Bethany – the House of Revival/Grieving the Spirit of Revival/Will you miss the coming Revival?/The Womb of Revival/"I was in the great Revival"

 

(1) BETHANY-The House of Revival
Preparing a Dwelling Place for Jesus!
by David Smithers

 

A mere half hour walk east from the wall of Jerusalem, across the Kidron valley, past Gethsemane and over the ridge of Olivet, brings you to the humble town of Bethany. This obscure village nestled on the side of the Mount of Olives would have been long forgotten, if not for the fact that it became the nightly resting-place of Jesus Christ. Bethany will forever be honored and remembered through the coming ages, because one of its humble homes provided shelter and hospitality to Him who had no place to lay His head. Jesus was repeatedly honored in Bethany, whether it was at the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus or in the house of Simon the leper. Therefore, Bethany naturally became the preferred dwelling place of our Lord and Savior!

The fact that Jesus consistently dwelt in Bethany, should be of special interest to all those who are looking for a mighty, end-time revival. For what is revival, but God Almighty finding a dwelling place on earth? True revival is ultimately nothing more or less than the abiding visitation of the manifest presence of Jesus Christ. Many today are eagerly expecting a revival visitation, however, it is my prayerful conviction that the Church as a whole is not nearly as far along in the revival-birthing process as some presently believe! Unquestionably a widespread revival is coming, nevertheless, there is still much more preparation required. We need to seriously ask ourselves, what still needs to be done to make our corporate meetings a place where Jesus can consistently and comfortably dwell? We are living in the season when the Holy Spirit is eagerly searching for places that are spiritually prepared for Christ's manifest presence. Bethany was such a place. There was a rare spiritual atmosphere in Bethany that made it comfortable and appealing to the heart and spiritual appetite of Jesus.

 

A House of Brokenness

 

The very name Bethany alludes to one reason why Jesus so frequently resided in this secluded and obscure village. One of the primary translations of the name Bethany is: house of mourning or poverty. Bethany is a picture of spiritual poverty, brokenness and humility. To the broken and needy, the Scriptures clearly promise the abiding presence of Christ's Kingdom on earth. "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" Matt. 5:3-6. Jesus ALWAYS resists and avoids the proud, but He cherishes the company of broken and humble hearts (James 4:6 & Isa. 57:15). Jesus never fails to pour out the refreshing rains of revival on those who are truly thirsty (Isa 44:3).

 

A House of Childlike Faith

 

Bethany was much more than just a place where a few hurting people recognized their spiritual need. There are many today that recognize their own neediness, and yet never enter into the reviving presence of Jesus Christ! Bethany was not merely a place of abstract spiritual poverty; it was a nursery and haven for childlike faith. The hospitality and care given to Jesus at Bethany was the supernatural by-product of trusting and believing hearts. As Mary, Martha and Lazarus opened their hearts in faith toward Christ, they naturally opened their home and lives. This small congregation of needy and trusting hearts created a spiritual climate where Jesus could do some of His most remarkable miracles. It was while at Bethany that Jesus taught about the necessity of resurrection and reviving faith. -"Did I not say if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" John 11:40. Childlike faith empowers prayer and calls forth life out of death and darkness (John 11:41-44). Yes, it was at Bethany that Lazarus was miraculously raised from the dead, resulting in many other Jews believing unto salvation (John 12:9-11). Faith is contagious. God-given faith will always create an opportunity for faith to be nurtured in others. Childlike faith opens the windows of heaven and ushers in the glory of God. Without a steadfast faith in the promises of Jesus Christ, it will be impossible for us to encourage the Spirit of revival in our homes and local fellowships. A pessimistic and unbelieving spirit is the enemy of true revival! We must mix all our preparations for revival with grace-filled faith, lest we find ourselves chasing the winds of revival in the strength of the flesh! (Heb. 4:2).

 

A House Arranged For Jesus' Sake

 

A needy heart coupled with true faith will always lavish the person of Christ with extravagant love. Bethany was a place where the person of Jesus was needed, trusted and consequently appreciated and cherished. When Jesus came to Bethany, He was extravagantly anointed with fragrant and costly perfumes. It was at Bethany that He was bathed with tears and holy kisses of gratefulness. At no other time during our Lord's earthly ministry was Christ so completely worshiped and adored as in Bethany (Mk. 14:3-9, Lk. 7:36-50 & John 12:1-8).

 

In Bethany, Jesus took His rightful place as the sole object of everyone's devotion and affections. In Luke 10:38-42 we find Mary sitting at His feet, embracing every word, as it falls from His lips. Mary was totally content just to sit at Christ's feet and behold the glory and beauty of His face. She joyfully gave Jesus her undivided attention. Mary's encounter with Jesus demonstrates the fact that the highest privilege given to man, on earth or in heaven, is a deeper revelation of Jesus Christ. Mary's encounter with Christ reminds us that there is really only ONE thing needful, and that is JESUS! He alone is truly the better part (Luke 10:42). Bethany was the place where Jesus alone was exalted and made preeminent above all other human personalities, plans and programs.

The house of Bethany was a home carefully arranged for the pleasure and enjoyment of Jesus Christ. Every meal and every activity was planned in view of His preferences and comfort. Jesus was always the honored guest, and therefore His desires and needs naturally came first. Jesus often fed the hungry multitudes during His earthly ministry, but while at Bethany it was our Savior's hungry heart that was fed a carefully prepared meal of love and devotion. He was not hurriedly given some stale leftovers at the last minute, but the very best they had! "Jesus came to Bethany. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil" John 12:1-3. In the house of Bethany, everything revolved around Jesus, and as a result the whole house was filled with the sweet fragrance of His healing and reviving presence. Later, when some jealously attacked this outpouring of extravagant love, Jesus boldly prophesied that Mary's devotion at Bethany would never be forgotten: "Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her" Matt. 26:13. The love and worship that Jesus received at Bethany is to be an everlasting witness to the life-changing power of the gospel. The House of Bethany gives us a beautiful picture of what Christ desires from all who would call themselves the Church.

