Why we need Christian revivals and a global awakening
The following is taken from Global Revival: Worldwide Outpourings – Forty-Three Visitations of the Holy Spirit and is used by permission. The Lost Church Without revival the Church is lost in itself, its programmes, its routines, its religious rituals and trappings which are not effective in reaching out to the lost and hurting amongst humanity, and worst of all, the Church is not reflecting a true biblical representation of New Testament Christianity. Jesus is not being lifted up (in testimony, through evangelism and honoured) and therefore He cannot draw all men to Himself. The Church in general, is weak, frequently stagnant, and all too often dishonouring to the Lord by the lifestyles of its members, which causes the lost to blaspheme the name of God. Jesus said, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). If the Church does not see revival then the Church is sunk and will sink lower than the depths of the Titanic, thus making the chosen ones, the frozen ones. If we are frigid like an ice box then we cannot be on fire for the Lord. John Wesley, with his passionate preaching used to set himself on fire and let the people come out and watch him burn. Isaiah chapter five, the parable of the vineyard, is a good description of why we need revival. Whilst God is speaking about the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah; its spiritual principles and the parallel of the Church is very relevant for today. The Church should bring forth good grapes, but generally speaking, it has brought forth wild grapes (verse 2). Without God’s intervention, judgment is the only just cause and is inevitable (verses 5-7). The people of the world increase in sin, (as do many so called members of the Church), they heap up for themselves sin upon sin and draw iniquity with cords of vanity as if filling up a cart (verse 18). There is a lowering of morals to a mineshaft depth, calling evil good and good evil; they become proud, wise and being prudent in their own eyes, anything goes (verses 20-21). They despise God’s laws, the word of the Holy One, and therefore by rejecting Him, the anger of the Lord is aroused against His people (verses 24-25). As in the days of Judah’s idolatry ‘they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward…This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the Lord their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth’ (Jeremiah 7:24, 28). Without revival the Church regresses when it should be showing signs of progress. A. W. Tozer wrote: ‘The Church began in power, moved in power, and moved just as long as she had power. When she no longer had power she dug in for safety and sought to conserve her gains.’ Reasons for When a Revival is Needed – Charles Finney 1. When there is an absence of love, confidence, and unity amongst Christians. It is vain to call upon them to love one another while they are sunk in stupidity and coldness. 2. When there are jealousies, dissensions, bitterness, and evil speaking amongst Christians. 3. When the Church becomes worldly in dress, parties, amusements, reading novels and worldly books. 4. When professing Christians fall into gross and scandalous sins. [Thus they bring reproach on the name of Christ]. 5. When a spirit of controversy prevails among Christians. 6. When the wicked triumph over, and mock and scoff at the Church. [It appears that the Church is powerless]. 7. When sinners are careless and stupid (going down to hell unconcerned). The duty of Christians is to awake them, like that of a fireman in the case of a fire. Their guilt is similar to that of firemen who will sleep on when the city is ablaze. 8. Without a revival sinners will grow harder and harder under preaching. [More cynical and stubborn]. 9. There is no other way in which a Church can be sanctified, grow in grace and be ready for heaven. Hearing sermons week after week is not enough and every week it is more difficult to rouse the believer to do his duty. We Need Revival Because We need revival because without Jesus Christ no man can be saved. We should all be doing our bit for the Great Commission, financially and practically, witnessing about Christ (sharing the Good News and giving our testimony), by our lifestyle and a personal favourite of mine, distributing tracts and evangelistic pamphlets. Evangelism and personal witness, whilst sowing essential seed, compared to revival, has limited effectiveness as mans heart has grown harder and more cynical then ever before. Most people would not even dream of going to a church or to an evangelistic event, they’re scary places, but revival (in a unique way) does comprehensively what we cannot do effectively. Without revival people are damned and doomed for an eternity in hell, a place of eternal torment where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Those who have not believed in Christ stand condemned already (John 3:18) and the wrath of God abides on them as they have stored up wrath for the Judgment Day (Romans 2:5). ‘When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God [the unbeliever], and on those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ [sounds like church goers with the nickname Christian, those who profess Him in name, but deny Him in lifestyle]. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power’ (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). For His Name’s Sake There is a very present risk in seeking God’s hand for revival, for what He can give us, rather than seeking His face for what we can give Him, for a more intimate relationship, Jesus has to be at the centre of our lives, otherwise we may spin counter to His ways which He has planned for us. In times of revival, God will be supremely glorified and Jesus is exalted! Many of us want to see revival, but not many of us want to pay the price. Isaiah declared: ‘O Lord, we have waited for You; the desire of our soul is for Your name and for the remembrance of You’ (Isaiah 26:8). We need revival so that God can be glorified and given His rightful place within people’s hearts, instead of being blasphemed by foolish, unwise and perverted people. Used by permission from Global Revival: Worldwide Outpourings – Forty-Three Visitations of the Holy Spirit ‘If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land’ (2 Chronicles 7:14). Recommended Books: How Christianity Made the Modern World Revival Fires and Awakenings: Thirty-Six Visitations of the Holy Spirit Prophecy Now, Prophetic Words and Divine Revelations Heaven – A Journey to Paradise and the Heavenly City Global Revival: Worldwide Outpourings - Forty-Three Visitations of the Holy Spirit Revival Fire - 150 Years of Revivals: Spiritual Awakenings and Moves of the Holy Spirit Samuel Rees Howells: A Life of Intercession Samuel, Son and Successor of Rees Howells: Director of the Bible College of Wales The Exodus Evidence: The Bible’s Exodus Understanding Revival and Addressing the Issues it Provokes Recommended Revival DVD: Great Christian Revivals Thus says the Lord: “For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants and My blessing on your offspring” (Isaiah 44:3). REVIVAL LINKS ‘O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do it for Your name’s sake; for our backslidings are many, we have sinned against You’ (Jeremiah 14:7). |
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