one of my really good friends was killed in Iraq last week and he claimed to be atheist...but he was really open to what i, as a Christian, had to say. some of my other Christian friends also talked to him bout it. but i am wondering that if *since he died of drowning* he had some time while he was drowning to see that there was a God, i mean, b/c he WAS going to die...and if he accepted Jesus into his life...and if God forgave him for denying him...this is kinda of a deep situation, but i need to no if there would have been forgiveness...and if God could give me a sign that my friend DID go to Heaven...but he was really a good friend i could talk to about anything...i miss him and love him so0o much!!....ADVICE PLZ!
2007-01-05 08:51:27 · 20 answers · asked by lilcountrygirl 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Start over, I should have read your entire question. Sorry for the short answer before. There is no way for you to know for sure or to have a sign from God. However you can be sure of several things.
The judge of all the universe will not do wrong. Yes he could be saved ether shortly before death or even long before and maybe it was something you said that stuck in his heart and the Lord caused him to believe. Jesus said that all that were given to Him He will lose none so if he was a child of God Jesus saved him without doubt. Know for sure the God you trust is in control and will do no wrong.
2007-01-05 08:53:31 · answer #1 · answered by beek 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
When Jesus said what we read at Matthew 11:11, John was already imprisoned. Jesus made it known in advance that this imprisoned prophet was lesser than the least one who in the future would serve as a king-priest in the heavens. Yet, Jesus also seems to have known that John was soon to die, passing off the earthly scene before the “new” way to heavenly life was opened. (Hebrews 10:19, 20) That meant that John would not survive until Pentecost 33 C.E., when the anointing of Jesus’ disciples with spirit began. Hence, Jesus’ comment at Matthew 11:11 can be taken as well to be an indication that he knew that John would not go to heaven.
More than likely your friend was not of the anointed either and has the hope of the resurrection here on a paradise earth in which God originally intended before Adam and Eve sinned.
2007-01-05 09:11:32 · answer #2 · answered by Just So 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So much tragedy on earth.(sigh). I hope for better days. Unfortunately, only God knows. This is painful I know, because I have a grandpa and uncle who are in poor conditions and are dying, but they refuse to accept God. But don't worry. You can only live for today now.
And don't believe the people who say that God casts people into hell. He is pained greatly to have anyone go there. Its the people who don't believe that walk away from him. He can't help people believe if they don't try. Keep your faith strong, and you might see your friend again. If you go to Hell, you will never meet anyone you love ever again. It is part of the torment.
BTW, did he accept Jesus in front of you?
2007-01-05 09:04:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to hear that.
Look there is no such place so I am sure he isn't there. But he isn't in the awful alternative either. I doubt that it was his last thought either. I have been an atheist for a long time, and I have thought I was going to die twice. I never even thought of it either time. I was always much more interested in saving my own a**. And it wouldn't have mattered if it did think of it.
You see those of us who are non-believers really are not afraid. I was always unable to believe and I wouldn't have it any other way. I know our outlook isn't terribly comforting, but it is the truth.
2007-01-05 09:03:08 · answer #4 · answered by Alex 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Honestly, there is no way of knowing. It may be true that man has until his last breath, but whether he will use his last breath to honor God or not, to repent of his sins, that's something you will find out in heaven.
It was Charles Spurgeon's mom who prayed, "Lord, if my children go on in their sins, it will not be from ignorance that they perish, and my soul must bear a swift witness against them at the day of judgment if they lay not hold of Christ."
2007-01-05 09:12:47 · answer #5 · answered by Jerry 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only way to know is if he happened to tell someone in Irag that he accepted Jesus as personally Savior. Other than that, we will only know when we get to Heaven
2007-01-05 09:06:10 · answer #6 · answered by Wonderboy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry but you will not know until you get there. You cannot know what happens to someone in their dying moments.
Dont take the risk, make sure you know where you, and as many people as you know are going - be sure and tell as many people as you can about him now.
2007-01-05 08:57:42 · answer #7 · answered by emma w 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since you're a Christian, then you should think he went to Heaven, no matter what his beliefs were.
Sorry about the loss.
2007-01-08 16:28:49 · answer #8 · answered by Julie 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi hon, God has given you a sign, through His word. What does God's word tell you?
I know you are hoping against hope that your friend is in heaven, and only God knows that. It isn't for us to give God demands and say " Give me a sign I want to know" sometimes the unknown is the only way to move on. God wants you to accept your friends death and move on, and Lean on God in your time of grief.
God knows you have done everything you could but it doesn't change the fact that your friend had to accept Christ in order to go to heaven and that doesn't happen over night.
I once knew a girl who was so confused, and she allowed me to talk to her about God. I thought I had seeds planted, I decided to give her my bible. I cherished it so much, but it meant more to me that she have it since I felt it would be the greatest gift she could recieve ( aside from recieving Christ into her heart)
Weeks went by and I didn't hear from her. I wondered about her, and prayed for her, but my telephone didn't ring.
One night I recieved a dream...
I was sitting on the bench with this girl and I gave her my bible. We went into a house together and amoung a crowd of visitors I lost sight of her... I began to ask around " where is she? " and the visitor approached me and said " don't you know... she commited suicide. " ( I was at the gathering after the funeral!) I went outside to the bench, in bewilderment, " I was just with her" and there I saw my bible unopened on the bench.
This dream told me that I can only do so much, it is up to the individual if they recieve Christ or not. I gave her my bible, but I can't make her read it... just like you, you shared information, and it was up to your friend to act upon it. If he professed being an athiest up until his death, you know by God's word, he can't be in heaven. BUT with that said, he isn't in hell either. Hell is a place reserved for the angels because they cannot be destroyed... thier place is eternal. Your friend is asleep awaiting Jesus return... He isn't the dead in Christ, but he isn't dead to Christ either. He'll have his chance to find redemption, please trust God's love and grace and mercy to allow you to make it through this day and the next. God loves all who He created!
Death bed repentances, as the bible states are not a suitable candidate for salvation. One has to accept Jesus Christ, and one cannot know Jesus and love and accept what He did on the cross without first understanding in some detail what that means... there has to be an agape love in order for salvation to take place...
God also speaks about relationships ( including friendships) being unevenly yolked, it isn't a good idea to find friendship in those people who do not share the same beliefs as you, because seeking advice from them gives you a worldly outlook grounded in the world's foundation, not God's. I know you loved your friend and you will miss him, but honey, God's word is quiet clear, and this isn't something that you want to hear... but seek comfort in God, I pray that he'll give you peace and comfort in this delicate time.
It is hard to find truth in God's word when sorrow hits so close to the heart... i know... but trust God that His will is done, for your friends life and yours. God doesn't want you to dwell on this, and in time the pain will be much easier. It's not something that you will forget, nor should you, but take each day as it comes... " Today is the day the Lord hath made... " we need to trust that God's judgment is pure and just, not our own, and certainly let us not turn to our own understanding of things. Sometimes there can be no answers for our quesitons, and sometimes we do not understand the answers that we are given but we can trust that God's will and desire is the best we could ever hope for!
God Bless hon.
It would be not a bad idea to seek out a Christian councilor on this?????
2007-01-05 09:31:23 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do i kno if my friend went to Heaven or not?
So sorry.
NO WAY to know.
2007-01-05 08:57:59 · answer #10 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