Our Lord has been pleased to call away to glory several of our dear people. No words of mine can make these trials easier, dry your tears, nor dispel your loneliness; but, perhaps I can remind you of some things that we all believe and know, and these can serve as a foundation for comfort.
They are with Christ in glory! They would not come back here for a moment, even if they could.
They are perfect in body and soul! No more sin, no more pain, no more tears, no more sorrow! They are fully satisfied in his likeness (Ps. 17:15).
They have no unpleasant memories nor thoughts of earth! “For the former things are passed away; God makes all things new.” There are neither regrets nor remorse in heaven.
They would not have you grieve for them, but rather rejoice in their graduation, promotion, and victory! To die is to gain and glory. Their trials and tribulations are over. Don’t you wish that ours were?
There is no time in glory! Days and years have to do with us, not them. My son, Rob, did not go to glory 20 years ago; he went there today, and so will I! We will be glorified together.
They are gone for the present; and while memories of them are sweet and linger all of our lives, we have a life to live ourselves, our God to glorify, and others to serve and encourage. We cannot do this and live in the past. Paul said, “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before.” I cannot do anything about what is behind me, but I can do much with what is before me—by the grace of God!
About Henry Mahan
Henry T. Mahan was born in Birmingham, Alabama in August 1926. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served as a signalman on an L.S.T. in the Pacific during World War II. In 1946, he married his wife Doris, and the Lord blessed them with four children.
At the age of 21, he entered the pastoral ministry and gained broad experience as a pastor, teacher, conference speaker, and evangelist. In 1950, through the preaching of evangelist Rolfe Barnard, God was pleased to establish Henry in sovereign free grace teaching. At that time, he was serving as an assistant pastor at Pollard Baptist Church (off of Blackburn ave.) in Ashland, Kentucky.
In 1955, Thirteenth Street Baptist Church was formed in Ashland, Kentucky, and Henry was called to be its pastor. He faithfully served that congregation for more than 50 years, continuing in the same message throughout his ministry. His preaching was centered on the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified, in full accord with the Scriptures. He consistently proclaimed God’s sovereign purpose in salvation and the glory of Christ in redeeming sinners through His blood and righteousness.
Henry T. Mahan also traveled widely, preaching in conferences and churches across the United States and beyond. His ministry was marked by a clear and unwavering emphasis on Christ, not the preacher, but the One preached. Those who heard him recognized that his sermons honored the Savior and exalted the name of the Lord Jesus Christ above all.
Henry T. Mahan served as pastor and teacher of Thirteenth Street Baptist Church in Ashland, Kentucky for over half a century. His life and ministry were devoted to proclaiming the sovereign grace of God and directing sinners to the finished work of Christ. He entered into the presence of the Lord in 2019, leaving behind a lasting testimony to the gospel he faithfully preached.
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