Is _____ in heaven or hell?

Wondering if a certain person is in heaven or in hell is common, especially right after a celebrity or other famous figure passes away. Many times, people also wonder about a deceased friend or relative. Did he or she go to heaven or hell? We should be careful when making assertions about a specific person’s eternal destiny.

It’s impossible to say for certain what relationship another person has (or had) with God. We cannot see the heart, but God can (1 Samuel 16:7). Neither do we possess the ability to peer into heaven or hell to see the residents there. Human beings simply aren’t equipped to make infallible pronouncements on whether someone is in heaven or hell. For this reason, it’s good to speculate less and focus more on a basic understanding of the gospel. What we know for sure is that there are only two destinations for the dead: heaven and hell. Those who have accepted Christ by faith will be with God after death. Those who have rejected Christ will be separated from God forever.

A better question than “is so-and-so in heaven or hell?” is “was so-and-so’s life consistent with saving faith in Christ?” This allows for a more objective answer. Some lives clearly fall on one side or the other of that criterion. Yet, according to the Bible, it’s possible to “put on a show” and still be lost (Matthew 7:21–23). And it’s possible to struggle to apply one’s faith and still be saved (Matthew 21:31). Only God truly knows what goes on in the heart, even when a person seems beyond hope.

Rather than make a definitive claim with respect to an individual’s eternal destiny, our preference is to point to what the Bible says about those who trust in Christ and then allow others to form their own opinion. Realistically, the best we can do is say that someone who has passed away is “probably saved” or “probably not saved.”

Those who publicly profess faith in Christ and whose lives seem consistent with that profession would be on the “probably saved” side of the spectrum. When a person’s words and actions give evidence of faith in Christ, then it’s reasonable to assume that he will be with God when he passes. This conclusion is tempered by the fact that externals are not what actually matter; it’s possible for pious behavior to mask a lost soul (Matthew 23:26–28).

Those who overtly reject Christ would be on the “probably unsaved” end of the scale. Those who make it clear by their words and actions that they reject the gospel give evidence they were not saved and will go to hell when they pass. At the same time, God can save anyone, no matter how close to death he or she is (Matthew 20:1–16; Luke 23:43). We don’t know what may happen in the secrecy of a person’s heart in the last moments before death. Further, there are those who may struggle with habitual sin despite having legitimate saving faith.

One’s public persona, especially for celebrities, often differs from one’s private life. This dichotomy can make it virtually impossible to say what were a public figure’s real views on faith and spirituality. Even if we can make an educated guess, that assumption has to be kept in perspective.

Ultimately, the gospel is the only hope for any of us after this life. Regardless of whether some particular person is in heaven, our personal need for Christ remains. We can confidently say that in Christ there is salvation (John 6:27). If a person accepts the gospel and is born again, he or she will be with God after death. Our focus should be on our own spiritual needs and the needs of those still living.