Upon Stott’s passing, Billy Graham noted: “The evangelical world has lost one of its greatest spokesmen, and I have lost one of my close personal friends and advisers.” “Indeed, Stott transcended divisions like few others in post-war, trans-Atlantic evangelicalism.” “Lauded as the closest thing to an evangelical pope, Stott was the leader we wish our theological opponents would emulate,” wrote Gospel Coalition Editorial Director Collin Hansen for Christianity Today in February 2012.

The prolific Anglican pastor authored more than fifty books from the 1950s through 2010, spoke extensively around the world, and served as the “ chief architect of the Lausanne Covenant.” Crossing paths with larger-than-life figures ranging from Elizabeth II (as the Queen’s Chaplain) to evangelist Billy Graham to minister Martyn Lloyd-Jones, he worked alongside some of the most important figures of his day. Over the course of his long life he made an enduring mark on the Protestant and Evangelical world. Sadly, the paragon of evangelical Anglicanism passed away in July 2011. Indeed, for a man to be excluded from heaven on the last day, it will be enough for Jesus to say, 'I never knew you.John Stott would have turned 96 years old two weeks ago today.

Those who have acknowledged him before men he will acknowledge before his Father: those who have denied him, he will deny. Others will hear the dreadful words, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.' Not only will Jesus be the judge, but the criterion of judgment will be men’s attitude to him as shown in their treatment of his 'brethren' or their response to his word. Some will be invited to come and inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world. He will then separate men from one another as a shepherd separates his sheep from his goats. He will sit on the throne of his glory, and the judgment will be committed to him by the Father. He will himself arouse the dead, and all the nations will be gathered before him. Several of his parables imply that he will come back at the end of the world, and that the final day of reckoning will be postponed until his return. This is perhaps the most fantastic of all his statements. “Christ’s fourth indirect claim was to judge the world.

The Cross of Christ by John R.W. Stott