Aging | THE BIBLE VIEW

The BIBLE VIEW #880 — Their Last Words

In This Issue:
The Last Words of Pastor James Gerven
The Death of Chloe
The Last Words of George Roberts
Thomas Paine’s Last Words
The Last Words of Richard Hooker
The Dying Words of Earl of Chesterfield
The Death of A Young Man

Volume: 880 October 17, 2022
Theme: Last Words

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* The following accounts are edited from: Ingram Cobbin, Dying Sayings. London, England, Frederick Westley, 1828. *

The Last Words of Pastor James Gerven
Ingram Cobbin, Dying Sayings

James Gerven was a pious, ingenious minister, a popular writer, and was born in 1714… He died in 1758, being forty-four years old.

As death drew near, he said, “Here is the treasure of the Christian. Death is reckoned in this inventory, and a noble treasure it is. How thankful I am for death, as it is the passage through which I go to the Lord and Giver of eternal life! These light afflictions are but for a moment, and then comes an eternal weight of glory. Oh, I welcome death! Thou mayest well be reckoned among the treasures of the Christian. ‘For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.’” (Philippians 1:21)”

“What will be your last words? Will they be of excitement and expectation or fear and trembling?” — Bill Brinkworth

The Death of Chloe
Ingram Cobbin, Dying Sayings

… Before us was the struggling, agonizing, dying Chloe, inwardly burning to death with the raging fires of inflammation. Her mind was most anxious about the terrors of her approaching end. She felt the horrible consciousness of being unprepared for the solemn exchange of worlds.

A minister had prayed with her, but no relief was found. The mother prayed, but overflowing tears from distress and terror were all the help she could give the child, who was sinking in despair.

Attendants were weeping, but none of them could help the dying girl. She did not pray for herself, while her cries for prayer to save her from Hell were incessant.

She was asked, “Chloe, will you now accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your only Saviour from sin and Hell and submit your soul into his hands for salvation?”

With a faltering voice, she answered, “No, I cannot!”

Astonished at the answer, she was asked, “Why are you not willing, and why can you not now, with your dying breath, accept Christ for salvation?”

With the clear appearance of being in full possession of her rational thinking, but with a feeble and tremulous articulation, she continued, “It is too late….”

Will any who read this account neglect preparation for eternity? Are you ready when it is your time to leave this world?

The Last Words of George Roberts
Ingram Cobbin, Dying Sayings

Pastor George Roberts experienced God’s converting grace in early life and devoted himself to Christian service. He came to New England in 1790, where, through much opposition and suffering, he labored with outstanding success. Through excessive labor and toils, his health failed, and being unable to perform ministerial duties, he moved to Baltimore….

He died in Baltimore in Christian triumph, being eminently sustained in his last conflict. “His last hours,” said his son, “were triumphant, though eminently painful physically. For twenty-four hours before his death, he had violent convulsions every ten minutes….”

… He was distinguished by the evenness and quiet of his temper and frame. A night or two previous to his death, I urged him to quiet himself and offered, as a reason for it, the possibility of his disturbing the neighbors.

He immediately replied, “Be quiet, my son. No, no! If I had the voice of an angel, I would rouse the inhabitants of Baltimore to tell them the joys of redeeming love. Victory, I have victory! Victory, through the blood of the Lamb! Victory through the blood of the Lamb,” were the last sentences trembled from his dying lips.

His death was a triumphant testimony! Only the power of salvation can enable the soul to triumph when the body sinks into the tomb….

“This world is the land of the dying; the next, for the Christian, is the land of the living.” — Author Unknown

Thomas Paine’s Last Words
Ingram Cobbin, Dying Sayings

Thomas Paine, a political writer and deist, was born in Norfolk, England, in 1737 and died in New York on June 8, 1809. He was seventy-two years. This unhappy unbeliever died in great misery from the consequence of his disgusting vices.

He became an outcast from all respectable society. He was said to have been irritable, vain, filthy, malignant, dishonest, and drunken. Mr. Cunningham said, “Few men have been more bountifully favored with the gifts of nature and expansion of intellect than was Thomas Paine. His essays on the political rights of man stand as a lasting monument of his genius and exhibit a mind girded with strength. Yet even though he had outstanding success and acknowledged ability in effecting a political revolution, he revolted against God and common sense… He shut his eyes against rational evidence, denied the truth of Christianity, and became a skeptic. This infatuated infidel was left to the fruits of his doings. He degraded himself and died a fool….

