At a recent Sunday church service at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, Lead Pastor Doug Sauder said, “Famous last words” and at first it seemed to be humorously presented as just that: a little humor, then he gave numerous examples with biblical citations, too many to jot down at that moment.
Later, I thought hmm, one that I remembered and did write down, “They couldn’t hit an elephant from this dist…” Attributed to Major General John Sedgwick, during the American Civil War at the battle of Spotsylvania Court House on May 9, 1864. While chiding his men for ducking Confederate sniper fire, he uttered, “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.” Moments later, an enemy marksman struck him under the eye, killing him instantly.
Now I’m thinking about other famous last words as last words, not simply memorable quotes.
Google, don’t fail me now.
“Google, don’t fail me now” will certainly be on someone’s tombstone for those that love to research because they are forever commanded as to the why? I can think of one person, for sure.
There are so many ‘last words’ recorded in the Bible and admittedly I’m a little skeptical thinking back thousands of years ago there was a scribe with a chisel and a stone at the ready? But I’ll gladly accept those that retell incredibly important thoughts that we now recite in scripture.
Last words can be so memorable and powerful.
Joshua said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
Jesus said seven last words from the cross, including, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:24).
Joseph’s last recorded words are comforting words: “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?” (Genesis 50:19).
“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” – Matthew 27:46
A deeply vulnerable cry of abandonment reflecting the weight of humanity’s sin, which quotes the opening of Psalm 22.
“It is finished” (John 19:30).
The triumphant declaration that His earthly mission was complete, signifying the ultimate payment for the sins of the world.
“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46).
The final, peaceful act of entrusting His life back to God, concluding with a verse from Psalm 31.
A legacy of betrayal was left by Judas Iscariot. “I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). He then went out and hanged himself.
“Our God is the God from whom cometh salvation. God is the Lord by whom we escape death.” -Martin Luther.
And I continue.
Winston Churchill, the man whose vision and battle cry was to “never give up,” said on his deathbed, “I am convinced that there is no hope.”
John Knox uttered these piercing words and then died, “Live in Christ, die in Christ, and the flesh need not fear death.”
Billy Graham notes that when the great saint Joseph Everett was dying, he said, “GLORY! GLORY! GLORY!” and continued exclaiming “GLORY!” for over twenty-five minutes until he was whisked away by angels to the gates of heaven.
Leonardo da Vinci (Polymath): “I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have.” da Vinci Painted the Mona Lisa.
Humphrey Bogart (Actor): “I should have never switched from Scotch to Martinis.”
Frank Sinatra (Singer/Actor): “I’m losing it.”
Bessie Smith (Blues Singer) died saying, “I’m going, but I’m going in the name of the Lord.”
George Orwell’s last written words were, “At 50, everyone has the face he deserves.” The 1984 author whose real name was Eric Arthur Blair.
Nostradamus predicted, “Tomorrow, at sunrise, I shall no longer be here.” He was right.
Michael Landon (Actor) best known for Little House on the Prairie and Highway to Heaven, died from cancer in 1991. His family gathered around his bed, and his son said it was time to move on. Landon said, “You’re right. It’s time. I love you all.”
Alfred Hitchcock (Playwright) said, “One never knows the ending. One has to die to know exactly what happens after death, although Catholics have their hopes.”
Joan Crawford (Actress) yelled at her housekeeper, who was praying as Crawford died. Crawford said, “Damn it! Don’t you dare ask God to help me!”
Billy Graham (Reverend) did not leave a single recorded statement as his dying breath, but he often shared this famous conviction before he passed away in 2018.
“Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.”
And last I remember A Bible study friend and buddy, Stuart Rosenfeld, who fell on some challenging times and was in the last days of battling cancer; our little group visited him at his home and brought him some deli sandwiches and treats attempting to cheer him up; his eyes got big as he sampled a few of the delights, really only nibbling because of all of the treatment chemicals polluting him. Stuart gently smiled sweetly and said, “that was good” and closed his eyes to rest.
For more Good News, read the GOOD NEWS June 2026 Issue at: https://digital.goodnewsfl.org/2026/june/#1