John Peterson's life demonstrates that salvation can come through unexpected encounters and the urgency of responding to God's call. After hearing the gospel and trusting Christ, Peterson became a prolific Christian musician and evangelist, sharing his faith even during dangerous wartime flights. One profound experience involved a friend who, despite acknowledging the truth of the gospel, delayed his decision and perished the next day, leading Peterson to write the song "God's Final Call." This event underscores the biblical principle that God is patient, not wishing for any to perish, but that individuals must seize the present moment for salvation, as the opportunity may not come again.
Restored with Diffio
Audio restored with Diffio. Diffio processed the original archive recording to reduce noise and produce a cleaner listening version; the original stays available.
Speech quality score (model-estimated, SCOREQ): before 2.51 → restored 4.36
as the boy John Peterson heard the gospel one night in Slinick, Kansas. The Bible text was from the Book of Daniel. Thou art weighed in the balances and found wanting. That night he trusted Christ as his personal Savior. In the years that followed, he has shared that message by means of song to millions. His cantatas alone have sold in the millions of copies. During World War II, John Peterson was the pilot of Curtis C-Forty-Six and flew over the hump to China. It was dangerous business. Sometimes he had opportunities to speak to other airmen about Christ.
Here's how he tells of one of his experiences. My friend listened attentively as I testified to Christ's power and grace to fill any human void no matter how basic. From there I went on to outline the spiritual laws we find in Scripture dealing with man's sin and a need for redemption, God's action on our behalf and the promise of eternal salvation in Jesus Christ. John, he said at length, I believe everything you tell me. I don't have any question about it. I really want to become a Christian. I spoke about the matter of urgency and that he should not take a chance and gamble on the future.
Our conversation went on past midnight. but he could not bring himself to the point of making a decision. He seemed to waver. At last he turned me off with the flat assertion that he just wasn't ready. The next day he went out on the hump trip and didn't return. That terrible interlude haunted me again and again. And a couple of years later I wrote the song, God's Final Call. Someday you'll hear God's final call to you To take his offer of salvation true This could be it, my friend.
if you but knew God's final call God's final call How can you live thinking someday with Christ you will begin oh will you hear above the world's loud deeds God's final call The Lord isn't being slow in coming, as he promised, even though it sometimes seems that way.
But he is waiting for the good reason that he's not willing, that any should perish. And he is giving more time for sinners to repent. The hope will then be gone. None of us know when God's final call is coming. Don't make the mistake of putting salvation off. Behold now is accepted time. Behold now is the day of salvation. Oh, here it is come.