.jpg)
When someone we admire dies, we like to picture them in Heaven; the other option is unimaginable. But how can we know for sure if they made it into heaven?
Did he make a public profession of faith? Some make a profession of their faith by water baptism, others write expressions of their faith, still others verbally speaking out to friends and in public forums. However, some people consider their faith deeply personal and do not talk about it. No one knows the state of a person’s heart but God Himself. Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord God looks at the heart.
Another way we might be able to know the state of his heart is the way he treated others: kindness to strangers, philanthropic giving, or treatment of his staff.
But the truth is there is no way to know with absolute certainty if Michael Jackson’s is in Heaven. His life may have been surrounded with scandal and controversy, but I know that God in His mercy gave Michael numerous chances to find his way to Him. Just weeks before his death, Michael Jackson sought out Andrea' Crouch and asked about becoming Spirit-filled. Michael was searching. Did he find God in the end? It is this writers prayer that he did.
Need help dealing with the loss? Click here.
Comments
Great article and so true.
people will live on earth too... only a certain amount of chosen ones will be in heaven... there is no such place as hell
Joy, unfortunately, Hell is very real. The Bible clearly states the presence of Hell as the natural consequences for our sins. Thankfully, Jesus paid the consequences for our sins so we can live eternally with Him in heaven.
With all the attention that Michael Jackson is getting in his untimely death, this is a great time to bring up the spiritual side of things, Jan. Great article!
Hi Jan!
To play devils advocate I'd like to say that your belief in heaven or hell has nothing to do with it.
You said above: "Joy, unfortunately, Hell is very real. The Bible clearly states the presence of Hell as the natural consequences for our sins."
You say that as a FACT, and I have no doubt that you actually believe it to your core to be FACT but the truth is just like you, myself and everyone we know... NOBODY actually knows.
You can quote the Bible, Quran, Torah or any other book or prophet but the fact is you're just repeating what you've been told and justifying it with "faith".
I'm not judging you for that or saying it's right or wrong but... it is, what it is.
For thousands of years your parents, my great grand parents all the way back to the beginning of recorded history we've pretended like we KNOW what's beyond. What is beyond this life is ineffable, unspeakable and any words we try to wrap around it only prove to be a barrier from what really is.
L
Heaven & Hell are a state of mind. Here on Earth or in the afterlife. We all find our way to God sooner or later. Our journey here on Earth continues in the afterlife - or again here on Earth... I'm not so sure. But I'm pretty sure that hell is not eternal damnation... sometimes it feels like it, though! These are my beliefs, but I know I have a lot to learn. But after 20+ years of thinking on the subject, it seems the most plausabe and makes the most sense to me :)
We are so quick to judge by what we see and hear. I know there is speculation about where his heart was, and I think only God can know. I too pray that he is at peace and living with the Father who knows him and loves him best.
Short answer: No.
He would have been in hell on earth given the scandal that dogged him (assuming his innocence) and the media intrusion that comes with celebrity. Therefore relatively, non-existence would be a step up.
Ultimately, it's pointless to wish our belief systems on others posthumously, lest we open the can of "who's got it right" - the deceased cant contribute their side, and our perspective may be abhorrent to them.
We all deal with loss in different ways, however. If hoping he's in heaven works for you, I can respect that...despite the pious generalisations at the end of paragraph 2.
Joy
Both heaven and hell are a reality according to the Bible. The other reality is that God has laid down certain criteria for receiving eternal life. These do not include, celebrity, talent, wealth, stardom or popularity. They do include obedience to Gods word, living a godly life, shunning evil in all forms, confession of our faith in God, and alife of piety, humility and purity. Ultimately God will be the Judge, but we should be left in no doubt as to those who serve God and those who don't. For a clearer insight ...see the Bible. And thats the Truth
Excellent article, Jan. The matter of whether or not people choose to believe in a Heaven or Hell depends upon whether or not they grasp the Holy scriptures as absolute truth. I can't conceive of a just God allowing evil to enter through the gates of Heaven, and I'm not talking about Michael Jackson here. I'm talking in generalities. It seems to me if God created an eternal home for those who love and serve Him, then He also created a "final place" for those who choose to reject Him as Lord. Plainly speaking, hell. It would be nice to believe that Hell doesn't exist, that all "bad" people will simply die and go nowhere afterwards, and that all "good" people will go to Heaven. Unfortunately, there is no basis in scripture for that sort of belief system. Jesus came to earth for one reason, to shed His blood as a once and for all sacrifice for our sins.
