Is there really going to be an end time revival?

[NewSong]

I keep hearing about revival and yet I don't know where everyone is getting the idea there will be an endtime revival.

Also what is revival?

I have sat in services that were called "revival services" and so I have a definition of what revival means to me

What does revival mean to you?

 

[mortsmune]

You brought up an interesting question. I'm not really sure where the idea of an end-time revival comes from. I know I have been hearing about it for almost 50 years. The Bible does say that Christ will come for a church without spot or blemish. Perhaps this is where some have gotten the idea. However, I think mostly it is like one of those urban myths. Someone had a bout of wishful thinking and the idea "caught on." I really don't know.

As far as what a revival is, that's a good question. Those "revival" services you mention are definitely not true revival. I think those are just a method used by some churches to drum up a little enthusiasm and maybe obtain a few new members. I think it is a rather defunct holdeover from a bygone era in American history.

What is true revival? Well, it is not really a Biblical idea. So I suppose people can define it in many ways. There have been periods in the history of the church when there have been "great revivals" such as the Welsh Revival and the Azusa Street revival. Those seem to have been sovereign acts of God that just happened. I don't think anyone can reproduce that at will.

However, I have experienced a revival of sorts at one time. That event was sparked by a group of believers practicing communion with a New Testament approach of breaking bread according to Biblical principles. This lead to an increased awareness of personal sin and a desire to confess and repent of sins. It also lead to an increased level of loving unity and fellowship, prayerfulness with all-night prayer meetings accompanied by deliverance and healing.

I don't know if this helps at all. Good questions, though.

 

[JimB]

You care right, NS. There is no common definition of the word “revival”, “renewal”, “refreshing”, “outpouring”, etc. – all unbiblical terms we throw around in P/C circles like we know what we’re talking about. It has been hyped so much about an imagined (theoretical) “End Time Revival” (especially among Pentecostals, where my roots lie and based on Joel 2.28-31 which Peter plainly said was fulfilled at Pentecost) that we take it for granted that the doctrine of the End Time Revival is a biblical teaching. Anyhow, if there wuz one, we would not know it because we don’t have a clear definition of what a “revival” would be.

I just can’t find the doctrine supported by scripture.

Can you?

~Jim

 

[NewSong]

That was what I was afraid of and finally coming to terms with. It seems that a lot of us are banking on something that is a "coined term" and that if we really want revival or a the refreshing we don't wait for the "end time revival" that perhaps it starts right now with an individual and God.

I kept waiting for it and finally couldn't find anything to support it, which is why I asked the question. I thought I must have missed something.

Thank you for your replies.

NewSong

 

[Joy]

However, I have experienced a revival of sorts at one time. That event was sparked by a group of believers practicing communion with a New Testament approach of breaking bread according to Biblical principles. This lead to an increased awareness of personal sin and a desire to confess and repent of sins. It also lead to an increased level of loving unity and fellowship, prayerfulness with all-night prayer meetings accompanied by deliverance and healing.

I'm not just writing this for the sake of it, But I need to know this in my daily walk. Lord make us aware of who You are, Amen.

 

[JimB]

I think NS wants to know (correct me if I’m wrong, NS), What do you mean when you say “revival”?

My guess is you are going to get a variety of answers and all of them will be purely subjective answers because there is no universal definition of the term as it is used in evangelical/P/C/W circles.

~Jim

 

[NewSong]

I think NS wants to know (correct me if I’m wrong, NS), What do you mean when you say “revival”?

My guess is you are going to get a variety of answers and all of them will be purely subjective answers because there is no universal definition of the term as it is used in evangelical/P/C/W circles.

~Jim

Yeah that is what I mean. What is revival to you?

I have thought of revival where there would be many lost souls coming to Jesus Christ.

I have thought of revival as being refreshing, renewal, and the "outpouring" that I have been hearing about.

I was looking to find out what revival means from anyone because the term seems to be used in different groups and when I heard of "endtime revival" I wondered if it existed and what did that endtime revival mean to each individual should there really be one?

Or would revival mean to you today if there was one today ?

Anyhow, if there wuz one, we would not know it because we don’t have a clear definition of what a “revival” would be.

And that is what I wanted to know. I wondered if anyone really knew what they looked like. And I wondered if God's word clearly defined one because I could find no reference for one.

Thank you.

NewSong

 

[YAWANNAKNOWJESUS?]

2Ch 7:14 Ifmy people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray,and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
ct 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Act 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

Act 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

Act 2:7 And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

Act 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Act 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites,and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea,and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

Act 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

Act 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Act 2:12 And they were all amazed,and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

Act 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

Act 2:14 But Peter, standing up with theeleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

Act 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

Act 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Act 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

Act 2:19 And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:

Act 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

Act 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.


