Sojourner #066: John MacArthur Enters The Presence Of Christ

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7, ESV)

John MacArthur Enters the Presence of Christ
By the Editorial Staff | Sojourner Magazine
July 14, 2025 | Sun Valley, CA

Dr. John MacArthur, pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, president of The Master’s Seminary, and one of the most influential expositors of the modern era, has entered the presence of the Lord. He was 86 years old.

The initial announcement came Sunday from Grace Community Church, where elder Tom Patton informed the congregation that Pastor MacArthur had been recently hospitalized with pneumonia.

“We place our dear pastor at the feet of the glorious Savior whom he has served so faithfully for so many years,” Patton said. “And now awaits His final command to be in His presence forever.”

By the gracious wisdom and providential care of God, that command has now come to our friend and teacher.

In their official statement, the elders of Grace Community Church wrote:

“It is with both sadness and hope that the elders of Grace Community Church announce that Pastor John MacArthur has gone to be with the Lord after 56 years of faithful ministry. Last week, Pastor John unexpectedly contracted pneumonia, and the Lord took him home on Monday, July 14. Dr. MacArthur was 86 years old.

At the center of Dr. MacArthur’s ministry was an unwavering commitment to declare God’s truth, and Pastor John preached the Word in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2). Even in recent years, though beset with health challenges, he persisted in teaching, leading, and investing in the ministries the Lord had entrusted to him.

Pastor John modeled a true fortitude for his Lord Jesus, believing that to live is Christ and therefore to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). Having fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith, Pastor John was summoned home by his heavenly Master (2 Timothy 4:7). His faith is now sight (2 Corinthians 5:7); he is at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8); and he has heard the words, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave’ (Matthew 25:21).”

MacArthur is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia; four children; fifteen grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. His life is a testament to the grace of God and the covenantal blessing His people enjoy in Christ the Lord.

The Master’s Seminary also released a statement:

“With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of our founder, longtime president and chancellor, Dr. John MacArthur. Yet we rejoice, knowing he is now receiving his heavenly reward (1 Peter 5:4). Over 40 years of faithful leadership, Dr. MacArthur left an enduring legacy, training thousands of pastors at The Master’s Seminary. His ministry will echo for generations and into eternity. We praise the Lord for Dr. MacArthur’s courage, unwavering commitment to the Truth (John 17:17), and passion for equipping the next generation of faithful expositors (2 Timothy 2:2). Please join us in praying for his family during this time of loss.”

To millions around the world through Grace to You, John MacArthur was a teacher of the Word. To thousands of students, he was a theological mentor. To countless pastors and churches through The Master’s Academy International, he was a champion of sound doctrine. But to his church, he was simply “our pastor.” To his family, he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

MacArthur served at Grace Community Church for 56 years, faithfully preaching through the entire New Testament verse by verse. His Study Bible, commentaries, and expository model of preaching have shaped pulpits around the globe. Though at times controversial, his convictions never wavered, rooted always in the sufficiency and authority of Scripture alone (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Photo: Grace Community Church

Pastors across the world have reflected on his influence. Jacinto Urquía, elder at Iglesia Bautista Monte De Sion in La Esperanza, Honduras, shared:

“Su ejemplo de vida y ministerio seguirá influenciado muchas personas en todo el mundo. (His example of life and ministry will continue to influence many people around the world.)”

Robby Joplin, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Gadsden, Alabama, wrote:

“I received my first study bible soon after I became a Christian in October of 2000. That Bible was a New King James John MacArthur Study Bible. I was so proud of that Bible. I felt like I had something more valuable than gold in my possession. John MacArthur has left a legacy for countless other Christians all over the world and I am one of them. A Mighty Oak has fallen. Well Done Dr. MacArthur.”

Tyler Armstrong, pastor of Woodward Avenue Baptist Church in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, rejoiced simply:

“Praise God for a race well run” (Hebrews 12:1).

John MacArthur often returned to the words of Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders:

“I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable… I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God… But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus” (Acts 20:20, 27, 24).

MacArthur finished his course, by grace through faith. And now, he beholds the glory of Christ face-to-face, gathered among the redeemed from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation (Revelation 7:9–10), from every generation and corner of the earth. He now joins the great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1), worshiping the Lamb who was slain and who reigns forever and ever (Revelation 5:13).

We ask the church worldwide to pray:

• Pray for Patricia MacArthur and the MacArthur family (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14).

• Pray for the elders and saints of Grace Community Church (Hebrews 13:7).

• Pray for the students and leaders of The Master’s Seminary and The Master’s Academy International.

• Pray that we would all walk in the same footsteps of enduring faithfulness, counting our lives as nothing for the sake of the gospel (Luke 9:23–24; Philippians 3:8–9).

We do not mourn as the world mourns. We mourn with a grief that is assuaged by the hope of the gospel (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

In Christ, grace has given way to glory.

From The Editor's Desk:

Like many of you, I find myself at a loss for words, grieving the loss of a man who seemed larger than life. Yet, I cannot consider our earthly grief apart from the eternal weight of glory that has been prepared for all who trust in Christ alone (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Studying under the legacy of The Master’s Seminary, I came to understand John MacArthur not only as a voice of conviction and clarity but as a man whose life and ministry were shaped, start to finish, by one thing: the all-sufficient grace of God (2 Corinthians 12:9). His ministry was directly proportional to his complete dependence on that grace and his refusal to conduct himself in any way not aligned with Scripture (Psalm 119:105).

John MacArthur would be the first to say he was simply a slave of Christ, nothing more. Any credit belongs to God alone. If he did anything, it was only his duty. From day one we were taught that no man builds the Church; Christ alone builds His Church (Matthew 16:18). Our mandate is to preach none other than what is written, trusting that the Lord would do His work.

Dr. MacArthur once said, “As long as God grants us breath, He has work for us to do.” Tonight, having fought the good fight and finished the course (2 Timothy 4:7), John MacArthur’s work here on this side of eternity is done. Now the torch passes to us.

Now, it is time to go to work.

Though we grieve deeply, we do not grieve as those without hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). We exalt the Savior who holds His servants fast, even in death (Hebrews 12:2). We rejoice in the hope of the gospel that was proclaimed to us by faith (Romans 1:16), and we look ahead to that final day when all the redeemed will stand before His throne at last, where there is no sorrow, no pain, and no waiting, only perfect love (Revelation 21:4).

So while we mourn our friend and mentor, we press on, for the joy set before us (Hebrews 12:2), trusting that “He who began a good work in [us] will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

All praise to Him, both now and forevermore.

Editor-in-Chief, Sojourner Magazine

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