Where are they now?

Ever wonder where famous people are after fading into obscurity after brief or even extended time in the limelight of hollywood, the media or politics? Actually no we don't wonder too much because we forget about them as the newest shooting star or media darling quickly takes their place. This is why you have TV and radio programs dedicated to updating us on what our favorite long lost star is doing now.

Today a man who was despised by many and loved by everyone else, died after battling a brain tumor. Ted Kennedy held to the opposite view of everything that I personally stand for. I had no respect for the man but this is not a postmortem rant about what he did that I think was wrong.

My question is, where is he now?

This week it was also announced that Michael Jackson's death is now being ruled a homicide. Again I am not here to write a biography of Michael nor to state anything about his troubled life. If anything it's really sad.

I just wonder where is he now?

Both these men along with millions of others slipped into eternity so far this year. Their bodies stopped working and they were transported to another place. All the arguments in the world won't change the truth that everyone at some point will realize there IS a heaven and there IS a Hell.

While I can't accurately say where either of these two men ended up since I am not God, I can however, look at their lives and say that they never displayed any evidence that their lives had been changed by the power of Christ. The things they stood for and their actions are testimony to lives that were lived for self and not in line with any principles of the one true God. So one can conclude they are not in the presence of God but instead in torment, being separated for all eternity in a real place called hell. How can anyone be happy that these men are gone, because being dead means they are beginning an eternity of suffering.

Those who don't believe in hell can just go on with life zooming headlong towards the same fate. Those who aren't sure better start to consider the reality that without the saving power of a risen saviour Jesus Christ who has made a way to eternity with God, they too will be with these men.

And finally for those who believe that Christ IS the answer and that hell is a real place where those without Him will go, listen up! Why aren't we shouting out the good news? You don't have to go to hell! How much do we have to love ourselves and hate people to NOT tell them about the freedom in Jesus and the peace that comes with knowing where we will spend eternity. Fear is not an excuse. Ability is not an excuse. We have no excuse other than the sad reality that we don't truly believe with our heart, not our heads, that there is a place of eternal punishment called hell.

If you meet the same fate as these two men, and you will, will others be able to answer, "Where are they now?"