Riaan Swiegelaar was the co-founder of a satanic movement in South Africa – and was respected by all those who hated the light.
But after meeting Christians in real life and seeing the love of Christ exude out of them – it deeply affected him more than he realized.
Then one day as Swiegelaar was performing a satanic ritual by himself, he encountered the love of Christ – and everything changed.
At first, when Swiegelaar made the decision to leave the South African Satanic Church – he planned to just slip out – not thinking anyone would care.
But then people kept asking him why he left – which compelled him to share his personal testimony.
Swiegelaar shared that he was drawn to satanism because it “resonated with him” – as he was a broken and sad person.
He pointed out that satanism often draws people who are broken and hurt individuals – as the satanic material is written out of a place of anger.
By contrast, Swiegelaar was drawn to Christianity when he experienced the unconditional love from four separate Christians – something he never experienced before. Through tears – in his testimony, he admitted he received love when he was a “monster” and even an “ugly” person.
During his last interview as a satanist, Swiegelaar shared the moment where everything changed.
He was talking on a radio talk show, denying his belief in Jesus.
CBN News reported:
“I told her, ‘I don’t believe in Jesus and I don’t believe Jesus Christ exists’ because I didn’t. She came to me after the interview, after I said that and she hugged me and she held me in a way that I’ve never been loved,” Swiegelaar said.
This simple moment of love changed him – and he felt so accepted – and it stayed with him.
The one night as he was doing a satanic ritual – Swiegelaar mentioned Jesus appeared.
CBN News continued:
“I did this ritual and I opened myself up and Jesus appeared and I was extremely cocky and I said, ‘if you are Jesus, you need to prove it.’
“And He flooded me with the most beautiful love and energy and I recognized it immediately because that woman at the radio station showed it to me. That’s how I recognized the love of Christ.”
What a beautiful testimony!
We often don’t realize just how much our Christian witness can change the life of another.
The true love of Christ compels us – and others can see it.
Swiegelaar pointed out how some people often attack satanists with spiritual warfare – but said it’s only the unconditional love of Christ that changed him.
The love and power of Christ can change a person – any person – just like it did this former satanic leader.
Satan is the ultimate deceiver – and often keeps people trapped in darkness.
But only the truth of the power of Jesus can set the captives free.
God’s done it before – and He can do it again.
We wish Riaan Swiegelaar all the blessings in the world as he pays forward the grace he’s been given to help lead others to Christ.
What are your thoughts on Riaan Swiegelaar’s testimony?
Which part of his testimony moved you the most?
You can post your answers to our Facebook page and join in the conversation with other believers from all around the world.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17
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