This is revival. God is still calling sinners to repentence He is still healing the sick. And He is about to awwaken the sleeping giant called the church. That my friends is revival. God is not finished yet if He was we would be in heaven. We have been lulled to sleep by the world. We see people coming on here saying what's wrong with my church. Is my pastor a false prophet. WE THE MIGHTY CHUrCH OF GOD HAS BEEN LULLED TO SLEEP AND ALLOWED THE WORLD TO COME IN AND RUN THE SHOW. We need an awwakening. That is revival. If you think God is going to take a sleeping bride you are wrong. God has not changed. He does not say I am gonning to let the church do and live how it wants. He is coming for a holy church without spot or blemish. And for that to happen we need an awakening.

 

[JimB]

2Ch 7:14 Ifmy people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray,and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
ct 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Act 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

Act 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

Act 2:7 And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

Act 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Act 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites,and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea,and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

Act 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

Act 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Act 2:12 And they were all amazed,and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

Act 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

Act 2:14 But Peter, standing up with theeleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

Act 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it isbut the third hour of the day.

Act 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Act 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

Act 2:19 And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:

Act 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

Act 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.


This is revival. God is still calling sinners to repentence He is still healing the sick. And He is about to awwaken the sleeping giant called the church. That my friends is revival. God is not finished yet if He was we would be in heaven. We have been lulled to sleep by the world. We see people coming on here saying what's wrong with my church. Is my pastor a false prophet. WE THE MIGHTY CHUrCH OF GOD HAS BEEN LULLED TO SLEEP AND ALLOWED THE WORLD TO COME IN AND RUN THE SHOW. We need an awwakening. That is revival. If you think God is going to take a sleeping bride you are wrong. God has not changed. He does not say I am gonning to let the church do and live how it wants. He is coming for a holy church without spot or blemish. And for that to happen we need an awakening.

I thought 2 Chronicles 7.14 is talking about the situation that was present in Israel at the time of Solomon’s installation as king. “Heal their land" is talking about agriculture, not revival.

Acts 2 is talking about the birth of the church and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Nowhere in the passage is the word “revival”. In fact the word “revival” is not found in scripture at all.

~Jim

 

[NewSong]

I thought 2 Chronicles 7.14 is talking about the situation that was present in Israel at the time of Solomon’s installation as king. “Heal their land" is talking about agriculture, not revival.

Acts 2 is talking about the birth of the church and the coming of the Holy Spirit. No where in the passage is the word “revival”. In fact the word “revival” is not found in scripture at all.

~Jim

Me too!

 

[hal weeks]

There are many, perhap optimistically, who are predicting a revival in the near future. It certainly is needed. There are churches that after ernestly seeking it that have experienced it. Whether it is end time revival or not depends on whether these are the end times. In my humble opinion there are many signs pointint to it. I believe the great apostacy mentioned in the Bible has already happeded given the unspiritual nature of most modern churches. Hal

 

[JimB]

There are many, perhap optimistically, who are predicting a revival in the near future. It certainly is needed. There are churches that after ernestly seeking it that have experienced it. Whether it is end time revival or not depends on whether these are the end times. In my humble opinion there are many signs pointint to it. I believe the great apostacy mentioned in the Bible has already happeded given the unspiritual nature of most modern churches. Hal

Personally, I think ‘revival’ (whatever that actually is) is all around us.

I don’t know what its like in your neck of the woods, but wherever I look I am seeing the Holy Spirit doing a wonderful work. In the U.S. churches are being planted everywhere and growing like wildfire; thousands are being saved weekly; more and more people are entering the ministry and planting congregations; Christians are more visible and more heard than ever; Christian publishing and Christian music is hitting the mainstream; Christian radio is more powerful than it has ever been; technology is spreading the Word everywhere (like here on CF, blogs, chat lines, etc).

The glass is half-full, Hal. Depends on how you look at it.

~Jim

 

[YAWANNAKNOWJESUS?]

Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

These are the last days. It was not when this was written. We are living in the last days.

There are alot of things that were described in bible that we now have only one or two words for. But those particular words are not in the bible. Just because it does not fit in your teology does not mean it is not real. Lose your theology and gain God's word.

Mat 16:3b O ye hypocrites ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

 

[hal weeks]

In my experience, revival is personal and individual when we receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. When a church embraces it it will experience revival. When a denomination embraces it the denomination will experience revival.
If we are thirsty we will receive it. John 7:37-39

 

[JimB]

Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in thelast days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

These are the last days. It was not when this was written. We are living in the last days.

There are alot of things that were described in bible that we now have only one or two words for. But those particular words are not in the bible. Just because it does not fit in your teology does not mean it is not real. Lose your theology and gain God's word.

Mat 16:3bOyehypocritesyecandiscernthefaceofthe sky;butcanyenotdiscernthesignsofthetimes?