 

A House of Repentance

 

The fact that the house of Bethany was carefully arranged to accommodate the desires of Jesus implies that it was also a place of genuine repentance. Repentance, simply defined, is a change of mind resulting in a change of heart and action. As we turn from a position of self-reliance and unbelief to a position of childlike faith in Christ, we begin to walk in repentance. Our lives and affections will ALWAYS revolve around the things or person in whom we trust. Therefore, it is impossible to separate true saving and reviving faith from genuine repentance. Revival can only be experienced to the extent that we are willing to entrust the control our lives and preferences to the control of Jesus Christ! Repentance is an ongoing process of realigning our hearts and lives with the kingdom of God. It is impossible to fully enjoy the Kingdom of Heaven upon earth (REVIVAL) while rebelling against the King of Kings. Knowing this, we must beware of accepting or entertaining any concept of revival that doesn't involve the clear message and ministry of repentance. In seasons of revival there will always be some variation in ministry methods and Spiritual manifestations. However, a deep work of repentance is one of the unchanging landmarks on the battlefield of revival (Prov. 22:28). Any efforts to promote the Spirit of revival apart from the ministry of repentance is destined to be shallow and superficial. Be assured of this, there has never been a revival without a deep work of repentance, and there never will be one! (2 Chron. 7:14).

 

A House In Contrast With the Temple

 

Jesus often ministered and taught in Jerusalem's beautiful temple, but as evening approached He always made His way back to the quiet house of Bethany to rest and pray (Mt. 21:17, Mk. 11:11, Luke 21:37 & Luke 22:39). Though Jerusalem was called the city of David, it was no longer spiritually ordered after the heart and affections of God. Multitudes of devout Jews regularly traveled to the temple in Jerusalem in search of God's presence, while the One they sought, was a mere two miles away in the humble house of Bethany. Jesus passionately loved the people of Jerusalem, yet He could not dwell there, because so many opposed His kingdom principles of humility and childlike faith. Remember what Jesus said about this seemingly religious city: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! "See! Your HOUSE is left to you desolate and EMPTY" Matt 23:37-38.

 

Jerusalem's house of worship appeared to be the ideal place where a hungry, seeking heart could find God, but appearances can be deceiving. This so-called sanctuary was not spiritually arranged for God's pleasure and glory. Its daily activities no longer accurately represented the Father's heart and desires. It was not a true reflection of the Kingdom of Heaven upon earth, but a self-serving religious machine controlled by proud and ambitious hirelings. In Mt. 21:12-17 Jesus symbolically cleansed the temple, giving us a brief glimpse of how the house of God should look and function. He started by removing the spiritual obstacles and unnecessary religious structures. In Mt. 21:12, He jealously drove out all those who had defiled the court of the Gentiles with their religious manipulation and merchandizing. The temple in Jerusalem had become an unsafe place where self-absorbed ministers ignored and disregarded those whom Christ came to save. Jesus found His Father's house cluttered and out of order, and therefore He zealously rearranged the furniture, throwing out the unwanted tables and misbehaving guests with their idolatrous money worship. That which self-serving religion depends on the most, MONEY & HUMAN STRUCTURE, Jesus openly disregarded and cast on the ground.

 

This was not some random fit of anger, but a deliberate and very necessary step in the house-cleansing process. Mark 11:16 records that after this, Jesus then filled and occupied the very place where these religious men previously ministered. "He would not let anyone carry wares through the temple." After the house was cleansed and reoccupied by its rightful owner, Jesus then boldly proclaimed the purpose of His house, and suddenly it began to miraculously function as it was always intended. Mt. 21:13-15 describes these wonderful events: "And (JESUS) said to them, 'It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den or dark cave of thieves. Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' They were indignant." Once the house was cleansed of its manipulation and refocused on the person of Jesus Christ, it was quickly filled with prayer, healing power and childlike praise!

 

Can True Revival be Hindered?

 

After our Lord had cleansed and reestablished proper Spiritual order in the temple, the existing religious leaders indignantly refused to yield their control to the true Master of the house. Jesus then withdrew from them and went where He was welcome and wanted! "Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged there" Matt 21:17. These scriptures explain why revivals are sometimes enjoyed at one church for an extended season, while at other churches they are very short-lived. Throughout the history of the Church, revivals have often spontaneously broken out, only to be later hindered and quenched by some man-made tradition, cowardly pastor or controlling deacon. Such spiritual hindrances have often been erroneously attributed to the precious truth of God's Sovereignty. This Biblical doctrine has been repeatedly used throughout the history of the Church to excuse and veil a lack of revival preparation and cooperation. Many have falsely asserted that the Church can do nothing to contribute to, or hinder a true revival. This kind of gross error has left many a saint disqualified and shamefully unprepared in a season of revival and harvest. "He that gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, but he who sleeps in the harvest is a son that causes shame" Prov. 10:5. A stubborn religious heart, if left unchecked, will ultimately seek to manipulate the Bible in order to shirk its own spiritual responsibility!

 

We must also beware of trying to create a revival in our own image. Many people cannot accept by faith what they have not already experienced, regardless of how Scriptural it may be. Sadly, there are those among us today, who belligerently refuse to tolerate anything except their own, narrow, predetermined interpretation of revival. If faced with a genuine revival manifestation of power, they would quickly curse it and run for the door. The religious leaders in Jesus' day claimed that they wanted a visitation of the Messiah, yet when Jesus Christ suddenly came to His house and turned their religious system upside-down, they violently rejected Him.

