The News Heard Round the World
News traveled quickly this past Lord’s day, as it was announced from the pulpit of Grace Community Church that John MacArthur was expected to be with the Lord soon. At the age of 86, Dr. MacArthur’s earthly life came to an end on July 14th, after contracting pneumonia, the culmination of a long battle with heart and lung issues over the past few years. Throughout his physical ailments, the Sun Valley, California preacher’s sharp mind was still evident in several rare appearances. The desire of his heart was to get well so that he could get back to his pulpit and his people. Any thought of retirement was apparently absent from his intentions. But in the months following several surgeries, procedures, and hospitalizations, it became clear that the spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak. And so, in the Lord’s timing, this giant figure of 20th and 21st century Christianity finally fell asleep in Jesus.
The Christian’s Sleep
It is no secret that Dr. MacArthur had a deep love and respect for the Apostle Paul. And in the great apostle’s letters to the churches in Corinth and Thessalonica, he wrote about the death of Christians. That great enemy of human life, because of the resurrection of Christ, has lost its sting (1 Cor. 15:55). Through Christ, death for the believer has been conquered. It is nothing like the death of the unbeliever, who is truly and eternally separated from God and only has a second death to look forward to. But for the one who is in Christ, it is merely the temporary passing from one experience of life to the next, comparable to closing your eyes in sleep and awaking a moment later in the presence of Christ.
Paul described it as being absent from the body, but present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). This is the great hope of all those who fall asleep in Christ before the second coming of the Lord. The believer is translated from earth to glory, awaking from a momentary sleep, at home with the Lord.
Therefore, Paul says that since we have the assurance that those who have fallen asleep in Jesus are with the Lord, we do not grieve as the rest of the world does (1 Thess. 4:13). Those who die without Christ have no hope. But it is not the same with us. We have genuine hope, not a wish or a fantasy. We have the assurance of God’s Word that our loved ones in Jesus are with Him, alive and in good health, full of joy and love as they worship their great Savior without any sin.
We do grieve the loss of our beloved pastor. He meant so much to us…hundreds of thousands of us, if not more. But our grief is not for him. Our grief is for us. For the sense of loss because of the love we feel for a man who God used to bring salvation to many and greater sanctification for many more. Our grief is mixed with joy because we are also happy for John MacArthur today. His faith has become sight. He is no longer suffering in his earthly tent. I imagine he has the vigor of his 1970s preaching voice once again, and he is using it to “sing and shout the victory.” I can almost hear him.
The MacArthur Legacy
A life well-lived to the glory of God is a wonderful thing to reflect upon. And when you consider how God used this one man, it is truly remarkable and mind-blowing to consider what a giant of a man Pastor John was. Consider with me his legacy and the many wonderful contributions the Lord gave us through him. Going way back, Pastor MacArthur was right there in the midst of the inerrancy debate, boldly defending the inerrancy, sufficiency, and authority of Scripture, a subject he could speak about at the drop of a hat. The Lordship controversy and Dr. MacArthur’s fierce advocacy in defending the biblical gospel and the Lordship of Christ also come to mind. And who can forget his clear teaching on spiritual gifts and his unmasking of the “strange fire” of the charismatic movement? There was also the emphasis of his ministry on expository preaching. His commitment to verse-by-verse exposition and the training of men to be expositors of the Word is a legacy that stretches decades and generations. And then there is also the importance of his most recent influence during the COVID era. Pastor MacArthur’s leadership and the stance of Grace Community Church were invaluable.
All of the theological fights and his leadership on these important issues would be enough, but then I think about all of the other resources and institutions that draw a line back to him. How many MacArthur study Bibles are scattered throughout the world, and in multiple languages? How many people read those Bibles and have been helped by his notes? Personally, having attended both The Master’s College (University) and The Master’s Seminary, I think of his strong leadership and commitments to Scripture, to 6-day Creation, and to the lordship of Christ that have led those institutions to hold the line for conservative evangelical education. I also think of his hundreds of sermons and his dozens of books produced from his teaching ministry through Grace to You.
Many of you reading this have loved hearing his voice, preaching the Word on the radio for decades. All of it, so impactful and personal to all of us. And who could forget Shepherd’s Conference and his love for the men who fill the pulpits of churches around the globe?
But beyond all of this was just the man. A faithful man. A man who was devoted to his wife. A man who raised godly children and grandchildren. A man who loved sports. A man who was known for his kindness and generosity. A man of conviction, boldness, wisdom, and longevity. His legacy as the pastor of one church for 56 years stands as a pillar of faithfulness and dedication to the ministry God had given Him.
See You Soon
It is with a heavy heart, yet mingled with joy, that we say goodbye to the beloved pastor. It was my privilege to sit under his preaching for 11 years and to receive his wisdom at chapel in college and at Master’s Seminary. I owe much of my own ministry to what I learned from sitting under this giant of a man. I miss him already. We all do.
I hope John and R.C. are enjoying a good laugh together.
We’ll see you again soon.
Soli Deo Gloria
