Revival: an increased spiritual interest or a renewal of life of a church congregation or society with a local, national, and global effect.
Scripture Reading
Hosea 6:1-3 (KJV)
Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
Exhortation
Acts 6:7 reveals that when there is a revival, the word of God increases, the number of disciples multiply in the city, a great company of priest obey the word (listen attentively, conform to the command and authority), and some began to work great wonders and miracles among the people.
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7 KJV)
The simple secret behind revivals is the outpouring and mighty move of the Holy Spirit. (See Luke 24:46-49)
This kind of outpouring (the ministering of the Holy Spirit and miracles) comes by the hearing of faith. (Galatians 3:5) So the simple secret behind revivals is the outpouring and mighty move of the Holy Spirit which comes about by the hearing of faith.
He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (Galatians 3:5 KJV)
There have been many mighty revivals in the days of the apostles and in recent history of the church, just to mention a few;
- The Pentecost revival (Acts 2:1-4)
- The revival of great grace (Acts 4:23)
- The revival of missions to the Gentiles (Acts 13:1-5)
- The revival in Asia (Ephesus) (Acts 19:1-5)
- The Welsh revival 1904
- The Azusa Street revival 1906
- Balokole revival 1930s
- Jesus people revival 1970s
- Bario revival 1971
- Chile revival that spread to the Americas, Africa and Asia 1909
All these revivals were all built on 5 pillars; Waiting, Ministry, Worship, Lifestyle and Spirit.
- Waiting:
Every revival begins with a handful of people waiting on God, praying, and ministering to Him.
- Ministry:
Acts 2:39-41, Matthew 28:20, Mark 16:20 reveal that the church went out everywhere to testify and exhort, baptise, and add those who gladly receive the Word to the church.
- Worship:
Acts 2:42 teaches that the church must continue steadfastly in teaching, fellowship, prayers, and communion.
- Renewed living:
We cannot just worship in church, testify in the streets, waiting in conferences; and go home and live anyhow. In the homes, in the temples, and in their work places; they were together, they sold and gave (we trade with our talents and resources, and give), they continued daily and ate with gladness and singleness of heart, they praise God and had favour.
- The right spirit:
All revivals are sustained by the right attitude of the stakeholders and the touch bearers. Without the right attitude, we cannot go far. The early church walked in the fear of the Lord and reverence; as long as they walked in fear and reverence, gladness and contentment, loyalty and singleness of heart, steadfastness and endurance, and selflessness and community spiritedness; the fire of revival will continue to blaze across the nations.
Beloved the price of revival, miracles, missions and mighty works is high; we must pay it because we know it would cost if we do nothing. The cost of doing nothing is higher than that of revival; the sinner pays dearly and the saints who did nothing also pays a price.
Beloved every event that must take place before the final judgement and eternal retribution have taken place except two:
- The falling away
- The rapture
If we understand the fate of a sinner, we would crawl on knees and hands to testify and warn every sinner.
I love you, and stay blessed.