A Persian migrant arrived at a refugee center at 6 a.m., visibly upset. He told his story to a Persian pastor: During the night he saw someone dressed in white raise his hand and say, "Stand up and follow me." The Persian man said, "Who are you?" the man in white replied, "I am the Alpha and the Omega. I'm the way to heaven. No one can go to the father, except through me." He began to ask the Persian pastor: "Who is he? What am I going to do? Why did he ask me to follow him? How shall I go? Tell me." The pastor opened his Bible to the book of Revelation and led this man to Christ. When Muslim converts are asked the reasons for their conversion to Christianity many of their responses were what you would expect: the love of God, a changing view of the Bible, and attraction to Christians who loved others, etc. But the response that surprised many was the large number, one study recording 25% of respondents came to Christ after a dream or vision. Some that I have shared with in the United States have said that if they only would get a supernatural vision, then they would believe. But that is not how God works. God is not a traveling sideshow to stimulate the curiosity or to give thrills to unbelievers. He is faithful to give people what they need so that there will be no excuse for their decision whether or not to follow Him. In the United States, visions are less, because the Bible is readily available to the multitudes. But in nations where persecution is rampant, visions and dreams are happening more than any of us realize.

To understand the beginning of 2 Corinthians 12, we must go back to Acts 14:19-20. Paul was preaching in Lystra, when we read, "Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe." Stoning is a very effective form of capital punishment, where the one being stoned is placed in a pit while others heave stones on the victim. Most experts feel Paul literally died at this moment, then came back to life. It was from this experience that we now turn to 2 Corinthians 12:1-6. We read in 12:3-6, "And I know such a man - whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows - how he was caught up to Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me." Paul had a grueling and very dangerous ministry. Literally going into one enemy area to another, constantly under the threat of death, yet approaching each city in boldness. God prepared Paul by giving him a glimpse of eternity. Knowing for a fact what was already prepared for him, he had nothing to fear, and could write in Philippians 1:21, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

God will give us various experiences to further our walk with Him. These experiences will sharpen our focus on Him. Paul realized that if he detailed exactly what he had seen and experienced, others would put him on a pedestal and think more highly of him. This is not the goal of our walk with God. We are merely vessels to draw others into a relationship with Jesus Christ or strengthen our brothers and sisters in Christ. That's why Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Many question God's fairness highlighting those in persecuted nations who they feel have no way of hearing the gospel message. God has that taken care of, whether through missionaries or through dreams and visions. Many question their own abilities or state their fear of entering unknown situations for the sake of Christ. God also has that taken care of, but many of us will never experience this until we are willing to actually step out in faith. Paul who withstood so much for the sake of Christ was able to say in 2 Corinthians 12:10, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Our strength rests in Him, not our own innate abilities.