Post by John on Jul 29, 2019 18:22:47 GMT -5
It seems like everyone is preparing for this massive last day's revival. I remember that when I used to work in gospel radio, there would be songs coming out about it. They would sing about this huge revival that is coming "all over this land", but the problem is, that is not spoken of in the Bible. The Bible says just the opposite.
NOW we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him. That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3
I was thinking about this today. We know that the Bible tells us of a falling away before the Lord returns, not a great revival to usher him in, so why do people think there is a revival coming? I can really only think of one explanation that makes any sense if you really believe the Bible. That is that they cannot discern how late the hour is. They must think that the return of the Lord is some distant event, rather than something that will take place soon, and they expect God to send a revival before we get to the spiritual midnight hour.
Folks, I don't think we are going to see another huge revival. I know that history repeats itself, and you can look back in the past and see different times of apostasy followed by a revival, but I believe we are way past that.
Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth: but how is it that ye do not discern the time? Luke 12:56
Let's examine the state of the world we now live in. How much worse do you think it will get before the end? Then let us consider what people are looking for in the way of a revival. When we have had real revivals in the past, they were puritan type revivals. They were revivals where the people got under Holy Ghost conviction and turned away from the filth and back to living holy before the Lord. That is not what we are seeing today. Those trying to usher in a revival are doing just the opposite. They are saying we need to stop talking about sin and judgment, and be more open to accepting everyone, no matter where they are, even if they have no concern about repenting. The church cry is to bring us your transgenders, your homosexuals, your fornicators, anything, and tell them there is no need to repent. Just accept Jesus as your savior (Lord is optional), and through the magic of "faith plus nothing," you are saved forever and welcome into the church. Clearly, they have decided that this will lead to more people "getting saved." When there is no counting the cost, no taking up your cross to follow Jesus, no being a doer of the Word rather than just a hearer only, they should have a massive, feel good revival. Add entertainment from rock bands, fog machines, strobe lights, and watch the crowds roll in. If that is not getting the job done, offer free coffee and doughnuts, or better still, free beer. That should loosen the wallets when the offering plate is passed around.
I don't doubt for one minute that if you take an approach like this, you can appear to have a revival. If numbers are all you are trying to achieve, you can pack people in. They have already done away with any respectful dress code. Instead of a suit and tie for the men and a nice dress or blouse and skirt for the ladies, it is jeans and a t-shirt, or even shorts and a tank top for the men and a mini-skirt and low cut top for the women. I have even heard of churches on the coast where people come in wearing bathing suits. There are practically no standards at all anymore, so how low are we going to go? And what do we mean by revival? Are we talking about a revival that the Lord will be well pleased with, or just numbers for the sake of bragging rights?
Here is what I suggest, but I doubt many will go along. Do you really want a revival? I am not going to guarantee thousands packing a stadium, but I do know what it will take to have a revival that means something. The numbers that come in might not be that impressive to the world, but the souls saved will be for real. Instead of entertainment, come as you are, let down all standards, welcome sinners of every stripe including practicing homosexuals, how about repenting of all known sins, seeking to live as close to God as we can, and seeking the Lord with our whole heart? How about taking time to pray? How about taking time to really worship, not just getting worked up in the flesh to praise choruses? How about a return to spiritual sackcloth and ashes and seeking for God to send a revival? If you want nothing but numbers, and don't care who is really saved or lost, by all means continue in this all inclusive mess that caters to the flesh and demands nothing. If you want a real revival that pulls people away from the flames of hell and leads them to heaven, we need a puritan revival. That is the only way.
NOW we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him. That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3
I was thinking about this today. We know that the Bible tells us of a falling away before the Lord returns, not a great revival to usher him in, so why do people think there is a revival coming? I can really only think of one explanation that makes any sense if you really believe the Bible. That is that they cannot discern how late the hour is. They must think that the return of the Lord is some distant event, rather than something that will take place soon, and they expect God to send a revival before we get to the spiritual midnight hour.
Folks, I don't think we are going to see another huge revival. I know that history repeats itself, and you can look back in the past and see different times of apostasy followed by a revival, but I believe we are way past that.
Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth: but how is it that ye do not discern the time? Luke 12:56
Let's examine the state of the world we now live in. How much worse do you think it will get before the end? Then let us consider what people are looking for in the way of a revival. When we have had real revivals in the past, they were puritan type revivals. They were revivals where the people got under Holy Ghost conviction and turned away from the filth and back to living holy before the Lord. That is not what we are seeing today. Those trying to usher in a revival are doing just the opposite. They are saying we need to stop talking about sin and judgment, and be more open to accepting everyone, no matter where they are, even if they have no concern about repenting. The church cry is to bring us your transgenders, your homosexuals, your fornicators, anything, and tell them there is no need to repent. Just accept Jesus as your savior (Lord is optional), and through the magic of "faith plus nothing," you are saved forever and welcome into the church. Clearly, they have decided that this will lead to more people "getting saved." When there is no counting the cost, no taking up your cross to follow Jesus, no being a doer of the Word rather than just a hearer only, they should have a massive, feel good revival. Add entertainment from rock bands, fog machines, strobe lights, and watch the crowds roll in. If that is not getting the job done, offer free coffee and doughnuts, or better still, free beer. That should loosen the wallets when the offering plate is passed around.
I don't doubt for one minute that if you take an approach like this, you can appear to have a revival. If numbers are all you are trying to achieve, you can pack people in. They have already done away with any respectful dress code. Instead of a suit and tie for the men and a nice dress or blouse and skirt for the ladies, it is jeans and a t-shirt, or even shorts and a tank top for the men and a mini-skirt and low cut top for the women. I have even heard of churches on the coast where people come in wearing bathing suits. There are practically no standards at all anymore, so how low are we going to go? And what do we mean by revival? Are we talking about a revival that the Lord will be well pleased with, or just numbers for the sake of bragging rights?
Here is what I suggest, but I doubt many will go along. Do you really want a revival? I am not going to guarantee thousands packing a stadium, but I do know what it will take to have a revival that means something. The numbers that come in might not be that impressive to the world, but the souls saved will be for real. Instead of entertainment, come as you are, let down all standards, welcome sinners of every stripe including practicing homosexuals, how about repenting of all known sins, seeking to live as close to God as we can, and seeking the Lord with our whole heart? How about taking time to pray? How about taking time to really worship, not just getting worked up in the flesh to praise choruses? How about a return to spiritual sackcloth and ashes and seeking for God to send a revival? If you want nothing but numbers, and don't care who is really saved or lost, by all means continue in this all inclusive mess that caters to the flesh and demands nothing. If you want a real revival that pulls people away from the flames of hell and leads them to heaven, we need a puritan revival. That is the only way.