By John Abiola
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” — John 10:10
One man influenced by Satan can bring destruction to multitudes. One man surrendered to Jesus Christ can become an instrument of salvation to nations. One life, two possible destinies.
THE TRAGEDY OF IGNORING A WARNING
In Jeremiah 40:13–16, Johanan warned Gedaliah, governor of the remnant of Judah, that Ishmael son of Nethaniah was plotting to kill him. He even offered to stop Ishmael secretly. Gedaliah refused to believe the warning.
In Jeremiah 41, the tragedy happened. Ishmael murdered Gedaliah and many others at Mizpah and took the people captive. Johanan later rescued them, but the damage was done.
The warning was given, but it was ignored. The consequence went far beyond one man.
One person’s decision in a position of responsibility can endanger many lives.
WHEN EVIL GAINS POWER
History gives us a larger example — Adolf Hitler and the Second World War.
Under Hitler’s Nazi regime, six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust, along with millions of others. The war that began with Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939 caused tens of millions of deaths and reshaped the world.
This is what happens when hatred and unchecked power are allowed to operate. One man’s influence, combined with deception, satanic influence and the cooperation of others, contributed to the destruction of millions.
TWO MISSIONS
Jesus made the contrast clear in John 10:10. There are two missions at work in this world.
Satan’s mission is to steal, kill and destroy through deception, hatred, bondage and pride.
Christ’s mission is to give life — to deliver people from darkness, reconcile sinners to God, and bring abundant life in Him.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world…” — Ephesians 6:12.
The question is not whether you have influence. The question is: whose purpose is your life serving?
IMAGINE ONE LIFE SURRENDERED TO JESUS
Now imagine the opposite.
One person encounters Jesus, truly repents, and surrenders completely to Him. He becomes a faithful intercessor, a preacher, a gospel musician, a missionary, a writer.
His influence moves from one family to a community, from a community to a nation, and from a nation to the ends of the earth.
A prayer he prays sustains a missionary. A message he writes outlives him.
We cannot calculate the eternal result of one obedient life.
FROM ONE STREET ENCOUNTER TO 109 MILLION RESPONSES
This is not theory.
Harun Ibrahim was an Arab Muslim born in Israel. According to CBN News on October 4, 2026, he married a devout Christian woman whose prayers were part of his journey.
On the street, a man challenged him to read the Gospel of John. Harun was offended at first, but he began to read. He fell in love with Jesus and gave his life to Him.
He later founded Al Hayat Ministries in 2003. Through television and the internet, the ministry has reported over 100,000 people coming to faith, with 109 million viewer responses in 2023 alone.
One conversation on the street became part of a chain that reached millions.
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” — Mark 16:15.
MY PERSONAL TESTIMONY: FROM A SECOND-HAND BOOK TO A LIFE OF INTERCESSION
This same principle is true in my own life.
About eight years ago, in 2018, during persistent intercession for worldwide revival, I received an encouragement that greatly strengthened my faith. In that experience, I understood that through persistent prayers, travail, fasting and the Revive Us Again series, God had raised seven million intercessors across 160 countries. I recognise that only God knows the accurate statistics and the full extent of His work; no human being can establish the complete impact.
Looking back, I can trace part of the foundation of my salvation to a second-hand book I saw displayed on the floor by booksellers. It was written by American Evangelist Billy Graham. Something about it caught my attention. I picked it up, purchased it, and read it.
A few weeks later, on 20 July 1992, while I was on my way to shop in Kano State, northern Nigeria, I heard a voice behind me saying: “John, you need to be born again.” I turned immediately, but there was nobody behind me. That moment brought me to a deep realisation of my sinful condition and my need for salvation through Jesus Christ. It was a defining moment, comparable in its significance to Paul’s encounter on the road to Damascus.
Four years later, in 1996, God called me into the ministry of prayer and intercession. That calling became the foundation of my life’s work — praying for revival, repentance and awakening among the nations.
As I reflect today, I recognise that a seemingly ordinary encounter with a second-hand book became part of the events that preceded my personal encounter with Jesus Christ. I cannot fully measure the influence of that book, just as I cannot fully measure the impact of every prayer and every edition of the Revive Us Again series.
The testimony concerning seven million intercessors remains a source of encouragement to me, but I leave the accurate record and ultimate results in God’s hands. My prayer is that my life, intercession and writings will continue to fulfil God’s purpose: to see people saved, the Church awakened, and nations turned to Christ.
What appears small — a second-hand book, a street conversation — can be used by God for a much larger purpose. Our responsibility is to be faithful. The increase belongs to God.
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” — 1 Corinthians 3:6.
WHO IS INFLUENCING YOU?
Bring this home.
Who is influencing your heart, your thinking, and your decisions? Is it hatred, pride, greed, the devil or selfish ambition? Are you using your position, talent, business, or ministry to oppress others or to advance yourself?
Or are you allowing Jesus Christ to transform your heart?
Do not measure your life by possessions, titles, or popularity. Measure it by its fruit. Are people drawn towards truth or deception, holiness or corruption, life or destruction because of you?
You may never stand before a crowd. But your prayers, your witness, and your obedience can help bring the gospel to people who would otherwise never have heard it.
Jesus gave His followers one mission:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” — Matthew 28:19–20.
FINAL CALL: CHOOSE WHOM YOU WILL SERVE
Today the question is personal:
Whose mission are you fulfilling?
Whose work are you advancing — darkness or the Kingdom of God? Whom are you living for — yourself, devil or Jesus Christ?
If you have been walking in sin, repent and turn to Jesus. If you are a believer, renew your commitment and let Christ be Lord of all you have.
“…choose you this day whom ye will serve; …but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15.
ONE MAN. ONE LIFE. ONE DECISION.
A life influenced by evil spreads destruction.
A life transformed by Christ becomes an instrument of salvation and hope.
Whose mission are you fulfilling?
By Prophet John Abiola.
Intercessor | Revival Voice.
Revive Us Again Series 154.
Revive Us Again — A Global Prayer Movement for Worldwide Revival.
Revive Us Again is a call for the Church to return to God, recover the altar of prayer, repent of sin, receive spiritual awakening, and become a praying and witnessing people through whom revival can reach the nations.
Nigeria Global Intercessors (NGI)
Email: globalintercessors7@gmail.com
