Truths Concerning Revivals

Nov03
by Michael King on November 3, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Posted In: spiritual leadership
Garden

Come Back To The Garden

We all desire revival.   Christians the world over yearn for a fresh visitation of His Holy Spirit. We look longingly at great revivals of the past, thrilling to stories of apostolic power and the presence of God. We pray and ask the Holy Spirit to infuse us with this type of power, realizing that living our Christian lives in our own strength is futile indeed.

Revivals come in two basic types, man-made and God-breathed. Today many churches hold the man-made variety.  Experience has shown that the enthusiasm generated by such planned “revival” meetings is generally short-lived and the lasting effects are negligible.  God describes the state of the Israel in the book of Isaiah which is also spiritually applicable to the present day church,

“We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.”

Isaiah 26:18

God’s very nature is creation

On the other hand, God-given revivals are spontaneous, dynamic, having lasting effects. They usually begin with a few Christians who simply believe that God means exactly what He says. They shake off the shackles of unbelief and, like Jacob, wrestle with God until He blesses them. These types of revivals move the church forward in significant ways by restoring lost truths and bringing forth new revelations.

For instance, the return of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a good example of this type of revival. The church lost Holy Spirit baptism during the dark ages.  The truth of being filled with God’s Spirit remained hidden for centuries. At a little Bible College in Topeka Kansas, God chose to restore this truth to His church. While the leader of the Bible College was away, a group of young students simply believed God for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  They thought to themselves, “If God did it like that to the first Christians, why not us too?”

As they prayed and waited, much like the 120 did in the upper room, the Holy Spirit filled them and they spoke in other tongues. One woman spoke in nothing but perfect Chinese for days afterward. With a few who dared to believe, God restored this wonderful gift.  With that act of faith, God restored the promise of ‘the Comforter’ to the entire world.  This is an example of a God-given revival.

One step of faith

If one  simple act of faith God restored the power of His Holy Spirit to His church, what other  forgotten truths are waiting to be re-discovered? We cheat ourselves out of many blessings if we assume our current understanding is all that God wishes to restore to us.  We should be actively open to receive all that the Holy Spirit has to give, for certainly there is much more truth to be rediscovered.

Unfortunately, when we look at the history of great revivals we see that true visitations of Gods Spirit don’t continue indefinitely. One needs only to have a basic knowledge of church history to verify this fact.  Most denominations were born of God-given revivals  but now are only empty shells of their past glory. What happened to these outpourings? Why did they not continue? Moreover, is there a way to sustain such revivals in the future? To understand why revivals don’t last and to help us chart a course through present and future moves of God’s Spirit,  we must first examine why revivals are given in the first place.

Understand where you began

To begin with, we must understand the place we came from and how far we have fallen. In the beginning, the design of God for mankind was for His creation to live by faith through revelation. As it is written,

“But he answered and said, it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

 Matthew 4:4

And God gave this commandment to live by,

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die”

Genesis 2:16,17

Self-determination is sin

Yet, because Adam ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,  mankind choose a life of self-determination rather than faith, to walk by knowledge rather than revelation. Thus God drove Adam, Eve, and all their dependents from the Garden and His presence,

“So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the Garden of Eden Cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”

Genesis 3:24

After that, mankind spirals downward into the depths of sin, until the world is filled with violence.  The situation became so bad that God actually repented, i.e. felt badly, that He created man in the first place.  Therefore, God destroys every living thing on the face of the Earth except eight people and a boat full of animals.  The destruction of the earth in Noah’s day resulted from Adam and his descendants choosing to live by knowledge rather than revelation.

The central point that I am going to make in this essay is:

 “The purpose of God in outpourings of His Spirit is to restore mankind to the sinless perfection of their pre-fallen Garden state.”

Though Adam sinned God did not leave us totally naked, but provided skins to cover our shame until such time as He could bring reconciliation. God has been progressively weaning mankind from the tree of knowledge,  replacing it with the tree of life.  Our Father desires to restore man to perfect communion with Him as He originally intended. In order to do this we must put away our dependence upon our natural minds. Every act of God in the Old and New Testaments, in revivals past, present, and future, is designed with this end in view. Through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit God provides for us a vehicle that can potentially accomplish the perfection of the saints.

