I want revival...why wont it come?

these are my thoughts, why does it not happened? why don't heaven render and God "stepping" down, this would be as close to heaven on earth we can come in my own mind, i know there are tons of sermons on this, tons of articles... Ive read many many and listened to many many...yet i don't feel the revival is any closer...i pray for revival...but still something is missing... why wont God send revival? is he holding back on it? nooo that cant be it...

one of many reasons maybe is we couldn't take care of it, the Christians that is now couldn't take care of ,lets say 3000 conversions.... not in my church anyway, Ive noticed we do pray for revival but not many actually would "step out" of their "world" to do Gods work, give their time to the Lord for his use, this includes myself to,

is there anything as awesome as a revival? except going home to Jesus i cant think of anything.... I'm tired talking about hearing about it, discussing it.... its all good but i want to EXPERIENCE it...

just some thoughts

God let it start in my heart...

actually would "step out" of their "world" to do Gods work, give thier time to the Lord for his use

Why is it so many sit comfortably in Church pews praying for revival and salvation, and then do not "go" as Jesus commanded?

Has not the gospel been heard in the States and Europe? Have not the people had a chance to respond? Did not Jesus say: "And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them"?

Christ is alive and at work in many countries around the world while the gospel is being attacked and criticized in the States and Europe. If God's people truly want to see souls saved, it is time to get up and go to where the harvest is ripe. There are countries who need to hear, and it cannot happen until the Church abandons herself to God for His good pleasure and use. It cannot happen unless we are willing to serve Christ alone.

God let it start in my heart...

Amen.

May Christ have complete reign over me....my heart, body, mind, and soul.

In love,
Blake

You know Christian, something you said could be why we do not have revival, well, one reason why.

Quote: the Christians that is now couldent take care of,lets say 3000 conversions...not in my church anyway...

3000 conversions? How about just one, making a disciple, who will win someone to Christ, and make him a disciple etc...

Don't look for the multitudes, look for the one.

Some years ago, we had a guest speaker at our church, and advertised it, gave out flyers etc.

We thought perhaps maybe two or three people might turn up. So we put out an extra row of seats, about 6 chairs.

Well, nearly 50 people turned up, who had never been to the church before.

We were busy putting out more chairs.

So we had the meeting, and since there were more visitors than there were people in the congregation, it was hard to go try to speak to everyone before they left.

You know what, that wasn't revival. I don't recall anyone getting saved, and if any of them ever came back to the church after that, I don't remember.

But I realised the problem of having too many people get saved all at once.

If God is really moving, it's no problem, people will truly be touched by the Holy Spirit and be ready to obey the word of God.

How can you make disciples, as Jesus told us to, out of 3000 people all at once?

Still, keep praying for revival, it will come. We don't know when, but God does, let's leave it up to Him.

Thanks for the post.

God bless.

I too have read many accounts of revival and have been part of a prayer team and we pray for revival. It is a wonder at times, however there are many factors as you have said, we are just too busy to really want it.

All the accounts I have read happened when a group of people decided they wouldn't let go until He blessed them.

In Duncan Campbell's account to the Lewis Revival two sisters set their heart to pray because they grieved so over the condition of the church and more specifically the yound people. They sought God day and night and then approached the preacher with the condition of the believers. They covenanted to cry out to God all night for a long length of time, and God sent Duncan Campbell to them. It wasn't until they were brought face to face with thier own dirty hands that they saw a change. They wept because they needed to change, not somebody else.

We say we want revival but we are unwilling, at least most of us, to pay the price. To be inconvenienced! We want to fill our lives with trashy tv shows and movies, we want to be ugly with cashiers, and other laborers, we want to walk by on the other side when someone is in need. We like cheating on out taxes and lying when someone calls and asks if we can come into work, or more specifically when we don't want to go into work for the day.

We want to have revival when it doesn't interrupt of favorite soap opera. We will give to the ministry with it's hand out, but feel justified keeping the rest for ipods, tvs, clothes, clothes and more clothes. How many pieces of jewelry does one need? How much food is enough? How fancy of a car or house is enough?

