I believe that we are heading into one of the most incredible times in our lives as believers. Often times in history, incredible moves of the Spirit came out of chaotic times in culture. There are many prophets that have a sense that we are on the threshold of a third great awakening. Let’s look at some scripture that would give precedent such a happening. The first is Acts 3:19-21 (ESV);
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.”
There is always a time of preparation in expectancy of God’s moving that always involves repentance. Perhaps one of the biggest things we should repent of is thinking that we can manipulate or persuade God to fulfill our soulish desires. God’s timing of things are always according to His purpose and will. There are two verses that speak to the fact that a victorious glorious church will be involved in this final great harvest. The first is Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew 16:18 (ESV) to Peter;
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
The “Rock” Jesus speaks of could have two possible interpretations. Many theologians feel that it speaks of Peter who became one of the foundation stones of the first century church. In fact, Roman Catholicism uses this interpretation saying Peter fulfilled this prophecy by becoming the first Pope. However, the Greek word for this (underlined) is a demonstrative pronoun and not a personal pronoun. This would suggest that Jesus is not referring to an individual but to the process that is also mentioned in the same verses; that would be “revelation”. Salvation and refreshing are spiritual actions and cannot be planned or organized by man. All man can do is to prepare for what God has promised. The final description is that the “gates of hell will not overcome or prevail against it. This speaks of a militant church that hell has no chance against. That description would not describe that present day church. A shaking like a Spiritual awakening would perhaps change that. The second verse that gives precedent to this final move is found in Ephesians 5:25-27 (ESV);
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”
The church that Jesus returns for that will be radiant, holy, blameless without stain or wrinkle. For this to happen, we need not only an outpouring of Holy Spirit but a realization that the “shekinah” glory of the Lord is resident within us. This must become “revelation” to every believer. Why? Because all creation is waiting for the “revealing” of the sons of God (Romans 8:19). I have included the link for the video we showed last Sunday of the church needing the “Spirit and fire” to come and cleanse and prepare us. The Spirit and the bride say “Come, Lord Jesus, set our hearts on fire.
https://youtu.be/dgrFZEDTvVM