Dwight L. Moody was an evangelist, soul winner, Sunday School organizer and founder of the Moody Bible Institute and the great Moody Church in Chicago. He was an uneducated man, but his life’s purpose was to see what God could do through a man totally surrendered to him.

Moody died at the age of 62. As he lay dying, he said these words: “Earth recedes. Heaven opens before me. If this is death, it is sweet! There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go.”

“No, no, Father,” said Moody’s son, “You are dreaming.”

“I am not dreaming,” replied Moody. “I have been within the gates. I have seen the children’s faces.”

His last words were, “This is my triumph; this is my coronation day! It is glorious!”

Moody died gloriously. He lived his life for Christ, fully knowing at death where he was going. He lived for Christ and he died with Christ.

What about you?

I have been to many funerals and funeral homes. I know for a fact that people die. I know for a fact that people I know die. I know for a fact that people in my family die. Now, I am not trying to be morbid here, but I am concerned that people are not preparing for the most certain thing in life: death. They know it’s coming. They know it’s out there in their future. But besides buying a life insurance policy, we don’t prepare for death.

Most people believe in God. Most people believe in heaven. And most people believe they are going to heaven. But they really have no idea how to get there.

We get there by confessing our sinfulness to God and having faith in Jesus Christ as the atonement for our sins. That’s the Bible’s message of salvation, in Christ alone.

Moody’s death was a triumph. Paul said, “O death where is thy sting, O grave where is thy victory.” Many people believe that to die is horrible. To die is awful. To face death is totally depressing and sad. Death is tragic. We do everything we can to avoid it, to delay it. We exercise, take vitamins, go to every doctor we can find, read every book we can about how to live longer and anything else to increase our life span.

Moody didn’t sound very sad about death, did he? The apostle Paul didn’t sound very upset about his impending death. Death didn’t seem tragic to them, did it?

Read the stories of great men and women of God and how they died. I personally have been at the deathbed of many people, and I can testify that those who know Christ die in quiet peace. Those who don’t know Christ die in abject horror, unsure, afraid, unsettled. I know, I have seen it myself!

Moody had wonderful dying words. What will your last words be? Will you see the angels of God preparing for your grand entrance into heaven as a faithful servant? Or will you go kicking and screaming, unsure and unsettled, and with many regrets?

If you are reading this, you can change things. It is never too late to be ready to die. Live the days you have left for the glory of God. Trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and then live for Him. The hope of all mankind is Jesus Christ and faith in Him and service to Him through His church. The Bible says in John 11:26: “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”

I am 67 years old now. I have maybe 10-15 years left if I don‘t get hit by a bus or get a disease. I don’t know. But you know what? I don’t care. That’s God’s business. My job is to be faithful to Him every day. I am near the finish line. I must determine that I will finish strong this race of life that the Lord has given to me. Moody’s dying words and your dying words—are they going to be similar?

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