I have been reading the almost 600-page biography of Leonard Ravenhill by Mack Tomlinson. It brought to mind photos taken while Margaret and I waited with Leonard and Martha for their flight from the Minneapolis airport to Dallas. We had just finished meetings with Len, sponsored by a number of churches around the Minneapolis area.
I didn’t find the photos, but I did run across 45 letters, untouched for years, that we received from Len between 1983 and 1993. Len died in 1994. Shortly before that, Len wrote the foreword to our book, The Christ of the Apocalypse. That foreword was more than the result of a random request to a well-known author, in order to help bring the book to the public’s attention. It was born out of these years of communication, through the which, we also had many telephone conversations and a visit in the Ravenhill home, while traveling through Texas to Mexico. After sending Len a good portion of the manuscript of The Christ of the Apocalypse, I gave him a call from Germany. "I have read your work twice,” he said, "and I was just going over it the third time, when you called.”
Margaret came to know the Ravenhill´s at Bethany Fellowship Missionary Training School, where she attended classes with the Ravenhill sons, Paul, David and Philip in the 1960s. The family lived on campus. I came to know him many years later, after he spoke at Spiritual Life meetings at Crown College of the Christian Missionary Alliance. Margaret and I attended most of those meetings.
This is what Leonard Ravenhill wrote in the foreword: "Of a dozen books I have on the Apocalypse, this one by my friend Lowell Brueckner has moved me most. It is pointed, practical, painful, but profitable. He does not fix any dates or strive to interpret the number 666 or name the Antichrist.
As I read this book, the background in my mind was the prophet’s word””sound an alarm in my holy temple. The timing for the publication of this book is perfect. We are at a crisis hour in human history. Men ignored Christ as the Light of the World. He said, men love darkness rather than light. They still do. Darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people. We have put out ten lights (The Ten Commandments) in each school classroom. The Bible””the lamp for our feet””is missing from almost every house. So our children struggle and stumble in the darkness. Bible preaching is losing ground in many churches.
Reading the book, I was gripped again that Jesus in the Apocalypse says of its awesome events, "things that will SHORTLY come to pass. Add to this Hebrews 1:2 "Hath in these last days…”””words spoken 2000 years ago.
This book has a message vital for this day when in the churches:
There has never been more talk on faith and never more begging.
There has never been more evangelism and never less revival.
There has never been more Bible teaching and never more confusion.
There have never been more believers and never less disciples.
There has never been more action and never less unction.
There has never been more seminars and never less saints.
There has never been more Bible knowledge and never less understanding.
There have never been more outward riches and never more inward rags.
There has never been more feasting and never less fasting.
There has never been more believing and never less behaving the gospel.”
I thought it would be good on this blogspot, to share from these 45 personal letters some of the Ravenhill gems contained in them ”“ pithy quotes from an expert in pithy statements. His letters had many of them, mixed with personal news. They came from the heart and mind of a man, who spent much time alone with God ”“ more than most of us can imagine and perhaps would even find hard to believe.
What I am offering just below is my personal favorite, because it was written, as stated, at four o’clock in the morning. Often Ravenhill spent most of the night in prayer. He wrote it shortly after being with us for meetings. In it, you see the mixture that I mentioned ”“ the personal and the pithy. What I most treasure is the suggestion that we should consider spending a year close to them before going to Germany. It wasn’t possible, but I felt highly honored that he should so desire.
Wednesday, 4 a.m.: The week-end with you was memorable.
There is no mild Bible truth; we deal with awful holy authority from above. Alas, today sin is so acceptable, so delightful ”“ so fashionable, so excitable ”“ believable, and yet, albeit, so damnable. Only the Holy Spirit can convict of unholy living.
We pine for rain here in every way. Revival must come before the great and notable day of the Lord. We must witness rent heavens, showers of mercy before showers of judgment. Spiritual pregnancy must precede spiritual birth.
Are you sure you cannot come to Texas for a year before you go to Germany?