Frequently, in his last distress, Mr. Paine called out, “Lord Jesus! Help me.”

His doctor, Dr. Maiiley, asked him whether, from his calling so often upon the Saviour, if it was to be inferred that Thomas believed the Gospel.

He replied, “I have no wish to believe on that subject.” He expired in great agony. Such are the fruits of infidelity. How many, like Paine, were disloyal to God and were ruined?

“Some die without having really lived, while others continue to live, in spite of the fact that they have died.” — Author Unknown

The Last Words of Richard Hooker
Ingram Cobbin, Dying Sayings

Richard Hooker was born near Exeter, England, in 1553. He possessed great learning, sound judgment, and distinguished himself by the book The Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity.

He was a meek, pious man and spent his days laboring to promote the glory of his Creator and the happiness of men.”

He died in the forty-seventh year of his age. Before his departure, he said, “I have lived to see that this world is full of confusion and disorder. I have been long preparing to leave it and gathering comfort for the awful hour of making up my account with God, which I now apprehend as nearby. By his grace, I have loved Him from my youth, feared Him, and labored to have a conscience void of offense toward my God and all men.”

At another time, he said, “God hath heard my daily petition… From this blessed assurance, I feel the inward joy the world can neither give nor take from me. My conscience beareth me this witness, and this witness makes the thoughts of death joyful. I could wish to live to do the church more service, but I cannot hope for it, for my days are past as a shadow and will not return.” Shortly after uttering those words, he went home to be with God.”
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord….” (Rev. 14:13) It shall be well with the righteous.

The Dying Words of Earl of Chesterfield
Ingram Cobbin, Dying Sayings

The Earl of Chesterfield was one of the most accomplished scholars of his time. He sought all the world’s pleasures and informed us he enjoyed them. However, he lived and died like a fool.

Though learned, polite, and witty, he was full of deceit and opposition to God. He said, “My reason tells me I should wish for the end of life, but instinct makes me take all the proper methods to put it off. This innate sentiment alone makes me bear life with patience! I assure you, I have no hope, but, on the contrary, many fears from it.”

Poor man! Is this all the comfort thou hast derived from all his accomplishments? What a confession from a deathbed! He added, “I can hardly persuade myself that all that frivolous hurry and bustle and all the pleasures of the world had any reality, but they seem to have been the dreams of restless nights. Ah! They can render no support to the dying soul. They truly now appear like ‘dreams’ and were not important.”

The Death of A Young Man
Ingram Cobbin, Dying Sayings

In the summer of 1817, a camp meeting was held in East Hartford, Connecticut. About eight thousand people were present, and about one hundred were saved.

The Rev. D. Dorchester, when recounting the meeting, said, “… A young man, about eighteen years of age, attended the meetings. On Sunday evening, the Lord wrought powerfully among the people.

“Some of the young man’s associates sought and found the Saviour… Entreaties, expostulations, and tears urged the boy, but all in vain! His reply to them was, ‘I will wait till I get home.’”

“He started for home with his mother. At about five o’clock, he arrived within a few yards of his father’s house when suddenly he sprang from the wagon. He exclaimed, “Mother, I am dying; I am dying. I shall not live for one hour! O, that I had sought salvation at the camp meeting!”

“A physician was called immediately, but his efforts were in vain. Death had planted the arrow that no human hand could extract. The boy’s skin soon assumed a purple hue. His friends could only wait with anxiety and hear, with the most painful sensations, the regrets the boy uttered. The next day, he breathed his last.”

Procrastination was the thief that stole the young man’s opportunity to be saved….
“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” II Cor. 6:2

The Bible View#851 — Health Issues

In This Issue:
When You Don’t Get Healed
Thoughts on Cancer
Why They Had Health Afflictions
The Home Light
God’s Protection

Volume: 851 March 21, 2022T
heme: Heath Issues

The FREE printable versions (bulletin insert, large print, and e-mail versions) of this Bible View and many others can be found at https://openthoumineeyes.com/newsletters.html.

