Global Revival?

[ChristopherHall]

Scriptures for consideration:

(Dan 2:35 NIV) …But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.

(Mat 13:31-32 NIV) He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. {32} Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."

(Mat 13:33 NIV) He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."

Some scholars and preachers believe that the texts above are prophetically depicting the successful advance and expansion of the Kingdom of God through the preached gospel as revival fills the earth. This revival is believed to usher in an era of peace and Christian faith. Charles Hodge (1797-1878) wrote an excellent explanation of this view…

“As therefore the Scriptures teach that the kingdom of Christ is to extend over all the earth; that all nations are to serve Him; and that all people shall call Him blessed; it is to be inferred that these predictions refer to a state of things which is to exist before the second coming of Christ. This state is described as one of spiritual prosperity; God will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh; knowledge shall everywhere abound; wars shall cease to the ends of the earth, and there shall be nothing to hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord. This does not imply that there is to be neither sin nor sorrow in the world during this long period, or that all men are to be true Christians. The tares are to grow together with the wheat until the harvest. The means of grace will still be needed; conversion and sanctification will be then what they ever have been. It is only a higher measure of the good which the church has experienced in the past that we are taught to anticipate in the future. This however is not the end, after this and after the great apostasy which is to follow, comes the consummation.”

But some theologians and preachers teach that there will not be a global revival that will significantly affect the world.

Do you believe there will be a global revival?

[OneAccord]

No, I don't think there will ever be a global revival. The opportunity for the Gospel to permeate every heart is ever present, but I don't think we'll ever see a global revival or awakening. The Kingdom is also like the sower that sowed the seed. Some grows if not becoming fruitful, then for a short period, some does not grow. But The Gospel that saves is available to the entire world.

I do believe, however, that the Pentecostal Movement is in need of, and will experience, a revival never before seen. If I am correct, the Pentecostal faith has experienced four major moves of God since its restoration at Azusa Street. A 5th "revival" will come to the church. An assembly. A coming together. I believe it will be a Spirit of Unity. The walls we have so carefully erected between us will come down as the Spirit brings us together to unite for His coming. Not a Global pentecostal organization. But a true move to unite the Body of Christ, prompted, not by denominations and organizations that divide, but by the Holy Spirit that always, but always, brings unity.

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by OneAccord

No, I don't think there will ever be a global revival. The opportunity for the Gospel to permeate every heart is ever present, but I don't think we'll ever see a global revival or awakening. The Kingdom is also like the sower that sowed the seed. Some grows if not becoming fruitful, then for a short period, some does not grow. But The Gospel that saves is available to the entire world.

I do believe, however, that the Pentecostal Movement is in need of, and will experience, a revival never before seen. If I am correct, the Pentecostal faith has experienced four major moves of God since its restoration at Azusa Street. A 5th "revival" will come to the church. An assembly. A coming together. I believe it will be a Spirit of Unity. The walls we have so carefully erected between us will come down as the Spirit brings us together to unite for His coming. Not a Global pentecostal organization. But a true move to unite the Body of Christ, prompted, not by denominations and organizations that divide, but by the Holy Spirit that always, but always, brings unity.

I'd love to believe this. I find it very difficult though, given what I've seen recently. I hope it happens. I'd love to live to see it.

[OneAccord]

Originally Posted by nahkoe

I'd love to believe this. I find it very difficult though, given what I've seen recently. I hope it happens. I'd love to live to see it.

Sister, you can believe it. And, you just might see it. But, heres the thing... those that won't have it, won't have it. Its that simple. Stuck in their divisons and traditions, they just might get left behing, because the Holy Ghost is moving...always moving.

Those that continue to work to divide and separate just might divide and separate themselves into oblivion. Gal 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. They will split and splinter until all that may be left is either a split or splinter.

But God will raise up a people whose voice blends with that of the Holy Spirit.

Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. The Spirit is calling people to Come together. Break down the walls. Build some bridges.

To illustrate (and I hope this doesn't become another dreaded "standards" thread): 2 weeks ago I visited a church not far from my home. It was "Pentecostal". The songs, the sermon , the worship, and even the people were unfamiliar to me. I thought of the verse "How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land." I felt I was in strange land, nothing seemed familiar.

