Is there going to be a Great Revival coming? (Written by my Wife)
One of the common themes pastors love to preach about is a great revival, or a great awakening. They love to preach this message because it makes you feel good about yourself and makes you happy. The happier the congregation, and the less convicted you feel about your sins, the more money you will place in the offering. Even so-called holiness preachers cannot seem to get away from this message saying they believe God has told them a great revival is coming. But is it? Will a mass amount of people come to or return to the Lord before the end? I will answer this by scripture, not by my theory. However, let me quickly state that before you think this is a negative post, please read all the way through to know I am offering you a message of hope, not of doom and gloom!
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 10-12
2 Thessalonians clearly tells us that there will be a great "falling away" before the Anti-Christ comes, not a revival. It says people will be easily deceived by the evil leader because they love unrighteousness, and have failed to follow the Truths of God.
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; 1 Timothy 4:1-2
1 Timothy also states Christians will "depart from the faith" and give into the "doctrines of demons."
What are these false doctrines leading people astray?
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude, Verse 4
This means that false teachers have perverted the Truths about holiness taught by Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, Jude, and others and have twisted it to a false grace message saying we never need to repent because forgiveness is automatic. If people believe we never need to repent, then how could a revival even be possible? People will no longer listen to the holiness message and call all of us who preach about righteousness judgmental or legalistic. They said the same of the aforementioned Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, Jude, and others.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Believers and unbelievers alike have solidly plugged up their ears to the holiness message of daily repentance (see Luke 9:23). If they do not think there is no need to change, then revival is not possible.
Make no mistake, God will vomit the lukewarm church out of His mouth (See Revelation 3:15-16). Please watch this YouTube video for more insight on the subject of eternal security: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ2wHIp3hV4
With all this said, does this mean I believe a world wide revival is unlikely? Yes, that is exactly what I am getting at. However, I am not saying that we should assume all are lost to the Truths of the gospel message. I am not saying we should cease praying for individual revival for our friends and family. The word revival essentially means "an awakening," and I strongly believe we need never cease praying for those we love to have their eyes opened and ears unplugged.
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. Acts 6:4
I also very strongly believe that we need to focus on our own personal revival. Even if you daily lay down your cross and repent of your sins, there is always room for growth in your walk with the Lord. We need to pray the prayer of King David, and work at actively changing our "wicked ways."
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
Bottom line is that I am saying that the Bible predicts there will be a great falling away in the last days, not a great revival. However, we can still have hope and pray for individuals as well as for the condition of our own souls. I will leave this post with Psalm 51, that we can also use as a daily prayer.
(Please watch this video by my husband speaking more on false revivals of the past:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVLaEQvyNVU&t=16s )
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest... Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee... O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:1-17