A 7000 year detour

Like Israel’s forty years in the wilderness we, as mankind, have been taking a seven thousand-year detour from God’s original plan and perfect will.  Moreover, we will keep wandering in the wilderness of this world until we finally come back to the garden, reject the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and obey God’s original plan.

Our Father in heaven always gets His way. The timing of when God accomplishes His plan is really inconsequential. God is immortal, so time is irrelevant.  A few thousand years here or there, though regrettable for us, doesn’t prevent His will from being accomplished.

Simply put, revivals do not continue because those who enter in to them “camp-out”, refusing to move forward with God.  As a revival progresses into deeper realms of God, an even greater percentage of those in the revival start to pull back in unbelief. Even though some individuals earnestly desire to move forward, they find it increasingly difficult to do so in the face of opposition from their own brethren.

God keeps moving, even if you refuse to budge

Therefore, leaders can only sustain revivals through a commitment to move as God moves.  It is not the form of the revival that matters, but the essence of it we must always hold dear.  The forms that God chooses to temporarily house His Spirit change over time, yet His Spirit is evident in every one of them.  Embrace this truth and commit to making the full journey no matter where God leads. As long as He moves, we move.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t care about man’s sensibilities and will do whatever He deems appropriate to accomplish His will.  This is where most ministers stumble at the power and manifest creativity of God.  For example, even Gods own law, when practiced without heart, isn’t welcomed by Him.

God says,

“Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.”

Isaiah 1:4

Then God says,

“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.  When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?”

Isaiah 1:11,12

Therefore, even things God says to do, if done by those who are disobedient in their hearts, displeases Him.  It is not the form of Godliness that matters so much as the substance of our obedience.

Here is a central truth,

“At some point, all God-given revivals will threaten to dissolve any religious system.”

The coming of Christ was the most profound revival to happen in the past 2000 Years.  God said of His son,

“Then a voice came from heaven, You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

 Mark 1:1

 However, those who were the target of the revival in Israel said,

“The Jews answered Him, saying, For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.

John 10:33

Jesus is God manifest in the flesh

To the Jewish mindset, Jesus had simply gone too far.  To any sensible Jew, making yourself equal with God is just too much.  The only flaw in their logic was that He actually was God manifest in the flesh and those who opposed Him were dead wrong.  In the same way, if you value your religious system above God,  you may find yourself in opposition to His Spirit when true revival comes. The paradox of the gospel is that you must lose your life in order to save it.  Likewise, we must lose our religious system in order to practice true religion.

In conclusion, no matter how difficult it is for you to make the changes necessary to come into alignment with Gods plan, you must do it.  Failure to act in a timely manner only increases the cost of obedience in the long run.  Many have delayed doing what God asked of them so long that the cost of change is too much.  However, our master set the example by denying himself and choosing the cross for our sakes.  Can we do any less?

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel by Anna Hawkins

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The Way of the Wilderness

Nov03
by Michael King on November 3, 2012 at 2:00 pm
Posted In: prophecy
wilderness

God did as He promised

 
 
As prophesied, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob delivered His children from the bondage of Egypt. Led by Moses, the children of Israel began the journey to the Promised Land. Though the way of the Philistines was the shortest route to their destination, God in His wisdom, did not lead His people that way. God foresaw that the Israelites would return to Egypt rather than face an attack of the nations along that route. Instead, God led them through the wilderness to the shore of the Red Sea. Contrary to what might have seemed right at that time to the natural man, God led them into a desert wilderness where there was no food, water or shelter. Furthermore, God directed Moses to have the children of Israel make camp near the Red Sea, which left them vulnerable to attack. As always, God had a plan.

Trapped against the Red Sea

It was brought to the attention of Pharaoh that his former slaves made the foolish mistake of setting their tents near the Red Sea. His military mind knew that the Israelites, if attacked, were vulnerable and would have nowhere to flee. Seeing Pharaoh’s armies drawing near, God’s chosen were greatly afraid. Out of despair, they accused Moses saying, “Were there no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?”