So many are battling serious health issues. Perhaps this edition may help and encourage them. If you think it may, please forward it to those that could use uplifting.

When You Don’t Get Healed
Bill Brinkworth

Paul was a man used greatly by God. Because of God’s helping hand, the evangelist survived shipwrecks, beatings, persecutions, imprisonments, and other ill-treatment. With God’s miraculous help, this man was used in healings, revivals, and many miracles. However, as utilized by God as he was, Paul still had a personal ailment.
“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” II Corinthians 12:7

Commentators have strained at attempting to name Paul’s “thorn in the flesh,” although God chose not to make it clear to us. No matter what it was, Paul made it evident that he faced an infirmity. Three times he pleaded with God to remove the malady from him (II Cor. 12:8). God’s answer was “… My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness …” (II Cor. 12:9).

Here was a man that had seen glorious things in the third heaven (II Cor. 12:2-4). He had been delivered from many horrible things, yet God wanted Paul to experience this physical problem. God could have easily healed his body, but the God’s answer was that His grace was enough for him to live with the situation. Paul’s infirmity was a vehicle to make him spiritually stronger.

If God would allow one of His great spiritual warriors to face such a battle, we too should not be surprised if we face health problems. As it is with most trials, we can do one of two things when going through testing. We can either shake our fist at God and be angry with him, which is not the wise thing to do when we need Him the most. However, during that testing time, we can get close to Him and rely on Him to get us through the challenge.

Paul chose not to be foolish and get angry with God, as some do. He decided that if God allowed him to go through the problem, he would have a good attitude about it (II Cor. 12: 10) and give God the glory. In so doing, Paul learned what God wanted him to know. He understood that when he was weak, the preacher was the strongest through God’s help!

“Some cry, “Why me?” when they go through a trial.”

My question to them is, “Why wouldn’t it be you? Are you something special that you shouldn’t have problems or sicknesses?” God promises eternal life in Heaven to the saved. He promised no one he would not have problems on this Earth. — B. Brinkworth

Thoughts on Cancer
By Dr. Curtis Hutson, while going through cancer which later took his life.

Cancer can shorten your earthly life, but it cannot affect your eternal life.
Cancer can steal your days, but it cannot steal your dreams.
Cancer can cause you to be immobile, but it cannot keep you from being immovable.
Cancer may make you weak, but it cannot take away the joy of the Lord, which is our strength.
Cancer can incapacitate you, but it cannot captivate you.
Cancer may bring pain, but it cannot keep you from praising the Lord and rejoicing in His name.
Cancer may make you look bad on the outside, but it cannot change the inside where you have everlasting life and the very presence of God Himself in the Person of the Holy Spirit.
Cancer may take your physical life, but it cannot destroy the everlasting life given to you the moment you trust Christ as Savior. In fact, it can’t even diminish it. It is just as real in your weakest moment as the day you trusted Him as Saviour.
Cancer may put you in the grave, but it cannot keep you there. There shall be a resurrection.
Cancer may destroy the physical tabernacle in which you live, but it cannot touch the heavenly mansion prepared for you.
Cancer may cause a temporary separation from your family and friends, but it cannot stop the blessed reunion that will take place someday when all of God’s children are called on to Heaven either by way of death or the rapture.
Cancer may weaken your body where you cannot even say to your dearest friends, “I love you,” but it cannot keep you from loving.
Cancer may follow you to the graveyard, but it cannot follow you beyond.
Cancer, at times, may cause you to want to give up\, but it cannot keep you from going up. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (II Cor. 5:6-8).
Cancer can stop your labors, but it cannot undo your works.

When I consider my crosses, tribulations, and temptations, I shame myself almost to death, thinking what are they in comparison to the suffering of my blessed Savior, Jesus Christ. — Martin Luther

Why They Had Health Afflictions
Bill Brinkworth

Paul had an unspecified health problem, so he would have to trust God for His help to get through the difficulty.
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” II Cor. 12:9 Read also: I Peter 5:10.