 

When some speak of seeking revival today, what they really mean is they want their existing religious system blessed, honored and multiplied. They merely want more of what they already have. How many of us would still continue to pray for revival if we were convinced that it would mean the reformation or even sacrifice of our favorite church doctrines and traditions. When lasting revival comes, many of our major denominations, out of necessity, will have to undergo radical reformation in order to accommodate the spontaneous nature of the Holy Spirit. If not, they will spiritually die and eventually crumble! (Mt. 9:16-17, Lk. 5:36-39). A true visitation of God will unquestionably require ALL of us to CHANGE, or we will be passed over just like the rigid and unyielding Judaism of Christ's day!

 

Self-Centered Religion Kills Revival

 

Jesus rejected the temple as His resting place, because in spite of its obvious physical beauty, it was not truly a Christ-centered and Christ focused house! How many of our local churches are run much of the same way. We enter the front foyer on Sunday morning and receive our weekly bulletin for worship. Yet, it is often more like arriving at our favorite restaurant where we are greeted and then handed a menu, listing all our favorite appetizers and entrees. Each item is expected to be neatly prepared and quickly served, all for our personal satisfaction. We love this place because they know how to make it OUR way. The so-called worship meeting starts and stops according to our personal preferences and schedule. If the Lord of Glory doesn't seem to show up and meet all our felt needs in a mere hour and a half, we will just have to find another church with better service!  After all, we pay good money to eat here.  Can we really expect a visitation of God in our churches with this kind of self-serving religious attitude?

To avoid any misunderstanding, let me say that there is nothing wrong with bulletins or scheduled services. Such things have a legitimate place in the Body of Christ, and certainly no one is denying the necessity of ministering to the needs of hurting people. However, we need to remember that like Aaron and his sons, we are called first to minister to God, before attempting to bestow a blessing upon others (Exodus 28). We need to carefully reconsider what our primary purpose is as the House of God. Is it right that the preferences and feelings of MAN are being exalted above the feelings and affections of Jesus Christ? Have we forgotten that Christ is not just some cold and unfeeling piece of orthodox theology! He is a real person with real feelings and emotions! The Apostles did not turn the world upside down by handing out books on theology and church order. They introduced the world to the PERSON of Jesus Christ! They unveiled the living Lamb of God, which they had each personally seen, handled and experienced (1 John 1:1-4). They boldly called all men everywhere to die to themselves and worship and love Jesus. The early Apostolic Church was founded upon the preaching and pursuit of Christ above all else! (1 Cor. 2:2, 2 Cor. 4:5, Phil. 3:8 & Col. 1:28). Our EVERY NEED is only met as we seek first to meet the needs and desires of Christ's heart! (Mt. 6:33). Everything we do as the Church must be done first and foremost for the personal pleasure and glory of the LAMB. "All things were created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist" Col. 1:16-17.

Revival Preparation Demands Reformation

 

The preparations needed for the coming revival demand that we radically change the way we view Jesus Christ and His house. Our churches must rediscover the priority of adoring the Lamb of God before all others. God's honor, kingdom and pleasure must always come before ours! This was the strength of the Moravians who prepared the way for the First Great Awakening in the 18th century. The words of their leader Count Zinzendorf reflect their relentless passion for the person of Jesus. He writes, "Our method of proclaiming salvation is this: to point out to every heart the loving Lamb, who died for us; to never, either in discourse or in argument, to digress even for a quarter of an hour from the loving Lamb; to name no virtue except in Him, and from Him and on His account; to preach no commandment except faith in Him; no other justification but that He atoned for us; no other sanctification but the privilege to sin no more; no other happiness but to be near Him, to think of Him and do His pleasure; no other self denial but to be deprived of Him and His blessings; no other calamity but to displease Him; no other life but in Him." This is the heart cry of true Apostolic Christianity. This kind of fervent loyalty and jealousy for the honor of Jesus Christ is indispensable, if we are to be fashioned into the resting place of God and a house of REVIVAL!

 

(2) Grieving the Spirit of Revival

by G. D. Watson

A true revival is preeminently the work of the Holy Spirit, and the depth and magnitude of the work depends largely on the number of people who are in perfect union with the Holy Spirit. In times of revival all spiritual forces come to a crisis, both good and bad. Satan is on hand to muster all his children against a thorough work of grace. He will also be busy in society, devising all sorts of social matters against revival. He will influence all weak, half-hearted believers in every way against a thorough work. He will do everything to discourage workers. He will make them sick or cripple their zeal, or tempt them in some way to grieve the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is more frequently grieved by hidden things than by things which are outward and visible. In times of revival it is almost impossible to get six persons out of a large community, who in heart perfectly agree. There may be an outward profession of unity, and no one may detect any definite sign of disharmony, yet the human heart is so deceitful, and the interior conditions of perfect harmony require such utter unselfishness and transparency of spirit, that very few persons ever comply with them in the sight of God. The following are some of the things that grieve the Holy Spirit and hinder Him in revivals:

1. A CRITICAL SPIRIT.  I do not mean the open rebuke of sin, for this is commanded in God's Word. Neither do I mean the just rebuke of ill-behaved persons in a meeting, for this is a necessity, and no company of worshipers should be disturbed by misconduct. But I mean those who claim to be in sympathy with God's work, yet they have a critical spirit against the leaders of the meeting, or the methods of work that may be adopted. Even though this criticism is not outspoken, it greatly hinders the Holy Ghost. There is often in the church a whimsical stubborn fault-finding disposition. A watching for defects among God's children, a picking out of blemishes in the singing, or the praying, or the preaching. All this forms an enormous barrier to the flow of the Holy Spirit. Such persons are deceitful, hard to please, and whatever excellencies they may have they are a definite hindrance to God's work. There is always a company of evil spirits that cluster around such persons to neutralize all the good they attempt to do.

