Iran's Great Awakening: How God is Using a Muslim Convert to Spark Revival

by Hormoz Shariat

ONE MILLION MUSLIMS TO CHRIST.  In the mid 1980’s, Dr. Shariat together with his wife, prayed, “Lord, use us to save Iran!” His passion for Muslims stems, in part, because of the murder of his brother, Hamraz, who was arrested in Iran at the age of sixteen on a minor political charge.  After two years in jail, he was executed by firing squad.  God showed Hormoz the best way to respond to this tragedy was to dedicate his life to bring one million Muslims to salvation in Christ.  Join Dr. Shariat on a journey out of bondage to Islam to freedom in Christ. Learn what the Bible says about Iran and why Iran is just the beginning of something big, eternal, and of historical proportion that is already happening!  God said, “I am going to do a great work in Iran and change that nation forever, and I am giving you the honor to be a part of it.”

Genres: Christianity, Biography, Religion, Nonfiction, Christian, History

224 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2020

Reviews

[Adam Balshan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars [Foreign Affairs]
(W: 2.5, U: 2.76, T: 3.06)
Exact rating: 2.77

Shariat's first publication mixes three genres into a decent book.

Part I (P: 2.75, T: 3) is 70 pages of biography which relate his time in revolutionary Iran and pastoral struggles in California.

Part II (U: 2.5, T: 2) is 50 pages of attempted exegesis which unfortunately evinces a tenuous understanding of Hebrew lexico-semantics. However, these errors did not significantly alter the theological message of his pericope, Jeremiah 49:34-39. His prophetic interpretation is feasible and not to be discarded out of hand.

Part III (U: 3, T: 4) was 60 pages of foreign affairs/civics material about biblical history of Iran, current attitudes in Iran, and a possible, bright future for Iran.

Readers of this review ought to be told that my literary criteria are very stringent, and the largest percentage of books deserve a 2.5 star rating. Shariat edges over Reza Safa's somewhat similar work, The Coming Fall of Islam in Iran (exact rating: 2.75).

I do recommend reading this book if one is interested in Christianity in Iran; just ignore the bits in Part II which mildly misconstrue the meanings of biblical language lexemes.

[Acacia Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covered a bit of personal story, a bit of how the Iranian church is growing now, and a lot about prophecies related to Iran may come about.
I did struggle a bit with how much this book went through the prophecies which may happen in Iran, but I do appriciate that he based all of them in scripture as opposed to speculation. However, I wasn't sure about the author's claim that Iran would eventually be a Christian state because it sounded like he was saying that it would be a kind of utopia, which I don't believe will happen before Christ comes back.
Essentially, I would have loved to hear more about the current Iranian church and less about possible future interpretations. However, I am so glad to hear what God is doing!

[Evonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good! The first third covers the author's personal story. Good. The second third covers the Jeremiah 49 prophecy about Elam (Iran) and oh my! This book was published in 2020, and this is 2024. Just last week Iran bombed Israel, and just this week Israel retaliated. This section absolutely came to life. The last third of the book talks about the final outcome of all this battle according to a variety of Old Testament passages. I loved reading about how God plans to bring blessing to all the world through Iran, because of the good things Persia (another area that is also currently Iran) has done for Israel in the past, remembering that five books of the bible were written in Persian (Iran).

Very insightful book. I'll be coming back to it yet.

[Elizabeth Braden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr, Hormoz Shariat has written an outstanding book about Iran's Great awakening. In the first part of this book, he discusses his journey out of Islam. He includes struggles with his marriage and how he came to know the Lord. Dr. Shariat also discusses and describes how his brother was killed by the Iranian government and then Dr. Shariat's mother had to pay the government for the bullets they used to kill her son. The second part of the book is where he discusses how Iran will be a Christian nation and he discussed and teaches from Jeremiah 49:34-39 where the prophet Jeremiah writes about how God says He will set My throne in Elam, which is part of Persia/Iran. This was a fascinating prophecy that I had read before, but I didn't understand these verses until Dr. Hormoz Shariat explained them to us in this part of the book. This is a very interesting study, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who would like to know more about how Iran will be blessed one day. In the third part of this book, Dr. Shariat discusses how Iran has become the fastest-growing Christian population. He also discussed how for over forty years Iran has gone from the Iranian revolution in 1979 to revival. There are so many other parts of this book that I believe is outstanding. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to know more about the people of Iran and the growth or rather explosion of Christianity in Iran.