But again, if one doesn't believe the Bible as truth, then none of that theology will make any sense to him/her.
Thanks!
Yes he is he took Jesus Christ as if Lord and savior that is all you need and he was aquitted by his peers and if you can't respect the law of the land then I can't help you and also all SIN is equal to all SIN but michael was Innocent so there
I believe people of all religions, who live good a life, can go to Heaven. Personally, I believe in God and the bible; however, I don't think you have to believe in Christian bible to go to Heaven.
NO. MJ is neither in hell or heaven. If you know the Bible then you know that no one reaches hell or heaven until judgment day, and that doesn't take place until AFTER the resurrection. He is in a probationary state right now. He will have the opportunity to accept the true gospel (meaning...NOT man's version, but rather God's version). Even after we depart our mortal probation; we still have the opportunity to rectify some bad choices we made here on earth, however; it is just more difficult because now we work from knowledge and not faith.
And for those of you who say, "No one knows..." baloney! The Holy Ghost testifies of truth to any who seek it. God's words are not the longest running urban legend. They are real and you can know the truth of all things through the power of the Holy Ghost- it is his function and role after all.
Final word...the truth always manifests itself, for all truth comes from God, and all lies come from Satan and will crumble.
Thanks Jan,
iam a believer of christ,and it is so horrible to sit hear,and read some of the judgemental
statements thats coming from the cold heart of these other human beings,to make light of a person's life,and soul,but oneday we all will stand before the ''one'',an ''only'' KING Jesus ,and nobody will be laughing,i can cry when i think about how sad Michael Jackson was in his life,i mean it is no joke,you can look,and see how the man was doing by looking at all the surgerys he was having,all the medications he was taking,he was still a little child,or little boy with a brokenheart,who wanted just to be loved, ,it's funny how we are so arrogant,and selfish,talk like we never done wrong,GOD is keeping track of our wrong,and our right,but i'll tell you something about God,he makes a way for us to escape,i truly believe that God plan this meeting that Mike had with the Crouches,God LOVED Michael,and he wanted to just hold him,im glad he's resting in the arms of christ.
like it or not
Let me mirror what in the know has said earlier. The FACTS on where Michael Jackson is right now according to the bible:
He is ASLEEP in his grave like EVERYONE who died. (The bible clearly tells us that even King David is not in Heaven right now). Michael will be woken up by our Lord and Savior Jesus The Christ in the second ressurection after the 1000 yr millennial rule of the World Tomorrow. The books will be opened and he will be judged according to his works. My belief is that Michael will be given a second chance at this time to choose to follow God's way of life or be thrown into the lake of fire if he rejects God.
Well, I don't believe in a judgemental God. God is pure love energy. How small people make God out to be, when they give this powerful Universal Energy the same emotions as a human. Also, one does not have to be a Christian to go where everyone goes after death. It is sad that people misinterpret the message Jesus came to this earth to give mankind. Our soul is always progressing and learning. The Bible is a beautiful book, but written by men. Open to many interpretations. It is also sad that people feel Hell is a real place where someone after death can go. The only Hell there is is the Hell we create in our minds. We can also create Heaven, and live a beautiful life. I'm sure Michael Jackson's soul is where all souls go after death. His soul is still learning and progressing. It was sad to see how tortured he was during his life. I am sure he has a different perspective now, and will continue on his journey to perfect his soul. God Bless him!
Johnny, I think you are right on!
A very interesting and heartfelt argument. I am with you, Jan.
Good people and Followers go to heaven after Judgement day and bad people and not good leaders go to hell after judgement day. Michael is probably in another world right now,who knows? That's gods deciding.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!