I hear it often said that this nation needs a revival. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, it's when God's Spirit is poured out on an entire people. The God Chasers author Tommy Tenney, accomplished revival chaser, describes such an event as being preceded by a period of intense penitence, remorseful sorrow over one's sin in the presence of a holy God. As St. James says, "Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." (4:8-10)
America has had many notable revivals such as the revivals at the preachings of George Whitfield, the World War 2 revival and more recently the Billy Graham Crusades and the Men of Integrity movement of the 1990's. We're not just talking about a breakthrough on a personal level, but on society as a whole. It's a great sweeping event in which people come to Christ in crowds.
If it were only up to God, I'm sure the revival would already be afoot. But God works within human cycles and we're not anywhere near remorse. In fact, we're on the opposite end of the elliptical. Right now in America the signs are clear that we are at a pitch in our appetite for depravity, eagerly seeking new depths, lusting to take it to the next level. We have not had our fill of iniquity. If you look around you, you'll see it for yourself, the glee by which we are pushing the boundaries, particularly in the homosexual movement.
Revival is near when there is a slowing down and a reticence that takes over. Revival is near when the consequences of sin begin to take an earnest toll and people are faced with the reality that sin is pleasurable for a season, but the effects of sin are lasting. Rebellion against God's laws does not work, does not lead to prosperity, deceives with impermanent mirth, and leads invariably to destruction. Crushed people become open to God's truth, see clearly the error of the path they've been on, and are open to the mercy of God with weeping and wailing. It is at this time that people are ripe for the pouring out of God's spirit and the ensuing joy that comes only with a pure heart and unsullied conscience.
It's just my opinion, so don't jump all over me, but I don't anticipate a revival until we as a nation reach this point.
America has had many notable revivals such as the revivals at the preachings of George Whitfield, the World War 2 revival and more recently the Billy Graham Crusades and the Men of Integrity movement of the 1990's. We're not just talking about a breakthrough on a personal level, but on society as a whole. It's a great sweeping event in which people come to Christ in crowds.
If it were only up to God, I'm sure the revival would already be afoot. But God works within human cycles and we're not anywhere near remorse. In fact, we're on the opposite end of the elliptical. Right now in America the signs are clear that we are at a pitch in our appetite for depravity, eagerly seeking new depths, lusting to take it to the next level. We have not had our fill of iniquity. If you look around you, you'll see it for yourself, the glee by which we are pushing the boundaries, particularly in the homosexual movement.
Revival is near when there is a slowing down and a reticence that takes over. Revival is near when the consequences of sin begin to take an earnest toll and people are faced with the reality that sin is pleasurable for a season, but the effects of sin are lasting. Rebellion against God's laws does not work, does not lead to prosperity, deceives with impermanent mirth, and leads invariably to destruction. Crushed people become open to God's truth, see clearly the error of the path they've been on, and are open to the mercy of God with weeping and wailing. It is at this time that people are ripe for the pouring out of God's spirit and the ensuing joy that comes only with a pure heart and unsullied conscience.
It's just my opinion, so don't jump all over me, but I don't anticipate a revival until we as a nation reach this point.
