2 Timothy 4:7-8 contain some of the last recorded words of Paul:-

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

What do people think about on their death beds, and what do they say? Here is a sample:

Murderer Richard Loeb was a trifle optimistic about his survival after being stabbed 56 times by a fellow convict in 1936: “I think I’m going to make it!”

James Rodgers replied to the question whether he had a last request before facing a firing squad: “Why yes, a bulletproof vest.”

Legendary swashbuckler Douglas Fairbanks must have been confused before giving up the ghost in 1939 because his famous last words were: “Never felt better.”

William Palmer, who was hanged in 1856, was told to step on the scaffold’s trap door. “Is it safe?” he asked.

Charles Wood, a murderer who died in the electric chair in 1963, faced witnesses and quipped: “Gents, this is an educational project. You are about to witness the damaging effect electricity has on wood.”

Phineas T. Barnum, believed by some to be the greatest ballyhoo artist in history, was interested in the almighty dollar right up to his last moment on earth. His last words: “How were the receipts today at Madison Square Garden?”

It’s really tragic their thoughts are not on the God they are about to meet.

Here are some other last words:-

1.  “The best of all is God is with us.”  (John Wesley)

2.  “Earth recedes, heaven opens.”  (D.L. Moody)

3.  “There’s a light in the valley.”  (Richard Weaver)

4.  “I’m looking for a loop-hole.”  (W.C. Fields death-bed reply, when asked why he was reading the Bible)

5.  “I’m getting better.”  (D.H. Lawrence, 1930)

6.  “Truth sits upon the lips of dying men.”  (Matthew Arnold)

7.  “See in what peace a Christian can die.”  (Joseph Addison)

8. “You bruise me, Lord, but I am abundantly satisfied, since it is from your hand.”  (Calvin)

9.  “A life spent in the service of God, and communion with him, is the most comfortable and pleasant life that anyone can live in this world.”  (Matthew Henry)

10. “By the grace of God I am what I am: not I, but the grace of God in me. Whereupon, I give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ, who has been pleased to give me the victory.” (John Knox)

11. “All is dark and doubtful.” (Edward Gibbon)

12. “Almost well.” (Richard Baxter, when asked how he was).

13. George Whitfield, an honoured evangelist of the eighteenth century, said, as his end drew near, “Lord, I am weary in Thy work, but not of it. If I have not finished my course, let me go and speak for Thee once more in the fields, seal the truth, and come home to die.”