Twice Dead, Once Alive: A Journey from Islam to Jesus Christ

Twice Dead, Once Alive: A Journey from Islam to Jesus Christ
By Bobby Darvish
darvishintelligence.blogspot.com

Life is full of unexpected turns, but few are as dramatic as dying twice and coming back with a renewed perspective on faith. As an Iranian-American born into Islam, my journey has been shaped by profound life-and-death experiences and a dream that confirmed the divinity of Jesus Christ. These events led me to reject Islam and embrace Jesus Christ as my Savior and God.

First Death: A Fractured Femur and a Glimpse Beyond

At the age of 14, I suffered a catastrophic femur fracture in an accident that would forever alter my life. The emergency room became a battleground for my survival as the medical team administered morphine to manage my pain. Tragically, the morphine caused an adverse reaction, and I was declared clinically dead.

During this time, I had what is often referred to as a near-death experience (NDE). I felt myself outside my body, watching the frantic efforts to revive me. Surprisingly, I was at peace—calm and detached from the chaos around me. There was no fear, only an indescribable serenity.

Second Death: Bone Graft Surgery Gone Wrong

Three years later, at 17, I underwent a complex bone graft surgery. The procedure involved transferring bone from my fibula to my femur head, but complications arose, and I lost five pints of blood. Once again, I was clinically dead.

This second NDE, however, was different. In this experience, I had a vivid and profound dream—one that I can only describe as a divine revelation.

The Lucid Dream: Walking on the Road to Emmaus

This dream was not an NDE but an out-of-body experience that felt just as real. In this lucid dream, I found myself on the road to Emmaus, not as myself, but in the body of Jesus Christ. I walked alongside two disciples who were discussing the recent crucifixion. They did not recognize me as Christ, even though I was with them.

As we walked, I felt an overwhelming sense of divine purpose. When we arrived at their home, they invited me in, and I broke bread with them. At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they recognized me as Jesus. The intensity of this dream left me with an unshakable conviction: Jesus Christ is God.

The Journey to Truth

These experiences shook the foundation of my faith in Islam. As a former executive director at CAIR Columbus and president of the Muslim Forum of Utah, my life had been deeply intertwined with promoting Islamic ideals. Yet, I could no longer reconcile the truth I had encountered with the teachings of Islam.

I began to study Christianity, not out of curiosity, but out of necessity. The peace and clarity I felt during my encounters with death and in the lucid dream on the road to Emmaus confirmed what I read in scripture:

• Jesus Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).
• His resurrection is the cornerstone of faith, as illustrated in the account of the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).
• He is "the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth" (Revelation 1:5).

Leaving Islam was not easy. It meant walking away from a faith that had defined my identity and career. But the peace I found in Jesus Christ was unlike anything Islam could offer.

A New Life in Christ

As an Iranian-American, former Muslim, and Christian conservative member of the LDS Church, I now live with the certainty that Jesus Christ is God. My experiences have reshaped my understanding of faith, life, and eternity.

I share my story not to condemn, but to testify of the transformative power of Christ. My life is no longer defined by fear or doubt, but by the peace and joy of knowing Jesus as my Savior. Twice, I faced death, but it is through Him that I have truly come alive.

Citations

• "Road to Emmaus: The Appearance of Jesus to the Disciples." Luke 24:13-35, The Holy Bible.
• "The Truth of the Resurrection." John 14:6, The Holy Bible.
• "The Testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 1:5, The Holy Bible.