Look for other Ravenhill quotes from his letters to us. I will post more soon, putting them under the label "revival", because revival was his theme.
from: http://calltocommitment.blogspot.ca/2012/11/quotes-from-leonard-ravenhills-personal.html#more
Quotes from Leonard Ravenhill's Personal Letters, number 2
In many of his letters, Leonard Ravenhill only wrote the day and the month, not the year, so it is difficult to ascertain their chronological order. I will therefore concentrate on the content, rather than the chronology.
In these first presentations of the letters we received from Ravenhill, I want to firmly establish the personal side. Len felt it important, not only to impart truth, but to form relationships with people. I marvel at the number of people that he counted as friends. He had time for people and, I think, when a ministry gets so big that it doesn’t have time for people… then it is too big! The Kingdom of God is about people and God - and the relationships between them.
After our family had come to live in the US for a few years, we had established a home fellowship. One summer, we planned a trip to Mexico, to show our field of labor to some of those who attended our meetings. This took place in 1984. It was quite a caravan of vehicles, 6 or 7 if I remember right, that traveled down I-35 from Minnesota through Texas to the Mexican border. We drove on far south to the State of Oaxaca. One of the vehicles was a late-model, 4-wheel drive, which we were donating to the work.
I had proposed ahead of time a meeting with Leonard, as we would pass through Lindale, Texas, and he graciously accepted:
July 10: We will be delighted to meet your caravan. What about sleeping? We can put up four of you. There is a local motel about 10 miles away and a place there to eat. Let me know if you want reservations booking. I will get "Last Days” (Keith Green’s nearby ministry) or David Wilkerson (a neighbor of the Ravenhill’s) to let me have a room to talk together. Phone me the day before you arrive. Travel well…
We did not take advantage of his offer to sleep four of us, but Margaret and I did go over to their home, where Martha immediately served us tea and cookies… good Irish lady that she was… and Len and I talked. He mentioned that he had lost his manuscript on a book that he had hoped to write… it was never written. I mentioned the opposition we experienced in Mexico from the Catholic Church. Len commented: "The Catholic Church in the minority is a lamb; on an equal basis it is a fox; and in the majority is a wolf!”
Len and Martha had lunch with our whole group in a restaurant nearby and then we drove over to David Wilkerson’s warehouse, where there was a chapel room. We drove past Wilkerson’s unpretentious house, as Len pointed out, and had Wilkerson been home, he would have taken us to meet him. Leonard sat in a chair before us and said, "Instead of a message, why don’t you just ask some questions.” A couple months later, he wrote this letter:
Sept 18: Thanks for your letter today and for the Good News of His mercy in preserving you in your trip to and in Mexico.
For about a month, I have been trying to get a book for you. NOW it is being sent to me and I will send it on immediately to you (Sorry, I don’t remember what book it was). It has blest me more than any other book in the last 10 years. It would be good to read to your group a couple chapters a week after you have read it yourselves to see if is okay. I will send you a super book list next week (10 amazing books that we promptly obtained).
It was a real joy to share a few thoughts with your group. I know many were drinking it in. I just love ministering to small groups. It is so rewarding to see your spiritual children ‘leave home’ and go to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
The enclosed tract is probably the undisclosed Manifesto of Mondale and Ferraro (Democratic presidential candidates in 1984). No burglar drops in to tell us what time he will rob the house ”“ or to show us his tools for breaking and entering ”“ neither do politicians reveal their secret weapons…
3. Quotes from Leonard Ravenhill's Personal Letters
Margaret thought that the book Ravenhill mentioned in the last item we posted was probably a book on prayer by MacIntyre. If so, I can see why he said it was the best he had read in 10 years. Ravenhill often sent us books or recommended them. They were treasures, including the one he mentions below by Dr. Machen. As you see, in the same letter, he also sent catalogues and Bible study outlines.
