THE KING IS DEAD

David C. Bennett, D. Min.

 The headline proclaimed THE KING IS DEAD![1] Of course the headline was referring to the death of Michael Jackson. The internet news sites regurgitated for several days Jackson’s death and repeated remarks by those who knew him and those who only knew about him. Awaiting Michael Jackson’s burial and for a few days after, the news will be talking about his life, his music and who knows what else until one becomes almost nauseous of it all.

However, because Michael Jackson was such an icon to so many, his death presents a couple of factors which all of us should consider. The first is:

DEATH IS SURE

The Psalmist states in Psalm 89:48 “What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.” Think, meditate on that for awhile! There is not one man that lived in the past, or who is living right now or will live in the future that has not and will not face the grim reaper, DEATH! And, Romans 5:12 tell us why this is so “Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” As brother Charles Spurgeon said in his Treasury of David “there is none that can claim to elude the arrows of death.”  

Moses aptly stated under the moving of God’s Spirit that “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” Psalm 90:10. Threescore and ten (70) years seems like a long time when one is 25 or 30 but it seems very very brief when one reaches 69. Death is sure whatever one’s age! Michael Jackson has passed through the door of death from which there is no return.  

WHICH ONE?[2]

Who decides which one should go?

Who is wise enough to know?

Should I, in death, precede my love?

Should he leave me for realms above?

Only God the choice can make.

Which one to leave, which one to take.

But this I know, and His will I own—

To take away or leave alone.

DEATH IS SUDDEN

Most of us do not wake up each morning thinking we may be dead before the evening. Death comes most unexpectedly. Death extinguishes from us all that which we call life, our individual life. James 4:14 expresses life this way, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” Meditate on what James is saying. Our life is a simple vapour! We are here for a little while and then gone. Job put it this way “O remember that my life is wind” Job 7: 7. We do not know what tomorrow has in store, sickness or health or death. Some morning or some evening will be our last day in this old body on this earth. Neither riches nor fame will keep Mr. Death from our door!

What Will I Say?[3]

If God should call for me

Before I spend this day

If He should summon me

While going on my way

If He should stop the plans

Which I have carefully laid

If He should call me Home

Before they’re even made

If God should call for me

While busy at my task

If He should stop my steps

Before I speak or ask

If He shitake my breath

My heart’s poor feeble beat

If He should call today

Would I His favor meet?

If God should call for me

While I’m asleep at night

If He should move me up

From darkness into light

If He should call me now

And leave a vacant place

If He should take me home

Could I His judgment face?

CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER

At fifty years of age Michael Jackson went “the way of all the earth” Joshua 23:14, and someday will “stand before God” Revelation 20:12. All the fame, riches and man’s glory that Michael Jackson had here for those short fifty years will mean nothing as his body is laid in the grave as his soul has already entered eternity. It will not matter if Michael Jackson had won music awards or earned millions if not billions of dollars BUT what will matter is if Michael Jackson knew personally The King “that...was dead; and, behold...am alive for evermore” Revelation 1:18! That is what will truly matter.  

One’s eternity does not depend on riches, fame or good works but whether Jesus Christ is alive or dead for “...in Adam all die” 1Corinthians 15:22. But 1 Corinthians 15: 22 does not leave us there, for it goes on to say that “in Christ shall all be made alive”. He is the Key, Christ! Only God and Michael Jackson know where Michael Jackson’s soul is now but the important question for you is where will your soul go when your heart stops beating? In who have you placed your faith? The king of pop may be dead but the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is alive and well and “able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” Hebrews 7: 25. May you “...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and...be saved” before your appointed hour to meet death comes.