Legendary Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh passed away Wednesday, with his death being announced on-air by his wife Kathryn, who said:
I, like you, very much wish Rush was behind this golden microphone now, welcoming you to another exceptional 3 hours of broadcasting. It is with profound sadness I must share with you directly that our beloved Rush, my wonderful husband, passed away this morning due to complications from lung cancer.
Describing himself as a “lover of mankind,” the “doctor of democracy,” a “harmless, lovable little fuzz ball,” and an “all-around good guy,” he was notable for his constant assertion that he had “talent on loan from God,” a gift he will ostensibly now have to give back.
Rush took to the air several months ago and cited his faith as a comfort to him as his health began to decline, explaining:
I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is of immense value, strength, confidence. That’s why I’m able to remain fully committed to the idea that what is supposed to happen will happen when it’s meant to.
The 70-year old political commentator shared last February that he has been diagnosed with Stage-4 lung cancer, a sickness which had a grim prognosis and which treatment focuses on slowing the progression of the disease, seeking to maintain quality of life, and minimizing symptoms wherever possible rather than curing it. [Editor’s note: This is known as “palliative care.”]
Limbaugh said back in October, speaking to 20 million listeners:
I feel more and more blessed hearing from you, knowing that you’re out there praying and everything else you’re doing. That is a blessing. It’s just a series of blessings. And I’m grateful to be able to come here to the studio and tell you about it and really maintain as much normalcy as I can…the only thing that any of us are certain of is right now, today. That’s why I thank God every morning when I wake up. I thank God that I did. I try to make it the best day that I can…I try to remain as committed to the idea that what’s supposed to happen will happen when it’s meant to.
I mentioned at the outset of this, on the first day I told you, that I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is of immense value, strength, confidence, and that’s why I’m able to remain fully committed to the idea of what is supposed to happen will happen when it’s meant to. There’s some comfort in knowing that some things are not in our hands. There’s a lot of fear associated with that too, but there is some comfort. It’s helpful to be able to trust and to believe in a higher plan.
While Rush had long spoken of his belief in God, it had always been in more generic types of reference, eschewing talk of repentance and faith in Christ with more broad terms and phrases such as, “This country needs to understand the importance of religion,” and “I believe in God.”
Even during the initial cancer revelation back in February, he said, “I told the staff today that I have a deeply personal relationship with God that I do not proselytize about, but I do, and I have been working that relationship tremendously.”
The fact that Rush was giving specific reference to Jesus and having a “personal relationship” with Christ was a new development for Limbaugh, and a sign that ought to give hope that we will see him in heaven one day.
Rush’s Brother, David, a well-known political commentator in his own right, is a professing evangelical Christian, and we can only pray that he ministered to Rush as the end grew near, helping him truly understand the gift of faith and everlasting life. David has so far not indicated any comments as to Rush’s spiritual state when he passed, writing only that “I’m not ready to speak yet but I’m so proud of my amazing, loving brother. Thousands of you have shared how much he meant to you. My brother was the real deal. I can’t describe how sad I am but also how proud I am of my big brother. I love and adore you Rush. Thank you all.”
Editor’s note. Portions of this article were previously published.
