I had a thought today about this. Lets say it is literal since Jesus used names. And my thought is from the perspective of one who is leaning towards believing that after people die, they enter an unconscious state in the "unseen". Now, consider these people. I think its obvious they would have lived sometime between Adam and Christ. And my thought was, if its literal, then when Lazarus died he entered the unconscious state, to await the resurrection of old testament saints at Jesus' resurrection. At which time he was "carried away unto Abraham's bosom" , with everyone else. But, the rich man is still unconscious in the unseen, waiting for the resurrection unto aionios punishment at White Throne. And from the flames he will make his request regarding his bretheren . Not realizing that more than two thousand years have passed. He does not know that, since it seemed instant to him while he was asleep in the grave. Which explains why he made the request about his family members, not realizing where he is in time. So, the last part of the story will not come to pass until the rich man is resurrected at White Throne.
Now, I'm not saying I believe this or not, I'm simply considering what could be the case if "soul sleep" is a correct belief.
