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Urgent Appeal
The Gathering
A Nationwide Call
Introduction
Seasons of God
Definitions of Revival
An Apologetic for Revival
Clarifications
Cautions
Hope of Revival
Questions and Answers
Gospel of Jesus Christ
Declaration of Intent
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Christian leaders will seek consensus
and collaboration on corporate revival to the degree they are thoroughly convinced it is a legitimate, necessary expectation for their generation. Without such confidence, we will be reluctant to invest in something that simply may never happen.
In 1 Peter 3:15 we are told to be ready at all times to give an answer to those who demand reasons for the hope that is in us. Often, however, Christian leaders struggle to maintain confidence about the hope of revival, and thus to lead their people into the same vision. This happens for a number of reasons, including:
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"The people were waiting expectantly, wondering in their hearts . . . John answered them: 'He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire . . . He will gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.' And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them."
(Luke 3:15-18)
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- Lack of study on the ways of God in corporate revival.
- Ignorance of the cycles or seasons of revival throughout church history.
- Insipid rationalism that causes us to function, for all practical purposes, as if the supernatural is of little consequence
- A sense of being overwhelmed by the great needs of the Body of Christ and the mission of Christ in our generation, as we face difficulties and challenges that seem almost insurmountable.
- Personal disappointments from past ministries that make it difficult to trust God for a greater work today in the life of the church at large.
- Weariness in the midst of current personal ministries that inhibit one's ability to reflect on the larger work of God in revival.
- Isolation from other leaders who have this hope and who promote it among their people.
Thankfully, there are multiple reasons to embrace and foster the hope of corporate revival with confidence. For leaders who are growing in their desire to see revival, the following seven-fold apologetic is offered. It is not intended to take the place of the hundreds of biblical promises for revival. This apologetic is supplemental--a unique way to organize the rationale for our hope. It can buttress our consensus and galvanize our labors. At the same time, these seven arguments can double as fresh perspectives on all that corporate biblical revival encompasses.
The seven-fold apologetic includes:
- The decisive person
- The divine pattern
- The dark prospects
- The disturbing paralysis
- The dramatic preparations
- The distinctive praying
- The determined people
- The Decisive Person
The Scriptures promise repeatedly that God intends for His Son to be decisively at the center of everything, both at the end of history and every step along the way. In revival, God dramatically intervenes to restore a vision for, and increased responses to, Christ's rightful role as redeemer King among His people; and to more fully advance His Kingdom, right now, among the nations.
Therefore, because of God's ultimate commitment to His Son "to bring everything out at His feet for disposal" (E. Stanley Jones), we can pray and prepare for corporate revival with confidence that our hope is not in vain.
THE DIVINE PATTERN
God is faithful and consistent in all His ways. He has been pleased to grant seasons of significant revival both in biblical times and in church history. As Scripture teaches, He is no respecter of persons. What He has done before, in other times and places, He is able and willing to do for our generation. The specifics may vary, but the patterns have been documented. And the promises in both Old and New Testaments are pervasive.
Therefore, because of God's commitment to His own time-honored procedures for glorifying His Son, we can pray and prepare for corporate revival with confidence that God will not disappoint us.
THE DARK PROSPECTS
God loves the world and longs to see His Son exalted among all earth's peoples. But He knows the world is currently facing extraordinary crises and challenges beyond its own resources. Furthermore, nearly three billion of earth's peoples are still outside the reach of the Gospel. Revival in the church can uniquely transform the church and make her equal to the desperate needs of our times. It is a supreme hope, held out to us throughout Scripture, for a greater harvest in the world He loves.
Therefore, because of His commitment to the mission of His Son on behalf of the nations, we must pray and prepare for corporate revival.
THE DISTURBING PARALYSIS
God knows that the desperate condition of the world today is due, in large measure, to the state of the church. He sees our struggles with powerlessness, brokenness, dullness, carnality, and sin. Yet, the Bible clearly teaches that God intends to bring glory to Himself through the church, not apart from it. The church, however, cannot heal her own impotency and paralysis. The shining hope for this to happen today is for God to restore us powerfully as a people, by His grace. This healing of an invalid church is called revival.
Therefore, because of God's commitment to the Body of Christ, we can pray and prepare for revival with confidence that He will not forsake His many promises to grant it.
THE DRAMATIC PREPARATIONS
The tools God has provided and the doors He has opened for fulfilling the Great Commission today form nothing less than the prelude to corporate revival. God is obviously setting the stage worldwide for a whole new advance of Christ's Kingdom among millions of unbelievers. Since these multiplied preparations of resources and laborers and renewal movements are His sovereign design, He will not fail to fulfill what He has begun.
Therefore, because of God's commitment to bring to completion every good work raised up in and for his Son (Philippians 1:6), we can seek revival according to God's promises.
THE DISTINCTIVE PRAYING
In unprecedented fashion, God is stirring up His people everywhere to pray biblically, specifically, increasingly, and persistently for local, national, and even worldwide revival. Beyond question, God never calls His people to pray in vain. His Word promises that He will hear, and answer fully, prayers instigated by His Spirit.
Therefore, because of His commitment to respond proactively toward all prayers made according to His will--prayers that come from, through and for His Son--we should prepare eagerly and confidently for the answer: corporate revival.
THE DETERMINED PEOPLE
God is galvanizing a host of people across our nation (and worldwide), convinced by the undeniable promises of His Word that revival is a dynamic hope for the church and for Christ's Kingdom to advance among the nations. In addition, they are willing to pay any price to prepare the way for God to grant it. Not only are they a chief sign of the "impendingness" of an awakening to Christ, they are actually the first phase of it. They are the Spirit's gift to the church for this strategic hour.
Therefore, because of God's commitment to vindicate ultimately the servants of His Son who pray and prepare for corporate revival, we can rest in confident hope.
This seven-fold apologetic relates not only to a sweeping massive revival, which may be in the offing; it also encourages us to live expectantly about revival right where we live--in our own lives, and churches, and regions.
MAKING IT PERSONAL: READER'S REFLECTIONS
- Which of the reasons listed (page 21) for why Christian leaders often lose confidence about the hope of revival do you identify with most?
- Are there specific steps you might take to confront any of these barriers in your life?
- Of the seven-fold apologetic for revival, which arguments do you personally find most compelling and why?
- Can you identify anyone in your circle of relationships that you could say is one of the "determined people" (page 24). If so, what are some ways that you might unite with them to encourage each other to pray and prepare for revival?
- Where can I/we find common ground with other leaders in the issues covered within this section?
- Centered on Christ, can I/we find sufficient consensus about the previous section as I/we proceed to explore the next section together?
- Is there a prayer response that would be appropriate right now before I/we move to the next section? (Spend time praying.)
- Scripture for meditation: Hosea 6:1-3; Isaiah 57:14-15
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