I am completely willing to be branded as a fool, by unbelieving 'Christians,' for the sake of the truth of God. Unbelievers ~ notwithstanding they profess to believe and even to love God, are not the measure of truth; much less are they the Standard of truth. "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate" (Titus 1:16). How then can they possibly know the mind of God? They do not. Yet, their dark opinions seem to hold sway over the multitude. Why is that so? Because, they are so many doubters and naysayers; they are the multitude.
The promise of Revival is not dead. Though one would think it is dead, judging from the near complete apathy of the professing Church ~ at least, in America. But that will not stop God: "Salvation belongeth unto the LORD" (Ps. 3:8). "Thine [God] is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever," testified Jesus. He reiterated the words of God written in 1 Chronicles 29:11: "Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all." Revival does not belong to man. It is God's gift "to them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). Jesus Christ was willing to lay down his own life so that God could pour forth His Spirit in soul-saving power. Revival is God's will and His way. God doesn't have another way to advance His kingdom among men, except, through genuine Revival.
The price of Revival has already been paid by the Savior. Yet, there remains a cost unto us who would receive the blessing from the Lord: we are commanded by God to pray and to seek unto God to fulfill His gracious promises; and, to believe He will in fact do so. But who will seek after anything which they do not first believe is possible to obtain? Thus, sound, Biblical teaching is necessary to lay the foundation of faith for Revival. Here's what Arthur Wallis, in his important book titled, "In the Day of Thy Power," wrote about the relationship of Biblical teaching to Revival:
"All the great movements of the Spirit that have affected the course of history have been accompanited and consolidated by spiritual teaching" (pg 92).That is exactly what the Lord himself showed me just a few days ago (which I wrote about in my recent essay titled, "Whatever happened to divine healing?" The people of Jesus's own hometown did not believe in him. Therefore, Jesus "could there do no mighty work," because of their unbelief. But God did not leave them without help. Rather, Jesus went throughout all the villages, "teaching."
When the people asked Jesus, saying, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" Jesus answered them: "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent" (John 6: 28-29). In other words, our duty as well as our privileged opportunity is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ ~ which means nothing less than to believe His Word. "Why, that's simple enough!" you may say. But is it, really? Jesus also said (just a few verses prior to the one just quoted): "How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?" (John 5:44). Those who are more concerned with their own reputation than they are concerned with pleasing God ~ CANNOT BELIEVE. Those whose hearts are mostly preoccupied with worldly matters, cannot truly be occupied with doing the Father's business; such CANNOT BELIEVE. Those who profess to be Blood-washed, Spirit-filled Christians ~ whilst living not much differently than does the world ~ CANNOT BELIEVE. That's why Jesus said, "This is the work.., that ye believe...." We must work at being spiritually minded, Bible-believing followers of Christ. Those who say otherwise, don't have a clue what they are talking about.
True Christianity is by its very nature supernatural. Everything about it is supernatural. Revival is not hindered by the deadness of the world. It is, however, hindered by the deadness of those who profess to know God ~ all the while they stand in the way to oppose the idea of Revival in our time. They give every conceivable excuse why (as they suppose) Revival is not possible: "The world has changed!" Or, "America has turned its back on God!" Or, "Nobody seems to know or care anything about the Bible, anymore." Or, "This culture has become too immoral; it has gone too far away from God." Now, all of those statements are true in themselves. Yet, none of those objections constitutes a reason why that Revival is not possible. All that such objections amount to, is to say, that the world is still the world; that sinners are still sinners alienated from the life of God; that men cannot save themselves; that "There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God" (Romans 3:10-11).
I reckon the devil has oftentimes in the past tried to stand in the way of Revival, with those same, worn out lies. I reckon, too, that many otherwise "good" Christian folk, throughout the years, fell victim to believe such lies and, so, fell away from seeking God for Revival in the manner they could have done. I further reckon that such folk ~ after that Revival did eventually come, albeit through someone else, I reckon, I say, that such folk afterward had great searchings of heart....
I AM PURPOSED NOT TO MISS OUT ON WHAT GOD IS WANTING TO DO! But how can I be so bold to aver that I know anything about what God is "wanting to do"?
"The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant [promises]" (Psalm 25:14)
"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants..." (Amos 3:7)
"Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth [in Revival power] is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." (Hosea 6:3)I know something about WHAT God is wanting to do. I furthermore know something about HOW he is wanting to do it. Believe it or not, I also know something about WHEN he is wanting to do it.
Revival.
Through obedience.
Now.
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