Saving Rudolph

“Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity…” 2 Timothy 1:9, NAS.

Rudolph is a 55 year old Javanese man who was named for the Dutch lyricist who wrote the words to the Indonesian national anthem. He had come to faith in Jesus from an Islamic background after having a series of dreams.

Though he thought it was wrong at the time, Rudolph attended church services at the invitation of a family member. After going to church he began having dreams. In the first dream he was on a ship. A big storm came up and the ship began to sink. He looked toward heaven and a big arm stretched down to him. A voice said, “Here is salvation; take it or leave it.” In the second dream he found himself in a burning house. A large man with an aura of light surrounding him picked Rudolph up and carried him out of the fire. In the third and final dream Rudolph found himself in a pitch dark room. A voice said, “If you want salvation stand up, turn right and walk.”

Rudolph said, “It’s too dark. I can’t do it.”

“Just do it,” the voice boomed back. Rudolph began walking and it was like going through a curtain from pitch black to bright light.

The next day Rudolph went to the church he had visited. The pastor showed Rudolph several scripture passages and said, “Jesus is offering you salvation, but that offer won’t be available forever. You need to make a decision now.” Rudolph considered the dreams and decided to follow the one who had extended the personal offer of salvation.

Dreams are taken very seriously in Rudolph’s culture. Many people gain the courage and conviction to follow Jesus after having dreams and visions. If a person gives an intellectual reason for following after Jesus, they will almost always meet resistance. If the same person is following a dream or vision from God, they are usually accepted.

Pray that:

God will send dreams and visions in connection with believers sharing the Gospel so that many Indonesians will hear and be saved.

When people come to the point of decision they, like Rudolph, will have courage to accept Christ’s personal offer of salvation.