Real Revival
Revival is not a church program. It is part of God's plan for the Church and ultimately its influence on society. The early New Testament Church must have undergone a series of revivals. We read about what happened on Pentecost in Acts Chapter 2. We then read what happened in Acts Chapter 4. In both cases God poured out His power and blessing on the Church leaders who were in prayer.
Revival is about repentance. It is about dying to self. It is about restoring that which was dead. It should be continuous. The Apostle Paul wrote that he died daily. What has prevented revival is packaging of past revivals. We resist change, even for the better.
Revival is not about signs and wonders. It is not about the supernatural. Certain events and experiences may occur by the hand of God, but if there is no repentance there is no real revival. Satan can easily counterfeit signs and wonders. That should not be a surprise. What is a surprise is how little discerning there is in the American Church today. Why is that? We worship signs. When this happens God sends a strong delusion to test our hearts. Where is our heart today? Is it in God and His revival? Or is it in our imaginations of the heart that Satan so easily provides?
Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Jesus was anointed for a purpose. The passage above from Isaiah tells of that purpose. This was the text Jesus preached from in His home town of Nazareth. There He declared the true purpose of His anointing and of every anointing from God. True believers have been deputized by Christ for this same purpose.
Are the apostles and prophets of today anointed to carry on the mission of Chris? We must examine their fruit. Is God being glorified? Are people repenting of their sin and seeking the righteousness of Christ? Are people being delivered from bondage? Is there joyful praise on their lips? Signs and wonders are secondary to the purposes of God. What are primary is setting the captives free and proclaiming the favorable Day of the Lord. However, the Day of the Lord will not be favorable to everyone. It will be a day of vengeance for those who refuse to repent and for those who glorify themselves and not God.
God is in the revival business. He wants to restore His kingdom on earth. He wants to renew and reform His church. He wants to refresh and strengthen His faithful workers. But we cannot expect Him to bless the status quo in today's American Church and American society. And we cannot expect Him to be impressed with today's signs and wonders. Jesus said:
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:15-23