CELEBRITIES IN HEAVEN

It’s in the book. Heaven is real and there are celebrities in heaven. Everyone in
heaven is a celebrity and it’s not that big of a deal. It is here on earth that we make a big
deal on celebrities.

Loosely, a celebrity may be one who has artistic talents --- actors, writers,
musicians, comedians, etc --- and have been exposed to the public, thus gaining a
measure of popularity. Also they may differ in degrees as some may attract greater public
interest along with higher earning ability.

My interest on the subject was piqued after coming across a book by chance:
CELEBRITIES IN HELL (by Warren Allen Smith --- we interacted by email). It is a
well researched book listing the views of many contemporary celebrities whose beliefs
disregard the idea of God or are openly hostile to any supernatural existence beyond
physical life.

My purpose for writing this material is not to debate on the existence of heaven or
hell, though along the way I will attempt to explain on them as I understand it. Also I do
not intend to match or counterpoint CELEBRITIES IN HELL.

I have a simple mind but a caring one. It disturbs me to see people lashing out
against God or the Bible based on wrong understandings. Though there can be many
interpretations on finer points, there are certain basic assumptions where people of faith
can generally agree on. God is good and the welfare of man is a priority to Him. But
living on earth has its own principles and human factors, because of which societies come
in different mixes and results. Written or unwritten, spoken or unspoken, every society
functions on certain elements they consider acceptable or taboo; lawful or illegal. On
earth it is only to humans that this ability to live within complex societies is given. Only
humans can invent games and the rules to play by them, such as soccer, tennis, golf, etc.
Only humans can say there is God or there is no God.

In its introduction, CELEBRITIES IN HELL claims that ‘“Hell” is a theological

invention.’ According to the Bible ‘Hell’ is a revelation from God. Human knowledge is
limited. We have no way of knowing what lies beyond physical death --- again only
humans can contemplate life beyond the physical. Hence, the understanding of life
beyond physical death can come only as a result of the imagination or revelation. If
indeed there is life beyond the material world, no amount of rhetoric or denying can make
it less real --- even denial by celebrities.

In a way the existence of ‘HELL’ is disputed by two parties: between God and
skeptics and scoffers. I believe in God and I would take His revelation over any human
word. There is hell. We often use the term as an expression to mean something is

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unpleasant or broken beyond redemption, which is fine. But the fact that hell is a place
should not be forgotten. I hope you don’t intend to go there. I hope you have done
something about it already. So, are you headed for heaven or hell?

At the way the news are being reported daily (rape, extortion, kidnapping, etc), it
seems many Nagas are calling themselves Christian but are not headed for heaven.
Because they have not fully understood the word ‘repent’ and applied it in their lives.
The one who can let you into heaven has declared that everyone must repent (John 14:6;
Mark 1:15). Please don’t be like the rich man who went to hell for not repenting (Luke
16:30) --- God willing, I hope to say something about this rich man in a few days.

For some, hell will be a pitch black existence for eternity (Jude 6). Jesus is the
light of the world and those who reject His light will experience darkness (John 8:12; 1
John 1:5-7). Let me share a divine revelation experienced by Dr. Brian Bailey
concerning ‘The Blackness of Darkness’ as he put it.

One day he was writing an article that touched on a certain king in the 14th
century. All of a sudden, by a supernatural act he was taken to the part of hell that is
pitch black and one cannot see the hand in front of the face --- a darkness so thick that it
can be felt (Exodus 10:21-23). Impenetrable darkness; he felt the terror of darkness.
Slowly the darkness eased a bit and then comes a figure walking slowly toward him. He
was wearing a crown and attired in royal fashion, and politely requested, “Kind sir, can
you show me the way to the light?” The only response Dr. Bailey can give was: “It is
appointed unto men once to die and after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). The figure
walked into darkness and disappeared, because for that king in darkness it was too late as
his judgment has already been set.

Dr. Bailey felt the terror, the pain, loneliness, fear, sorrow, and he cried out to
Jesus to deliver him. Then Jesus appeared and pulled him back to where he was sitting in
his room. After being shaken in soul, spirit and body, Dr. Bailey said he was so grateful
Jesus died to save him. He believed he was given this experience to warn others of the
gravity of eternal destinies.

There is nothing wrong in being a celebrity on earth. The danger is that some
celebrities may become proud and feel no need for the Savior. Better be a humble person
on earth and a celebrity in heaven than the other way around. In the eyes of God,
celebrities or none, everyone comes to God on equal ground: at the foot of the cross.

Prayer for salvation: Dear God in heaven, I acknowledge my need of the Savior
Jesus Christ and welcome Him into my heart right now. Forgive all my sins, past and
present, known and unknown, and put them under the blood of Christ. Enable me to
please you and walk in your power and favor. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen. (1 John
1:5-9; Jude 17-25).