'His legacy will endure for generations': Tributes pour in for Ravi Zacharias

People from across the globe have been paying tribute to famed apologist and Christian author Ravi Zacharias after it was announced that he passed away this morning. Mr Zacharias had been suffering from an aggresive cancer. He was 74.

Words of condolence and prayer have been pouring in on social media, as the faith community comes to terms with the loss of one the most prolific evangelists of our time.

NFL star and close friend of Ravi's, Tim Tebow, tweeted: "To my friend, my mentor and a great hero of the faith Ravi Zacharias - Thank you. I know I’ll see you again and I look forward to that day. Love you brother!"

.@RaviZacharias, one of the great Christian apologists of our time, has stepped into the streets of glory & into the presence of the King of kings & Lord of lords. He is pictured here w/me & our friend, Sami Dagher, in 2017 at the World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians. pic.twitter.com/cjLdTGulmQ
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) May 19, 2020

Nikki Haley, the former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, wrote: "Rest In Peace to a man who has given so much to so many. You will be missed. Prayers for the family, friends, and followers of Ravi Zacharias. We are all better for knowing you."

This morning, @RaviZacharias heard, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” The whole world has been impacted because he faithfully walked out God's call on his life. I have the utmost love and respect for him. His legacy will endure for generations to come. #ThankYouRavi @rzimhq pic.twitter.com/xXzRp1odzc
— Robert Morris (@PsRobertMorris) May 19, 2020

In what would be one of his final engagements at the start of this year, Ravi preached to thousands of students at the annual "Passion Conference" event - a talk which has garnered over a million views on YouTube. The founder of the Passion movement, Louie Giglio, who had visited with Ravi in recent days, called him a "humble giant."

"I join the thunderous applause of Heaven," Giglio added, "Ravi Zacharias March 26, 1946 – May 19, 2020."

“We are here for eternity and He alone is able to take us through the cross, past the open tomb into the very presence of God. Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, neither has entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for them that love Him.” @RaviZacharias pic.twitter.com/mXT0YU3Iyu
— Passion Conferences (@passion268) May 19, 2020

Christian musician David Crowder wrote that "today heaven rejoices & welcomes home a giant of the faith" in Zacharias. "Today we miss & mourn the loss of a friend & a teacher," he added, "today Ravi meets Jesus in person. That’s amazing."

Author and broadcaster Eric Metaxas said he was praying that RZIM "thrives in continuing the work Ravi began."

"What a faithful instrument of God he has been in so many lives!" he added. "Today he is home."

Conservative pundit Ben Shapiro, who hosted Zacharias on his show last year, tweeted: "A terrible loss. Ravi wasn't just a great man - he was a good one, which is far more difficult and important."

US Senator Tim Scott added that "the loss of Ravi Zacharias will be felt for a long time."

"As Ravi is now in heaven, I’m praying for his family as they continue his legacy here on earth," he wrote.

"Don’t feel sorry for Ravi Zacharias," noted prominent evangelist, Franklin Graham. "His fight with cancer is over, & he has placed his crowns at the feet of the One who deserves all glory & honor. For those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, we will see him again on the other side of the river."

In the video below, the president of RZIM Michael Ramsden talks more about Ravi's passing:

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It is with sadness that I have to share with you that @RaviZacharias has gone to be with the Lord he loved to serve; the Lord he’d delight to spend time with. We know now, that Ravi has seen face to face what he has always talked about and seen as yet, in a mirror dimly. Amidst the grief and the pain that we feel at his loss, we know that Ravi is now in a place which he always wanted to be, and indeed invited others to be there too. Ravi Zacharias knew that he wasn’t simply running a race for Jesus, he knew ultimately that he was running a race to him. And that is now where he finds himself, in the loving embrace and the arms of the Lord whom he so faithfully proclaimed. I know if he were here, he would also want to make sure you knew that hope too – for even though we lose our life in this world, it is not the end. There is a world to come. Many years ago, the Lord Jesus Christ reached his hand down into Ravi Zacharias’ life and heart, and Ravi put his hand and his life into the hands of Christ. The forgiveness he knew, the kindness that he encountered and the love that so transformed him, continued to be his guiding light, hope and his sustenance throughout this race of life. We’re praying for Margie and for all the children at this time; for countless friends that have known him for decades and walked with him through the many difficult and also joyous times. We want to thank you for your continued prayers for the family, for your continued prayers for the team and thank you also for your continued support and encouragement of us – it means so much especially at such a time as this. Thank you. #ThankYouRavi #RunTheRace

A post shared by Michael Ramsden (@officialmichaelramsden) on May 19, 2020 at 7:04am PDT

In his final tweet on May 16, Ravi Zacharias wrote:

The story of the gospel is the story of eternal life. My life is unique and will endure eternally in God's presence. I will never be "no more." I will never be lost because I will be with the One who saves me."

You can keep up with many of the tributes to Ravi Zacharias by following the hashtag #ThankYouRavi.

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