The phrase, “Famous Last Words” is used in English today as an ironic phrase. It is a phrase used as a sort of prediction that is likely to be proved wrong by events. It is used in a conversation to show disbelief of the previous statement.
When someone makes a prediction that we think will turn out to be wrong, or if they make a statement that we think is overly optimistic, we might respond with the expression “Famous last words!”
Before “famous last words” became used in this manner it was used to refer to the actual dying words of prominent people.
This article will focus on the second meaning—the dying words of prominent people in history. On the internet you can find many “famous last words,” such as:
A famous actress who died in 1977 spoke these words to her housekeeper who had begun to pray for her as she was dying, “Don’t you dare ask God to help me.”
Some of the presidents in the United States of America died contented. Woodrow Wilson’s last words recorded are, “I am ready.” John Quincy Adams, “This is the last of earth! I am content.” William McKinley who was assassinated in 1901 spoke the words, “Good-bye, good-bye all. It’s God’s way. His will, not ours, be done.”
Joseph Addison, a writer who died in June 17, 1719, “See in what peace a Christian can die.” Thomas à Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, spoke these words as his final. “I am ready to die for my Lord, that in my blood the Church may obtain liberty and peace.”
My son, Richard was working in a nursing home where one of the residents was staunchly atheist. He was nearing the end of his life and the staff, knowing that Richard was a Christian, asked him to go talk to the man. Richard tried to be comforting and consoling, but the man firmly stated that if Richard was trying to convert him to Christianity in the last few moments of his life, forget it, It will not happen. Sadly the man died not long after, in total defiance of God.
Many people who have lived in sin make confessions on their death beds, hoping that they can still gain entrance to heaven. Some are sincere in their repentance, some are just fearful of where they will end up in the resurrection; they do not want to find themselves in hell fire. Their confessions are as the confession of Cain and Esau. The punishment is greater than they can bear. We cannot judge though, as some are sincere, like the thief on the cross.
As any person comes close to the end of their lives—Christian or non-Christian—the natural thought is to think beyond the grave and to think of where they will end up. Christians make heart searching efforts to try to make sure every sin has been put away. Those who live to an old age have the privilege of having time to make sure of eternity; however, not everyone is granted that privilege. Their lives are cut short before they reach old age.
In the Bible we find recorded the last words and deeds of some faithful followers of Christ who lived longer and had ample opportunity to prepare. And there are also recorded the sad accounts of those who refused to confess.
We will begin with the Apostle Paul whose final written words are found in 2 Timothy. He knew the end of his life was near and he wrote this epistle during his second and last imprisonment before giving his life for the gospel message that he loved. This was his last recorded message and in it he encouraged Timothy by saying, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:3. If anyone had a life of hardness, it was the apostle Paul who was imprisoned, beaten, stoned, . . . Yet he was confident and trusted in His Saviour because he stated, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7. He had full confidence in God, “I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12. He gave much godly counsel to Timothy which all can benefit from, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12. Yet, Paul was not miserable. He did not think that his life was wasted. He did not reflect on all the entertainments and amusements that he missed out on as a preacher of the gospel. He mentioned Alexander the coppersmith who was instrumental in his second arrest. “At the house of a disciple in the city of Troas, Paul was again seized, and from this place he was hurried away to his final imprisonment. The arrest was effected by the efforts of Alexander the coppersmith, who had so unsuccessfully opposed the apostle’s work at Ephesus, and who now seized the opportunity to be revenged on one whom he could not defeat (LP 305).” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 920. Of him Paul stated, “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.” 2 Timothy 4:16. There was no malice towards his enemies. Only pity.