God spoke to Moses saying, “Lift up your rod and stretch it out over the sea and divide it.” Then, the great pillar of fire which had led the people into the wilderness moved from before them and set itself between them and the Egyptian armies. God held the armies of Pharaoh at bay all night while a strong east wind parted the waters, providing a way of escape for the Israelites. What seemed so hopeless in the natural realm was turned into victory by God’s Spirit. As it is written,

“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples (examples): and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

1 Corinthians 10:11

God always has a plan

Though in the natural it seemed Moses had failed and there was no hope, God knew all along He would use these circumstances to bring Himself glory. Remember, to God, there is never an impossible situation. God had purposed to destroy the power of Pharaoh through the apparent vulnerability and defenselessness of His people. God foreknew that through the way of the wilderness He would once and for all deliver His people from the slavery of Egypt.

The will of the Almighty is not always for us to take the easiest or safest route. In fact, often times Jesus directs us to take a course of action that leads us to our own Red Sea experience. Many times in the natural, the situations we face seem impossible. Just as the children of Israel, we fear there is no deliverance for us. Yet, our Lord allows us to be tested in these dire situations to strengthen our faith and to show forth His glory.

Allow God to teach you the way of the wilderness

God desires to teach each one of us the way of the wilderness. In the gospel of Matthew we read,

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” 

Matthew 16:24

God sometimes leads us into situations that we might avoid in the natural. For example, when Jesus was born, He was born to be the King of Israel. God promised Jesus in the scriptures He would rule and reign on the throne of David.  Christ’s Father declared that of the increase of His Kingdom there would be no end. Yet, the way in which God chose for Jesus to obtain the kingdom was unexpected.  Jesus came not as a conquering King, as the Zealots of His day desired, but through the apparent defeat of the cross. As He sweat great drops of blood and pleaded for His Father to provide another way, we see the essence of the way of the wilderness.

There is a way that seems right to a man

Satan had already tempted Christ to take the way that seemed right to man.

“And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:”

Luke 4:9,10

The Devil suggested that Jesus cast Himself off the top of the temple building and declare Himself to be the Messiah. All who would see Him descend from heaven would immediately accept Him as their Savior and King. Jesus could have then gained the throne of David in one magnificent act and fulfilled His destiny. The accuser of the brethren even used scripture to assure Jesus that no physical harm would come to Him should He do so. To the natural man, the devil’s plan of action seemed the best and easiest way to gain the kingdom. Yet, Jesus knew by the Spirit this was not His Father’s will. Instead, God’s plan for Jesus was just the opposite of the devil’s plan for popularity. His Father led Him to be in direct opposition to the established religious leadership of the day.

God in us always exposes legalism and hypocrisy

Christ exposes the legalism and hypocrisy of the Pharisees when He preaches forgiveness and liberty to the common man. In front of many, the Son of God shames those who trust in the righteousness of the Law. Jesus reveals them to be sons of the devil, whitewashed sepulchers, a brood of snakes, and blind leaders of the blind. He shows how, rather than bringing the people closer to God, they both separate themselves and their followers from the Father. To say the least, such hard sayings were not the way to win scribes and influence Pharisees. Yet, in His wisdom, this was the path God chose.

Many come to you when you are being led by the Spirit into the wilderness, telling you it is not God’s will. They advise taking the way of the Philistines, for it is the safest and easiest route. They even rebuke you, as Peter did to Jesus, trying to persuade you not to go up to Jerusalem and die. Be careful to spiritually discern who is really talking.  Sometimes we must hold steady and resist the devil who speaks from the mouths of well-meaning souls. These types of people speak out of selfish motives and do not recognize what God is trying to accomplish by His Spirit.

Plant your seed

The principle of spiritual increase in God’s kingdom tells us that unless the seed goes into the ground and die it will bring forth nothing. I do not speak of physical death, because that price has already been paid for us through the cross of Christ. The death I speak of is the death to self, which occurs when we yield to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit, contrary to our earthly desires.  In the gospel of Luke, God reveals a fundamental principle of Gods kingdom,

“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.”

Luke 17:33

The kingdom of God is set up in such a way that it causes those who only see with natural eyes to stumble. Paul writes,

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:”

I Corinthians 1:26

Don’t focus upon earthly things

Our natural minded focus upon earthly things inspired Jesus to reveal that,

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

Mark 10:25

This is also the reason why the multitudes who followed Jesus did not often understand the spiritual meaning of the parables He taught. The things of God were, are, and will always be spiritually discerned. We must learn to see through spiritual eyes and hear through spiritual ears.   Even though the world, like the high council, intimidates us, we, like Peter and the Apostles, obey God rather than men.

