Death is the greatest fact in life! But the most uncertain thing in life is life itself! To be always thinking about death is morbidity, but to never think about it, is stupidity!

What a contrast there is between the last words of those who have turned from their sins and trusted Christ for pardon, and those who have not. I love the dying words of Catherine Booth, the wife of the founder of the Salvation Army. She said, “The waters are rising but so am I. I am not going under but over. Do not be concerned about dying, go on living well and the dying will be alright.” She had lived up to this couplet, “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Jesus will last.” This reminds me of these words of Jesus, “I am the Vine, you are the branches – without Me you can do nothing.” [ John 15:5 ] Unless the life of Jesus flows through us we are like dead branches, therefore from God’s point of view our lives are fruitless and useless.

The Bible records in detail the death and last words of Stephen the first Christian martyr. Because he proclaimed the truth about Jesus all Hell was let loose and a crowd stoned him to death. As he was dying he cried out, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” These were the true words of a man chosen for his integrity who could never tell a lie. [ Read Acts chs 6 & 7 ]

Unlike Catherine Booth and Stephen, the infidel Voltaire, spoke these last words to his doctor, “I am abandoned by God and man! I will give you half of what I am worth if you will give me 6 months to live. Then I shall go to Hell and you will go with me.”