And finally, the most famous final words of Paul, “Though Paul was at last confined in a Roman prison—shut away from the light and air of heaven, cut off from his active labors in the gospel, and momentarily expecting to be condemned to death—yet he did not yield to doubt or despondency. From that gloomy dungeon came his dying testimony, full of a sublime faith and courage that has inspired the hearts of saints and martyrs in all succeeding ages. His words fitly describe the results of that sanctification which we have in these pages endeavored to set forth, ‘For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.’ 2 Timothy 4:6–8” –The Sanctified Life, p. 96
Next we have Peter. His last recorded words were found in 2 Peter. He was near the end of his life. He was thinking, not only of himself, but of the church. He informed the believers that his end was near, “Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.” 2 Peter 1:14. So what did he have to say to the believers? He did not think of his own life and comfort. He did not lament a life of toil and suffering and the looming prospect of a martyr’s death. “Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance.” 2 Peter 1:13. Peter’s thoughts were for the believers. He reminded them of truths he had learned as an eyewitness from Jesus, hoping they will not forget. “Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.” 2 Peter 1:15. “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance.” 2 Peter 3:1. He closes with these all important words, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 2:18), which are the last recorded words of the Apostle Peter. “One of the divine plans for growth is impartation. The Christian is to gain strength by strengthening others.” –The Signs of the Times, June 12, 1901
King David, at the end of his life gave honour and glory to God. “Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, . . .The spirit of the LORD spake by me, and His word was in my tongue. . . . He hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire.” 2 Samuel 23:1–2, 5
His last charge to his son, Solomon, “I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and show thyself a man; And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself.” 1 Kings 2:2–3
His last public duty: “Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation . . . I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal.” 1 Chronicles 29:1, 3–4. And this inspired the people. “Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.” 1 Chronicles 29:9
And his final words to the people. “And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.” 1 Chronicles 29:20
No words of remorse or regret are recorded as the king’s final words. “Great had been David’s fall, but deep was his repentance, ardent was his love, and strong his faith. He had been forgiven much, and therefore he loved much.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 754
King Solomon was given good counsel from his father, just prior to David’s death. Had Solomon heeded that counsel the end of his reign would have been as glorious as the beginning. However, in his mid-life years, he was influenced by his heathen wives to join them in their worship services and a life of pleasure. At the end of his life, upon reflection he wrote, “I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:1, 10–11. “Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” Ecclesiastes 2:17
In in the end of the book of Ecclesiastes he gives the counsel, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13–14. Thankfully he came to his senses at the end of his life and encouraged the people to fear God and keep His commandments. “The book of Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon in his old age, after he had fully proved that all the pleasures earth is able to give are empty and unsatisfying. He there shows how impossible it is for the vanities of the world to meet the longings of the soul. His conclusion is that it is wisdom to enjoy with gratitude the good gifts of God, and to do right; for all our works will be brought into judgment.” –The Seventh day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1164
We can read of Jesus’ last words. As they were nailing Him to the cross, He breathed a plea of forgiveness, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. “The Saviour made no murmur of complaint. His face remained calm and serene, but great drops of sweat stood upon His brow. . . . His mind passed from His own suffering to the sin of His persecutors, and the terrible retribution that would be theirs. No curses were called down upon the soldiers who were handling Him so roughly. No vengeance was invoked upon the priests and rulers, who were gloating over the accomplishment of their purpose. Christ pitied them in their ignorance and guilt.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 744
Jesus’ final words were, “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” Luke 23:46. “By faith He rested in Him whom it had ever been His joy to obey. . . . By faith, Christ was victor.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 756
Stephen, one of the seven deacons appointed in the New Testament died as the first martyr. His last recorded words, “calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:59–60. In pleading for his persecutors Stephen revealed how fully he had acquired the forgiving spirit of his Master, Jesus. When someone has wronged you and they are arrested, you have a right to press charges or not. Stephen chose not to press charges.
The last recorded words of the thief on the cross were: “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.” Luke 23:42. This was truly a sincere death-bed confession and he was promised salvation.
Sadly, there are also recorded the final words of some whose last words were those of despondency. Judas Iscariot’s last recorded words were, “I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.” Matthew 27:4. “But his confession was not of such a character as would commend him to the mercy of God. It was forced from his guilty soul by an awful sense of condemnation and a fearful looking for of judgment. The consequences that were to result to him drew forth this acknowledgment of his great sin. There was no deep, heartbreaking grief in his soul that he had delivered the Son of God to be mocked, scourged, and crucified; that he had betrayed the Holy One of Israel into the hands of wicked and unscrupulous men. His confession was only prompted by a selfish and darkened heart.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 637. And sadly, he went and committed suicide shortly afterwards.
