A real Christian would naturally be very interested in revival and awakening. In recent years, certain streams have begun in the Body of Christ which have had considerable influence in a short time. One thing is clear, intelligence alone is no defense against deception - no matter who is right. My personal view is that we should major on majors, and minor on minors. We should major on God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, worship, prayer, fasting, evangelism, faith, hope and love.
Where Does Christian Revival Exist?
It seems that right now the strongest Christian revivals are in South and Central America. We have a lot to learn from our Spanish and Portugese speaking brethren. There are tens of millions of on-fire Christians in Brazil, and men like Carlos Annacondia are shaking Argentina with undeniable manifestations of the power of God. I strongly recommend his book "Listen to me, Satan!". Guatemala is on the way to being 50% born again Christian, and the harvest is ripe all through central America. There are also some revivals in China, a strong Christian presence in South Korea, and in some African nations. Parts of India have been touched by revival. No revival is perfect. Until now God has not raised up sufficient numbers of western Christians to take up the cross and carry the true fire of revival faithfully. We need to pray more for this. The seductions of the world still dominate the western church in a large measure. It wouldn't hurt if we quit watching T.V. and wasting time on our own entertainments, and turned our affections and passions towards Jesus Christ and the Kingdom purposes of God.
Dennis Balcombe reports on revival in China
Falling Down and other Manifestations
The time has come when God is looking for people who can stand in His presence. Can you stand in his anointing and minister before unbelievers in a hostile environment? May God get us all to that place. Personally, it doesn't impress me much when people fall over into the arms of a waiting Christian assistant. Yes, God does sometimes knock people over when he touches their hearts. Let God be God. However, many times people are trained to fall when God touches them, in order to prove they are not resisting the Spirit. Its not always that way, but I believe it often is. Let's see if people will listen to the Spirit outside of the sanctuary! Unless that happens, unbelievers will never be impressed, and we just up hyping up a revival, trying to convince ourselves that we've got something when in fact our marriages and other important relationships may be in serious trouble.
If everyone who was knocked over had gone on to live for God consistently, the world would be a different place. Lots of Christians who were never knocked over physically have changed the world. I repeat, let's major on majors. I've prayed for lots of people who have been knocked over by God, but that wasn't a revival. We can shake, rattle and roll and that's fine but in the end it is steadfastness, perseverance and godly determination to keep walking in the Spirit when it is difficult to do so that will produce major victories.
Interesting Links
Charles Finney's Revival Lectures - Download these lectures on how to have a revival, from the 19th century evangelist who rocked America. Many e
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Balanced
Thank you for a balanced and useful artical on modern revival. Like you say it is not always genuine. This is such a pity because our heart yearns for the real thing.
May God pour out His Spirit in true revival again.
Gideon
Longing for revival
We long for true revival and sometimes we also fear the path of revival. One thing is sure - if we insist on obeying God there will be suffering - both in the flesh and from Christians who will oppose us.
One Christian who follows the Lord wholeheartedly will make a big difference in this world, but by himself will not bring in an awakening. He needs to take others on the same path he is on.
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