What “Revival” Looks Like

9/15/2006

By Trevor Davis

 

True “revival” is nothing less than the act of God.  True revival is by God’s glory for His glory.  It is not the work of man.  It is not for the glorification of man.  Authentic revival is the power of God moving upon desperate people who need God and know it.  Revival is an experience in the Kingdom of God that stands separate from the religion of flesh. 

 

Solomon’s Temple: The Glory Of God Falls

 

Historically we can see God moving by His Spirit as in the days of the dedication of Solomon’s Temple (1Kings 8; 2Chronicles 5:13-14).  The scripture records the humble and honorable declaration of God’s supremacy and the plea for His people to be blessed as they submitted and hearkened to His voice.  Solomon prayed before the LORD and the people and the glory of God came down as a cloud.  The people could not move before the weight of the presence of God.  They all lay prostrate before His greatness unable to move.  That is revival.  Revival is known by the reality of the presence of God.   

 

Revival experiences God in truth.  Revival makes a person despise their sin.  Revival makes one recognize the reality of the need for God to spare and have mercy.  It creates the intense desire for God to cause change in the minds, hearts and souls of all.  It leaves you with such an awareness of the real and tangible splendor of God’s highness.  After the conviction comes the joy and elation of God’s gracious love.

 

Glory of the Latter House Greater Than The Former (Haggai 2:9)

 

We see God moving in such mighty display of power through His presence under King Solomon’s dispensation.  Yet, God said that ‘the glory of the latter house would be greater than the former’.  Since God has done away with the former covenant and established a better, and, yet the new is far more superior that saw God display such awesome glory—one should ask, “why don’t we see the glory of God moving in similar fashion in our day?”   Well, there are many reasons.

 

Recall in the days recorded in the Old Testament that the ark of God was to be carried upon staves and that no man was permitted to touch it.  It came about one day that the instructions of God were violated and it cost a man his life.  King David was following the procession of the ark of God as it traveled on a cart.  The cart became unsettled and appeared it would topple.  A man nearby sought to keep the ark aright by placing his hands upon the ark.  Good intention.  Deadly reaction.  God struck the man dead on the spot.  Why?  Because God is to be feared and obeyed—He is separate from flesh.  God desires us to learn from this mistake.

God requires respect and obedience.  It follows that if we love God we will obey Him.  Consider that God has said that no flesh shall glory before the LORD.  God does not want the sweat of flesh in ministry.  This is the principle of God seen in scripture. 

 

The Example Of Revival In Acts

 

As the Spirit of God was poured out upon the believers in the book of Acts the mighty presence anointed the people.  Great conviction fell upon all that heard the Word of God.  People came to the faith in Christ by the thousands on a daily basis.  That is revival.  Those who preached spoke from the unction of the Holy Spirit and declared the Word of God with boldness and power.  God confirmed the Word with signs and wonders of the Spirit of God.  That is revival. 

 

God led the ministries into their destinations.  He gave them instructions.  The people followed on to know the LORD not man.  That is revival.  The multitudes rejoiced in Christ and cast away their selfish agendas.  Love grew in the hearts of the followers of Jesus and they shared their belongings with those in need.  That is revival.  Great fear of the LORD fell upon the church.  The LORD was evident in the midst.  Everyone knew that the LORD knew the hearts and reins of the people and that dishonesty and hypocrisy could cause death.  That is revival.

 

Exhortation: Don’t Touch The Glory!

 

As we move forward in this day into the great and notable day of the LORD, we all should heed the example of scripture.  God will not share His glory.  It is His and His alone.  God is going forth humbling the proud and high look.  God is judging that which misuses His Word for man’s purposes.  Look out.  Glory not in man.  Glory not in flesh.  Let him that glories glory in the LORD.  Glory in that you know and understand the LORD.  That’s it.

 

Jesus is our example of true ministry in revival.  Jesus has shown us the example of total reliance upon the Father and only doing what is pleasing to Him.  He was taught by the Father and spoke the Words the Father commanded Him.  This was Jesus’ delight--  “To do the will of Him that sent me and to finish His work”.

 

Jesus moved by revelation.  He waited upon the Father in prayer.  Jesus passed the test in the wilderness when the devil sought to lead Him astray.  Jesus remained submitted to the Father.  This is our example.  Jesus would not receive testimony from man.  He would not receive honor from man.  The only honor we are to desire is that which comes from above.  This will lead us into the true revival demonstrated in the glorious outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 

 

I urge ministries to take heed how they minister in the coming days.  We know that judgment of God begins in His house and then in the world (1Peter 4:17-18).  God is judging.  God is judging the elevated ministry.  God is the only One to be exalted.  God will not share His glory with anyone!  No one!

What we have seen too often in the christian world is God’s gifts and callings placed upon pedestals.  God is bringing them down! (Isaiah 2:11,12,17)  What we have seen is God’s Words used for man’s purposes.  God is bringing this to an end.  We have seen ministries reflecting the carnal desires of the masses by placating to them.  God is judging this as He has done before. 

 

Reflect God By Following Jesus

 

Again, Jesus is our example.  If you saw Jesus you saw the Father.  Why?  Because Jesus yielded completely to the Father in every way.  Jesus was ‘transparent’.  This is why God is raising up “nameless faceless” ministries.  They are not attempting to establish themselves.  They do not seek glory but only to give glory to God.  They do not speak of themselves nor do they seek their own benefit.  These are the vessels of honor.  These are the ministries of the revival that is upon the land. 

 

True revival will come through the ministries that God has prepared.  They have been prepared in the wilderness.  They have been born for the glory of God.  They will be anointed with the Holy Spirit as Jesus was anointed because they have similar dedication to the will of God.  Remember, God cannot endorse with His Spirit anything that is false.  He will not do it.  God will endorse with His anointing that which reflects Him.  Also, God will anoint the true gospel with power and demonstration of the Spirit of God. 

 

The true gospel is that which proclaims Christ and Him crucified.  The true gospel declares that believers must pick up their cross and follow the Lord.  Whereas, the false gospel tells people to climb the ladder of success.  It tells people to use the Word of God for selfish gain.  The false gospel promotes fleshly materialism as the main pursuit of the individual.   This is the gospel of satan—not Christ. 

 

Let God transform you into the image of His son.  This is the purpose of God for your life (Romans 8:29-30).  This is the only way to please the LORD.  He is looking for Jesus in you.  Yield to the washing and regeneration of the Spirit in these days thereby you will be a glorious instrument of the true revival of God.

 

 

http://www.blueletterbible.org/tmp_dir/words/w/1158417835-635.html

 

http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Rom/Rom008.html#top

 

 

http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Rom/Rom006.html

 

 

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