Am I saying these things are wrong, not necessarily, however, if we want revival wanting all these things make us work more so we have less time to seek His face, then we have to keep them up so more time. I haven't even mentioned sports, God forbid we should miss our favorite game or not allow our children to be the star player, also much, much time.

This is the reason.

[color=6600CC]Jer 24:7 And I will give them an heart to know me, that I [am] the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.[/color]

[color=6600CC]Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart.[/color]

[color=6600CC]Hsa 5:15 I will go [and] return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.[/color]

Until we seek Him with an undivided heart we will not really see revival the way you are longing to see it. However all it would take is for the power grid to go down in the USA and we suddenly would have a lot more time on our hands. What would we do with that time? Would we sit around and wring our hands because we don't know what to do with it or would we seek His face? Would we cuss and fuss because we don't have our beloved hot water, microwave, etc, etc, etc. Hurricane Katrina revealed what was in peoples hearts. We saw the ugly, however there was also a group who stepped out of their ease and gave thier lives for the victims. As ye have done it unto the least of these, ye have done it unto Me.

This is why in Africa they are seeing a number of revivals. They have nothing, therefore nothing has them, except God. They don't have to worry about protecting thier precious goods, they don't have any. However, they have the eternal teasure that nobody can steal.

How much are we (me) willing to pay to see true revival? That is where it starts. It is a lifestyle. It has to consume us, our every waking moment, even our dreams. We have to have personal revival first.

God spoke to my heart that when I come into His presence and allow Him to light the fire that fire will ignite other fires. That is where I am right now, seeking to have my hands cleansed and my junk removed. Seeking to shut off the tv and stop buying stuff I don't need anyway. Seeking to have my eyes of compassion opened to the need around me and being willing to lay down lying and excess.

You asked a very good question, however the answer is why don't I have revival?

enid wrote:
3000 conversions? How about just one, making a disciple, who will win someone to Christ, and make him a disciple etc...

thats a truth...but thats not so popular ;-)

why wont God send revival?

That's a good question, i believe christians have not met the conditions requiered by God for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, i'm not qualified to speak about this subject because i'm recovering by God's grace from my backslidings, anyway i'l tell my honest opinion.

The scary thing is that if things will go on as they do among churches and christians in west Europe and North America or somewhere else, it's very possible this part of the world will never see again an authentic Revival before Christ second comming.

I may be a little fool to say that ( i wish i'm wrong) but one thing is sure i'm not fooled by the spirit(s) of deception that is so prevalent in western churches today.....almost everyone here knows about Leonard Ravenhill and his burden for revival and God's glory . he prayed much , preached much, wrote much about revival but this dear man of God never saw a revival in his life, he lived in the wilderness and cried out as a prophet but still why God didnt answer his heart breaking longing and prayer for revival honestly i dont understand....

If men like Leonard Ravenhill disappear from the scene of religious circles chances for an mighty outpouring of the Holy Ghost diminish, well God is still sovereign but he still looks for a man ( in the west) who can pray like the righteous Elijah and the heavens will open and pour out rain but this time it will be the rain of the Holy Spirit but unfortunatly that bold faith that is childlike that rents heavens down by force is lacking in western churches

If i really want to expect for a great move of God i'll better look to africa, india, china or somewhere else then in our westen churches (and i well mean here evangelical churches) who are suffecated with materialism and so lukewarm that they are in danger of being spit out of the mouth of God.....and oh boy! how few among us are really cold or hot (many think they are hot but their fires that heat their souls are wild).

Your question is the question of the hour now isn't it? And I have heard multiple solutions and explanations and teachings on revival, through church history etc...

But I have seen very little action and obedience. How many of us are part of churches where people actually even pray anymore. I have been to prayer conference after conference where there are hours of teaching, BUT VERY LITTLE PRAYER.

And the reason why pastors churches don't pray is because if we did, then we would have to start being honest with our true condition before a Holy God. And we don't want that. Most of the church wants to live in a happy state of denial about our true condition.

