What is a wholesome sound revival?

[Anita]

The world has seen revivals that have been described as movements of God. Only we can discern that not all of them have been Christ centred and have been a deception.

What do you think is key to a sound Christ led revival?
I believe that Jesus should always be in the centre of this. Also through looking at the internet I saw that previous sound revivals involved repentance. This has often been where there has been a dark area that has been opposed to Christ and an abomination to Him. I associate this with 2 Chronicles 7:14

Do you think that a genuine movement of God is likely to proceed on the structure of the Lord's prayer. I mean that God's people, use this structure to base their prayers and daily living and teachings on etc.

What do you think are the consequences when a christian place of worship, has mixed responses to prophetic words given that God wants them to repent? That some do repent and some do not. Also what if they had done somethings in ignorance that really did grieve God tremendously, but they didn't put this right. Wouldn't God surely illuminate this to them eventually,if their heart was sincere in repentance?

Is it right that revival is not just about the christian place of worship, but the surrounding area. That people repent and receive Jesus on the streets, while out shopping, and in their homes as well.?

[Jon-Marc]

Actually, you can't revive the dead, and the lost are dead in trespasses and sins. So, the ones who need to be "revived" are the saved who have become "lukewarm" in their Christian walk. If those dead in their sins do get saved, that is an added bonus. However, "revival" is the wrong word to use in reference to winning the lost.

[Karen]

Originally Posted by Jon-Marc

Actually, you can't revive the dead, and the lost are dead in trespasses and sins. So, the ones who need to be "revived" are the saved who have become "lukewarm" in their Christian walk. If those dead in their sins do get saved, that is an added bonus. However, "revival" is the wrong word to use in reference to winning the lost.

Hi Jon-Marc,

Gosh, thank you for such clarity on the subject of "Revival" - very much appreciated.

In which case, I think that the "Revival" of the "lukewarm" brings about an "Awakening" to Evangelism - for the lost.

God Bless you,

Karan

[ByHisGrace]

Karen what do you mean exactly when you say wholesome sound revival?
I know that there are many who claim to be having revivals but it's merely giving people that happy feeling, let then feel comfortable. These events are so well publisised
but where are these folks after the events. Are they evangelising at home or abroad. I don't think they are they are either still in a church having a social life or out in the world .... what's the difference?

Mark 8:33-35
33But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
34And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

[Karen]

Hi ByHisGrace,

You mean Anita, not I, for it is Anita who asked the question.

I simply responded to Jon-Marc's posting.

Karan x

[Anita]

I mean people in their multitudes in repenting and coming to know Jesus as their personal Saviour. There have been genuine occurances of this happening recorded. Thats what I mean by wholesome and sound. I mean Christ centred, and knowing when this is genuine and not a deception.

I know what you mean by revival being more appropriate for the saved, Jon Marc. What words can we use with the unsaved turning to Christ in their multitudes. A movement of God? Or any other fitting words perhaps?

[Karen]

The only genuine Revivals that I am aware of are:

1) 1904 Welsh Revival

2) 1949 -1952 Isle of Lewis Revival


Wherein, people felt convicted of sin, repented, and they turned to God, and the fruit was that their lives were completely changed - and the pubs closed due to lack of customers!


What preceded these 2 Revivals was PRAYER by ordinary genuine believers who gathered together to pray - night and day - for God to change people's hearts - draw them to Him, to Salvation by Grace.


Evan Roberts - 1904

....Within a month he felt compelled to share this message of the reality of God and the possibility of complete forgiveness of sins with his home youth group at Moriah Loughor.

Summing up the message in 4 parts, Evan pressed it home to the astonished church

1. Confess all known sin

2. Deal with and get rid of anything ‘doubtful’ in your life

3. Be ready to obey the Holy Spirit instantly

4. Confess Christ publicly

[Anita]

Thank you Karan that confirmed what I meant. I was looking for the differences between the genuine and the deceptive ones. The genuine always has Christ in the centre.

[Karen]

Originally Posted by Anita

Thank you Karan that confirmed what I meant. I was looking for the differences between the genuine and the deceptive ones. The genuine always has Christ in the centre.

Thank you, Anita

Yes, the genuine ones are ordinary people, who pray, gather people together to pray, with as you say rightly say - Christ in the centre.

[Anita]

and the pubs closed due to lack of customers!

In a way I can understand that people lost interest through their new relationship and greater love in Christ. If the pub was associated with the world for them.

Though not everyone goes to the pub to be worldly, and to get drunk. This may have been the place Jesus went to, as He turned water into wine and used alcohol as an illustration of His teachings. Pubs could even be places where the church could meet and genuinely worship our true and living God. As I said they are not necessarily worldly, or the place where people get drunk. They could be a good place to evangelise in as well. I know people who have said the Holy Spirit speaks through them, in the pub.