As you already have heard, the Rev. Jerry Falwell is dead. Was he a good Christian man? Not in the eyes of some. All one needs to do is to read some of the comments that have been written about him after his death.

"Good riddens!!! What a great way to move into the season of gay pride!!!!"

"No wonder everyone is so happy and shiny faced today. I think we all should have lots of premarital (or in some other way offensive to him) sex to celebrate. Yes, I see no ill in celebrating the death of a man who has caused so much pain and suffering to others."

"At a time like this, people deserve sympathy and good wishes --- except for Falwell, who is an evil ----."

"The gates of hell swing open and Satan welcomes his beloved son."

"Couldn't have happened to a more deserving fellow … I hope he's found his just reward in the next world he loved so much; but I'm --- glad he's finally out of mine."

"He's dead as a doornail. Parade starts at 3 … be there!"

I am not surprised to hear and read about the jubilee over the death of a spiritual giant. I am reminded of some passages that I would like to show you and make comments on. Each passage is in no particular order.

2 Timothy 4:2-3: 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

We are living in such times. People do not want to hear such things as “homosexuality is a sin,” “premarital sex is wrong,” “supporting Israel is biblical,” and “abortion is murder.” You try standing up in public and mentioning these things and see what happens. It has gotten to the point that pastors almost have to say these things apologetically within their churches otherwise they might witness a mass exodus. But Jerry Falwell broadcast these things and other truths unapologetically. Believe me, he is getting the last laugh in the arms of Jesus. But it’s not a malicious laugh, but a laugh of satisfaction and pure joy that one can only have in the presence of God (Psalm 16:11).

2 Timothy 3:13: “Evil men and imposters will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

Notice how the passage does not state from “good to bad,” but from BAD TO WORSE! It is one thing to go from “good to bad.” It does not stop there. Once a person goes bad, there is still more to come – “bad to worse!” Why? What causes such things to occur? They deceive others and themselves with the things they believe and practice. Things which are contrary to the Word.

We are witnessing such things today. Just answer this question: “Is the world getting morally better?” Is crime on the decrease and are marriages improving? Jerry stood up and preached Christ to the world and said that He is the world’s only hope. What’s wrong with that? Nothing if you’re a Christian and a sinner in need of saving.

But you know what upsets me? When I hear Christians on TV and elsewhere say such things as, “Well, I did not always agree with Jerry Falwell” (that’s their disclaimer). Every remark about Jerry Falwell is preference with a personal disclaimer: “I did not always agree with what he said.”

DUH! Can you name me one person that you totally do agree with? You cannot even make such a statement about yourself.

Would be to God to have some pastor or church leader stand up and say without any shame: “I agree totally with Jerry Falwell.” You see, when people make such a statement such as, “I didn’t always agree with what Jerry said,” no one challenges them by saying, “Such as? What was it that you disagreed with Dr. Falwell on?” Did you disagree with Jerry on homosexuality? Abortion? Israel? A.C.L.U.? Don’t just say things to make yourself look and sound good, tell the world what is it that you disagree with Jerry on and see if you have at least ten percent of the boldness that Jerry Falwell had.

What is missing in our churches today is the kind of preaching and boldness that Dr. Falwell possessed. Read the New Testament and see how many times it is mentioned about the boldness of the apostles when they preached (cf. Acts 4:31; 2 Cor. 3:12; Eph. 3:12; Eph. 6:19; Philip. 1:20; 1 Thess. 2:2). When Jerry spoke, you knew where he stood. His message was clear. And the greatest love you can give to someone is to tell them the truth without hiding any part of it. Jerry did this and he was hated for it.

2 Timothy 4:2: “Preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”

Some times people will not like what you preach. Preach it anyway. Some will not like what you point out from the Word. Point it out anyway. Some will take exception to your message. Say it anyway. Some will ridicule you for your strong stance and identification with Christ. Stand strong with the Lord anyway.
Look what God did with one man who was not ashamed of the gospel (Rom. 1:16). He began his career as a pastor in 1956 when he founded Thomas Road Baptist Church. That same year, he also launched regular radio and television broadcasts and became a pioneer in religious broadcasting.

