What needs to happen before the Church as a whole experiences revival?

I believe it is possible because of the revival of Judah under Josiah. God had already determined to send Judah into captivity because of the sins of Manasseh (2 Kings 23:25-27).

Yet, the revival of Josiah was so complete that God delayed His wrath during the reign of this man.

I do not know how to define revival other than the well-known definition that it is a bringing of new life into the people of God by the Spirit of God. We can be ready for revival by prayer and surrender. However, I do not hold to the Finney interpretation that essentially gives man the ability to create revival by following a particular formula. God is the ultimate unknown in revival.

Historically, revivals were the punctuated yet brief times of stirring that were surrounded by many years of faithful yet comparatively dull Christian life and service. With the campaigns of Finney and Moody, we began to think that revival was the answer to all things – though where we get this in scripture I know not. So, we began to force them no matter how unripe the fruit was. We have learned to create a feeling of excitement without the touch of God. We have cheapened the meaning of revival and of holiness.

Today, we want revival without the faithful godliness of the remnant. That must come first. If we will be faithful and seek God’s absolute will in our lives and in our churches, we will establish the atmosphere in which revival is possible.

Perhaps then, some few godly souls will begin to seek the Lord and true revival will come. However, I fear that we are in danger of seeking the experience of revival for its own sake. The people in the Bible sought God more often than they sought revival.

Our seeking for revival must be an outcome of our seeking for God and not the other way around. We must also hunger and thirst after righteousness. These are the true seeds of revival.

by David Reagan

Is Revival Possible? (Psalm 85:1-13)

We have become satisfied with the idea that revival cannot come because of the age in which we live.  We look around us and see the wickedness and assume that it is too far gone.  Though this is an honest mistake, it is indeed a mistake.

To say that revival cannot come is to reduce the God of the Bible to the power of Baal who could not produce fire from heaven regardless of his servants’ efforts.

If revival is a work of man then we are right to believe it will not happen, but if revival is the work of God in a man’s heart, then we must believe as long as the Lord tarries His coming that revival is possible.

Hindrances to revival (Psalm 85:1-3)

The iniquity of God’s people: Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. (Psalm 85:2)

• Sins separate from God: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (Isaiah 59:2)
• Sin withholds good things: Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. (Jeremiah 5:25)
• Sin hinders fellowship: Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. (Amos 3:3 & 2 Corinthians 6:17)
• Sin hinders prayer:  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. (1 Peter 3:7)

The fierceness of God’s anger:  Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. (Psalm 85:3 & Romans 1:18)

The steps to revival

Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease. Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation. I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. (Psalm 85:4-8)

The moving of God

• God works with man’s will: For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)
• Godly sorrow works to bring repentance:  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)
• The Lord is the one who turns us: Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old. (Lamentations 5:21)

The turning of God’s people

• God’s people were turned away from God
• God’s turns them to follow Him

The prayers of God’s people

Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation. (Psalms 85:5-7)

Began with an admission to guilt: Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. (Psalm 85:2-3)

• A plea for God’s help: Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease. (Psalm 85:4)
• A plea for God’s mercy:  Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation. (Psalm 85:5-7)

The desire to hear from God

I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. (Psalm 85:8)

• The willingness to hear – “I will hear”
• The authority of the Lord – “God the LORD”
• The assurance of hearing His voice – “for He will speak”

The potential for revival

Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. (Psalm 85:8-12)

Awaiting the answer

I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.  Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.  Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. (Psalm 85:8-11)

The answer received:  Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. (Psalm 85:12)

The effects of revival: Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps. (Psalm 85:13)

The departure from folly: I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. (Psalm 85:8)

The presence of glory: Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. (Psalm 85:9)

The yielding of increase: Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. (Psalm 85:12 & 1 Corinthians 3:6-9)

The following of the Lord’s way:  Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps. (Psalm 85:13)

Conclusion

Do we believe God could revive the people of Antioch?

Do we believe that God could work in the lives of those under the influence of Antioch?

Do we believe that God is willing to bring revival?

The only question left is do we really want revival?

by Andrew Ray