Originally published in Christian Today
The former leader of the Palestine Liberation Organisation may have become a Christian before his death ten years ago, it has been claimed.
In an interview with Premier Christianity magazine, prominent author and pastor RT Kendall says he once watched ‘The Passion of the Christ’ with Yasser Arafat, who died on November 11, 2004.
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The Palestinian leader apparently wept during the film and over a period of five visits with Kendall, asked to hear more about Jesus.
“It wouldn’t surprise me to see him in heaven,” Kendall said.
“I’ll tell you why; I prayed with him five times, anointed him with oil. I gave him a [salvation] prayer. I’m not saying I know that he’s saved; I’m saying I wouldn’t be surprised.”
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Arafat caused much controversy during his leadership. Regarded as corrupt and a terrorist by critics and a freedom-fighting hero by his followers, he received the Nobel Preace Prize in 1994, along with Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres, for his role in the Oslo negotiations to end conflict between Israel and Palestine.
RT Kendall says he prayed with Arafat at least five times before he died.
US President George Bush described his death aged 75 as a “significant moment” in Palestinian history, while German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said Arafat’s life stood for “the varied and tragic history of the Palestinian people and the Middle East as a whole”.
“In it were reflected many people’s hopes for peace, but time and again also their disappointments and setbacks,” he said.
The World Council of Churches said Arafat would be remembered “for bringing the Palestinian people together and for his unique and tenacious contribution to the cause of establishing their national home.”
“We stand with the Churches of the Holy Land to honour his commitment to their place in the Palestinian society, its affairs and its future,” a statement from the WCC continued.
“President Arafat often made sure to mention the church as well as the mosque as core institutions of Palestinian national life.”
“…the church as well as the mosque…” – anti-Christ syncretism.
I agree 100% – this IS anti-Christ syncretism.
Identify Chrislam and do not be drawn into it or deceived by it. On the matter of Arafat…I sincerely hope he found and accepted the grace of Jesus before his death.
Who know, Arrafat might be in heaven and that would be wonderful. But lest us not be deceived by Chrislam. Christians must not compromise.
If Arafat turned to Jesus before he died the angels in heaven would have celebrated. I am not so sure about some of us who are so religiously correct that we miss the passion of Christ for the lost. Of course you cannot blend Islam and Christianity and sure the WCC view in the story sounds political. But, hey, this story is about the good news of Jesus being shared with a lost leader of a lost people. And what’s more it sounds like he just may have come to Jesus. Come on!
If I do remember correctly, the thief and robber next to Jesus made it to paradise just before his death. I believe with RD Kendall. WOW rejoice.
indeed,the passion of our Christ,,,and who are we?to throw the first stone? Hennie,you remember correct…Praise God, we will be surprised to see a whole lot of people in Heaven!!!may be even those given up( by ourselves)