Job went through many trials and tribulations, including health problems. God allowed Satan to inflict Job with health difficulties so that Satan would see Job was faithful to God, not just because God blessed Job’s life. Sometimes health troubles are a witness to others, so they can observe how a Christian goes through trials.
“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause… 5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. 7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.” Job 2:3-7

The author of Psalms 119, most likely David, learned more about God’s Word when going through afflictions.
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” Psalm 119:71

Some have health afflictions, not because of any sin they have committed, but so God can get the glory and credit when the person is healed.
“And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” John 9:1-3
“When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” John 11:4

A centurion’s servant was sick, so the centurion had an opportunity to exercise his faith when he trusted Jesus to heal his ill helper.
“And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. . . . 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. . . . 13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.” Matthew 8:5-13

Some have health problems because of unconfessed sin. In this biblical case, it was partaking of the Lord’s Supper without confessing their sins to God.
“After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.” I Cor. 11:26-30

“We are usually closest to God when we need Him the most. That is usually when our prayer life is the strongest.” — B. Brinkworth

The Home Light
Mama’s Way, Thyra F. Bjorn

Thyra Bjorn told the story of accompanying her pastor-father one evening to the shack of a poverty-stricken elderly man. He was crippled with age and pain, yet he offered them what hospitality he could. When they prayed together, the older man’s face came alive as the agony of his present life gave way to radiant joy. Rather than asking anything of God, the man thanked Him for his shack, warm bed, visitors, and everything that was a part of his seemingly cramped and limited existence. When he had finished, Bjorn wrote, “He looked as happy and contented as though he had no discomfort at all.”

On the way home through the dark, cold, fall air, Thyra’s father sighted a lamp being lit in their parsonage in the valley below and called his daughter’s attention to it. Then the young girl thought that this too was what the old man in the cabin had seen. “He had seen his Father’s house and knew that he soon would be home. There would be no more sickness, pain, or loneliness and no more sorrow. The light of his faith would lead him home.”

“Without faith, we are as stained glass windows in the dark.” — Author Unknown

God’s Protection
Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Michael P. Green

Dr. James M. Gray, former president of the Moody Bible Institute, convalesced from a severe illness. His physician, thinking that a change of scenery might bring the relaxation his patient needed, advised him to take an ocean voyage.

When arrangements for the journey were completed, Dr. Gray experienced an unexpected physical setback. He was greatly disappointed and wondered why the heavenly Father had allowed this new affliction to come.

About a week later, he picked up a newspaper that carried on the front page the tragic account of a steamer that had sunk after striking a reef in St. John’s harbor. There were no survivors. When Gray read that this was the ship he would have taken, he realized how perfectly the Lord had directed his way. His temporary sickness had delivered him from certain death.

The Bible View #821 — Aging

In This Issue:
Your Race Is Not Finished!
Old Age Did Not Stop Him
The Right Side Is the Brighter Side
Eternal Springtime!

Volume: 821 August 2, 2021
Theme: Aging

D aily Devotions, Bible Studies, Sunday School lessons and printable versions of The Bible View (including church bulletin insert and large print versions) are available at https://openthoumineeyes.com/ and http://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/.

A free, printable pamphlet entitled “What Does God Say about Drinking Alcohol” is available at https://openthoumineeyes.com/lessons/Drinking_Pamplet.pdf. It would be appreciated to hear who plans to use it, so I can decide if I should offer more of these short pamphlets for ministry use.

Your Race Is Not Finished!
Bill Brinkworth

Preachers often have messages geared to encourage young people to live for and serve God. They should. They are our future. However, little encouragement is directed to us older folks.

Because of health issues, physical limitations, changes in personal situations, or lack of opportunity, many no longer can do what they “used to do.” Those doors of service have been closed, BUT God has not given us a free retirement pass. We do not have God’s okay to watch from the sidelines and let others do the work, in most cases.

We may have done much for the Lord when we were younger. Some may have taught Sunday school. Others may have gone soul-winning, worked on church buses bringing children to church, interpreted for the deaf or those speaking in another language, brought folks to church in their car, cooked for those that were old or sick, and many other ministries. We may no longer be able to do those things, however, the Lord is not done with us yet. We can still do something for Him!

There is still much to do, and experienced believers are needed more now than ever! There may be limitations on what they can do, but all can still serve the Lord in some capacity!

