"They Want Jesus Instead'

BreakPoint ^ | 3/24/2008 | Chuck Colson

[11th Commandment]

Why Muslims Convert

In church yesterday, as you celebrated Easter, did you notice anything—or anyone—unusual?

In churches all over the world, there were millions of people celebrating the resurrection of Christ, who were not there just a few years ago—because they were worshipping in a mosque instead.

It is thrilling evidence that God is doing a mighty work among Muslims.

According to the website Islam Watch, in Russia, some two million ethnic Muslims converted to Christianity last year. Ten thousand French Muslims converted, as did 35,000 Turkish Muslims. In India, approximately 10,000 people abandoned Islam for Christianity.

In his book Epicenter, author Joel Rosenberg details amazing stories of Muslims converting to Christianity. In Algeria, the birthplace of St. Augustine, more than 80,000 Muslims have turned to Christ in recent years. This, despite the stiff opposition from Islamic clerics who have passed laws banning evangelism.

In Morocco, newspaper articles openly worry that 25,000 to 40,000 Muslims have become followers of Christ in recent years.

[11th Commandment]

Interesting, I did not realize that so many Muslims are converting. You only hear about the persecution of Christians.... then again history teaches us the church flourishes during persecution.

[PeterFinn]

Islam is a pestilence that offers no hope to its followers, only fear. When shown the hope that is offered from the Cross it is of no surprise that the brave would dare to shrug off the chains of islam to seek the freedom of Christ.

[livius]

I didn’t realize so many Muslims had converted, either. I hope this gets more publicity, because it encourages others.

I know that many Muslims who convert have to do so secretly, because they will be hunted down and killed if they live in an Islamic country, so perhaps that’s why we hear so little about it.

[wmfights]

These conversions have not escaped the notice of Islamic leaders. In 2001, Sheikh Ahmad Al Qatanni, a leading Saudi cleric, delivered the disturbing news on Al-Jazeera: Every day, he said, “16,000 Muslims convert to Christianity . . . every year, that is six million Muslims becoming Christians . . . A tragedy has happened.” It is possible the sheikh was inflating his numbers to incite a reaction against Christianity. But clearly, something is happening.

The worry is as the numbers grow instead of targeting soldiers they will seek to target missionaries. It appears the most successful missionaries are indigenous people. Also, the hardest to identify and harm.

FWIW, a great organization that is doing a lot is Gospel For Asia.

[ichabod1]

Two million converts? That’s approaching miracle status. Wonder if it’s true.

[vladimir998]

Me too. I heard nothing at all about this.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Two million converts? That’s approaching miracle status.

With respect to you, permit me to observe that every single saved soul is a true miracle.

[Hebrews 11:6]

The fields are white for the harvest. Workers are needed.

[21twelve]

I really, REALLY hope that is a typo! (”ripe” for the harvest!)

I read somewhere awhile back about Muslims during their pilgrimage’s were having visions of Jesus and converting!

[21twelve]

did a search on visions muslims Jesus. A snippet from one site:

A magazine published in California reports the following (based on questionnaires completed by over 600 Muslims who placed their faith in Jesus) [1]:

“Though dreams may play an insignificant role in the conversion decisions of most Westerners, over one-fourth of those surveyed state quite emphatically that dreams and visions were key in drawing them to Christ and sustaining them through difficult times.

Just as God prepared Cornelius to hear the Gospel through a vision, so God is preparing a multitude of Muslims to respond to His good news.’ [2]

One believer from Guinea recounts the dream of a figure whom he later believed to be Christ. The figure was in a white robe, calling the man to come to Him. In a related dream, he recalls that the same figure’s arms were extended, beckoning him. Dreams of this type have become recognized as a pattern of work among Muslims. Though there are variations, Christ appearing in a white robe is a recurring image among those who have had dreams and visions.

Similarly, a Muslim Malay woman was drawn by a vision she had of her Christian parents who had died. She saw them rejoicing with others in heaven. Jesus, appearing in a white robe, said, “If you want to come to me, just come.” Feeling that she had tried her entire life to reach God without success, she now saw God initiating the effort to reach her through Jesus.

A convert from the Middle East who had been afflicted with severe headaches was lying on his bed after having prayed for his sick son. A man with a beautiful, peaceful face appeared. Dressed in white, the figure walked to the head of the man’s bed and touched him three times on the head. The next morning his headaches were gone. His son, too, was fully healed. Understandably, he now recounts with confidence, “I believe in prayer in the name of the Christ.”

The great majority of dreams seem to fall into one of two broad categories. The first could be considered the preparatory dream. Like Christ appearing in a white robe, the vision confirms thoughts or conversations one has been having about Christ or the Christian faith. The second could be called the empowering dream. Here the dream or vision commonly gives the believer strength in the face of persecution. Short of persecution, it may embolden believers, strengthening the nature of their witness.

In a fascinating twist on God’s use of dreams and sleep, one Algerian recounted how she heard her sleeping Muslim grandmother say, “Jesus is not dead. I want to tell you He is here.”

