From the internet to visions: The Muslim phenomenon

"For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." (Luke 9:56A)
"Did you receive the Holy Spirit by following the Law or by believing what you heard?" (Galatians 3:2).

As we approach the Christmas Season, the mercy and love of God seems to be particularly effectual. As this season of mercy arrives, we are compelled more than ever to preach the Good News of the Gospel so those whom believe will be sealed with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:2, Ephesians 4:30, 2 Corinthians 1:21) until the day of redemption. I want to say a word about a phenomenon that is an amazing manifestation of the promise of God to Abraham to bless the descendants of Ishmael.

Thousands upon thousands (at least) of Muslims have reported visions of Jesus Christ that has prompted their conversion to Christ. Even as we are just now starting to reach the Muslim masses with the Gospel of Christ, it would seem the Holy Spirit is directly evangelizing these God-fearing folks, reaching those zealous for God with the Gospel of Christ without human intermediates. I encourage you all to read and investigate this further - there has been an increasing amount of available literature on this.

One of the greatest joys of Christian life is watching God bring his lost sheep to the herd. I am involved in an organization called Campus Crusade for Christ - last year there were over a million indications of people who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior by "digitally hearing" the Gospel message on the internet or over their cell phone. Many of these were from dominantly Muslim areas of the world.

Whether we share the Gospel with a lost soul or they receive it through vision, the Holy Spirit is still and always the active agent. Just like Jesus corrected James and John, following rejection after trying to secure a stay in the Samaritan village on their way to Jerusalem (Luke 9:55-56), we all could use this kind reminder as Christmas 2009 approaches: God did not send His one and only Son in this world to condemn it, but to save it (John 3). The Gospel of Christ is the message of God's available and intimate love for all those whom are willing to receive it (John 1:12)- all one needs to do is open themselves to the transforming love and forgiveness of God. Let us remember the Easter message of God's redemptive power is only made possible by the Christmas message of God's unconditional love for every person. Thanks be to God, this message is being received all over the world at unprecedented numbers, through unprecedented methodology. Thanks be to God, His promises are always true, wonderful, and eternal.