2 Peter 3:18
Much can be learned from the death bed of men and women. In those final words, we get a brief insight into what is most important to them in this life, before they pass into the next. Joan of Arc, before burning at the stake said, “Hold the cross high, so I may see it through the flames!” Edgar Allan Poe said, “Lord, help my poor soul”, and the so-called prophet Nostradamus went down with this prophecy, “Tomorrow, I shall no longer be here”.
We have all heard of the last sayings of Christ on the cross, but we know nothing of the last words of the great apostles of the early church. What might Paul or Peter or John have said in their final moments? This side of heaven, we may never know, but we do know the last thing that they wrote down as inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Peter says, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18) Peter’s final words are an encouragement to the reader to continue in the grace of Jesus Christ. “Grace” is on his mind at the end.
Paul’s final writing comes from a prison cell in Rome, where he writes to his young friend Timothy, “The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:22) Paul, just like Peter, brings us back to the Lord Jesus Christ and again prays grace on the reader. “Grace” is on his mind at the end.
John receives the Revelation of Jesus Christ and views many things that he is not even able to write down. After having seen these things, he begs Jesus to come quickly (Revelation 22:20). One would think that this would be a great place to close his final book, by begging for the return of Jesus, but John has one more thing to say, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:21) Again, just like Peter and Paul before him, John brings us back to the Lord Jesus Christ and His wonderful gift of grace. “Grace” is on his mind at the end.
I ended each of the previous three paragraphs with the same sentence, "’Grace’ is on his mind at the end”. I did this to show you that of all that each of these great apostles could have said, it was another mention of God’s wonderful grace that came from their pen. We could spend hours showing what each man’s definition of grace was but without that kind of time, let’s just say that “grace” was the topic of their hearts, all of the time.
If dying words reveal the character of the individual, then we have an insight into what moved the pillars of the early church. It was not works righteousness or shows of emotion that turned their hearts, but it was the message of undeserved grace and favor. May it be our dying word as well.
Much can be learned from the death bed of men and women. In those final words, we get a brief insight into what is most important to them in this life, before they pass into the next. Joan of Arc, before burning at the stake said, “Hold the cross high, so I may see it through the flames!” Edgar Allan Poe said, “Lord, help my poor soul”, and the so-called prophet Nostradamus went down with this prophecy, “Tomorrow, I shall no longer be here”.
We have all heard of the last sayings of Christ on the cross, but we know nothing of the last words of the great apostles of the early church. What might Paul or Peter or John have said in their final moments? This side of heaven, we may never know, but we do know the last thing that they wrote down as inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Peter says, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18) Peter’s final words are an encouragement to the reader to continue in the grace of Jesus Christ. “Grace” is on his mind at the end.
Paul’s final writing comes from a prison cell in Rome, where he writes to his young friend Timothy, “The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:22) Paul, just like Peter, brings us back to the Lord Jesus Christ and again prays grace on the reader. “Grace” is on his mind at the end.
John receives the Revelation of Jesus Christ and views many things that he is not even able to write down. After having seen these things, he begs Jesus to come quickly (Revelation 22:20). One would think that this would be a great place to close his final book, by begging for the return of Jesus, but John has one more thing to say, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:21) Again, just like Peter and Paul before him, John brings us back to the Lord Jesus Christ and His wonderful gift of grace. “Grace” is on his mind at the end.
I ended each of the previous three paragraphs with the same sentence, "’Grace’ is on his mind at the end”. I did this to show you that of all that each of these great apostles could have said, it was another mention of God’s wonderful grace that came from their pen. We could spend hours showing what each man’s definition of grace was but without that kind of time, let’s just say that “grace” was the topic of their hearts, all of the time.
If dying words reveal the character of the individual, then we have an insight into what moved the pillars of the early church. It was not works righteousness or shows of emotion that turned their hearts, but it was the message of undeserved grace and favor. May it be our dying word as well.
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