BUT I do see believers and have met them across my state in the upper midwest of the U.S. who are completely desperate and are willing to do what it takes to have GOd come-BUT THE LEADERSHIP DOESN'T WANT IT. I think they believe it's too controversial, will require too much from people, and they will then lose support, or finances.

Remember, Jesus said, you cannot serve both God and Mammon. It's usually one or the other. That's what I've found.

But there are people out there, desperate saints who have been in the trenches for years, and are paying the price, but are waiting for the leadership in the church to step up to the plate.

Keep at it saints!

I agree with the things stated in these posts. Just like I said before we are too busy to take it seriously. Even pastors don't want the interruptions. If many babies come into the kingdom somebody has to diaper them and clean up thier messes, maybe even invite steet people into our homes, God forbid.

I will not generalize but some pastors don't want the trouble. They want an easly life. I have been part of a number of intercessory prayer group and most want you to pray that everything goes great at church, but don't want it to get too out of hand and they sure don't want to inconvenience the flow of church as usual to facilitate a revival.

That is why in Africa and India it is happening because thier lives aren't so good and they know Jesus offers them something better. We in the west are just plain happy with our lives, too happy.

Mat 24:36 ¶ But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

Mat 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Mat 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Mat 24:41 Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Mat 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

God help us to take this hour seriously. God help us to want you more that stuff or tv or sports. We have been warned. I am experiencing a increased grief over the condition of my family and my own heart. I want to be one of the wise virgins. Help me Jesus.

elected wrote:

[i][size=x-small]
If men like Leonard Ravenhill disappear from the scene of religious circles chances for an mighty outpouring of the Holy Ghost diminish, well God is still sovereign but he still looks for a man ( in the west) who can pray like the righteous Elijah and the heavens will open and pour out rain but this time it will be the rain of the Holy Spirit but unfortunatly that bold faith that is childlike that rents heavens down by force is lacking in western churches[/size][/i]

How right you are to give this as an example of heaven opening up but it wasnt just faith.If you read the verses before the fire fell you will see Elijah knew at the time when he prayed that the fire would fall.He went step by step and knew what he was at.We dont know what we're at!
rgds staff

"If men like Leonard Ravenhill disappear from the scene of religious circles chances for an mighty outpouring of the Holy Ghost diminish, well God is still sovereign but he still looks for a man..."

I must say I very much agree with many of the points elected and others have made. I too wonder if the overall church in America has slipped into the Laodicean state(Rev 3).
You see the church of Laodicea likeness in a number of different ways in the church today.
1- self-sufficiency- "being rich and have need of nothing"- This in essence is the cessationism(that gave rise to the "seeker-sensitive" approach to ministry). It's the view of God no longer giving the gifts of the spirit so basically "we have to do this on our own" and the result is that people rely on the arm of flesh instead of the arm of God.
2- man-pleasers rather than God pleasers: this is basically the seeker-sensitive movement where the Bible and sound doctrines such as the cross, sin, hell and even the true Jesus are ignored or rejected so that sinners will feel welcome in church. And you find Jesus standing at the door knocking. This isn't a call to the pagan world as it is used in evangelism. It is a call to the church to repent.
3- the call of repentance to the church of Laodicea is to the individual- if anyONE will hear His voice. I'm not sure if there will be another great overall revival among the churches of the west.
But there is hope that God would save a remnant.
And as was already stated don't be worried about the multitudes and forget about the few.
We may stand in a day when we are called to be as Jeremiah faithful in speaking God's message and holding out the light without any revival.

Hi timmyspitz,You wrote:Warning to staff: don't get your eyes on men. Put your eyes on God.
Much of our problem is we can't get past looking at the instrument. Elijah was only a man of like passions.

