Ever found yourself glancing over your left shoulder when you’re about to do something a little ignoble? Ever felt that your late Aunt Ethel just might see you and not approve? Here’s a little secret that only a few insiders know– “Aunt Ethel ain’t there!”
It seems that hardly a single film or show script reaches the credits these days without some sort of passing reference to the after life. The catch phrases are: “She’s gone to a better world.” “He’s passed to a higher plain.”, “Dad’s watching over us now.” And “God has another angel in heaven.” I don’t suppose it matters that not a single one of these sayings is biblically correct. Then again, I don’t suppose the Bible is required reading for Hollywood screenwriters.
The Bible makes a declaration that is almost embarrassing to put down on paper: the dead are dead. Simple. Clear. Concise. According to the scriptures, the only man who ever died and is still living today is Jesus Christ. Though the scriptures clearly declare that the rest of the deceased await the return of Jesus Christ, movie makers would have you believe that the Return is not necessary.
Hollywood treats death as if it were an immediate entree into some sort of new and better life – a place where one’s “heart will go on forever.” The screenwriters call death black, but they paint it white. Though the scriptures call death an enemy, Hollywood makes it seem like a good friend. If the teaching of the movie makers – that one goes to heaven immediately upon death – is correct, then their error is logical. If you could go to the better place now, then why wouldn’t you?
It seems that the rhetoric of Hollywood seems to have more force than the words of Holy writ. Even Christians buy the half-truths. Big screen, THX sound, handsome hero, powerful background vocals, and a strong impression is made. Hard for a few words in black and white written two thousand years ago to compete with that. And yet, all the industrial light and so-called magic of the silver screen isn’t about to change the truth of scripture.
You see, if anyone should have gone to heaven immediately, wouldn’t you agree Jesus Christ was probably the best candidate? After all he always did what the Director said. And yet, despite his allegiance, even he spent three days and three nights in the grave – dead. Yes, there is life after death, but it does not begin until after the Return of Christ. Until then, no one comes back from the great beyond.
You don’t have to worry that Aunt Ethel’s looking down on you . Aunt Ethel is down for the countdown – the countdown to the Return, that is. The dead are dead. Simple. Clear. Concise. True. The concept of an immediate heaven might be in the script, but it certainly isn’t in the scriptures.