NEW YORK — The former mayor of New York City asserted in an interview this week with a prominent media outlet that he believes his work as mayor has earned him a place in Heaven.

“I am telling you if there is a God, when I get to Heaven, I’m not stopping to be interviewed. I am heading straight in,” Michael Bloomberg told the New York Times. “I have earned my place in heaven. It’s not even close.”

The quote was included in an article centering on Bloomberg’s desire to curb gun violence and his goal to “out-muscle” the NRA. The article concludes by noting that the interview was conducted a few days before the 72-year-old Bloomberg’s 50th college reunion and his solemn observance that many of his classmates have now passed into eternity.

“[I]f he senses that he may not have as much time left as he would like, he has little doubt about what would await him at a Judgment Day,” writes author Jeremy Peters, leading into Bloomberg’s assertions that he would easily get into Heaven because of his good deeds.

He outlines that Bloomberg points to his work regarding “gun safety, obesity and smoking cessation” as reasons why God would allow him into Heaven. While he notes that Bloomberg makes the statement with a grin, it is unclear as to whether the former mayor was serious about his statement or jesting about the matter.

Andrew Rappaport of Striving for Eternity Ministries, who has conducted evangelistic outreaches on the streets of New York City since 2007, told Christian News Network that Bloomberg’s comments come across as self-righteous. He stated that Bloomberg is mistaken that anyone can earn their way into Heaven.

“Mayor Bloomberg has displayed his ignorance to the things of God,” Rappaport said. “First, he states, ‘If there is a God,’ when every person knows that God exists. Second, God would never allow him into a right state with Himself based on the mayor’s self-righteousness.”

“In fact, in Revelation 20:12 we see that those who trust in their works will be judged guilty by those works,” he continued. “It is insulting to stand before God when He died as a payment of sin and think your works should count more than God’s work.”

Rappaport stated that the only way that Bloomberg—or any man for that matter—can enter the Kingdom of Heaven is to put their faith and trust in Christ as the payment for their sins.

“What Mayor Bloomberg needs to learn is that his works cannot save him; they will condemn him,” he explained. “Only through Jesus Christ, being eternal God and fully man, can the payment of sin be made. If Mayor Bloomberg wants to be right with God, he needs to turn from trusting in his works and trust in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.”

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