a most distressful situation, there is no argument. But he is not “burning in eternal hell fire.” That Lazarus is being comforted, there is also no argument, but neither is he presently basking in the sunshine of heaven. The two main figures in this parable represent whole nations of people who are either being shown the spiritual things of God or are being blinded to the spiritual things of God. The situation looks particularly grim and bleak for the Rich man, but certainly not hopeless as is taught in the pulpits of mainstream Christianity.”