Revival
Will there be revival before the Lord comes for his Church? Would you please tell me in your own words what it would take to have revival? What needs to happen before the Church as a whole experiences revival?
I have no way of knowing if revival will come. 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 [25] And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.
[26] Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal.
[27] And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.
See All...). 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 (Psalm 42:1-2 [1] As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
[2] My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
See All...; 63:1-3
See All...; Jeremiah 9:23-24 [23] Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
[24] But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
See All...; Philippians 3:10The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high.
See All...). 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.