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

A könyv sokkal nagyobb hangsúlyt helyez a próféciák elemzésére, mint a történet mesélésre. Ez egyrészt meglepett, de másrészt inspiráló volt látni, hogy a szerző milyen komolyan vette, hogy ahol a Bibliában Elám vagy Perzsia szerepel, az mind a mai Irán jövőjét vázolja fel. Teljesen optimista meggyőződéssel szemléli az Iráni Iszlám Köztársaságot (amelynek a kormánya ma egy kivégzőosztag), mert két lábbal áll arra az ígéretre, hogy "az Úr Perzsiába fogja helyezni a trónszékét", vagyis Irán meg fog térni. Tetszett a szemléletmód, hogy nem a múltja alapján néz egy országot, hanem a jövője alapján.
Mindezek mellett persze betekintést nyerhettünk az iráni keresztények hősies hitére is, ami erős önvizsgálatra indít, hogy a mi hitünk is juthatna-e magasabb szintre, és tudnánk-e az életkörülményeinket, karrierünket, vagy akár az életünket beáldozni Jézus Krisztusért.
A perzsa keresztények válasza egyértelmű: korábban készek lettek volna Allahért mártírhalált halni - most sokkal inkább képesek vállalni a halált Jézusért!

[Eric Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shariat encourages the reader with the story of his own conversion then calling to become a media evangelist to his own people in Iran. The book thrills us with the phenomenal work God is doing in Iran. The growth of the Church reminds us of the book of Acts. He also explains how modern Iran operates including their relationship to America and Israel. He illustrates why most Iranians are fed up with Islam and their leaders. Islam in Iran rules by fear, persecution and execution through the fiat of the supreme leader. As a result the general population has come to abhor Islam and be open to the Gospel as well as western freedom and democracy.

Shariat also explains what the Bible has to say about Persia. It is illuminating and quite helpful, but I was not as convinced when he got into his interpretations of prophecy for Iran and his predictions about how it will become a Christian nation.

[Julie Warrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraging and Challenging.

I saw Hormoz interviewed on Jimmy Evan’s YouTube channel, Tipping Point. The love of Jesus just exuded from him and I immediately purchased this book.
It is well written and easy to read, although content can be harrowing and challenging.
I am so glad that I have taken the time to read this as it has certainly helped me to understand how the current regime came to power in Iran and to understand a clearer picture of what is going on there.
We have heard stories for some years of Iranian’s coming to Jesus having met Him in dreams and visions as the man in white. And the fact that the mosques are emptier than they have ever been whilst the church is growing phenomenally. However, this book gives much more detail which really helps to pray more intelligently for Iran - especially at this time of war.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading his next one!
Many blessings Hormoz and much prayer for your beloved nation.

[Matej Mehmedhajic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jimmy Evan'ın YouTube kanalı Tipping Point'te Hormoz'u röportaj yaparken gördüm. İsa'nın sevgisi ondan adeta fışkırıyordu ve hemen bu kitabı satın aldım. İyi yazılmış ve okuması kolay, ancak içerik bazen zorlayıcı ve sarsıcı olabiliyor. Bu kitabı okumak için zaman ayırdığım için çok mutluyum çünkü bu, mevcut rejimin İran'da nasıl iktidara geldiğini ve orada neler olup bittiğine dair daha net bir resmi anlamama kesinlikle yardımcı oldu. Birkaç yıldır, İranlıların rüyalarında ve görümlerinde beyaz elbiseli adam olarak O'nu bulduktan sonra İsa'ya geldiklerine dair hikayeler duyuyorduk. Ve camilerin her zamankinden daha boşken kilisenin inanılmaz bir şekilde büyüdüğü gerçeği. Ancak, bu kitap, özellikle bu savaş zamanında İran için daha akıllıca dua etmeye gerçekten yardımcı olan çok daha fazla detay veriyor. Bu kitabı şiddetle tavsiye ediyor ve bir sonrakini okumak için sabırsızlanıyorum! Hormoz'a çokça bereket ve sevgili vatanın için bol dua.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mixed feelings on this one. I thought it was going to give definite information on how Iran is experiencing a revival: examples, stories, and a lot of information. Instead the book was mostly filled with sweeping claims that didn't seem well substantiated. There were a few notes at the end but not many. It was primarily a Bible study of a passage in Jeremiah and many very general statements about how Iran is becoming a Christian nation. Also, much information was repeated and there were also errors - not on every page, but enough to be noticeable. I didn't think that the book lived up to the billing of the title.
I also have looked up New Apostolic Reformation Theology since reading the book, and the Seven Mountain Mandate, which I now see that Chapter 13 is straight from, and that gives me even more pause about this book.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Current Revolution of Godliness in Iran

