Sound the alarm (Hosea 8:1)

[Aussie Pete]

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.

 

[Carl Emerson]

the role of the Holy Spirit. His work is to take what is of Christ and make it known to God's people.

While He does this. I think Scripture records Him doing rather more than this...

 

[SkyWriting]

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.

I've seen people get very emotional as I make my daily rounds. They seem to have had a lot of Spirit. It's a growing movement all right.

 

[SkyWriting]

For some time now, a year or two maybe, I've been hearing talk of revival.

I've been hearing it for decades.

 

[Aussie Pete]

I've been hearing it for decades.

Sure, in my case 50 years. But there is talk of a "last days harvest" and similar terms. It's supposed to be about to happen and a whole lot of people are getting excited. I do not believe that the conditions for revival have been met (2 Chronicles 7:14) and what is being presented now as revival is false.

 

[Carl Emerson]

I have seen mini 'revivals' break out...

Example a Christian school in the South Island.

A close friend of mine was the Principal - I led him to the Lord some years earlier.

The teachers would pray together each morning before classes.

One class had difficult children so the teacher prayed for the Holy Spirit to come into the classroom.

The class progressed as usual until one of the most difficult children went quietly to the front and asked if we could please pray. He was under conviction. As they prayed the whole class came under conviction and responded to Jesus, it didnt stop there, the children went home and their families also came under conviction.

This was the New Life Christian School in Rangiora.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Sure, in my case 50 years. But there is talk of a "last days harvest" and similar terms. It's supposed to be about to happen and a whole lot of people are getting excited. I do not believe that the conditions for revival have been met (2 Chronicles 7:14) and what is being presented now as revival is false.

It is worth mentioning that the revival in the Hebridies started with two elderly women faithfully praying.

So who knows if there are faithful praying or not ???

 

[Aussie Pete]

It is worth mentioning that the revival in the Hebridies started with two elderly women faithfully praying.

So who knows if there are faithful praying or not ???

I don't know of any revival that was not preceded by the sincere prayer of the saints. I don't know what it takes. The Welsh revival (I've read a book by Jesse Penn-Lewis on the subject) began with prayer meetings. The saints are praying. It seems to me that there has to be sufficient warfare to overcome the spiritual opposition. Until Christians realise that the church is not where God intends for her to be, I can't see that people will pray the right prayers.

 

[Carl Emerson]

I don't know of any revival that was not preceded by the sincere prayer of the saints. I don't know what it takes. The Welsh revival (I've read a book by Jesse Penn-Lewis on the subject) began with prayer meetings. The saints are praying. It seems to me that there has to be sufficient warfare to overcome the spiritual opposition. Until Christians realise that the church is not where God intends for her to be, I can't see that people will pray the right prayers.

Well I guess all it takes is two 'real saints' praying the right prayers is the revival in the Hebrides is anything to go on - I did a thread on this...

 

[Aussie Pete]

Well I guess all it takes is two 'real saints' praying the right prayers is the revival in the Hebrides is anything to go on - I did a thread on this...

If that was the case, revival would be sweeping Australia right now. Many people are praying for revival. I attend a prayer meeting Tuesday evenings. Real saints attend and I believe the prayers to be genuine. Australia is no longer a Christian country, according to the UN. Less than half the population believes there is a God as Christians understand God to be. We are swamped by immigrants who have no Christian culture even.

The church is victorious and Lord Jesus will bring about His Kingdom as He has promised. For now, we have a battle to fight.

 

[Joy]

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