Now with more than 22,000 members, Thomas Road Baptist Church has given birth to various organizations and outreaches such as Liberty University, Lynchburg Christian Academy, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, Liberty Bible Institute, Elim Home for alcoholic men, the Liberty Godparent Home for unwed mothers, Liberty Broadcasting Network and numerous Christian missions programs.

In 1971, Falwell founded Lynchburg Baptist College, later renamed Liberty University -- the largest Christian university in the country, with more than 14,000 students from 50 states and 52 nations enrolled in its various programs.
Falwell has often stated his desire to provide for evangelical Christian young people what Brigham Young and Notre Dame have provided for Mormon and Catholic young people - a world-class university. Many would agree that Falwell has succeeded in accomplishing that goal, believing Liberty University will be his greatest legacy.

In 1979, Falwell founded the Moral Majority in response to a desire to mobilize the Christian church and encourage participation in the political process. It was a novel thought for a pastor who had preached against Christians participating in politics.

The organization quickly became a household name, and Falwell became a lightening rod on a wide array of moral and social issues. The group mobilized tens of thousands of churches, registered millions of voters, and laid a foundation for what has became known as the "religious right" or "Christian right."

Falwell led the Moral Majority for 10 years, traveling more than three million miles across the nation to speak in churches, conduct rallies in civic centers and on state capitol steps, direct voter registration efforts and mobilize concerned citizens who would join forces to prevent the continued downward moral spiral in society.

Though the organization was formally dissolved in 1989, dozens of like-minded organizations were formed and began to flourish at virtually every level of society, demonstrating the vast influence Falwell has had on the Christian political movement.

Finally, my last passage I want to share comes from the Book of Revelation. For three and one half years (42 months), two witnesses preach day and night on the streets of Jerusalem and no one can silence them. Then one day, God takes his protective covering off of them and they are killed – only because their testimony was completed (Rev. 11:7). There in the streets their dead bodies will lie for three and one half days (v. 9). Then in verse 10 we read these words: “And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry; and they will send gifts to one another because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.”

How did these two prophets torment those on the earth? They prophesied (i.e. preached about sin and the need to go to God for forgiveness) for 1260 days (Rev. 11:3). Not only this, but they had power to do environmental disturbances (v. 6).

They brought about a 42 month drought. And what water the world did have, became blood. Such things, added with their message about the need for sinners to repent only added more anger incited against them. The world was experiencing a great threat environmentally and it was due to their sins and their failure to acknowledge God. The witnesses’ message was designed to fix such things and to give everyone a shot at making the most eternal decision they could make – what to do with Jesus Christ.

Because they refused to repent of their murders, sorceries, immorality and thefts (Rev. 9:21), the message about the need for repentance was painful to hear. And the conditions of the world bearing down upon those who refused to repent added to everyone’s deep-seated anger against God.

Therefore, when these two witnesses died, guess what the nations thought? Their problems would go away. Now there will be no one to tell them how to live their lives and run their government. Yet, any bible student of prophecy knows that the next 42 months of the Tribulation Period is far worse than the previous. You can kill the messenger, but there is no way you can kill the message. The rejoicing will be short lived.

After three and one half days, these two witnesses resurrect bodily in the sight of their enemies and ascend into heaven (Rev. 11:11-12). The next verse then mentions a great earthquake that claims the lives of seven thousand people. But that was only the second “Woe,” for the “third woe” is coming (v. 14), and all hell will be unleashed.

My point is this: Dr. Jerry Falwell was much like these two witnesses in his preaching. He spoke boldly, directly, personally, lovingly and biblically for a long time. His message was not entertained by those who refuse to repent, so naturally they are glad he’s gone.

But don’t rejoice for very long. Because the message that Dr. Falwell preached is still alive and active today. And God still has His remnant of messengers who will carry the gospel to the ends of the world and tirelessly proclaim that Jesus died for sins and wants to give to everyone who wills, an opportunity to receive the gift of eternal life.

Why do the Falwells of the world do this? Because the “love of Christ controls them” (2 Cor. 5:14). It is an obligation they must fulfill having been part of the unredeemed at one time themselves.

We Christians do not feel sorry for Dr. Falwell. We know exactly where he is and Who he is with. If he hasn’t already heard, he will the following words: “Well done, My good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21).

May God help the rest of us to have half the heart and courage that Jerry had to finish the race that God has set before us (Heb. 12:1).