Arafat Going to Heaven?

Arafat going to heaven?

At the president's news conference, when the Washington Times informed him of the story that AP later had to retract about Arafat's death, the president said, quote, "God bless his soul." And my question: Did the president mean to say, "God cleanse his soul"? Or is the president a universalist in believing that everybody goes to Heaven?

That's something people say to be respectful of the dead. What does it have to do with going to heaven? He was being respectful, what was he supposed to say, "Good riddens, the old bastard is finally dead?" Whether the president said "bless" or "cleanse" or whatever has no bearing on the fate of Yasser Arafat.

As for going to heaven:

And no one has ascended up to Heaven except He who came down from Heaven, the Son of Man who is in Heaven. John 3:13

No, he's not going to heaven when he dies - no one is.

For the living know that they shall die; but the dead do not know anything, nor do they have any more a reward; for their memory is forgotten. Ecc 9:5

What then, if not heaven?

But I confess this to you, that after the Way which they call heresy, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets.

And I have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. Acts 24:14-15

Why a resurrection?

And I saw the dead, the small and the great, stand before God. And books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

And the sea gave up the dead in it. And death and hell delivered up the dead in them. And each one of them was judged according to their works.

And death and hell were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death.

And if anyone was not found having been written in the Book of Life, he was cast into the Lake of Fire. Rev 20:12-15

All people are given the opportunity to know God after the resurrection of the dead. All people, no matter the situation they've known in this lifetime. No one is left behind - except by their own choice. That's freedom of choice. That's a beautiful thing.