Pastor of Air Asia Victims Encounters Heavenly Vision in Midst of Tragedy

Jessilyn Justice : Jan 15, 2015
Charisma News

"My faith in Jesus hasn't changed, for it was never circumstantial in the first place. Christ is my Lord in all the seasons of my life, whether joyous or sad. When my faith hits rock bottom, then my bottom is the Rock. Then, my faith gets even stronger than ever!" -Philip Mantofa, pastor of church which lost 45 members in Air Asia flight crash

(Indonesia)—When Air Asia Flight 8501 crashed into the ocean late last year, hundreds of families and friends suffered dear losses—but none so acutely as Mawar Sharon Church (Rose of Sharon), in Surabaya, Indonesia. (Photo: Reuters, Darren Whiteside)

The congregation had 45 people—more than a quarter of the passengers—on the plane. But for Pastor Philip Mantofa, the loss has catapulted his church into the spotlight. Now, Mantofa is speaking out on how this tragedy has strengthened his faith and given him glimpses of Heaven.

Charisma News: How has your faith aided you in such a tragedy?

Mantofa: Faith is the only thing I have. Though I can't quite make sense of it all, my faith in God has not been shaken. God is not evil, and surely this accident is not His fault. Could He not have prevented this? Of course, He can! But if He has not, He is greater than my thoughts. God has not promised us a smooth life in this imperfect world; but He has promised to be with us through it all. Here in Indonesia, Jesus isn't only to live for; He is to die for! I will follow Him no matter what, and others will follow me as I follow Christ. Finally, as His love is unconditional to us, so our faith should be unconditional to Him. The Lord gives, the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord!

Charisma News: What has the Holy Spirit taught you in this time?

Mantofa: That no one is exempt from suffering. That crash, it could have been me in it or anybody. Nobody is special, not even Christians or preachers—only Jesus is! We are only loved. The only thing that is certain in this life is our salvation. Blessed are they whose names have been written in the Book of Life!

Charisma News: How has this affected your personal faith?

Mantofa: My faith in Jesus hasn't changed, for it was never circumstantial in the first place. Christ is my Lord in all the seasons of my life, whether joyous or sad. When my faith hits rock bottom, then my bottom is the Rock. Then, my faith gets even stronger than ever!

Mantofa's Supernatural Vision from Heaven
Upon the accident which befell Air Asia flight QZ 8501 in December 2014, God showed me this imagery... From the deep ocean, the souls of men and women endeared to many and beloved by God ascended to Heaven by the way of the Cross. They marched into glory in white arrays.

Though all human lives are but like smoke which evaporates too quickly, blessed are those whose names have been written in the Book of Life. The Lamb of God will wipe every remaining tear from their eyes, and they shall live as stars and diamonds in the sky, as angels on high, and as sons and daughters of the King of Heaven. So, let go and let God!

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