UNDERSTANDING BIBLICAL REVIVAL Pt.2
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do. 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”.
IT STARTS WITH REPENTANCE
In American revival history, there was a woman named Maria Woodworth Etter. She was mightily used by God during the revival of her era. I read that whenever she was preaching, the first thing that happened to people is a strong conviction about their sinfulness after which the people will repent in deep groanings. At other times, some fell into trances and had visions of eternity. This revival swept her city clean of sinners to the point where police said they had no criminal cases to handle any longer. This was sustained for years. I desire this type of revival. What about Charles G.Finney? This man's ministry was characterized by large scale repentance in cities and towns. It was as though he had the anointing to make a whole city repent. I hear of city taking anointing by preachers of today yet what is implied is not large scale repentance like Finney's but gathering of crowd into human empires.
What do you think is the first fruit of revival? Often people think true revival is all about the miraculous while some think it is about gathering crowd. Have you forgotten so soon that the Jews who left Egypt( in large numbers) saw raw miracles yet their hearts were hardened and still they longed to return to Egypt at a time in their journey. That goes to show that crowd and miracles aren't the perfect yardstick for measuring revival though miracles happen in revivals. Revival begins with genuine repentance and turning to the Lord in sincerity. It starts with the realization of how far man is from God and the willingness to make things right with Him. In the book of Acts 2:37, when the people listened to Peter's sermon, they said, "...Men and brethren, what shall we do".? Peter didn't make altar call, they were the one who asked for the way to the altar. In response( vs38), Peter said, "...Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”.
True revival will not happen until we repent genuinely and see same happen in the life of others. True revival reveals the holiness of God through men. That's the beauty of revival. God will not send His raw presence and power on a people who are conveniently living in sin rather He will sweep their hearts clean first and then make available His raw presence. True revival starts with a burning heart that hates sin and loves God. Falling under anointing is not revival, anyone can fall under anointing and still rise up into a life of sin. The media hype and stage lightening is not a sign of revival. One can have fame and not have flame. Anywhere there's revival, the first fruit we see is true repentance. As you pray for revival ( personal & Corporate), the first thing the Holy Spirit will prompt in you is the desire to make things right with God. That's the foundation upon which other things will be built.
Father, let my life and the church experience true revival in Jesus name