Welcome back everyone!  Today we’ll meet a fourth Revivalist whose story is as intriguing as any you’ll ever hear.  But first, a review.  There are three types of activists in the Middle East, and here are the characteristics:

• Radicals: “Islam is the answer, jihad is the way.”
• Reformers: “Islam is the answer, but jihad is not the way.”
• Revivalists: “Islam is not the answer, and jihad is not the way.  Jesus is the way.”

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (leader of ISIS) and Osama bin Laden are examples of Radicals.  Jordan’s King Abdullah is a Reformer.  In the past few days we have met three Revivalists: Hormoz Shariat, Tass Saada, and Reza Kahlili.  Today we’ll meet Mosab Hassan Yousef.

Born in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Mosab is the oldest son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a founder of Hamas (a Palestinian terrorist group).  Groomed to follow in his father’s footsteps, Mosab’s hatred of Israel grew quickly and deeply as he witnessed his father’s repeated arrests.  By age 17, Mosab was stockpiling guns in the West Bank for the purpose of perpetrating terrorist acts against Israelis.

He was eventually arrested and imprisoned in Israel.  It was there he saw the “prison within a prison,” Hamas prisoners ruling over others and torturing them.  He became disgusted by Hamas tactics and realized the terror they perpetrated.  Just out of prison, he became an informant to the Israeli intelligence agency (Shin Bet), revealing insider information regarding the inner workings of Hamas.  During his 10-year stint as a spy an incredible relationship developed between Mosab and his Israeli handler.

Ultimately, he renounced Islam and professed saving faith in Jesus Christ. Later, he came to America under the pretense of having corrective surgery to his jaw that was broken while in prison.  However, his real ambition was to seek asylum in the US.  He was unsuccessful in his first attempt because Homeland Security held suspicions that he was a spy for Hamas.  Hearing that news, his Israeli handler outed himself (a very rare and dangerous move by intelligence agents) in order to come to America to stand as witness for Mosab.

Mosab was indeed granted asylum by the US in 2010, and he now openly shares his testimony and is often interviewed by news agencies seeking insight into activities involving Hamas.  You can read his story in the book, Son of Hamas.

Mosab Hassan Yousef loves his people (Palestinians) and wishes for their true freedom.  However, he also sees the flaws of a tyrannical system that not only takes advantage of its people, but also terrorizes Israel and others in its quest to one day establish a worldwide caliphate.

Hear Mosab’s testimony in his own words:

Also, click here to hear Mosab’s 15-minute speech to Germany’s Israel Kongress, where he acknowledges Israel as “my country.”  It is a very moving speech, well worth a few minutes.

Though all may look bleak in our world today, and though it may seem that the Middle East is filled with terrorists, be encouraged that God is at work there!  The four Revivalists we’ve met over the past few days are only a very few of the remarkable testimonies coming out of Arab lands.  Friends, will you commit to pray for believers in those lands?  Will you pray for those who are bold enough to proclaim the Gospel, even at the threat of death?  Will you pray that Jesus will continue to appear in dreams and visions to those who may not see Jesus in any other way?  Jesus is alive and well in the Middle East!  Let’s rattle the gates of heaven with prayer for all in that region to seek the One True God!

Be blessed!