Some time ago I read, in the fine magazine Israel My Glory, an article entitled "Thank God for 'Reveille.'" Author Peter Colon framed his discussion of the proof, the power and the promise of Christ's resurrection with an account of Winston Churchill's 1965 funeral -- a funeral with an astonishing conclusion.
Here's the account Billy Graham provided on the occasion of Richard Nixon's funeral:
"Years ago, Winston Churchill planned his own funeral. And he did so with the hope of the resurrection and eternal life which he firmly believed in. And he instructed after the benediction that a bugler positioned high in the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral would play Taps, the universal signal that says the day is over.
"But then came a very dramatic moment as Churchill had instructed. Another bugler was placed on the other side of the massive dome, and he played the notes of Reveille, the universal signal that a new day has dawned and it is time to arise.
"That was Churchill’s testimony that at the end of history, the last note will not be Taps, it’ll be Reveille. There is hope beyond the grave because Jesus Christ has opened the door to heaven for us by his death and resurrection."
I can't imagine a more moving or compelling testimony to the power of the gospel -- and it was delivered without a single word! It no doubt sounded something like this:
Here's the account Billy Graham provided on the occasion of Richard Nixon's funeral:
"Years ago, Winston Churchill planned his own funeral. And he did so with the hope of the resurrection and eternal life which he firmly believed in. And he instructed after the benediction that a bugler positioned high in the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral would play Taps, the universal signal that says the day is over.
"But then came a very dramatic moment as Churchill had instructed. Another bugler was placed on the other side of the massive dome, and he played the notes of Reveille, the universal signal that a new day has dawned and it is time to arise.
"That was Churchill’s testimony that at the end of history, the last note will not be Taps, it’ll be Reveille. There is hope beyond the grave because Jesus Christ has opened the door to heaven for us by his death and resurrection."
I can't imagine a more moving or compelling testimony to the power of the gospel -- and it was delivered without a single word! It no doubt sounded something like this:
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