King Saul’s final act was to go seek counsel from the Witch of Endor, not from God. And he did it in full knowledge of what he was doing. At the very end he still refused to humble himself before God. “Saul knew that in this last act, of consulting the witch of Endor, he cut the last shred which held him to God. He knew that if he had not before wilfully separated himself from God, this act sealed that separation, and made it final. He had made an agreement with death, and a covenant with hell. The cup of his iniquity was full.” –Conflict and Courage, p. 172. His final recorded words were on the battlefield, “Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.” 1 Samuel 31:4
Then there are some in the Bible whose last words are not recorded, but the last events in their lives indicate that their last words were not words of praise to the Lord.
King Ahaziah, son of Ahab, followed his father’s example of defiance towards God. When he fell from the second floor of his house he was sick unto death. Although Elijah was a well-known person to him, he did not seek Elijah’s help. “And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.” 2 Kings 1:2. Elijah eventually came to him and these are the words that he spoke to the king, “Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.” 2 Kings 1:16
Asa, King of Judah led out in many reforms in the nation, but sadly, in the end, “Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house.” 2 Chronicles 16:10. He became quite ill, but still, “yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers.” 2 Chronicles 16:12–13
On a positive note, Ellen G. White, prophet of the Lord, never complained about her life of hardship. After breaking her hip from a fall on February 13, 1915 which confined her to her bed, she knew the end was near. She said, “I do not expect to live long. My work is nearly done.” –Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, p. 448. Yet she did not lament her life or her current situation. She had no complaints, but rather her final thoughts were for the youth, “Tell our young people that I want my words to encourage them in that manner of life that will be most attractive to the heavenly intelligences.” –Ibid, p. 448. Her last recorded words to her son were as follows: “For several days prior to her death, she had been unconscious much of the time, and toward the end she seemed to have lost the faculty of speech and that of hearing. The last words she spoke to her son were, ‘I know in Whom I have believed.’” –Ibid, p. 449
Some people live long lives and have time to prepare for eternity. They have time to make their “calling and election sure.” 2 Peter 1:10. They have time to prepare and make matters right between themselves and God. But what about those people whose lives were cut short early?
There was Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:6–8) whose life was suddenly cut short when he touched the ark of the Lord. Or the two sons of Aaron (Leviticus 10:1–2) who brought strange fire to the temple. Neither had been granted any time to repent.
There are even righteous people who died a premature death such as Abel (Genesis 4:8). He was righteous and prepared. The Lord did not save him from the hand of his brother. And we know the stories of the millions of martyrs in the Dark Ages. For this reason we must live each day as our last. We do not know when our end will be. There are many disasters in this entire world such as earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, fires, plane crashes, not to mention crime and terrorist activities. “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22–23
Will the Lord protect us from all dangers? We must be able to say like the three worthies, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” Daniel 3:17–18. “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15. And He gives us the promise, “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10
“All we have to do with is this one day. Today we must be faithful to our trust. Today we must love God with all the heart and our neighbor as ourselves. Today we must resist the temptations of the enemy, and through the grace of Christ gain the victory. Thus we shall watch and wait for Christ’s coming. Each day we should live as if we knew that this would be our last day on this earth. If we knew that Christ would come tomorrow, would we not crowd into today all the kind words, all the unselfish deeds, that we could? We should be patient and gentle, and intensely in earnest, doing all in our power to win souls to Christ.”– In Heavenly Places, p. 355 (emphasis mine)
“We know not the precise time when our Lord shall be revealed in the clouds of heaven, but He has told us that our only safety is in a constant readiness,—a position of watching and waiting. Whether we have one year before us, or five, or ten, we are to be faithful to our trust today. We are to perform each day’s duties as faithfully as though that day were to be our last.” –The Review and Herald, October 25, 1881 (emphasis mine)
If your time would come today, what would be your “Famous Last words”? May they prove to be words of calm and peaceful trust in Jesus. “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” Luke 23:46. Amen.
Wendy Eaton