REVIVALIST: Standing for Truth, until Truth comes.
I think of Nehemiah and Ezra, who established purity and the holy way after the exile , and Elijah , as all Israel bows to the Earth after the confrontation with the Prophets of Baal., saying; "The Lord! It is He who is God!" I think of the spirit of Elijah in John the Baptist, as "All Israel came out to hear him."
Consider the ministry of Jesus, as the Pharisees worried that the "whole World would go after Him!" Remember Phillip, as entire cities repented, and Peter at Pentecost when thousands were baptized in the Holy spirit at Pentecost, and later! Paul, the greatest of them all [ I think ], and the stirring of the capitol cities of Asia minor. Ephesus is said to have had 100,000 believers!
Revival always came with repentance in the bible, and it was not the event we think about today where crowds shake and are stirred into a sensual frenzy. It accompanied holiness, and ALWAYS the preaching of the Word with repentance, and always, eventually, it accompanied persecution. "There was great fear upon the Church, and no man dared to join HIMSELF unto them."
The prophets all proved that the Father was constantly drawing back His people unto Himself. Some responded sooner than later, some did not respond at all, but there were some who responded with holy fear right then and there. I suppose that this would be called Revival, or more simply, a return to the Fountain of Life.
"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."
"No man comes [ or returns ] to the Father except through ME!"
Do you think that this is something that we could possibly use today? When we long for it, as the drought longs for the rain, maybe we'll see it. Remember though, that Revival is not an end in itself, but a return to the path that we must walk, and as important, endure the troubles that come with true revival. Continued blessing always leads to selfish apostasy, without continued discipline and the following fruit of humility.
Acts:2
41 "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
There was great joy, and fear also, as they continued in the path of revival, and the apostles understood that this was for life. "He that endures until the end, the same shall be saved."
Revive us, again, Oh Lord!