2. THE SPIRIT OF FEAR. Timidity, moral cowardice, the fear of public opinion, the fear of relatives and friends, which prevents persons from taking a bold, decisive part in the church. Which prevents them from leading in prayer, or giving public testimony, or speaking to souls on personal salvation, all this fearfulness of spirit greatly grieves the Holy Ghost. Some are afraid that God will overburden them with work, or make demands of consecration beyond their strength, and so they fail to yield themselves fully to the Lord. While they may try to busy themselves in the church and think they are helping wonderfully, yet by that HIDDEN, miserable fearfulness of heart, which is the very essence of disobedience in the sight of God, they greatly hinder the power of the Spirit!

3. SELF-OPINION GREATLY GRIEVES THE SPIRIT. Many a revival is utterly prevented because prominent ones in the meeting stubbornly hold on to a wrong education, or to old theological notions. Some may have anti-scriptural views concerning inbred sin, or growth into heart purity, or the annihilation of the wicked. Others may be prejudiced against the manifestations of the Spirit, or divine healing. These things are unseen hindrances to the operation of the Spirit. Teachableness of mind, a perfect willingness to have only scriptural views, is a prerequisite condition for the descent of the power of God.

4. A SPIRIT OF RESERVE WITH GOD IS ANOTHER GRIEF TO THE HOLY GHOST. In every revival there are so many whose inner nature is tied up with a cautious conservatism, that persistently holds them back from a full abandonment to God and His work. They will boast of wanting such wonderfully great things. Yet there is an unexpressed unwillingness to be and do all the Lord wants, or to suffer all the Lord wants them to suffer. They are consciously holding themselves back, lest they should slide down some steep place and get drowned in the ocean of God's will. This internal checking of themselves not only prevents their own full salvation, but hinders the Spirit from using them for the blessing of others.

5. SELF-PLANNING AS TO GOD'S WORK. At the beginning of most every revival, it is almost a universal thing for those who are most interested to form some plan in their own mind as to how God ought to come and how the work ought to be done. Each one forms a standard as to who should lead the work or how it ought to be conducted, or what divine demonstrations should occur. So there are a large number of mental schedules which are invisible to mortal eyes, but which bristle like antagonistic bayonets before the all-seeing eye, and the blessed Holy Ghost who reads the thoughts and interests of the mind, finds Himself dictated to, by the very people who outwardly profess that they want God to have His way.

6. THE SPIRIT IS GRIEVED BY OUR HAVING LIMITED VIEWS OF CHRIST'S POWER. Oftentimes God wants to begin with the leaders of a meeting and lead them into a fresh baptism of fire or into a new depth of self denial. But their rigid and narrow views of God's saving grace is a definite hindrance to the Spirit's power. As a result, the people under such leadership often suffer with limited views of Christ's saving and sanctifying power.

7. THE SPIRIT IS OFTEN GRIEVED WHEN TESTS OF OBEDIENCE ARE SHUNNED. It may be a question of restitution or reconciliation, or the confession of a backslidden state, or the giving up of some indulgence. There have been meetings where two or three conspicuous persons utterly failed to obey God on some test point, and the work was a failure; the Spirit was grieved away, Satan and his black angels triumphed and the work of God was put back for years.

8. THE SPIRIT IS OFTEN GRIEVED BY OUR UNWILLINGNESS TO GO BEYOND OTHERS. God often wants some of us to go out into His will on lines of prayer and faith and obedience, even beyond what other professors of holiness will consent to. When He calls, if we stop to measure ourselves with others, and compare ourselves among ourselves we may greatly hinder a work of grace. God can overcome the open and recognized hindrances to His work a great deal easier than He can the hidden barriers in the hearts of His people.

(3) Will You Miss The Coming Revival?
by David Smithers

 

Many Christians today are eagerly anticipating a mighty move of God. The opportunity for a widespread revival seems to be standing at the Church's door. This is the hour for us to lay hold of a fresh vision of the Church, empowered and purified for Christ's sake and service. We are now in the season when the Lord is calling forth and qualifying His vessels for revival use! (2 Tim. 2:20,21). Yet we must be diligent and watchful, lest through negligence we miss the day of our own visitation.

The coming revival I'm speaking of is not some inanimate force or power that can be casually manufactured and produced. True revival is a miraculous manifestation of the presence of Jesus Christ. A revival is Christ's Kingdom come on earth in holiness and power! Such a visitation is the direct result of the Church's passionate pursuit of Christ Himself. Therefore, the coming of a true revival always requires diligent heart preparation on the part of God's people. How can we prepare ourselves for the day when our sanctuaries and communities will suddenly become the very throne room of God? How can we make the King of Kings welcome in our midst? It is only through brokenhearted humility that we can be prepared for such a revival visitation. "For God sets Himself against and resists the proud, but gives continual grace to the lowly and humble." (James 4:6). "For thus says the High and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." ( Is. 57:15).

