My grandmother used to go to sleep at night listening to Larry King on the radio. He certainly has a knack for attracting interesting guests and drawing out what’s in their heart—and discussing Jesus with the likes of Billy Graham, Joyce Meyer and Joel Osteen.
That’s one reason why I was so disturbed when I heard about 81-year-old King’s statements on Power 105.1, a popular New York City morning radio show, “The Breakfast Club.” DJ Envy, Champagne Tha God and Angela Yee moved into eternal territory when the discussion turned to King’s wish to have his body frozen after he dies.
“I just taped Dr. Oz yesterday (last Wednesday) and he showed me what happens when they do that and it makes a lot of sense to me,” King said with regard to freezing his remains.
But what he said next is what really disturbed me.
“I don’t believe that I’m going anywhere. I’m not religious, so I believe when you die, you die and that’s it. So I’m so curious, and I like living and so I want one little chance,” said King.
“If I’m frozen and then they find a cure for whatever I died of and they could cure me, is that better than laying in the ground or being burnt while you’re dead? Those two ways you can’t get out, but I figure if I can be frozen and then something happens … It’s the one way grab at eternity to live. I don’t want to not exist.”
The Wrong Side of Eternity
King won’t “not exist.” The bad news is, if King does not accept Jesus as His Lord and Savior, he will exist on the wrong side of eternity. If King does not receive Christ, he will exist apart from a loving God who died to give him eternal life.
That’s why what disturbed me most of all is when King said he believes fear of death is what makes people religious—because it demonstrates that he doesn’t know how much God loves him.
“I think it’s the biggest fear people have. They might say they don’t. ‘I know I’m going somewhere. You don’t,” he said, followed by a statement that he absolutely is not a believer in God.
“I’m probably an atheist. Ah, I respect religion. I’ve interviewed every great religious leader except the Pope. … I’ve interviewed the Billy Grahams and the heads of the Mormon Church. … I don’t buy it,” King said. “I think the only reason for religion is death. If you didn’t die, there would be no religion.”
I don’t know if Billy Graham preached the gospel to King privately, but I’d be surprised if he didn’t and he was very clear publicly about the saving power of the cross on King’s show. Joyce Meyer was especially clear when she was on Larry King Live. You can’t mingle with that many religious leaders, interview them about their faith, and not hear the message of salvation somewhere along the lines.
King Needs Answers
So why does King characterize himself as “probably an atheist”?
“Probably not getting answers to questions,” he said. “The simple answer you get all the time is when you ask why does a baby die? Why is there a holocaust?” King said.
“I asked those questions, why did God allow Katrina and people get swept up and died and the typical answer is: ‘Well, we don’t question the ways of the Lord.’ Well, I do question the ways of the Lord … and if I don’t get answers, I question it.”
That last line actually encouraged me. Despite the fact that he said he’s not a believer in God, he just acknowledged he questions the ways of the Lord. That doesn’t sound like an atheist to me. It sounds like someone who has been searching for answers and has not been satisfied with the perceived silence.
That’s why I’m praying for Larry King. If my grandmother were alive, I believe she’d do the same—and I encourage you to pray for him. Pray that God would encounter his heart with an overwhelming sense of love and peace. Pray that God would answer His questions. Pray that laborers would enter his path, sowing the seeds of salvation.
King is 81 years old. He wants his body frozen—not burned—when he dies. It’s sadly ironic given the fate of those who reject Christ. Let’s pray that God will reach him before it’s too late.
Jennifer LeClaire is senior editor of Charisma. She is also director of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and author of several books, including The Next Great Move of God: An Appeal to Heaven for Spiritual Awakening, Mornings With the Holy Spirit, Listening Daily to the Still Small Voice of God, The Making of a Prophet and Satan’s Deadly Trio: Defeating the Deceptions of Jezebel, Religion and Witchcraft. You can visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.
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