What is True Revival?

As this post is being put up, we have a Christian college in the United States where a spontaneous revival has broken out among the students. It is now in its tenth day, and people from all over the country have come in to experience this unique happening. Hundreds are coming to Christ, the sick are being healed, and those present say you can feel the power of the Holy Spirit. So, it is only natural to wonder if this is a movement from God, or is it a counterfeit? Lets explore what the inspired writers have to say.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-11 – Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. 2 Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. 3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. 4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.

5 Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you? 6 And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. 7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. 8 Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will kill him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming.

9 This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. 10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. Then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders. NLT

Maranatha p.168 – Paul, in his second letter to the Thessalonians, points to the special working of Satan in spiritualism as an event to take place immediately before the second advent of Christ. Speaking of Christ’s second coming, he declares that “This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles.  2 Thessalonians 2:9.

Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord’s second coming.

The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it by introducing a counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power he will make it appear that God’s special blessing is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian world. Young men and women will be lifted up, and will regard themselves as wonderfully favored, called to do some great thing. There will be conversions many, after a peculiar order, but they will not bear the divine signature. Immorality will come in, and extravagance, and many will make shipwreck of faith.

With so many voices in the world today, where can we turn to find truth? How can we know God’s will and guard against Satan’s deceptions? Does it really matter what we believe?

Isaiah 8:20 – Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark.

Darkness before Dawn, p.36 – The people of God are directed to the Scriptures as their safeguard against the influence of false teachers and the delusive power of spirits of darkness. Satan employs every possible device to prevent men from obtaining a knowledge of the Bible; for its plain utterances reveal his deceptions. At every revival of God’s work the prince of evil is aroused to more intense activity; he is now putting forth his utmost efforts for a final struggle against Christ and His followers. The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform his marvelous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested.  

Those who endeavor to obey all the commandments of God will be opposed and derided. They can stand only in God. In order to endure the trial before them, they must understand the will of God as revealed in His word; they can honor Him only as they have a right conception of His character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them. None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict. To every soul will come the searching test: Shall I obey God rather than men? The decisive hour is even now at hand. Are our feet planted on the rock of God’s immutable word? Are we prepared to stand firm in defense of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus?

The Great Controversy, p. 464 – In many of the revivals which have occurred during the last half century, the same influences have been at work, to a greater or less degree, that will be manifest in the more extensive movements of the future. There is an emotional excitement, a mingling of the true with the false, that is well adapted to mislead. Yet none need be deceived. In the light of God’s word, it is not difficult to determine the nature of these movements. Wherever men neglect the testimony of the Bible, turning away from those plain, soul-testing truths which require self-denial and renunciation of the world, there we may be sure that God’s blessing is not bestowed. And by the rule which Christ Himself has given, “Ye shall know them by their fruits” ( Matthew 7:16), it is evident that these movements are not the work of the Spirit of God.  

The Great Controversy, p. 464 – In the truths of His word, God has given to men a revelation of Himself; and to all who accept them they are a shield against the deceptions of Satan. It is a neglect of these truths that has opened the door to the evils which are now becoming so widespread in the religious world. The nature and the importance of the law of God have been, to a great extent, lost sight of. A wrong conception of the character, the perpetuity, and the obligation of the divine law has led to errors in relation to conversion and sanctification, and has resulted in lowering the standard of piety in the church. Here is to be found the secret of the lack of the Spirit and power of God in the revivals of our time.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 – You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! NLT

The Asbury Revival Is A Reminder Of The Blessings And Dangers Of ‘Mountaintop Experiences’

BY: CHERYL MAGNESS

FEBRUARY 17, 2023

On Wednesday, Feb. 8, as daily chapel was wrapping up at Asbury University, a private Christian college in Wilmore, one student stood up and continued speaking. That small act led to other students staying in chapel and not leaving as they normally would. Over a week later, that chapel service is ongoing, with people flocking from around the world to join in what is increasingly being described as a “revival.” . . .

After several years of empty churches and livestream services and now churches struggling to keep their doors open because people haven’t come back, I am heartened by the images of people of all ages coming together for worship rather than for riots.  

That said, I would like to caution the Asbury worshipers. Human beings, sinners that we are, have a dangerous propensity for taking God’s good gifts and turning them into idols. We do this all the time. Instead of keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, we chase after any number of other things that in and of themselves are good but that can become a hindrance if they replace the proper object of faith.

These might be the building where the church gathers, the pastor, the musical soundtrack, the style of worship, our friends at church, even our own supposed righteousness in being part of a church. When any of those things take precedence over Christ Himself, we have lost our way. “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). . . .

What is going on at Asbury University does not in any way approach the significance of Christ’s transfiguration, but it is certainly a “mountaintop experience” for those who are taking part in it. The challenge will come when they leave and the event finally ends, as eventually it must. The temptation will be strong to keep this “revival” going indefinitely (especially with the world watching) and to feel, once it ends, that Christ is no longer doing amazing things among His people.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Christ’s work among us does not depend on our doing — whether in the form of a multi-week revival, a beautiful church, powerful preaching, or the best music. Christ will claim His kingdom regardless of our frail, human efforts. What comfort there is in this!

Dear people of Asbury, I tip my hat to you. The world is talking about you, which means they are talking about God. Maybe someone reading your story will be inspired to go back to church this weekend — or go for the first time — to see what God’s Word might offer them.

But for all of us who place our trust in Christ, we must not lose sight of where the true power lies. It is not in a once-in-a-lifetime revival experience or any single decision or action of our own. It is in the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, crucified and risen from the dead for our salvation. Each week, as we attend services in our own congregations and hear that Word and receive God’s gifts, we are strengthened for another go-round in this tired, mixed-up world.

Cheryl Magness is managing editor of Reporter, the official web magazine of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. She writes regularly on issues of faith, family and culture. The opinions expressed here are her own.