For some time now, a year or two maybe, I've been hearing talk of revival. My first reaction was negative. I've seen and heard nothing that would indicate that God's people even know what revival is, let alone be ready for it.
Lord Jesus warned that a deception was coming that would deceive even the elect (Matthew 24:24). This has happened many times, especially during the genuine revivals in Wales and Azusa Street, both in the early 1900's. The most recent manifestation was the so-called Toronto Blessing. This was not a deception mixed in with the genuine. It was directly from the pit of hell. And many people were deceived.
The present "revival" has not been given a name. That makes it more difficult to identify. Many Christians have been programmed, so to speak, to accept the counterfeit as real. So I am concerned that the fake will be readily accepted. And this means Christians will be content with a fake instead of seeking God for reality and truth.
Signs of the false: (I suggest reading John 16 for confirmation )
1. Obsession with the "Holy" spirit. This is not the role of the Holy Spirit. His work is to take what is of Christ and make it known to God's people.
2. Christians glorifying the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus, not Himself. If a preacher is glorifying the Holy Spirit, he is not speaking with the power and authority of the true Holy Spirit.
3. Emphasis on signs and wonders, but not on Jesus, fruit and life.
4. Lack of truth. The last "revival" was full of deceptions. Unbelievers falling over and getting up claiming to be saved, for example. That's not how it goes.
5. Misunderstanding about the fire of God. It for sure is not something to seek. Visible signs such as halos and light around the hands are occult, not of God. "Fire" in God's word is about judgement, consuming sin and shaking sinners. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:27, 31, 12:29)
6. Relegating Lord Jesus to an inferior place to the Holy Spirit. This was commonplace during the Toronto Blessing time and is happening now. One so-called prophet stated that the Holy Spirit was Lord, based on one verse in the Bible. As I've said, the Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus. Jesus Himself said that He is Lord, God gave Him the position of King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Holy Spirit does not initiate anything. He takes what is of Jesus and reveals it to us.
Real revival is God's response to the genuine and heartfelt cry of believers who reject the status quo. It is always preceded by the united prayers of God's people. Often, there has been a leader of the revival, such as John Wesley and Evan Roberts. Who will God appoint to lead true revival? I don't know, but I would not be surprised if it is a nobody, an ordinary man taken hold of by our extraordinary saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ.
How will we know if revival is real? People will be convicted of sin. There will be godly sorrow leading to repentance. There will be love and unity and people will be born again. Churchgoers will either be born again or go back into the world that they never truly forsook. Above all, Jesus will be exalted and glorified in and through His church.
Lord Jesus warned that a deception was coming that would deceive even the elect (Matthew 24:24). This has happened many times, especially during the genuine revivals in Wales and Azusa Street, both in the early 1900's. The most recent manifestation was the so-called Toronto Blessing. This was not a deception mixed in with the genuine. It was directly from the pit of hell. And many people were deceived.
The present "revival" has not been given a name. That makes it more difficult to identify. Many Christians have been programmed, so to speak, to accept the counterfeit as real. So I am concerned that the fake will be readily accepted. And this means Christians will be content with a fake instead of seeking God for reality and truth.
Signs of the false: (I suggest reading John 16 for confirmation )
1. Obsession with the "Holy" spirit. This is not the role of the Holy Spirit. His work is to take what is of Christ and make it known to God's people.
2. Christians glorifying the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus, not Himself. If a preacher is glorifying the Holy Spirit, he is not speaking with the power and authority of the true Holy Spirit.
3. Emphasis on signs and wonders, but not on Jesus, fruit and life.
4. Lack of truth. The last "revival" was full of deceptions. Unbelievers falling over and getting up claiming to be saved, for example. That's not how it goes.
5. Misunderstanding about the fire of God. It for sure is not something to seek. Visible signs such as halos and light around the hands are occult, not of God. "Fire" in God's word is about judgement, consuming sin and shaking sinners. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:27, 31, 12:29)
6. Relegating Lord Jesus to an inferior place to the Holy Spirit. This was commonplace during the Toronto Blessing time and is happening now. One so-called prophet stated that the Holy Spirit was Lord, based on one verse in the Bible. As I've said, the Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus. Jesus Himself said that He is Lord, God gave Him the position of King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Holy Spirit does not initiate anything. He takes what is of Jesus and reveals it to us.
Real revival is God's response to the genuine and heartfelt cry of believers who reject the status quo. It is always preceded by the united prayers of God's people. Often, there has been a leader of the revival, such as John Wesley and Evan Roberts. Who will God appoint to lead true revival? I don't know, but I would not be surprised if it is a nobody, an ordinary man taken hold of by our extraordinary saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ.
How will we know if revival is real? People will be convicted of sin. There will be godly sorrow leading to repentance. There will be love and unity and people will be born again. Churchgoers will either be born again or go back into the world that they never truly forsook. Above all, Jesus will be exalted and glorified in and through His church.
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