I will be on a trip for almost two weeks, so I wanted to post another item featuring Leonard Ravenhill’s personal letters to us, before I go. I may not have another chance until I return. Since we are entering the Christmas season, these two should fit well. They don’t need much explanation… they’re just good thoughts. What Len writes about the Scripture being of no private interpretation is immensely important. It should be everyone’s plumb line. John Wesley said, "New doctrine is false doctrine!” :
Nov. 14: I do not usually recommend a book I have not read ”“ here is an exception (God Transcendent). A friend of mine studied theology under Dr. Machen and he still glows when he talks of him. Let me know your reaction to the book, please. Maybe some books in this catalogue will do for Christmas gifts. These outlines on Hebrews, I did for my class. They might make good winter studies for your fellowship. I have three classes to teach most weeks and so keep hopping. Have a blessed Thanksgiving. We thank Him for your love, faith and friendship…
Dec. 10: A very blessed Christmas to you. Thanks for sharing about your future ministry. (meaning our move to Europe, which we were to make in 1986) We will pray with you about it. How blessed to be able to say with the Psalmist, "My times are in Thy hands”. "The steps”, and therefore, ‘the stops’, "of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” We are not kicked around by circumstances. We are precious in His sight, though fools to the world. I have not read ‘God Transcendent’ but hope to get to it soon. My plumb line is - the Scripture is of NO private interpretation. As an old saint put it, the Bible is like a stream, where a Lamb can splash in its cool waters. It is also as vast as an ocean, where an elephant can bathe. Peace and joy be yours in the Holy Ghost…
Quotes from Leonard Ravenhill’s personal letters, number 5
We present a couple seasonal letters from Leonard Ravenhill. The first was apparently written after we had crossed over to Germany, so I added the year 1986. Through Ravenhill we got to know Elmer Klassen, who has quite recently joined Len in heaven. Elmer saw to the publishing of Revival God’s Way in German. He led the publishing of the Herald of His Coming in German and in at least ten other languages. One of my articles was published in that paper and Elmer also translated and printed another in tract form.
I still remember some of Ravenhill’s message at Wilkerson’s meeting, of which he speaks in the second letter. He said, "I am more hungry for God than I have been all my life.” Somewhere in that message, he mentioned that neither DW or he had ever been offered an honorary doctorate. He then turned to Wilkerson: "If I ever get one you and I will get together to celebrate. Oh no, we can’t,” he quipped, "you don’t drink tea!”
Dec. 4, 1986: We are glad to hear from you and trust by now you have settled okay. Very cold weather and heavier snowfall predicted for this winter.
Satanic opposition to divine truth seems to be increasing everywhere. But He guarantees victory, which in itself speaks of battle.
Good to know Elmer Klassen can come to see you. We have an old German widow lady, who can barely read English. Can you send me Revival God’s Way in German and with it a couple German Herald of His Coming papers? Maybe one with one of my articles in it. Somehow she likes my writings. So glad to know your family devotions are going so well. This means so much in the foundation of the children’s spiritual life.
David has resigned his church in New Zealand. He will travel most of next year and do some writing. Paul is having some blessing and of course, Satan’s opposition. ..
December 16: Greetings and love for a very blessed Christmas.
My latest euphemism: Sweet words will never cover up a sour spirit. Death will not change character, only destiny. Hell has no exits. It seems that all the major soul winners in by-gone days were hell-fire preachers ”“ Sweet words will never cover a sour spirit.
I’m booked to speak once ”“afternoon, I think - at Dave Wilkerson’s Dallas conference in January. Do pray much for me please. I must have a broken, burning heart. Platitudes will never avail, but power, soundly orthodox. This is a perilous hour to be living in. We cry, "Arm of the Lord awake.” Well, if He is the head and He is, then we must be the arm…
Quotes from Leonard Ravenhill's personal Letters, Number 8
I do not remember to what two books Ravenhill refers in the following letter, although I’m quite sure that we still have them. He often sent books along with his letters, enriching our personal library. We brought most of them with us over the Atlantic and some were sent after we came to Germany, in spite of the cost of overseas shipping. Sometimes, for out-of-print books, he sent whole volumes printed on a copying machine. What an effort the man made to equip God’s people with valuable material! He cared… he was burdened.
