Over the past several weeks, we have heard of Holy Spirit moving in places like Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Florida and Texas. Since then, there has been debates all over YouTube and other platforms debating whether these events are true “revivals” or not. I’ve heard some question whether this is the next great spiritual awakening that we’ve been waiting for.
I’m going to follow my mentor’s advice. Don’t get involved in the debates; stay on your knees and keep your face to the ground. Stay humble before the Lord. However, it is wonderful to hear “good” news instead of all the “bad” news for a change. The writer of Luke gives us some good advice in the Book of 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.”
The one thing that is consistent in all awakenings or revivals is the spiritual awareness of righteous God and the confession of and repentance of sin before Him. There is a hungering for more of the tangible presence of the Lord and a loss of the importance of time as those worshipping who don’t want it to end. Endless worship seems to be playing a major role in these events along with the reading of scripture and the sharing of testimonies. People are so desperate for a touch of Jesus that they will drive hours and travel from other nations to receive a touch from God. Each of God’s movements have different characteristics.
All I can comment on is what I know first-hand. I was very much involved in the “Toronto Blessing” even serving on an input counsel for a few years. I visited the “Brownsville Revival” in Pensacola. Florida and its emphasis was very different than what God was doing in Toronto. Toronto Blessing came out of the “Vineyard” movement which was much more laid-back in its approach and use of intimate worship to entertain the presence of the Lord and even allowing strange manifestations. John Arnott rarely spoke but was more a facilitator of the Holy Spirit. “Brownsville” on the other hand was much more attuned to the Assembly of God doctrine of the fear of the Lord. Steve Hill was an excellent communicator who spoke night after night. Its emphasis seemed to be that if you continued to sin, you weren’t born-again. Many of those who rushed to the altar night after night did so because of the conviction of sin and a desiring to be clean before the Lord. Toronto was all about freedom, Brownsville, the fear of the Lord and holiness. Brownsville worship was more “Pentecostal” in its approach. Both leaders were perfect for each revival. John Arnott was the epitome of being “laid-back” where John Kilpatrick was as “intense” a leader as there could be. However, they seem to follow denominational doctrine of both streams.I believe both moves were timely moves of Holy Spirit, yet I don’t believe either reached its full potential impact for various reasons.
One of mans’ weaknesses is control! In Toronto, the move of the Spirit is often galvanized by the “institutionalization” of it. That has happened over and over through the history of Christendom. Denominations were birthed by moves of God. We then make them systems of theology and doctrine; the freedom of Holy Spirit is not welcome. In Brownsville, I understand that it was the control of denominational leadership and control of the school that followed that shut the move down. Holy Spirit will not operate in a vacuum of control. Saint Paul said the in 2 Corinthians 3:17 (ESV)
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
Holy Spirit will not be controlled. Secondly, at least in Toronto, there was an attempt to let all rivers flow together which I believed also killed it! ECCUMENICASLISM NOT UNITY!
All these movements though historical did not reach the level of awakenings in my opinion. The reason being that although millions of people from all over the world were spiritually touched by both, they failed to affect the culture of Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Pensacola, Florida respectively. They both touched people personally from all over the world.
Through all these experiences, I became a student of past revivals. I’ve discovered that God responds to hunger and to those who walk in humility and purity. See Matthew 5:6 and Matthew 5;8 (ESV)
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Actually, you don’t need to go someplace to experience revival. You can experience it anywhere and anytime you want it. It’s because Holy Spirit lives in you. Just allow Holy Spirit to control your behavior and do what He tells you to do. Learn to love each other fervently and with passion for the Lord.
Last week one of leaders said this “if you seek Jesus, you will have revival, if you seek revival, you’ll have an event.
That saying wrecked me but its so accurate. Matthew 6:33 (ESV) says this,
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Seek the Lord with all your heart. You will have perpetual revival in your heart.
I believe that there is a massive revival come for the world. Why? Because that is just the heart of our God. And I do believe that this is a precursor to what’s coming.
This is what Peter said in Acts 2:14-17 (ESV)
“But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh”
All means all! I believe the scriptures are clear. We will see millions come to the kingdom in just one day. Everything is about to get shaken by the power of the living God, and God will move into the nations by His Spirit. Nothing will be able to stop what’s coming. It will be the greatest awakening we’ve ever experienced. Hebrews 12:25=29 (ESV)
25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
Every thing we have put our trust in that is not secure is going to be shaken We we have believed as normal is about to be changed in a big way so that the “Gospel of the Kingdom” can be preached to the entire earth. Then the end will come according to the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:11—14 (ESV)
“And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
All this shaking is happening as I write this blog! The best is yet to come!! We have begun to feel this outpouring even at Cornerstone of Friday nights! It’s been awesome as we’ve just allowed Holy Spirit to move. We worship and wait upon Him. Come join us for this awesome time of worship! Maranatha, Holy Spirit and the bride say “come!!”.