Consider King Saul, who while he was little in his own eyes, received the prophet's kiss, the reviving touch of the Spirit and the honor and charge of the Kingdom. (1 Sam. 10 & 15:17). Yet later he had the Kingdom torn from him, because of his own prideful desire for the approval of men. The kingdom was little by little torn from Saul and given to David, his humble neighbor ( 1 Sam. 15: 24-28). Saul had found the Kingdom in the valley of humility and had lost it on the heights of pride and presumption. The Kingdom of God comes on earth only through the humble. In 1st Kings chapter one, we find another timely lesson for the Church concerning God's revival qualifications. The people of God were in a very vulnerable position. David, the faithful and trusted leader of Israel, was now old and had lost his strength and fire. King David's role as a leader was coming to an end, and the people were now waiting to see to whom God would entrust the Kingdom. At such times, when there is a "changing of the guard" there also comes an atmosphere of uncertainty mixed with hope and expectation. These are times of both, God given vision and fleshly activity. When God moves to prepare His people for a fresh work, the enemy is always there with another alternative and deceptive opportunity. These alternatives are almost always dressed in spiritual and religious clothes. Today, the Church is in this same position. One generation of leaders is passing off the scene, while a new generation of unknown leaders is struggling to rise to the need of the moment. Many in the Church are quite aware of this and are now waiting and watching with a mixture of hope and caution. The Church today, needs to be watchful for the enemy's deceptive alternatives and Kingdom substitutes.

During this time of David's weakness and decline, Adonijah, his son, presumptuously claimed control of the Kingdom for himself. "Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying 'I will be king . . .'" (1 Kings 1:5). Like Saul, Adonijah attempted to disguise his prideful and self-seeking heart with a great show of religious noise and sacrifice. He tried in vain to substitute religious sacrifice for humble submission. (1st Kings 1:5-9, 1st Sam. 15:14-24). Adonijah had foolishly forgotten the prophetic words of his humble father. "For You do not desire sacrifice or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart, these Oh God You do not despise." (Psa. 51:16,17). Adonijah, though he was David's son, was quickly disqualified and eliminated from any Kingdom use. Instead, Solomon was given charge of the Kingdom. It was Solomon's childlike humility that qualified him for Kingdom usefulness. "He prayed, 'now Oh Lord my God, You have made your servant King instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.'" (1 Kings 3:7). The great difference between Adonijah and Solomon was, Adonijah proudly proclaimed himself king, Solomon humbly prayed for the strength to be king.

If our churches are going to be channels of heaven sent revival, we must come to the place of true brokenness and humility. Some may still be asking, "What does true humility look like?" The answer to this question is not found in the theologian's ivory tower, but the nursery's cradle. Surely, we have all heard of the expression "crying like a baby". The chief characteristic of a helpless child is an incessant cry for someone to do what he cannot do for himself. Prayer is the most natural posture and expression of humility. It is a direct response to our insufficiency and God's all-sufficiency. Prayer is the language of the hungry, while prayerlessness is the language of the content and self satisfied. Humble and fervent prayers are always the forerunner to true "Kingdom Come Revivals." I am deeply concerned about some of the current teaching on revival that is neglecting a CLEAR call to fervent prayer. I believe that all those who are talking about establishing the Kingdom in revival power, while failing to urge the Church to prayer, are flirting with the Adonijah spirit.

 

Now is not the time to be silent or slack about our responsibility to pray for a revival. God is presently seeking for a humble, praying people that He can pour His glory through. If we will not yield to God in humble obedience, He will find a people who will! Some of us may have to visit someone else's fellowship in order to experience the coming move of God. Let's not deceive ourselves, God is not committed to use us, but He is committed to remember the prayer of the humble. (Psa. 9:12). If we refuse to prescribe to the Christ honored methods of humility and prayer, we will certainly be refused for the Master's use in the coming revival.  We must always remember that the prescription and description for true revival have always been and will ever be the same. "If my people, who are called by my name (Christians) will HUMBLE themselves, and PRAY and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and heal their land." (2 Chron. 7:14). Will you miss the coming revival?

 

(4) The Womb of Revival
Whom Does God Use To Birth Revival?
by David Smithers

 

Is a genuine widespread revival really coming? Some claim that the Church is already enjoying a mighty end-time revival. Others argue that the Church doesn't even need revival, only better Bible teaching or political reform. What does true revival really look like? These kinds of questions and many others are increasingly being debated within the Church today. Even some of our noted Church leaders seem quite confused when trying to define the realities of revival. Like many others, I strongly believe that a genuine revival is coming. Yet with all this debate and growing confusion, I can't help but question how prepared the Church at large is for such a visitation. I am very aware that there will always be those who will oppose the move of the Spirit, but how can we as the Church prepare and pray for a revival that we can't even agree about? Our call for revival must be clear and well defined if the people of God are to correctly respond in faith and fervent prayer. It is my hope that the following material will eliminate some of the present confusion over revival and thus help many of us to be better prepared for what still awaits us.

 

In spite of all this confusion, many within the Church are still very HUNGRY for a supernatural move of God. Nevertheless, hunger alone is never a sure guarantee for future blessing. Our hunger for revival must be directed by the Holy Spirit, according to God's biblical principles. Intense spiritual hunger, though invaluable and a much needed quality, has its occasional draw backs. There is such a thing as a kind of spiritual malnutrition that makes a believer less discriminate and careful about what he consumes. We must be aware of this and take care that our desperate hunger for revival doesn't diminish our spiritual vision and discernment. I believe that many today have wanted revival so badly that they are now being tempted to settle for a mixed or incomplete work of the Spirit. "To the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet" (Prov 27:7 & Luke 15:15-17). Misguided spiritual hunger, if left unchecked, will ultimately leave us unprepared and disqualified for the revival that is still yet to come! This is a critical time in the Church, and we can not afford to become prematurely satisfied with spiritual foothills, while the mountain peaks of GLORY still await us! We must give ourselves no rest, until we see the complete fulfillment of all of God's revival purposes and promises for our generation.