He noticed that people are experts in self-justification. Would to God that we were experts in truth, honest and open to correction and repentance! How many big-time preachers fall and how few fully repent!
Oct. 22: We recently obtained these books. I have the publisher’s permission to quote the whole of the chapter on Hell in my hoped-for book on the Judgment Seat. Your opinion, please, on both books. The quotations on R T Kendall are awful. Jimmy Swaggart says in his love letters to his readers: Some men break down physically or mentally or morally, but he did not break down spiritually. His was some other way! Woe!
Blessings on your son in Russia! O to read of an awakening there…
Leonard Ravenhill was not like a king on a throne, addressing his subjects, but receiving nothing in return. He seemed to appreciate whatever news or observations we would send to him. He was teachable, but not gullible. He was not impressed at all by numerical success, as you will see below:
Oct 22: Your letter is like water to a thirsty soul ”“ so thirsty I feel like the man who said, I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. A missionary Pentecostal from Africa told me today, the bulwarks of the Muslim religion will never be lowered except by a ministry with signs and miracles. Maybe, but accompanied by sin-convicting power we have never known… conviction that creates sleepless eyes; the resurrection of the dead conscience. I am burdened beyond expression about this faked Christianity. Close reading of Paul’s two love letters to his beloved son, Timothy, has staggered me. I’m going to list his awesome charges to this rookie evangelist. If Acts 5 is the perennial view of God for deacons and Acts 8 his purpose for evangelists, then is there a truly Pentecostal church in the US today? In his book on Azusa Street, Bartleman says there are 70,000,000 classical Pentecostals in the world today. Bro. Fyordbar, a theologian (classical Pentecostal), in my office a few weeks ago said, "Bro. R, there are 120,000,000 classical Pentecostals in the world today.” I said, "Brother, were there 120 million in the upper room.” He said, "No”. So what is the difference between the baptism then and what is supposed to be the baptism now? This hit-and-run evangelism is a modern-style, one-night stand. Big advertising. Big crowds. Big offerings. Very small results. Rees Howell buried himself in Africa 13 years, now Bro. Bonke is there getting crowds of up to 500,000. ..
Quotes from Leonard Ravenhill’s personal letters, number 6
Have you all read The Seduction of Christianity by Dave Hunt? It should be read. I think it was written in the 1980's and it caused a huge stir. Hunt was able to spot some errors and tendencies in the church at that time and exposed them.
Leonard Ravenhill brought it to my attention. He had been observing deficiencies and deceptions for a much longer time. His heart was grieved and he spoke cuttingly and fearlessly against them. He also brought these things before the Lord in broken-hearted prayer. He had no new message to bring to the church, just the ancient truth, about which Jeremiah wrote: Jer 6:16 "Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein." And again in Jer 18:15 "But my people have forgotten me; they make offerings to false gods; they made them stumble in their ways, in the ancient roads, and to walk into side roads, not the highway."
I think these two verses are some of the most important for us to mull over these days. Christians don´t want to take the well-traveled, historic way, but are going off on new trails, and eventually wind up serving new gods. Idolatry is as common today in the church, as it was in Israel. People form their own gods, rather than the God of the Bible and historic theology.
Sept. 9: How we all need new revelations of mysteries hidden through the ages! Who grieves for the affliction of Joseph? Who walks down Main St., as did St. Paul in Athens, stirred ”“ or in anger at the costly edifices erected to dead, dumb deities? You will be moved I believe when you read Dave Hunt’s book, ‘The Seduction of Christianity’. While men slept, the enemy climbed the fence and sowed tares. Exactly what Lucifer has done, while they boast of the costly churches they are building. Glad to hear of the blessing and solemnity in your meetings. Soberness is little known in gospel meeting these days. Woe to the false shepherds! Do you wonder that prophets were stoned and cast out of communities ”“ for telling the truth, which exposed the lies of the false prophets? A major Christian magazine has a title in it, ‘How to Become a Leader in the Church’. I suggest this answer - 10 days in the UPPER ROOM!