I think you've totally missed my point.My eyes are firmly fixed on God!God told Elijah what to do through the Holy Spirit and what steps to take and in what order for God to send fire from heaven and when Elijah did it exactly correct God then kept his part of the bargain.Two people knew what was going to happen on that day God and Elijah and the fire wont fall until we follow that example.However we just look at that whole story and say" what faith Elijah had" without understanding that he also knew what he was at.We dont know what we are at but the example is there to follow.Basically their is a process and Elijah knew this process through the Spirit.He followed this process being led by the Spirit and thats why he was successful.If he had not followed the process on that day faith would not have been enough!The examples are their we just have to read the scripture and ask God for understanding.The bible say "Elijah was a man just like us" and I think your comment is a bit unfair,
Rgds staff

rgds

If you read the verses before the fire fell you will see Elijah knew at the time when he prayed that the fire would fall.He went step by step and knew what he was at.We dont know what we're at

True, before the heavens gave rain Elijah challenged the false prophets of baal and he prayed God and fire fell and burned up the sacrifice (bull) on the altar. People saw this miracle and they bowed down to worship the true God and then the Elijah killed the false prophets.

I think REVIVAL is a scary thing, if God in his great mercy intents to give another great outpouring of His Spirit today in american churches, you better forget how sanctified your feelings are because if it comes it means war (and i mean spiritual war), seperation or devision in churches, it can mean persecution of revived minority by the lukewarm majority,it means cleasing the temple of God from the false prophets(excommunication)who deceive people, it means that all the powers of hell will see you (the revived christian) as the most dangerous person to be feared on earth and they will do all to crush you down, it means every moment you have to hold fast to God's invisible power of the cross and the Holy Spirit for victory.

Luk 6:40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

1Jo 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Jhn 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you.

Dear Bro. Art Katz says the religious folks will gnash on the called out church with their teeth. We can expect not to be popular if we preach the unpopular message. A walk of holiness enrages those around them, unless they want holiness themselves.

whit out holiness no man shall see the Lord, that maybe applies this side of heaven to? That God wont come and "show" himself whit out that we are holy, just a thought

another "provoking" thought is what i read about the account of Erlo Stegen and the revival among the Zulus, he said this

It was Christmas time when the Revival broke out. “In times of Revival, the Word of God comes alive. It smites us and pierces our heart. The Word of God is like a hammer that breaks the rocks into pieces. It now became clear to me that it wasen't’t the heathen who were standing in the way of Revival. I could only cry out: ‘Lord, there is only one person who hinders Your work, and that is me! Please forgive me!’”

Wow, that is a convicting word. I must read more from Erlo Stegen. Thanks for sharing that hmmhmm.

Christian,

"another "provoking" thought is what i read about the account of Erlo Stegen and the revival among the Zulus"

I was thinking the same thing this morning, and how it seems like he says quite a few things which go along with this question you are asking?

'"We Christians had failed. In the end we all gave up and had to take the girl back.”Erlo Stegen thought that he was a complete failure.'

and then later...

'It was December 1966 when the Revival broke out. Rev. Erlo Stegen explained, “We were at a loss, we had reached a deadlock and we were in a spiritually desperate situation.”'

and then

'Erlo Stegen explains that Revivals are terrifying things. When the Holy Spirit comes, He convicts us of sin, of righteousness and of judgment to come. “For God resists the proud” - 1 Peter 5:5

“What is our greatest danger? In reality it is God Himself. There is nothing in this world that we need fear more than God. Even if the whole world were for us, but God against us, we would be fighting a losing battle.”'

[i]Erlo Stegen testifies how the Lord convicted them of pride, prejudice and idolatry. “‘Let us get down on our knees and pray,’ I wept incessantly and cried out ‘God be merciful to me, a sinner.’” That was the beginning of the Revival.[/i]

[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=15173&forum=40&3]Thread: ERLO STEGEN AND THE REVIVAL AMONG THE ZULUS
[/url]

another thing that strikes me while reading the "stegen thread" is that

“The early church didn’t tolerate sin, they had no room and no time for sin, and dealt with it most severely. We worship God and tolerate sin in our midst! If you pray for Revival, you are asking for something the world doesn’t understand. We read the Bible so superficially that we cannot grasp what it is all about.”

