Kim Jong Il, the despotic, evil president of North Korea, died today. This man has enslaved and murdered his own people for many years, and many people consider his death a blessing. All day long - in the office, on facebook, in emails and on the news - people have been celebrating his death as if it were a party, rejoicing as if his obituary better belonged in the wedding section.
But I can't seem to find any joy in the news of Kim Jong Il's death. I don't deny the fact that he was an evil, evil man. But the prayer of my heart for many years has been that God would break my heart with the things that break His heart. And I simply cannot believe that God was happy at the news that has been plastered all over the papers today.
The death of Kim Jong Il means that he will spend an eternity in hell. It means that he will never have another opportunity to know the grace, the love, the peace that comes with knowing and walking with the Lord. Why is that something to rejoice about?
I am not denying or discounting the atrocities that he committed in life. But I can't help but wonder...why does his death pardon pardon his atrocities? Why is his demise cause for celebration? God came as a ransom for all people - He is not one that any man should perish. The death of someone who does not know the Lord should never be a cause for joy, no matter what they have done in life.
But I can't seem to find any joy in the news of Kim Jong Il's death. I don't deny the fact that he was an evil, evil man. But the prayer of my heart for many years has been that God would break my heart with the things that break His heart. And I simply cannot believe that God was happy at the news that has been plastered all over the papers today.
The death of Kim Jong Il means that he will spend an eternity in hell. It means that he will never have another opportunity to know the grace, the love, the peace that comes with knowing and walking with the Lord. Why is that something to rejoice about?
I am not denying or discounting the atrocities that he committed in life. But I can't help but wonder...why does his death pardon pardon his atrocities? Why is his demise cause for celebration? God came as a ransom for all people - He is not one that any man should perish. The death of someone who does not know the Lord should never be a cause for joy, no matter what they have done in life.
1 Timothy 2:1-7
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7
And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am
telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the
Gentiles. 
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