Another Ninety-Five
T H E S I S # 66
Revival is simply rededicating oneself, sincerely, to Christ and Scripture. Signing the last page of the Bible as a declaration of obedience to the Bible (as the Holy Spirit gives understanding) will help seal one’s commitment.
Revivals are unusual displays of the power and generosity of God. One revival is localized, invigorating a spiritually sleepy town, another shakes an entire country and spills over to other nations. One such revival is known as The Azusa Street Revival of Los Angeles, California.
It has been estimated more than 600 million christians worldwide can trace their roots back to Azusa Street where, beginning in 1906, there was an outbreak of the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, just like in the Book of Acts. (“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”)
Another outbreak (mentioned in chapter 64), perhaps equal to Azusa Street, began in the mid-sixties, this one coined The Charismatic Movement. Millions of catholics and anglicans and many etceteras were added to the Book of Life through this amazing visitation of the Holy Spirit. Similar to the New Testament church, “God also [bore] witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit.”
Soon after, another major Holy Spirit visitation, referred to by some as The Vineyard Movement, blessed many throughout North America and beyond. Within that movement was The Toronto Blessing, an amazing outpouring of God’s grace upon a congregation located near Toronto’s international airport. Visitors travelled from all over the planet to return home refreshed and reconnected to Lord Jesus. During some services the entire floor of the rather large building was covered with saints ‘slain in the Spirit’.
After a revival has passed, many pine for bygone days when the Spirit was so active and christianity so very exciting. But such yearning is unnecessary. One can experience a personal revival by “simply rededicating oneself, sincerely, to Christ and Scripture”.
Some visitations can be termed renewals, whereby God’s thrust is more upon His church than the unsaved. The purpose of a renewal is to draw Christ’s own back to Christ. Where passion has declined, it is restored and even amplified. However….
However, every christian can at any time renew and improve her relationship with our Lord Jesus by a simple, meaningful, recommitment to Christ.
It’s important to coordinate a commitment to the Lord Jesus with a commitment to The Word. A hesitation to make a dual pledge is an indication commitment to either is trite.
It should be noted that revival almost always brings division. For those serving the god of unity, this appears to be bad fruit. But division is sometimes favorable; just ask the parent of the teen who has adverse friends.
Some who felt comfortable in your company will be less so. Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”