I don’t remember what I wrote Ravenhill about The Seduction of Christianity; I do remember that I recommended it widely. In the following letter, he talks about how readily people will go to hear someone with some kind of a sensational "gift”, but have little interest in a burning exposition of biblical truth.
April 26: A very blessed Resurrection Day to you. I think your letter on Dave Hunt’s book is great. I hear it is not a best seller of Christian books in the nation. We pray with you about your moving to Germany. There’s a man with a word of knowledge 100 miles away, so there is a rush to hear him. There is a man with the word of God burning in him and through him ”“ 100 yards away, but who wants to hear him? I’m convinced that a holy life is not for a chosen few- but for a few who have chosen the holy way… submission and obedience to the known will of God….
Quotes from Leonard Ravenhill's Personal Letters, number 15
Leonard’s comments are strange medicine to those accustomed to today’s flattery in public relations. I remember Tozer saying on one of our recorded messages, "I’m not the least bit bitter!” Apparently, some misinterpreted his direct and sharp reproof. Some reading these letters of Ravenhill may do the same, but Len, as Tozer, "was not in the least bitter.” He was passionately concerned for the glory of God and the welfare of Christ’s bride. He was a gentleman, very pleasant to talk to. As his wife Martha said, "He is a lion in the pulpit, but a lamb in the home.” Ah, great testimony from the private life of a fiery prophet!
May 11, 1993: How does an impotent church dare to say it was created by an omnipotent God? Even the so-called fundamentalists shy off from the miraculous. Without unction a sermon is as flat as an uncooked meal. O for flaming hearts and tongues.
The men can print from my tapes, if they are not sold. Ask Bethany for permission to re-print my book. They just informed me that "Why No Revival" is now being translated into Polish and into Chinese. How is your book doing?...
Well, my books don’t do as well as Ravenhill’s do, that’s for sure. However, the book he is talking about and the one for which he wrote the forward, "The Christ of the Apocalypse” has done especially well in Romania. It is also in Spanish, as well as English. Iain Murray considered it for publishing by Banner of Truth, but that never came to realization. In future broadcasts of the program "La iglesia y las ultimas cosas” on Radio luz a las naciones, I will be presenting Christ as He is depicted in the last book of the Bible. By the way, Leonard told me he lost his notes on the Judgment Seat of Christ and the book was never written.
March 29, 1991: Thanks for your good letter. We are so glad to hear of folks awaking to newness of eternal life. The Spirit and the Bride say "come”. When?
You did well to get a hearing from Banner of Truth. I hear they have a new book on the Haldanes. Mrs. Harvey of TN tells me she has just finished the re-polishing of "Protestant Saints”, a marvelous book on historic revival. It should be out in May. I do want to get deep into writing on the Judgment Seat.
We had 44 Mennonite men and a few others for two days of prayer. It was awesome… much real prayer, intercession and transformation. There were visions and transformations with costly personal revolutions.
Our happy, clappy, sloppy church prizes the ritual of the Lord’s Supper to the thought of the marriage supper. The God who demanded a virgin for the birth of His Son will demand a virgin for bride of His Son.
Quotes from Leonard Ravenhill's Personal Letters, number 9
Here are two letters from 1990. We had been in Germany for four years. Ravenhill continued to send us books overseas. He, in conjunction with David Wilkerson, had printed two journals containing valuable articles from a variety of writers and he sent those to us. Leonard was acquainted with the God of fire, as were so many of the preachers of by-gone days. How often de we hear about this today? We have put people deeply to sleep by presenting them a God of love… the main problem is that we have another breed of love in mind, when we speak of it. It is human love, which people can "relate to”, but it doesn’t transform the heart. Ravenhill felt that such preachers were traitorous to the Christ of the Bible and that Christians in general were more in love with the world, than with God.