 

Are we Looking for Revival in the Wrong Places?

 

The question is no longer if revival will come, but rather through whom will revival come? Not only is it necessary for us to discern the seasons of revival, we must also learn how to discern God's appointed servants of revival. What kind of people does God use to bring a genuine move of the Spirit? Some would lead us to believe that revivals come somewhat randomly through anyone who happens to be available. Don't you believe it. God is not going to haphazardly entrust the next move of the Holy Spirit to a bunch of careless and uncooperative people! The conditions and principles of revival don't just conveniently change for the whims and preferences of each new generation. God brings revival only through those who humbly cooperate with His eternal values. If we want to be prepared for the coming revival, we must learn how to cooperate with God on His terms.

 

Absalom, the son of King David, was once presumed to be God's chosen vessel simply because he was attractive and charming. However, like a beautiful flower, he soon faded away and proved not to be what he first appeared (2 Sam. 14:25, James 1:9-11). God's revivalists are not selected on the basis of beauty and ability, but rather brokenness and humility! The Father has always preferred the humble for His revival purposes. Rarely have God's revivalists been found among the polished and esteemed churchmen of their day. Therefore, it would be a serious mistake for us to expect to find the next move of God on some glamorous stage bathed in glitter and bright lights. The birthplace of revival is usually discovered in despised and lowly mangers, not elegant mansions!

 

Nevertheless, many Christians still refuse to accept this vital spiritual lesson. Like the religious leaders in Jesus time, they presume to find the glory of God carried by a beautiful white stallion, not a homely little donkey! (Matt. 21:5). Most of Israel missed the day of their visitation merely because they were looking for the promised visitation of God in the wrong places. While they were busy searching for some regal king or political savior, Jesus was walking among them as a common carpenter (Isa. 53:2). God's revival methods have never changed, it still pleases Him to come through humble and lowly servants. How many of us are in danger of missing the day of our own visitation, simply because we are still thinking like mere carnal men? If we like it or not God prefers the company of broken and lowly people. God is no respecter of persons, but He is definitely a respecter of CHILDLIKE FAITH and HUMILITY (Acts 10:34). As the old Puritan, Robert Leighton, once said,  "God's choice acquaintances are humble men."

 

Where Can We Expect to Find Revival?

 

When the Father first chose Israel out of all the nations of the world, it was not because Israel was superior in size and strength, but because they were weak and small (Deut. 7:6-7). The Father promises revival not to the strong and self-reliant but to the HUMBLE!  " I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones" (Isa. 57:15). God is looking for a people who are lowly and broken. The scriptures are quite clear about this. "For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7). "For that which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God" (Luke 16:15).

 

Again in 1Cor. 1:27-29, Paul plainly tells us where we should look to find God's chosen instruments of revival: "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." The most powerful revivals throughout the history of the Church have always been nurtured by obscure and unlikely people. The kingdom of God has the greatest impact when carried in the hands of the HUMBLE.

 

Mary and God's Revival Grace

 

The Bible is full of examples of God giving abundant grace to the humble for His revival purposes. Yet the most striking example of them all is found in the gospel account of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mary typifies the kind of hidden and obscure people that God delights to use in bringing revival. God, in His perfect wisdom, chose an unknown virgin to be the channel for His ultimate visitation.

Though this was very difficult for Mary to comprehend at first, she soon grasped the wisdom of God's decision. She boldly testifies to this fact in Luke 1:46-53: "And Mary said: 'My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has regarded the LOWLY and HUMBLE state of His bondslave. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the mighty One has done great things for me, holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who with CONTEMPT and PRIDE hold themselves above others in the intellectual insight and moral understanding of their heart. He has brought down the mighty from their thrones but has lifted up the HUMBLE. He has FILLED and SATISFIED the HUNGRY with good things but has sent the RICH away EMPTY-HANDED without a gift." The strong and self-reliant are disqualified as the candidates for true revival. They are full of their own success, talents and intelligence. They are quite confident that they can handle whatever comes their way. Therefore they are sent away empty and dry because there is no vacuum within their lives for the glory of Jesus to fill.

 

Obscurity and Revival

 

Lowly and humble people don't usually come from prestigious places. Mary was certainly no exception. Luke 1:26 reveals that Mary lived on the wrong side of the tracks in the infamous city of Nazareth of Galilee. This city had a terrible reputation for being one of the most irreligious places in all of Israel. It was considered to be a ghetto or slum among most Israelites. Thus the saying: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth" (John 1:46). This expression seems to accurately reflect the general attitude that most people had about Nazareth at this time. Nazareth was the last place you would expect to find one of God's special instruments of revival.

 

Jesus is the Focus of True Revival

 

You may still be asking, "How was Mary an instrument of revival and awakening?" "What did she do to help bring revival?" Matthew 1:23 reads, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." What is true revival, but God being manifest with us. Through Mary's humble cooperation, Christ came down and personally dwelt among us (John 1:14). She nurtured within her own womb the tangible presence of Jesus, until the appointed time of His delivery. Mary pushed and travailed until Jesus Christ broke forth into a lost and dying world. Heaven came down to earth through her obscure and humble life. Likewise, Jesus longs to manifest Himself today through some humble remnant of His virgin Bride and Church.

