Living for the Next Life

My friend, Andreas, works with the underground church in the Middle East, where hundreds of thousands of Muslims are coming to Christ—often through dreams and visions of Him.

This makes sense since there are no churches where they can go to hear the Good News. God is coming to them! Later, they often meet an underground Christian who tells them about the Jesus in their dreams.

I’ve heard the fastest growing church in the world is in Iran. By some estimates, more than 80% of young adults have turned away from Islam in a nation that claims to be 95% Muslim. Amazing!

Christ, with the peace and love He brings, is so attractive to many who’ve lived in fear and oppression their whole lives.

Iranians are taught from birth to hate Israel. When they become Christians and learn Jesus was Jewish, they fall in love with the Jews!

Talk about a way to end antisemitism!

“Sheep Among Wolves 2” is a great documentary about the move of God in Iran. It’s on YouTube, and I highly recommend it—but be prepared to be challenged in your faith.

To follow Christ in the Middle East is to invite persecution. Andreas told me of his friends who were tortured and sentenced to death for embracing Christ.

While the church in the West is living for how to make this life the most comfortable it can be, the church in Iran is saying, “Forget this life. I’m living for the next one!”

“Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12.

If we truly desire to please the Lord, it’s not a matter of if you will be persecuted, but when.

Most believers in the West have yet to discover what persecution feels like. Iranian believers are praying for us, knowing we are missing out on the joy of suffering for Christ. It’s in the suffering we come to know Him intimately.

I may never experience the privilege of going to Iran to suffer with my Iranian brothers and sisters. So to honor their faith, I will fearlessly proclaim the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ in my own little sphere of influence.

For sure there’s enough lost and hurting people right here to keep me busy until Jesus returns!

“And our brothers and sisters defeated him by the blood of the Lamb’s death and by the message they preached. They did not love their lives so much that they were afraid of death.” Revelation‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬

Click here to watch Sheep Among Wolves 2