June 18, 1990: Precious friends, Today I am entering my 84th year. Goodness and mercy have followed me. Praise Him. Herewith another helpful book. Next month we will mail you Volume I or II volume books. They weigh 1 ½ pounds each. Two will come by sea mailed June 26-28 plus 30. I am supposed to speak at KC Civic Center seating 10,000 people, preachers from every state and 20 other countries will be there. My health is not too good ”“ voice breaks and so He must endue. The prophetic burns in me. Moses saw bush aflame, Jeremiah word as fire, Isaiah burning lips, etc. ‘Visions’ are fashionable in USA right now. Angels, heaven, eternal bliss ”“ none of eternal hell, ‘Where their worm dieth not.’ We have more parrots than prophets in our pulpits. Alas, Christ can now say, ‘I was wounded in the house of my friends.’ We pray, ‘O that thou wouldst rend the heavens.’ God says, ‘Rend your hearts… seat of affections.’ Love of sport, love of entertainment, love of leisure, love of food, love of fellowship. I am convinced this world system is guided by men with depraved intellect, who would annihilate humanity to gain power…
I told Len that I was taking a trip to the far eastern part of Germany to see Herrnhut, where modern missions were launched in the 1700’s. He asked for photos, especially of the site where a 24-hour prayer chain was carried on for one hundred years. Of course, I sent them.
Don’t just read his letter, please! Read it slowly, prayerfully. Do you think he speaks the truth or have you been swept along with the pragmatism (please read the article in this blogspot, "Ten Shekels and a Shirt”) and glowing reports of apparent success? Leonard was not impressed with the conquests of super-organizations, but was moved by the testimony of one young lady, moved by faith. If he is speaking the truth, then… Are we still alive enough to feel the desperate spiritual state of God’s people today?
Oct.11, 1990: Here I come limping through many dangers, toils and snares! The net gets drawn tighter around the true church. Evil men wax worse and worse. The political world is in a tailspin. The holy anointing oil flowed from Aaron’s head to his beard and clothes, but never touched his flesh. O, the proud, self-sufficient, self-satisfied flesh. The once proud, more-than-conqueror Samson lost all, but when bound, blind and beaten by his enemies, he did not pray for liberty or sight or destruction, but "strengthen me this once, even if I die”. ‘Except it die…’ O, how men and organizations fight to live. So now Campus Crusade has a film, Jesus, and more than 30 million have seen it in Russia, and 300,000 been saved Campus Crusade has not done much in the US even with its multi-million $ budget. In the past decade 10,000 foreign students have come to USA. They adopted our lifestyle, crowded our ball parks, movies, etc., but ignored our Christianity. Did you read "Chasing the Dragon”? - The story of Jackie Pullinger of Hong Kong. The most disturbing book I have read for years. The blessed and only potentate walked and talked with 2 men on the Emmaus Road and they didn’t know He was there! Is He in our midst and we ‘see’ Him not or are we worshiping an absent God? Jesus warned of this day, ‘as in days of Noah’ (Gen 6:11). Then 2 Timothy III shows the religious folk. Surely we must stand in the gap. Thanks for the Herrnhut pictures….
Quotes from Leonard Ravenhill's personal letters, number 7

Make no mistake about it, Ravenhill understood that we must know God according to the Bible… the Bible is, above all, the revelation of God. However, Ravenhill saw clearly that we must go beyond a doctrinal view of God into personal relationship. He then refers to Daniel 11:32. Knowing God and doing exploits is revival language and it goes far beyond evangelism. Godly exploits, however, will not get approval from the world, but it will get its attention. Can we say of the church today, as Peter said, "This is that!”? Leonard ponders an interesting contrast between Matthew 21:13 and 23:38. If "your house” (church) is not the house of prayer, then it is not "My house” Instead of being full of God, it will be desolate. He ends the letter, where he began. As a nation within a nation, we are not under its doom and we are governed by higher laws.
Dec. 17:1988: A blessed Christmas and New Year to you. The pundits tell us 1989 will be a year of gloom. So what? Psalm 24 is ours. I think v. 4 is the key and v. 10 the assurance - all between is ours.