A West African man recounts a succinct, yet powerful vision he had prior to conversion. He saw a devout Muslim in hell and a poor Christian who couldn’t afford to give alms in heaven. A voice explained to him that the difference was belief in Jesus.

Whatever personal perspective one has on dreams and visions and the Christian walk of faith, it is difficult to consider engaging in ministry to Muslims without a recognition of and an openness for God to continue drawing people to Himself through what may be viewed as unconventional means.

[Abigail Adams]

Great news if true!

John 4:35 (NKJV)

35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!

[21twelve]

My apologies!!! I see my New American standard has “white” - but my usual Bible (NIV) has “ripe”. (Now I wonder what crop it was?)

Again - my apologies.

[Abigail Adams]

I just found a commentary that says it was barley that looked white. Interesting!

[21twelve]

Thanks.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Your apology is accepted, of course--it's not worth a second thought. But your original point did seem odd. You appeared to object strenuously to my apparent misquote, but I did not "quote" at all. I made no attempt to quote but merely paraphrased to meet the present context. So, was that your concern after all, that I was misquoting, as your later responses seem to indicate, or did I miss something?

Anyway, we rejoice together at the harvesting that has occurred, is occuring, and, with the cooperative efforts of still more workers, surely will continue.

[21twelve]

The “white” for harvest was my mistake - and I guess all the racially-charged Obama and his preacher threads had me thinking that way, and trying to make a poor joke.

“and, with the cooperative efforts of still more workers, surely will continue.” I looked up that John verse that you were paraphrasing and Jesus is talking about how the disciples are to reap what others have sown previously. I imagine that to work in the mission field the missionaries find encouragement in that even if they don't reap a whole bunch - they are sowing, that others may reap. (And of course that goes for us personally as well).

[ConservativeStLouisGuy]

Next day BUMP!

[ConservativeStLouisGuy]

Why Muslims Convert

In church yesterday, as you celebrated Easter, did you notice anything — or anyone — unusual?

In churches all over the world, there were millions of people celebrating the resurrection of Christ, who were not there just a few years ago — because they were worshipping in a mosque instead.

It is thrilling evidence that God is doing a mighty work among Muslims.

According to the website Islam Watch, in Russia, some two million ethnic Muslims converted to Christianity last year. Ten thousand French Muslims converted, as did 35,000 Turkish Muslims. In India, approximately 10,000 people abandoned Islam for Christianity.

In his book Epicenter, author Joel Rosenberg details amazing stories of Muslims converting to Christianity. In Algeria, the birthplace of St. Augustine, more than 80,000 Muslims have turned to Christ in recent years. This, despite the stiff opposition from Islamic clerics who have passed laws banning evangelism.

In Morocco, newspaper articles openly worry that 25,000 to 40,000 Muslims have become followers of Christ in recent years.

The stories are even more amazing in the heart of the Middle East. In 1996, the Egyptian Bible Society sold just 3,000 video copies of the JESUS film. In the year 2000, they sold an incredible 600,000 copies.

In Sudan, as many as five million Muslims have accepted Christ since the early 1990s, despite horrific persecution of Christians by the Sudanese government. What is behind the mass conversions? According to a Sudanese evangelical leader, “People have seen real Islam, and they want Jesus instead.”

In Iraq, “More than 5,000 Muslim converts to Christianity have been identified since the end of major combat operations,” says Islam Watch. And just a few days ago, the first-ever Roman Catholic church was consecrated in Qatar, a Sunni Muslim state where the Wahhabi brand of Islam is practiced. This was the first time Christians in Qatar have been allowed to practice their faith openly. Ten thousand people attended the opening mass.

These conversions have not escaped the notice of Islamic leaders. In 2001, Sheikh Ahmad Al Qatanni, a leading Saudi cleric, delivered the disturbing news on Al-Jazeera: Every day, he said, “16,000 Muslims convert to Christianity...every year, that is six million Muslims becoming Christians...A tragedy has happened.” It is possible the sheikh was inflating his numbers to incite a reaction against Christianity. But clearly, something is happening.

How thrilling to learn that so many Muslims have been set free from the chains of their sins — just as you and I have — by the power of Christ’s blood! We must pray for these new brothers and sisters; many are being violently persecuted for their new-found faith.

These millions of conversions give us one more reason to rejoice this Easter season. Yes, we may be in a great clash of civilizations; battling Islamo-fascists who threaten to kill us. And the future may at times look bleak. But never despair: God is on His throne, bringing people into His kingdom from the very heart of Islam. 

[Hebrews 11:6]

in the mission field the missionaries find encouragement in that even if they don't reap a whole bunch - they are sowing, that others may reap. (And of course that goes for us personally as well).

Beautifully stated. We never know in this life the many people we affect for the Kingdom by our words and deeds. I often think how fun it will be, if permitted, to learn during the next life about the many such influences that have occurred.

For example, did you know that a careful study produced the startling result that every single person saved appears to have been prayed for specifically? Once I learned that, it gave me added impetus to pray for those the Lord brings across my path, even (and especially) those who are acting evilly.