Michael Jackson's Death
By David J. Stewart
“And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” —1st John 5:19
I am greatly saddened by the untimely death of pop star, Michael Jackson (1958-2009), just as I was when singer Brad Delp of the Rock 'N' Roll band, Boston, committed suicide in 2007. It is painful to see people die in their sins without Christ. God has "no pleasure in the death of the wicked" (Ezekiel 33:11).
Upon hearing of Michael Jackson's death on June 25, 2009 and the events surrounding his death (which all point to drug abuse), Lisa Marie Presley, Jackson's former wife, stated on MySpace that Jackson had told her 14-years earlier that “he knew” that his self-destructive behavior would cause him to die the same way Elvis Presley did on August 16, 1977 (from drug abuse).
After years of alcohol and cocaine abuse, singer Andy Gibb's heart failed on March 10, 1988 at only age 30. Gibb was born in 1958 as was Jackson. It is so tragic. Both Jackson and Gibb suffered deep financial woes in their music careers. Gibb filed for bankruptcy in 1987. According to the New York Times, Jackson was in debt at the time of his death for an estimated $400 to $500 million.
Michael Jackson lived for the Devil, using his God-given talent to glorify sinful living, which he indulged in himself until it killed him. 1st John 5:19 tells us that “the whole world lieth in wickedness,” like a pig wallows in the mud. This world is saturated with sinful pride, idolatry and lust. The sinful world knows not the God of the Bible and is hostile to the cause of Christ. John 3:20, "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." The world will tolerate any religion except Biblical Christianity. Late Night show comedians, actors and other celebrities can blaspheme the holy name of Jesus all they want without outcry from the public; but people go bananas if anyone dare slander Allah, Buddha, Confucius, Gandhi, Muhammad or various other falsehoods.
The New World Order is upon us, which is the Beast System of the coming Antichrist. The New Age doctrines of this New Order allow for belief in any deity except the one and only true God, Jesus Christ, Who walked this earth as the Godhead incarnate (in the flesh). Jesus is Almighty God (John 1:1-3,14; 10:33; 14:1; 1st Timothy 3:16; Colossians 2:9; Revelation 1:8. Note: All Scripture references are to the King James Bible).
Michael Jackson's Religion
The Devil is a beautiful liar. Michael Jackson was a lifelong Jehovah's Witness who converted over to Islam in 2008. Jackson's brother, Jermaine, said at a press conference after Jackson's death that he wished for Allah to be with his brother. Unfortunately for Michael, Islam is a false religion that denies Jesus Christ altogether as the Son of God. Allah is a falsehood. Most people approach religion as merely a matter of personal opinion, but the Word of God teaches that Jesus Christ is the absolute only way to Heaven (John 14:6). Christians and Muslims do NOT worship the same God. Christianity teaches that God has a Son, Jesus Christ; whereas Islam teaches that God has no son at all. Islam is of the Devil, as are the religions of Judaism and the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Biblically, we are saved only by Christ's righteousness, made possible by His precious shed blood at Calvary. When one acknowledges having sinned against God, having violated His holy Word, and places their faith in Jesus as the Christ to forgive their sins, they are saved and Jesus' blood washes every sin away. The moment a person believes on Jesus as the Son of God to forgive their sins, every sin committed in the past, present and future are forgiven. Our salvation is obtained by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and not in any way by our own self-righteous efforts. Salvation is of the Lord. Our part is to obey the Gospel by BELIEVING on the son. John 3:36, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
Michael Jackson sadly died with the wrath of God abiding upon him. Islam totally rejects Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Lisa Marie Presley said on MySpace that she hopes Michael is finally at rest and in a better place. Kindly said, Michael went to Hell or else the Bible is not true. 2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9 warns, "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." I hate writing articles like this, I really do, but someone needs to preach the truth of God's Word. Either you believe the Bible or you don't. Which is it?
If Michael Jackson died in his sins believing that God has no Son, as Islam teaches, then he went to Hell forever. That is what the King James Bible teaches, which is exactly what the original Hebrew and Greek holy Scriptures teach.
The Love of This World
1st John 2:15-17, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."
Michael Jackson was and is idolized by his fans as a singing god. Not surprisingly, Jackson's music is highly favored amongst gay, lesbian, transgendered and bisexuals worldwide. Jackson's life and career went from being that of a popular young black entertainer to a nightmarish freak show. Lisa Marie Presley stated on MySpace after Jackson's death that during their marriage Michael saw “awful vampires and leeches” around her. I am not trying to be unkind in any way, truly, but Satan wants to destroy all of us. Jesus even told Peter, one of His Apostles, that "Satan hath desired to have you . . . that he may sift you as wheat" (Luke 22:31). Saved or unsaved, Satan wants to have you and destroy your life!
My hope in writing this article and the main focus of my ministry is found in Acts 26:18, "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me." Trusting faith in Jesus as the Savior is the only way to have forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
This sinful world passes away a little more every day. As the years come and go, one celebrity after another passes into eternity. That ought to make you stop and think, to prepare yourself to meet God. Are you prepared to meet your Maker? There are an estimated 6,300,000,000 people living upon the earth today. Every single one of them will be dead in a little over 100-years from now. Personally, I think the Lord Jesus will return before that time comes, but if He tarries, everyone alive today will be dead within a few generations. Sadly, most people today walk in the rebellion of their heart against God. You must decide for yourself whether you believe that the Bible is God's Word or not. If you do, then this world is no place to call home. We must Redeem the Time.
Conclusion
Again, I am saddened by the death of arguably the world's greatest entertainer. My purpose of writing this article isn't to condemn Michael. God's Law condemns all of us as hell-deserving sinners. My simple desire is that you don't end up in Hell with Michael. We all need to be born-again to get to Heaven as Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:1-7.