Be born again into God’s new creation

Christ was the first-born of the new creation of God. We, through faith, are born-again into that new creation also. As Christ was, we are to be. We are to learn the way of the wilderness through following His pattern of self-denial. In yielding to the will of God, we become selfless and bring glory, not to ourselves, but to God. Know that the world will hate you just as they hated Christ. As we become more like Christ,  those who love the darkness of this world reject us just as they did him. When this happens, rejoice, for great is your reward in heaven.

Here is a truth:

“God will permit no one to enter heaven that has not come to Him purely by faith.”

God will not permit His people to place their trust and hope in anyone or anything but Him. The intensive study of theology has become a trap for many zealous believers. Christians tend to become prideful about what they believe. They begin to trust in their own understanding, rather than in every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Their security begins to rest in their knowledge of God, rather than their relationship with Him. Jesus said,

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

John 5:39

Doctrine can save no one

Doctrine saves no one. Christ alone is the resurrection and the life.  Only through a personal relationship with Him are we granted entrance into the kingdom of heaven.

Are, then, the scriptures of no importance? No, the scriptures are of great importance. However,  be careful to realize that our understanding of them is only an approximation of the truth. Do not be so set in your doctrinal views that you close your minds to the Spirit of Truth.  Don’t neglect your personal and individual responsibility to be taught by the Holy Spirit. In reality, we understand very little of the Bible.  Moreover, we understand even less of the true heart and intent of Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Only as we yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit does God deliver us out of the theological darkness we all dwell in.

We live in the Latter Days

As prophesied by Paul, we must understand that in these later days, doctrines of devils have infiltrated the church. These damnable heresies pollute our concepts about God to such an extent that much of what we believe to be sound doctrine is, in fact, partially or wholly incorrect. Like blind leaders of the blind, we foolishly espouse the understanding of things we cannot possibly know because we either lack or will not use the spiritual means necessary to understand them. Due to pride, we believe we know much more than we really do and we think God’s Word is more accurate than it really is.

The Manifestation of the son’s of God tears down every theology man trusts in. Many pervert the meaning of scripture until they neglect love, mercy, and compassion. God sets the stage, once again, to strip away all the false doctrines and traditions of men, revealing the simplicity of His gospel. With, as it were, God’s people’s theological backs to the Red Sea they are forced to lay down man-made creeds and totally trust in Him.

We do not have it figured out

Students of Biblical prophecy believe that the end of the age and the return of Christ is imminent. Furthermore, they believe, through their study, they know how and when these events will come to pass. By the word of the Lord I say to you:
 
 

“We do not have it figured out.”

The events of Christ’s return will happen in such a way that we must accept Him through faith and not through doctrinal knowledge. Jesus said,

“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.”

John 6:53

God says,

“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”

John 6:66-69

Just as Jesus said to His followers, they must eat His flesh and drink His blood, He sometimes deliberately stumbles our understanding also. Why? Because God in Christ desires to purify our faith. For this cause, He takes away from us all our rational justifications for believing in Him. We find that in order to continue on with Him as a disciple, we must, like Simon Peter; believe on Him simply because He is.

Do not miss the time of your visitation

Those who seek through the natural man to inherit God’s kingdom, like the Pharisees, shall miss the time of their visitation. Many, who choose to take the way of the Philistines, will never reach the Promised Land. Only those, who by faith take the way of the wilderness will receive God’s deliverance and enter into His rest. These are the sons of God.  These are the very elect.  You are the Bride of Christ who crosses over a spiritual Red Sea on dry Land, singing a new song.  We are delivered and brought into a land that flows with milk and honey, the New Heavens and the New Earth. 

Come out of Egypt and be separate

We are all on a journey out of spiritual Egypt. With a mighty hand, our Father delivers us from bondage into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. The way of the wilderness has been, through the example of Jesus, made plain for each one of us. Remember, the paths that God chooses for us causes those who look only after the natural to stumble. Yet know this, through our faith in the Son of Man and through our perseverance in that faith, God will deliver our very souls. Finally, God says,

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”

Zechariah 4:6

Holy Visitation by Karen Wheaton

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