All Bible teaching seems to center around know your Bible ”“ was there ever in history more books on "How to” know….? Was there ever fewer who know their God and in knowing Him do exploits? All sin is failure. All failure is not sin. Can we expect better treatment from this world system than Jesus got from it? Evangelism is something man does. Revival is something God does. I need to ponder, "My house… your house ”“ desolate”. I would like to see a pastor calling from his church to all passers by ”“ This is that! If we are a holy priesthood and a holy nation, then we are a nation within a nation. ..
Those who cannot see the Laodicean church as the model church for the 21st century, certainly do not have at all eyes to see the times in which we are living. There is only one point-of-view that counts and that is God’s. "What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more!” said Murray McCheyne. Ravenhill claims that Christ is not coming for such a church. He also refers to the impossible task that some have taken on to bring on the Kingdom in this time. It can’t happen until the King returns to earth.
Dec. 23, 1987: A very blessed New Year to you and your dear family. We have a warm winter, not good for killing bugs!
Forgetting the pre-, post- and mid- tribulation theories, all seem to agree that this is the Laodicean period ”“ and yet claim all the ‘church’ will be the bride. What the critics inside or outside the church say of the church, I do not care, but what Jesus says of her crushes me: "Poor, wretched, naked, blind” Is he coming for naked, poor, blind, limping bride? The reconstructions here want to rebuild, though Herold Taynbee has reminded us that 19 previous civilizations have collapsed, but we will use the old rubble again and it will stand this time. The Restorationists might start restoring deacons to Acts 6 and restoring evangelists to Acts 8 standards. Will we ever learn that flesh is still flesh with its 100 frailties? The kingdom teachers seem to have forgotten the kingdom of God cometh not with observation and that some of the children of the kingdom will be cast into outer darkness…
Quotes from Leonard Ravenhill's Personal Letters, number 14
Three years before his home-going and in his mid-80s, Len Ravenhill was still busy traveling and preaching. This was after he had a stroke. He is an inspiration to those of us, who are past retirement age, but have no intention of stepping down from God’s calling. One old Swedish preacher used to say, "I’m not going to retire; I’m going to re-fire.”
Ravenhill also was interested in the world rulers, their policies and statements. Often he commented on what was happening on the world scene.
Feb. 29, 1990: We came home after 6 weeks in California. Two weeks at the Holiness Conference… 4,500 signed up for it and another 4,500 signed up for the second one. There were 22 pastors from Germany and some from Austria. As we preached, folk started to walk to the altar ”“ no altar calls ”“ all weeping, confession, etc., for an hour or more. We are supposed to speak in London in October this year and may take it to Berlin. We will keep you informed.
I feel Gorbachov has fooled the nations again. President Bush says all-new policy on drugs will mean drug-free schools by the year 2000 ”“ not without revival! As I see it, entertainment is the devil’s substitute for God’s joy. Sport is the king of this world and entertainment his queen. But God will yet arise and scatter His enemies…
Jesus promised, "In this world you shall have tribulation.” It can’t fail. Leonard carried the weight of the burden upon his soul. It was not just evident while he was preaching, he bore it in his daily living. He was afflicted because of the direction, in which the world was heading and because of the corruption in the Church. In one telephone conversation, I asked him how he was doing. He responded dolefully, "I am burdened with the burden of the Lord.”
Feb. 17, 1992: I too need a computer! Times are rough for us, but they will get worse. As the old hymn says, "When all around my soul gives way, He THEN is ALL my hope and stay.” I am sure there have been many martyrs in Russia and in Romania in the last few years. I am sure there has never been an hour in human history when wickedness was so strong and when spirituality was so weak. It is for God to rend the heavens or we are doomed. I believe we are in Luke 21:25 with perplexities ”“ no way out.
This generation is trapped in trivia and mesmerized by materialism, delighted by human achievements and destroyed by their TV. My deep fear is that God will destroy the U.S. My Spirit shall not always strive with man. "Others will suffer judgment, but not us.” Well, is that so? Daniel ”“ spiritual as he was ”“ was carried away captive to Babylon…