booth about the sin part, but also how we read the word of God, i think it was zac poonen who said in one of his sermons that we should approach the word as it was the first time we read it and then read it and believe it and obey it, conforming our lives after it, How often don't we come to the word and already have decided what it means? what God is saying...most times we already have a "understanding" of what it means. even if that understanding is "right" doctrine and so on, still if we come to the word and just read it as it where the first time, maybe we would take it "more seriously", even our reading the word can be just a "routine", just something we do.... any thoughts about this approach to scripture?

just some more thoughts

i went through the "archives" of the revival section, i found an article Greg posted a long time ago, but it also made me think of is the people praying for revival ready to go out whit the gospel? I'm i ready?
here is the article

these people where ready...

PETER and PAUL were both martyred in Rome about 66 AD, during the persecution under Emperor Nero. Paul was beheaded. Peter was crucified, upside down at his request, since he did not feel he was worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.

ANDREW went to the "land of the man-eaters," in what is now the Soviet Union. Christians there claim him as the first to bring the gospel to their land. He also preached in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey, and in Greece, where he is said to have been crucified.

"Doubting" THOMAS was probably most active in the area east of Syria. Tradition has him preaching as far east as India, where the ancient Marthoma Christians revere him as their founder. They claim that he died there when pierced through with the spears of four soldiers.

PHILIP possibly had a powerful ministry in Carthage in North Africa and then in Asia Minor, where he converted the wife of a Roman proconsul. In retaliation the proconsul had Philip arrested and cruelly put to death.

MATTHEW the tax collector and writer of a Gospel, ministered in Persia and Ethiopia. Some of the oldest reports say he was not martyred, while others say he was stabbed to death in Ethiopia.

BARTHOLOMEW had widespread missionary travels attributed to him by tradition: to India with Thomas, back to Armenia, and also to Ethiopia and Southern Arabia. There are various accounts of how he met his death as a martyr for the gospel.

JAMES the son of Alpheus, is one of at least three Jameses referred to in the New Testament. There is some confusion as to which is which, but this James is reckoned to have ministered in Syria. The Jewish historian Josephus reported that he was stoned and then clubbed to death.

SIMON THE ZEALOT, so the story goes, ministered in Persia and was killed after refusing to sacrifice to the sun god.

MATTHIAS was the apostle chosen to replace Judas. Tradition sends him to Syria with Andrew and to death by burning.

JOHN is the only one of the company generally thought to have died a natural death from old age. He was the leader of the church in the Ephesus area and is said to have taken care of Mary the mother of Jesus in his home. During Domitian's persecution in the middle 90's, he was exiled to the island of Patmos. There he is credited with writing the last book of the New Testament--the Revelation. An early Latin tradition has him escaping unhurt after being cast into boiling oil at Rome.

The New Testament tells of the fate of only two of the apostles: Judas, who betrayed Jesus and then went out and hanged himself, and James the son of Zebedee, who was executed by Herod about 44 AD (Acts 12:2).

They suffered greatly for their faith and in most cases met violent deaths on account of their bold witness

We need to re-study our Bibles

We need to re-study our Bibles, and learn
what real Christianity is—how holy, how heavenly,
how spiritual, how loving, how morally and socially
excellent a matter it is.

What separation from the world,
what devoutness,
what intense earnestness,
what conscientiousness,
what enlarged benevolence,
what unselfishness,
what zealous activity,
what unearthliness,
what seeds of celestial virtue—
our profession of godliness implies.

Having examined this, and obtained an impressive
idea of it, let us survey our own state, and ask if
we do not need, and ought not to seek, more of the
prevalence of such a piety as this, which, in fact, is
primitive Christianity.

Is our spiritual condition what it ought to be, what
it might be, what it must be—to fulfill our high
commission as the salt of the earth and the light of
the world? A Christian, acting up in some tolerable
measure to his profession, walking in the holiness
of the Gospel—is the strongest and most emphatic
testimony for God to our dark revolted world, next
to that of Christ himself

J.A James