Many fine scholars would say the “last days” were the days prior to the destruction of the temple and the final dispersion of the Jews from Palestine in 70 A.D. These days may not be the ‘last days’ of scripture at all. The jury is out on that one, And don’t forget, Matthew 16.3b applies to you, too. Yawanna.

~Jim

 

[Tavita]

Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in thelast days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

These are the last days. It was not when this was written. We are living in the last days.

There are alot of things that were described in bible that we now have only one or two words for. But those particular words are not in the bible. Just because it does not fit in your teology does not mean it is not real. Lose your theology and gain God's word.

Mat 16:3bOyehypocritesyecandiscernthefaceofthe sky;butcanyenotdiscernthesignsofthetimes?

IMHO, the last days began at Christ's death and resurrection. God says that to Him a day is as a thousand years, that being so, maybe we're in the 'time of the end'? I've found that knowing the difference between 'the last days', and 'the time of the end', is very helpful.


(Dan 8:17) So he came near to where I was standing, and when he came I was frightened and fell on my face; but he said to me, "Son of man, understand that the vision pertains to the time of the end."

(Dan 8:19) He said, "Behold, I am going to let you know what will occur at the final period of the indignation, for it pertains to the appointed time of the end.


I've seen nothing in scripture to support a great 'awakening', or 'revival' in 'the time of the end'. The church has been experiencing Acts 2:17, for the last two thousand years... the last days. In fact, it does say there will come the 'great apostasy', the falling away from truth.


(2Th 2:1) Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,

(2Th 2:2) that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

(2Th 2:3) Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

 

[NewSong]

<SNIP>


I've seen nothing in scripture to support a great 'awakening', or 'revival' in 'the time of the end'. The church has been experiencing Acts 2:17, for the last two thousand years... the last days. In fact, it does say there will come the 'great apostasy', the falling away from truth.

Good point. I really appreciated this because that has been rolling around in my head and I was wondering what to do with it . I really appreciated it very much. Thank you.


NewSong

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

Personally, I think ‘revival’ (whatever that actually is) is all around us.

I don’t know what its like in your neck of the woods, but wherever I look I am seeing the Holy Spirit doing a wonderful work. In the U.S. churches are being planted everywhere and growing like wildfire; thousands are being saved weekly; more and more people are entering the ministry and planting congregations; Christians are more visible and more heard than ever; Christian publishing and Christian music is hitting the mainstream; Christian radio is more powerful than it has ever been; technology is spreading the Word everywhere (like here on CF, blogs, chat lines, etc).

The glass is half-full, Hal. Depends on how you look at it.

~Jim

I like this post. I am thinking along the same lines.

"Revival" is where Christians in the churches start getting right with God. It was used for times when most Christians were nominal ones having sunday services that were more like funeral services, and where most members came to church because it was socially acceptable. Most of these people never knew Jesus personally. These people needed the conviction of the Holy Spirit to come upon them. The great revivals were just that on a widespread scale.

an 'Awakening" is defined as the result of a revival. The revival was for Christians. As a result of that, unbelievers and sinners were 'awakened" to their need for Christ. Thousands came to Christ during the great revivals because so much of the church at that time got right with God and started praying for the lost.

If we love the Lord and are going on for Him, we are in a state of personal revival. Revival is merely Christians getting back to where they should be in Christ. If the Holy Spirit is moving in you, you are in revival now.

There has been the Pentecostal revival where ordinary church people discovered the baptism in the Spirit and the gifts, and formed independent fellowships to practice it.
The Charismatic revivial was the time when traditional denominational people discovered the baptism in the Spirit and the gifts but stayed in their denominations to practice it.
In the 1950s, there was a healing revival where the gifts of healing were discovered in the church for the first time in centuries.
We have scores of examples where denominational churches have suddenly 'caught fire' with a upsurge in evangelism and Holy Spirit ministry. We can call those revivals.

But the most precious revival of all is when you come a new place in Christ where you discover something new about Him and receive a new burst of love, peace and joy in the Spirit.

 

[bigg35]

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy (turning/falling away; in the Greek a defection or revolt) comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

The modern teaching in so many of today's churches in revival, includes the notion that we are little God's ... especially in Word of Faith circles. When the anti-christ appears all he will be doing is taking this doctrine to its logical conclusion ... and the deluded will praise his charisma, miracles and doctrines.

2 Thessalonians 2:8-10
Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

 

[NewSong]

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy (turning/falling away; in the Greek a defection or revolt) comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

The modern teaching in so many of today's churches in revival, includes the notion that we are little God's ... especially in Word of Faith circles. When the anti-christ appears all he will be doing is taking this doctrine to its logical conclusion ... and the deluded will praise his charisma, miracles and doctrines.

2 Thessalonians 2:8-10
Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

I am not sure what you are saying.... I am sorry that I seem to be so dense.
Could you enlighten me a little? I do good at figuring this out.

Thanks.

NewSong