What a joy it has been to read of God working miracles in in the Muslim nation of Iran!! Where is I used to fear or condemn the work of Islam, comma I cannot see how God is performing for me a miraculous revival it's revival as the people in this nation are nation are turning by the multitudes to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who is working miracles in the country of Iran. Many Scriptures which have been a mystery to me have now been made clear! I commit to pray daily for Iran.

[T almadge Lloyd Robinette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The hand of God

I am currently on a 40 day prayer journey with no agenda. On day 15 God led me to this book. From page one God started revealing He had much to show me in the pages ahead. On day 16, today, God showed me a picture of an answer to no agenda 40 days of prayer. God is leading me to do several 40 day prayer journeys in places of his choosing. This book is part of God's revelation.

[Katie Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars—this is a truly inspiring read and I think it’s worth it for believers to understand how other believers live out their faith in areas where it’s dangerous to believe. The author lost me a little during the prophecy section — it was interesting but it’s one interpretation. I do think his passion for his people is incredible, and his perseverance in the midst of many obstacles is something I admire.

[Melissa Tyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another man who likes to think he speaks for God. So what do you rate it then? Five because he's literate? Or none because you can feel the snakes coiling up in your own gut? And then I guess you need to ask yourself - Does Iran want to become a Christian nation because its crusading for Christ? -or because it wants to control the Christian narrative?

I, for one, have little interest in who it is who's carrying the bigger cross.

[Romy P. Arcilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anointed ministry

Your passion to know Our Lord Jesus as well as your living a dedicated life for His Kingdom are so inspiring. Thank you for your faith and for writing your walk with the Lord through this book. May you be blessed even more by God over and above your expectations. We will continue to pray for all the Iranian people and for Iran as well.

[Tim Genry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of this book is really good but then the author shifts into interpreting prophecy for Iran. That was a shift I wasn’t expecting nor did I feel like it added any substance to the book. Of course that is just my opinion. The very end of the book circled back to the story of conversions among the people of Iran which I found of great interest.

[Allan Nemer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I had a suspicion throughout the book, it wasn't till I got to page 173, chapter 13 that I saw the problem. The author promotes NAR/New Apostolic Reformation philosophy as biblical (seven mountain mandate). Sorry but the mandate for believers is to preach the good news and make disciples. Not take over the planet or country. Not interested! It is extra-biblical.

[Kenneth L. Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian discipleship

As a member The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I add my witness to the true nature of God and His son Jesus Christ as stated in Hormoz Shariat’s excellent book. Anyone who wants greater light and knowledge should read, study and apply these principles. I pray for the safety and peace of our Iranian brothers and sisters in Christ.

[Christine]

The edition I used was an audio-book (not listed in goodreads). The book was not what I expected as it largely dealt with prophecy and not Mr. Shariat's ministry as I thought it would. I would not recommend an audio-book for this type of content as it requires more attention and study.

[Kenneth E Nelson III · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

Great book - loved it. Very well written. Thank you for opening up my eyes! I had a hard time putting the book down.

[Lily]

The Spotify audiobook seems to be abridged. Interesting, American, evangelical Christian perspective. Typical confidence that their interpretation is correct.

[Blake Western · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are three sections in the book. In the first, which I think is the best, the author tells about his life and the beginning of the Iran Alive Ministry. The last two sections have Biblical interpretations which are somewhat controversial. The author's vision for Iran comes through clearly. I wish he would have shared more stories related to Christians in Iran.

[Linda Callahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I thought this was such a great book I ordered a copy just to share with others. It has impacted me, not only with the message but personally questioning my position in faith. I appreciated at the end of the chapters are questions to answer that pushed me to reflect on my own personal quest for God. I think it's excellent.

[Jeffrey Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Praise the Lord for God's work around the world!