A few words about Billy Graham
I previously published an article about Graham in the Wolf Report section of this website. The article detailed Grahams well known ecumenical associations and many quotes by Graham over the years that indicated he was not the man he seemed to be. I have since removed that article from my website.
On December 25, 2005 CNN re-ran an interview with Billy Graham by Larry King. The interview originally aired in June 2005 just prior to Graham’s New York Crusade. You may read the complete transcript here > Interview With Reverend Billy Graham
During this interview, Graham related an event that happened to him in 2001 when he was in the hospital.
GRAHAM: But you're right, if I died right now, I would be very happy.
KING: Why?
GRAHAM: Because I know what's ahead. It's a paradise that we are going to go into, because to be in the presence of God itself will be a paradise. And I have total, total certainty of that from scripture. And I believe the Bible. I believe that I have received Jesus Christ into my heart. I believe that he has covered all of my sins.
And I had an experience where I thought I was dying. I was at the Mayo Clinic about four years ago and having -- I have had three brain operations, and that is my biggest problem now is hydrocephalus, and they were trying to get stents into my brain, and one night I thought, this was it, and during the night I prayed and told the Lord that, please receive me into his presence. And all of a sudden, all of my sins came before me. Everything I had ever done wrong that I had forgotten about years ago came into my mind. And I prayed, Lord, forgive me, may the blood of Jesus Christ cleanse me from all of my sins.
And I had the greatest peace come over me, and that peace has not left me since. And I am very certain that the Lord was ready to receive me at that time -- not because of my good works or because of all the things I have tried to do, but because the Lord had forgiven me……
KING: Don't you ever, ever doubt it?
GRAHAM: No. No. I used to. But not since that experience I had that I just told you about. I have no doubts.
I find this to be a most incredible statement by the man many consider the greatest evangelist of our time. Apparently Billy Graham experienced that peace that passes all understanding (Phl 4:7) for the first time at the age of 82. Here is a man who preached about Jesus for over 50 years but it seems never really knew Him. You may well ask, how is that possible?
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Math 7:22-23
I am grateful that Billy Graham finally knows the peace of God but I wonder how many more like him sit in the churches of
Graham still exhibits a lack of understanding regarding some basic biblical issues. He is mistaken in his statement that Christ “covered all of my sins”. Under the old covenant, the blood of bulls and goats covered sins but under the new covenant the blood of Jesus actually removes sin – a big difference that many in the church fail to grasp. Graham still seems to lean too much to the preaching of the love of God at the expense of the judgment of God but all these things are secondary.
It seems clear that sometime in 2001 at the age of 82, Billy Graham repented of his sins and God forgave him. That is good enough for me and that is why I have removed my previous article. When God removes our sin the scripture says he will remember them no more (Heb 8:12). That includes Grahams past ecumenical associations and unsavory relationships down through the years. If God has forgotten those sins, who am I to bring them up?
How about you? Are you one that knows about Jesus but you’ve never really known Him? Maybe you’ve been in church for years. Perhaps you’ve even responded to an altar call but you’ve never actually repented of your sins.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2Cor 13:5
Is Christ in you? If you have any doubt at all you need repent (turn away from) your sins today and ask his forgiveness. Trust in and rely on the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ without which you have no life. Don’t wait, today is the day of salvation, tomorrow may be too late.
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:27
For further study see my article titled Christian Idolatry
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Steve Lumbley 2005 www.apostasywatch.com
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