Real Revival
Isaiah 64:1-4
64:1 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence, 2 As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries that the nations may tremble at thy presence! 3 When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence. 4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
In this passage of scripture we can almost hear the heart-rending call of God’s people for revival. "Rend the heavens" is their cry. As you read through this passage and the rest of the 64th chapter of Isaiah you can begin to notice that there is much more to revival than we have come to believe.
Real revival is not evangelism! Evangelism is an imperative, Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel says "go ye, therefore, and teach all nations…" He commands the work of evangelism. Paul tells Timothy to "do the work of an evangelist." Nowhere in the Word can we find a command to do revival. Revival depends on the sovereign work of a holy and loving God. As the church is revived there will be an increase of evangelism which will be evidenced by the increase of lost men, women, boys and girls being saved. "Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens…" Let the prophet's cry become our prayer!
When real revival comes we will see a threefold evidence of the presence of God among His people.
First of all we will see religion rising up from its state of depression to a new vitality and strength. The church universally has gone into a depressed spiritual state. There are several reasons for this among which is the decline of the authority of God’s Word. We must see the Bible as inerrant and inspired. Sadly, too many in the church today see the Bible as neither. When revival comes we will see a return to the authority of God’s word. When revival comes we will see a return to the doctrines of our faith, we will see a return to the practice of prayer, we will see a return to pious living, and we will see a return to joyous celebration of our faith. "Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens…"
When real revival comes we will also see Christians becoming more faithful to their obligations. Through the 70s, 80s and 90s we have witnessed a decline in attendance in the church. More and more time is taken up trying to persuade church members to come back to church. This time would be better used following the imperative of our Lord by reaching out to the lost. We are also finding it more difficult to enlist faithful workers in the church. Too many take too lightly the responsibilities they have accepted to teach and to serve. When real revival comes God’s children will have a hunger to serve in any area they can be used and will not have to be enticed or shamed into service. "Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens…"
Finally, when real revival comes we will see a change in the world. Over these last decades we have seen the church lose its influence in the community. I have been told of a time when a school principle would ask a visiting evangelist to address the student body in school. I have been told of a time when the coaches would find out schedules of the local churches so that sports activities would not interfere with the religious training of young people. I have seen a time when, because of the church's influence, there was a sense of shame for immoral activity. Oh, where has that time gone? Has it been lost forever? Not if there is real revival. For when real revival comes the church will regain its influence and that which should be hiding in darkness will return to the closets and shadows in shame. "Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens…"
Of all the things that are needed in the church in America today, the greatest need is a powerful God-sent revival. Real revival will come when we as God’s church will lift our voices with a broken heart in earnest prayer. Then we will see Him rend the heavens and see His power fall on His people. "Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens…"
As you pray for revival, remember the continueing needs of those who suffered such great loss because of the devastation caused by Katrina. Also continue to remember our troops that are in harm’s way.
