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Final

While taking a quiet walk through a cemetery, I couldn’t help but notice that all tombstones have a start - and more significantly - a stop, date. Yeah, such a realization gave me the willies, too, but it’s a wonderful fact to point out to someone you are sharing the reality of eternity with. It kind of reinforces the point. And while gazing on at the rows of tombstones, I began to wonder what the final words of these people might have been.

Those who have trusted Christ for forgiveness have eternal life. A friend of mine who works in a hospital emergency room assured me once that Christians die well, often smiling. Those who have not trusted Christ usually enter into eternity with faces frozen in fear, and often screaming. God calls the death of his saints “precious.” Compassionate soul that he is, he “takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked,” even knowing they will face his wrath. It took a little digging, but I have unearthed a few final quotes. Consider with me these final words:

Here is the testimony of a man who knew real peace with God. “See in what peace a Christian can die.” Joseph Addison, writer, died June 17, 1719.

Here was a man who had his mind on earthly things till the last. “How were the receipts today at Madison Square Garden?” P. T. Barnum, entrepreneur, died 1891.

Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before the fall. “Die? I should say not, dear fellow. No Barrymore would allow such a conventional thing to happen to him.” John Barrymore, actor, died May 29, 1942.

His most famous poem cried out saying “Death shall have no dominion.” He was gravely mistaken. “I’ve had eighteen straight whiskies, I think that’s the record…” Dylan Thomas, poet, died 1953.

Her housekeeper began to intercede aloud in prayer on her behalf as Death came. She demanded the poor praying woman be silent. “Damn it . . . Don’t you dare ask God to help me.” (I suspect moments later she deeply regretted her final request). Joan Crawford, actress, died May 10, 1977.

Here’s a man who spoke wonderful, wry words of undying faith in his Savior. “God will pardon me, that’s his line of work.” Heinrich Heine, poet, died February 15, 1856.

As he sat strapped into an electric chair in Oklahoma, he got the last word in. “How about this for a headline for tomorrow’s paper? French fries.” (The humor was short lived). James French, died 1966.

Death can come unexpectedly at any ordinary moment. From the Civil War, this soldier spoke his final words about his Confederate enemy. “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this dist…” General John Sedgwick, died 1864.

He died believing his own publicity, ignoring the first commandment. “Woe is me. Me thinks I’m turning into a god.” Vespasian, Roman Emperor, died 79 AD.

One of the more infamous suicides was done to mock the pursuit of television ratings. She lifted a gun to her head during a broadcast and said, “And now, in keeping with Channel 40’s policy of always bringing you the latest in blood and guts, in living color, you’re about to see another first - an attempted suicide.” (Sadly, the attempt was successful). Chris Hubbock, newscaster, died 1970.

Jesus once asked what would it profit you to gain the whole world only to lose your soul. Have you ever tried to honestly answer his question? “All my possessions for a moment of time.” Elizabeth I, Queen of England, died 1603.

In assurance of her salvation as she was being executed by lethal injection in Texas: “I am going to be face to face with Jesus now… I will see you all when you get there… I will wait for you.” Karla Faye Tucker Brown, convicted murderer, died 1998.

And finally, this California death row inmate nicely summed up the grim reality of the transitory nature of our earthly life: “You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everyone dances with the Grim Reaper.” Robert Alton Harris, died 1992.

As you go about our day today, consider that no one promised you your next breath. Life is a gift from God. Consider your ways and your words wisely for they may be your last. An older friend of mine named Herb Shaw once remarked, “Live every day as if it were your last ’cause one day, you’ll be right.” He later died while sleeping of asphyxiation in an apartment fire.

And the final recorded words of Jesus in Revelation 22:20? “Surely I come quickly. Amen.” Words to consider indeed.

Bryan Hupperts © 2000 - 2009

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