Pray and ask God to open your eyes to see what you can still do for His glory! Perhaps you can:

Let all see and hear of what God is doing around them. Most are focused on their troubles and needs and cannot see God working around them. A seasoned believer can open eyes to see that there is a God, and He is still working in the world.
“Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalm 150:6
Be a friendly smile to all you encounter. Most encounter doom and gloom most of their days. An uplifting, caring person is a light in an ever-darkening world. A Christian should have joy they can share.
Prayer ministry. Adopt a ministry or person to pray for consistently. Engulf the throne room of God with petitions on their behalf.
Card ministry. Perhaps you no longer have the mobile ability you once had. However, you can “visit” those that need encouragement and show friendly concern by sending cards or letters.

I once knew a young, disabled woman that had a burden to serve the Lord. Prayerfully, she selected a “random” person from the phone book and wrote them a letter telling them about the Lord and how they could have God’s promise of Heaven. She ministered without leaving her apartment.
Phone ministry. An entire world can be reached with one’s phone.
Encourage all, especially ministry workers. Remember how one’s inspiring words uplifted you to continue living for and serving the Lord? Now it is your opportunity to motivate others in a godly direction.
“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” I Peter 4:11
Give to the younger folks. Remember when you struggled financially and how a simple gift showed you the hand of God was meeting your needs? Now you can be used by God to reveal His goodness in another’s life.
Ride the church bus and encourage the bus workers and befriend children.
Have a listening ministry! Although an experienced Christian has more wisdom that would benefit others, sometimes it can be more helpful to sit quietly and listen to others bare their burdens and hardships.
Minister to widows, single parents, and those that may have little support from others. Everyone needs a caring friend!
Write letters-to-the-editor in your local newspaper. The Christian side and thinking of current events needs to be heard. Seldom does the world hear anything but the worldly side of a situation. If a Christian does not share God’s view on events, who will? Bible-based thinking is far different from what the ungodly have been taught. They need to hear it from believers.

There is still much that all Christians can do. While we have breath, there is something for which God can use us. God’s way is always the best, and the unsaved and spiritually weak will not know of it unless they hear or see it from a believer.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1

Christian, God is not done with you yet. Do not mourn over what you no longer can do. You can still be the spark that encourages others forward to serving and seeing God’s mighty hand. Continue to serve Him while you still can!
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” I Corinthians 10:31

“That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;” Titus 2:2-3

Old Age Did Not Stop Him
Watchman-Examiner

Though a man always of delicate constitution physically, George Muller began evangelistic tours at seventy. For 17 years, he traveled around the world eight times. He continued many of his responsibilities at the large orphanages he founded. Mr. Muller did all that beyond the age of ninety.

His frequent and severe illness and general disability had disqualified him from military duty as a young man. Many prophesied early death or hopelessly succumbing to a disease for him. Yet at 92, he said. “I have been able, every day and all the day, for the last 70 years to work.

He ascribed his marvelous preservation and accomplishments to three causes:

Exercising himself to have always a conscience void of offense, both toward God and toward men.
For the love he felt for the scriptures and the constant recuperative power they exercised upon his whole being.
The happiness he felt in serving God and His work relieved him of all anxiety and unnecessary wear and tear in his labors.

“Age doesn’t matter unless you are cheese.” — Burke

The Right Side Is the Brighter Side
Sunday School Times

A preacher was in the company of another traveler. They talked together for some time. Finally, the stranger remarked to the minister, “Sir, I think you must be on the wrong side of fifty.”

“No, sir. I am on the right side of fifty.”

“Surely,” the traveler remarked, “you must have turned fifty.”

“Yes, sir, but on the right side. For every year I live, I am nearer my crown of glory.”

“The harvest of old age is the memory and rich store of blessings laid up earlier in life.” — Cicero

Eternal Springtime!
Adam Clark

I have passed through the springtime of life,
I have endured the heat of its summer,
I have culled the fruits of its autumn,
I am now passing through the rigors of its winter.
At no distant day, I see the dawn of an Eternal Springtime,
It comes to meet me. I run to embrace it. All hail!
Eternal Springtime! Hallelujah!

“What a tragedy it will be to live many years, but open one’s eyes in the next life and discover it Hell. Now, while you still have breath, be saved by trusting Christ as your Saviour!”
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9