 

Revival is not just a series of good church meetings or a successful evangelistic crusade. Nor is revival merely some inanimate spiritual force or experience. True revival is much more than just a means by which Christians get their spiritual needs met. Revival is not an IT; revival is a visitation of HIM. Consequently, Christians quickly forsake their sins and realign their lives with heaven. Soon their hearts begin to burn and ache for the salvation of all men everywhere, that they too might know the joy of worshiping and obeying Jesus Christ. In true revival, Jesus Christ and His worship is the beginning and the end of everything that happens. James A. Stewart wrote, "The chief characteristic of true revival is that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself is the center of the attraction: 'It was heard that He was in the house and immediately many gathered together. . .'" (Mark 2:1,2).

 

Holiness and Revival

 

In Luke 1:27 we can learn something else from Mary about the character of God's revival instruments. In this verse, Mary is identified first and foremost as a chaste and pure virgin. As far as the scripture is concerned, this was her most defining characteristic. In faith, she had reserved her heart and body exclusively for the love and affections of her coming bridegroom. She was not available for common or worldly use. She refused to allow herself to be touched or handled by the enticements of this world. Mary was a "fragrant garden enclosed, a spring shut up and a fountain sealed" (SOS 4:12).

 

Likewise the Church is also called to be a chaste virgin, betrothed and reserved for her Husband, Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:25-32 & 2 Cor 11:2). If we truly want to be used in the coming revival, we too must surrender to a deep work of consecration and holiness. God will not bring revival through a proud and unrepentant people (2 Chronicles 7:14). Faith-filled repentance and humility are always the nursemaid and cradle for every young and growing move of the Holy Spirit. The coming river of God is waiting to be set into motion by our tears of brokenness and repentance! By FAITH in Christ, we can be prepared and purified for God's coming visitation.

 

Because Mary had reserved herself in holiness and purity, she was rewarded with some very special privileges. Have you ever considered that it was Mary who first touched the precious face of our Lord Jesus? She was the first to embrace Him, and it was she who first looked into His gentle yet searching eyes. Mary was the very first one to intimately embrace the tangible presence of God. She was truly blessed above all other women. The promises of God are true: "Blessed are the pure in heart: FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD" (Matt. 5:8).

 

God's Methods for Revival

 

In Luke 1:34 we find another lesson on revival. Here Mary asks the angel Gabriel, "How can these things be, since I do not know a man?" How can an inexperienced young girl bring forth the visitation of God without the help of man? To the natural mind, such things seem completely impossible. Nevertheless, Zech. 4:6 reminds us that the works of God are not born by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit. True revival is not the product of human planning and creative fund raising. Revival is never dependent upon our temporal holdings and material assets. The only assets the Church of Acts had on the day of Pentecost was a 120 humble intercessors. Still, there are those who claim that if they just had enough money and manpower, they could revive America and save the world. All such boasting is complete nonsense!

 

For too long the Church has been victimized by ambitious men who cut corners by leaning on the arm of the flesh. No amount of promotion and clever scheming will ever make God's Kingdom come to earth. E. M. Bounds plainly states it this way, "It is much easier to engineer a great religious movement by human forces than it is to break our hearts and humble ourselves in the dust before God." In Luke 1:35 Gabriel answers Mary's question in the following way, "And the angel answered and said unto her, 'The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.'" In other words, stop looking to MAN and start seeking God alone as your Provider and strength. Revival power is born of the Spirit through faith and humility, not by the power of fleshly methods. Are we planning and pleading with fickle men, when we should be fervently praying to a faithful God?

 

The Reproach of Revival

 

In Luke 1:38 we observe Mary's final response to the Lord's revival commission. Though shaken by Gabriel's remarkable message, Mary confidently replies, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be done unto me according to your word." With those simple faith-filled words, Mary surrendered complete control of her life and reputation to the sovereign Spirit of revival. She accepted all the potential risks and consequences that so often come with believing and obeying the promises of God.

 

Because Mary chose to do things God's way instead of man's way, she no doubt suffered severe reproach and rejection from her family and neighbors. She willingly bore the shame and misunderstanding of becoming mysteriously pregnant before her marriage. For Jesus' sake she was willing to sacrifice her family, friends and reputation. If we choose to participate with God's ordained revival process, we too will be painfully misunderstood and cut-off by some within the religious community. Church history teaches us that with the seeds of revival come the fiery darts of slander and false accusations. Revival participants have always had to be willing to be misunderstood and accused of being unorthodox and illegitimate. Carnal men cannot understand or appreciate the things of the Spirit. Therefore, it should not surprise us to find God's revival instruments surrounded by ridicule and bitter controversy (Rom. 8:7 & 1 Cor. 2:14).

 

God's Sovereignty and Man's Responsibility in Revival

 

What other effects did this birthing process have upon Mary's life? Was she an active participant in the process or merely the idle pawn of God? Mary's pregnancy beautifully illustrates for us something of the mysterious union between God's sovereignty and man's responsibility in revival. God the Holy Spirit miraculously placed the seed of Christ within Mary's womb, independent of any outside influence or help. Mary did not seek or initiate this incredible miracle, nor could she have even dreamed of it. It was totally a sovereign act of God. God alone exercised the power to open Mary's virgin womb.

 

However, after that supernatural conception, it was Mary who then had to make a conscious choice to participate with the pregnancy and birth. Mary's involvement with God's prophetic plan was not the actions of some mindless machine, but the willing expression of love and humble submission. Norman Grubb explains this principle in the following way, "Revival is not an act of divine sovereignty apart from human cooperation, but the legitimate outcome of man's compliance with divine conditions for revival." Duncan Campbell of the Hebrides Revival wrote something similar, "We do not believe in any conception of sovereignty that nullifies my responsibility. . . We are the human agents through which revival is possible." When Mary surrendered to God's calling on her life, she knew that it would mean sleepless nights and months of discomfort and pain. Yet she willingly chose to be stretched and burdened, as the life of God grew within her.

