Richard Hollerman

Hollywood is a strange place with strange people. Although we may presume that these people all live in Hollywood (a section in north Los Angeles) or Beverly Hills, they each have their own story. Most are from other localities and gravitated to this city for economic purposes and to find a “name” for themselves.

When I was in California, I saw the great sign on the mountain that overlooked the city. It read, “Hollywood.” Yes, these people had their own part to play in this renounced city.

Recently, I was reviewing the cell phone and the internet. There were parts that I perused, but it was sad indeed. This is what I mean and the meaning of what I found in my investigation.

James Dean, for instance, who starred in the movie, “Giant” (which we’ve never seen), was well-known even though he was rather young. H had a car wreck at the age of 24. How sad. The pictures I saw showed a miserable tangle of steel. There is no indication that this young and talented man ever repented of his worldly lifestyle. He gave no indication that he ever repented of his wild and reckless ways. As a racecar driver, he never turned to God and His ways. He died as a devotee of his lifestyle and proverbially evil ways.

There was also Rock Hudson (not his real name) who died somewhat young, at age 60. His name is a household name and most would recognize him and the parts that he played. Of course, he was a movie star and in his time he had a career (in movies) that spanned three decades. Hudson was a life-long homosexual or sodomite and died of complications of his disease later. So sad. All of his affairs were not enough to save him.

There would also be Elizabeth Tayler (whom most may recognize). She suffered health issues since she was a teenager and her  movie, “National Velvet,” was well-known. This woman lived to age 78. Taylor had perhaps 7 husbands and was married 8 times. As I said, she suffered numerous health issues and toward the end, she was in a wheel chair. Yes, she had many jewels and riches, but died as a liberal Jew and lived as she died.

I suppose that I could go on for dozens of personalities (or perhaps hundreds) and there is no indication that any of them repented to get right with God. They all lived an immoral and compromising life and had much wealth, but were lost. They lived a life without God and then died, from age 24 to 79. Were they happy during their brief life? I don’t know. But is clear that they died lost and without Christ and His salvation.

I suppose that this is a telling reminder that lasting happiness eluded these dear and deceived people. True happiness comes only through Jesus Christ, as you know. And there is no firm view that any of these people died with God’s salvation and a hope of eternity with Him.

In fact, there is no indication that any of these Hollywood “stars” and many others knew Jesus and His forgiveness. Although we have only mentioned a few, there are many others and they all failed to come to Christ, as far as we know.

This life will soon end (perhaps even tragically, as these personalities did). How many of them repented and made restitution? How many of them were prepared to meet the Lord and face the future?  And so we ask, why will you die? Why will you die physically—and spiritually? Regardless of your wealth and applause, we know that we cannot buy God and His salvation. Will you come to Him now or face the uncertain future?