Last Sunday I visited a Baptist Church. The women, all the women who dresses (ain't none of my business what a woman wears, but I'm use to seeing wear dresses, at least to church- sorry, just one of my Pentecostal traditions). The songs were out of the old familair red hymnal, and the Pastor preached on "The Ministry of the Holy Spirit in Comfort". Every thing was, well, familiar. Is God leaving those whose worship and life is moving away from their "roots" of pentecostal unity and being given to a people that will, and are, hearing His Voice? Us Pentecostals (at least us old timers) looked down at Baptist for their worldly ways, yet I saw more "worldliness" in a church that use to "keep themselves unspotted from the world".

Is something shifting? I don't know... but I do see a trend that people are beginning to at least think about the rifts and divisions among us. And the word, "UNITY", well I hear it a little more often, even it does seem that my voice is the only one I'm hearing!

[CC1]

CH,

It is probably those facist one world Republicans keeping it from happening. All four of them.

[scotty]

Yes , I do believe there will be a revival that will span the globe. I have heard it preached since I was a kid. I believe it will be in my life time. I can't wait.

[ReformedDave]

Originally Posted by ChristopherHall

Scriptures for consideration:

(Dan 2:35 NIV) …But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.

(Mat 13:31-32 NIV) He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. {32} Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."

(Mat 13:33 NIV) He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."

Some scholars and preachers believe that the texts above are prophetically depicting the successful advance and expansion of the Kingdom of God through the preached gospel as revival fills the earth. This revival is believed to usher in an era of peace and Christian faith. Charles Hodge (1797-1878) wrote an excellent explanation of this view…

“As therefore the Scriptures teach that the kingdom of Christ is to extend over all the earth; that all nations are to serve Him; and that all people shall call Him blessed; it is to be inferred that these predictions refer to a state of things which is to exist before the second coming of Christ. This state is described as one of spiritual prosperity; God will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh; knowledge shall everywhere abound; wars shall cease to the ends of the earth, and there shall be nothing to hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord. This does not imply that there is to be neither sin nor sorrow in the world during this long period, or that all men are to be true Christians. The tares are to grow together with the wheat until the harvest. The means of grace will still be needed; conversion and sanctification will be then what they ever have been. It is only a higher measure of the good which the church has experienced in the past that we are taught to anticipate in the future. This however is not the end, after this and after the great apostasy which is to follow, comes the consummation.”

But some theologians and preachers teach that there will not be a global revival that will significantly affect the world.

Do you believe there will be a global revival?

Agree. I think Scripture teaches this but it probably won't be in my lifetime....

[OneAccord]

THE CHURCHES


A city full of churches,
Great preachers, lettered men,

Grand music, choirs and organs;

If these all fail, what then?

Good workers, eager, earnest,

Who labour hour by hour:

But where, oh where, my brothers!

Is God's Almighty power?



Refinement: Education!

They want the very best.

Their plans and schemes are perfect,

They give themselves no rest;

They get the best of talent,

They try their uttermost,

But what they need, my brother,

Is God the Holy Ghost!



We may spend time and money

And preach from wisdom's lore,

But education only

Will keep God's people poor.

God wants not worldly wisdom.

He seeks no smiles to win;

But what is needed, brother,

Is that we deal with sin!



It is the Holy Spirit,

That quickeneth the soul.

God will not take man-worship,

Nor bow to man's control.

No human innovation,

No skill, or worldly art,

Can give a true repentance,

Or break the sinner's heart!



We may have human wisdom,

Grand singing, great success;

There may be fine equipment,

But these things do not bless.

God wants a pure, clean vessel,

Anointed lips and true,

A man filled with the Spirit,

To speak His message through.



Great God, revive us truly!

And keep us every day;

That men may all acknowledge

We live just as we pray.

The Lord's hand is not shortened,

He still delights to bless;

If we depart from evil

And all our sins confess.


--Samuel Stevenson

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by CC1

CH,

It is probably those facist one world Republicans keeping it from happening. All four of them.

Hey! I like arguing politics with my bro ChristopherHall; but I like talking with him about revival even more.

[TRFrance]

Originally Posted by ChristopherHall

Scriptures for consideration:

(Dan 2:35 NIV) …But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.

(Mat 13:31-32 NIV) He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. {32} Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."

(Mat 13:33 NIV) He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."

I do believe the last 2 of those scriptures you provided do seem to speak of the church, and God's will for the body of Christ in this present age.

However, [not to stir up a prophecy debate but]... the first scripture you mentioned (Dan 2:35) seems to deal not with the church but with the millennial kingdom of God that will fill the earth for the 1,000 years after "the antichrist" is defeated. The rock is Jesus. The base of the statue that is struck in Dan 2 is the final kingdom that Jesus destroys when the destroys the beast, just before He sets up His own kingdom that fills the earth.