Just a few days ago when one of our team members was praying
for it to come to Qatar in our prayer meeting (we knew it was opening in the United Arab Emirates in about a week), we honestly had no faith
whatsoever that her prayer would be answered.
You have to realize that until now we have only been able to show the
Jesus film in Arabic to a handful of Qataris in the secret of a home
setting. In the coming weeks, potentially 10s of thousands of Arab
Muslims will see this powerful portrayal of Christ's suffering and
death.
Today at 4:30 PM, our entire team went to see the debut of this film
in Doha, Qatar! It was amazing--how many people get to see this film
in a theatre half full of Gulf Arab Muslims both men and women.
In two short hours, more Qataris heard the Gospel than we have been
able to reach in 3 years! The Arabic subtitles were completely
accurate they didn't water ANYTHING down or change any language that Muslims would not agree with. All of us watched the film in absolute
amazement in what God had done.
The Muslims sitting around us were being moved gasping, crying and
reacting with disgust to the brutality that Jesus faced. Now if you
have heard anything about why the Arab Muslims would want to see the
film, you know that it is because they heard it was anti-Jewish and
since they hate the Jews, they want to see it.
How interesting that God is using this film to communicate the Gospel
and the very opposite spirit that might be motivating them to go and
see it. The message to LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, and Jesus praying for them
to be forgiven while on the Cross, perfectly subtitled in Arabic,
would hit the Muslim theatre-goer in a powerful way.
Just as Satan surely felt that he was winning when Christ began to
suffer, ultimately it was the plundering of his house and his complete
defeat. Muslims are going to see this film because of their hatred
(and probably out of curiosity as well) and in the end, the message
they will hear is to LOVE. Is it not just like God to do something
like that They mean it for evil, and God means it for good!!
Below is an excerpt from the todays local newspaper: INTERNATIONAL
blockbuster film Passion of the Christ will have a multiple release in
Doha today. Qatar is to be the first country in the Middle East to
screen the film
There is yet another motivation that Qatar had in releasing this film
and that was to be the first country in the Middle East to show the
film. Qatar is trying to change its image and portray itself as a
tolerant Muslim country.
Little do they know that this film is exposing their people to many
truths that their faith categorically denies. (The Sonship of Christ,
the Fatherhood of God, the Atoning Death of Christ for the sins of the
World, and of course the commandment to Love your enemies all
uncompromisingly translated into Arabic subtitles!). We are all still
shell-shocked by what has happened and what will happen in the coming
days.
Please pray for these urgent requests:
1. That this film will be allowed to be shown for a significant period
of time. It is being shown in 3 different theatres, up to 4 times a
day. Fundamentalists will surely be in an uproar about this
unprecedented event. Just when we thought Satellite television was
going to be the most significant way for the Lord to sow the seeds of
the Gospel, this film arrives in Muslim nations!!
2. That this film will cause a major shaking and stirring in the
hearts of Qatari Muslims leading them to salvation.
3. That God will lead us to men and women who have been/will be
impacted by this powerful film. Well keep you updated it should be
VERY INTERESTING. There is no way a person can walk out of this film
without a deeper revelation of the love of God for them.
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