Days before he was executed, an Iranian Christian man reaffirmed Jesus' power over the devil and called his relationship with Christ the "best experience" of his brief life.
Alireza Asadi, one of 12 people executed near Tehran at the end of August, spoke with his brother, Mohsen, two days before his death. Earlier this month, Mohsen shared his brother's last words on Facebook.
"And Mohsen, I truly believe that there is a new season starting for me. And this new season is much, much more pleasant that the worldly life. This is what I truly believe," he said. "Even when I didn't repent I knew there is something. But now I believe surely about this new season and its existence. I can finally be in peace. I don't have any stress or bad feelings and everything goes well with me."
Asadi revealed that in the days before his death, he shared the Gospel with those imprisoned with him, many of whom were facing the death penalty for drug use: "For many of you it was a question if I am a Christian or not. But now I say that I am a Christian. And now I have one or two days til I will die. And I hope it will never happen to you guys. During these moments you forgive all the bad that has happen to you. But the most I want tell you is the best experience that I had. And that was meeting Jesus. And I don't want to force you guys, But please start to get to know Him. If you just read two sentences from the Bible, you will never leave it again."
When asked how his faith had developed in prison, Asadi shared how God used for good what man meant for evil.
"When I ended up here in prison I realized that God is the true God. I wanted God to show himself to me," he recalled. "I needed peace, He was there. I lost many friends, but I know that I could find my comfort in Him. And when I commanded the devil to leave, I saw that the evil didn't dare to come near me anymore. I felt and saw that the name of Christ is the name above all names. And that the enemy doesn't have any authority over me anymore."
NCRI reported that the 12 individuals were executed in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, north-west of Tehran on August 27th, drawing widespread condemnation from human rights groups.
Shortly before his execution, Asadi emphasized that he was not afraid to die. However, he warned Muslim leaders they should fear God's impending judgement.
"That kind of life who Muslims leaders in Iran have is a really scary life, because of God's judgment on them and they should FEAR GOD (and repent)," he said. ''I am going to be with LORD who is LOVE and I will hug him and he will hug me also, and I know it. Be happy for me."
Pastor Saeed Abedini, who suffered for several years in an Iranian prison before his release earlier this year, shared Asadi's story on Facebook and urged Christians worldwide to pray that God would soften the hearts of Muslim leaders in the Middle East.
"We rejoice with him because we know he is with Lord Jesus Christ today and we know Lord will punish evils but we pray that Lord forgive them and save them from their evil ways," he wrote.
"Ali's testimony who turned to Christ in prison is amazing! His body is dead today but his testimony is ALIVE! He is with King now and He has been receiving his crown of Glory from King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