 

The Birth Pains of Revival

 

Mary not only had to learn how to patiently endure a long and painful pregnancy, but also the tears and travail of child birth. Natural births are either helped or hindered by the actions of the expectant mother. It all depends upon the mother's willingness to push and travail, as each pain or wave of contractions comes upon her. The timing of these pains is not something that the mother can control or postpone for a more convenient time. If the baby is to be delivered quickly and safely, she MUST push with each birth pain as it comes.

 

As the Bride of Jesus Christ, we are called to participate with the birth pains of revival. We all love to recall the thrilling stories of past revival power and glory, but are we willing to labor and push in our pursuit of revival? Are we willing to give ourselves to sleepless nights of fasting and travailing prayer? There is no such thing as giving birth without travail and violent pushing. "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matt. 11:12). Fervent prayers and rivers of tears are always the forerunners of genuine revival. Remember, the prayer room is God's delivery room for revival. If we are neglecting prayer, we are neglecting revival, regardless of how many famous renewal meetings we may have attended!

 

There will be no mighty visitation of God without the travail and fervent prayers of the Church. As Brother Ravenhill use to say, "We need a revival of weeping to precede a revival of reaping!" Are you willing to weep and travail until a heaven sent harvest comes? When God's house is once again filled with the bitter-sweet tears of travail, then we can know with certainty that revival is truly imminent. "For as soon as Zion TRAVAILED, she brought forth her children" (Isaiah 66:8).

 

The Birthplace of Revival

 

It was at Bethlehem that Mary first realized that she was going into labor. Evening was fast approaching, and Joseph had to quickly find an appropriate place for Mary to give birth. He was turned away at one inn after another, as Mary's birth pains grew stronger and closer together. Luke 2:6-7 says, "The time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in swaddling cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Remember, there was nothing extraordinary about Joseph and Mary to warrant them any special consideration from Bethlehem's inn keepers. They were just humble and unassuming strangers without wealth or influence.

 

They were finally forced to bed down in a damp and musty cave or stable where the livestock were fed. It was here that Mary was hidden away to bravely push and travail until the presence of Jesus broke forth into the world. Have you ever noticed how most babies seem to be born in the middle of the night? This was the case with Mary. While others were comfortably sleeping, she was pushing and crying out in pain in obedience to her God! The final fruits of revival shine brightly, while the pains of travailing prayer usually go unnoticed in obscure and hidden places. In John 16:21, Jesus Himself said, "A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour is come; but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world." There are many who want the joy of revival without the sorrow of travail. God's chosen revival instruments have always embraced both.

 

Who are the First to Witness Revival?

 

Who was the FIRST to hear of this glorious visitation? Was it the high priest, the king or some other prominent person? Luke 2:8-11 tells us that it was the lowly shepherds: "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.'" Like Joseph and Mary, these shepherds were humble and lowly people. This is why they were the first to be chosen to witness the birth and visitation of God. Contrary to our modern nativity scenes, the wise men from the east did not visit the manger that first night with the humble shepherds. They found Jesus much later in a house (Matt. 2:1-11).

 

The shepherds had been given a specific sign to help them know exactly where to find the presence of God. Luke 2:12 reads, "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." Being local shepherds, they were very familiar with all of the nearby stables and knew right where to look. Others might have been offended and stumbled by such a sign, but to these humble men this was a word of welcome and encouragement to their hungry hearts. The scriptures say that, "They made haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger." They had found the promised Glory of God, not in some beautiful temple but resting in a despised and lowly manger in the form of a helpless child. This is still God's sign for us today who are looking for the birthplace of true revival.

 

Revival History is the History of Humility and Brokenness

 

All the great revivals of the past have been birthed in much the same way. The First Great Awakening was powerfully birthed in the open fields of England, as Whitefield and Wesley preached to the lowly coal miners. The Second Great Awakening started in a simple country church and went on to have its most powerful effects among the common frontier people who gathered in the woods of Kentucky. Of the Third Great Awakening, J. Edwin Orr wrote, "It was no man's monument." This Awakening could not be traced to the influence of any one particular evangelist or organization. The revival was miraculously born in the hungry hearts of thousands of humble and praying people.

 

The Welsh revival of 1904 began in a small young people's meeting, under the direction of an unknown and half-educated twenty-six year old coal miner named Evan Roberts. The Azusa Street revival was born in a simple cottage prayer meeting. As the revival grew, the meetings were moved to an old run down church building that had once served as a livery stable. The revival flourished from 1906-1909 under William J. Seymour, a humble one-eyed black preacher from Texas. The history of revival will forever be associated with extended seasons of deep brokenness and humility.

 

Are You Willing to Become Pregnant with Revival?

 

As I said before, the question is no longer if revival will come, but rather through whom will revival come? Where are the humble and broken people who will allow God to birth a mighty visitation through them? Where are the ones who are willing to empty themselves of their own agendas and plans in order to become pregnant with God's vision for revival? Will YOU allow Jesus to break you and use you in the coming revival? Invite the Holy Spirit even now to fill you with that kind of all-consuming vision and calling. Yield to the Spirit and give Him permission to ache, weep and pray through you! Humble yourself and repent of ANYTHING that would hinder or quench the Spirit of revival! Ask the Lord to let you feel what He feels about the state of the Church and the world. This is the season and time for us to fast, weep and pray for a true visitation of God. In fact, it could be our last opportunity to cooperate with God's revival purposes. Most believers never get more than one chance in a lifetime to be involved in a true move of God. Will you humble yourself and pray, or must the Lord look elsewhere to find a willing and humble virgin? "Ask the LORD for rain in the time of the latter rain" (Zech 10:1).