Anyone who is familiar with the preaching Billy Graham will recognise these oft-quoted words of his. He recognised that the Bible gave him his authority.
On Wednesday Feb 21 Billy (as he liked to be called) passed away aged 99. A great man of God, a leader and a visionary who always brought a simple, straightforward, understandable message.
He was the inspiration behind many new movements and possibly had a greater impact on the worldwide church than any other, having preached before many millions of people. In the UK he first preached in the Harringay Arena in 1954, then in 1966 at Earls Court and in the large crusade he held in Manchester. His final UK crusade was at Wembley Stadium where 120,000 attended. Many in our churches today came to faith in Christ at these meetings.
But his legacy lives on. His integrity inspires us. One of his best-selling books ‘Peace with God’ continues to help people come face to face with the underlying need we all have – to find peace through re-connecting with our Maker.
Having come to the end of reading the book of Revelation at the end of the Bible Billy’s comment was “It’s all going to turn out all right.” For Billy it has, as he has now gone to meet his Maker – something he greatly looked forward to.