sintheticg
Member
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2013
- Messages
- 90
We pray for it often, but do we truly know what we are praying for? Many think revival will be had by a gathering of saints and everyone being happy, and that happiness spreading to the lost. Perhaps they think that winning a political victory for Christian morals will bring revival. But what does the Bible show us about revival?
The actual word “revival” is not found in the Bible. The definition of revival is an instance of returning to life or consciousness; a restoration of vigor or vitality. From a Christian perspective it could mean to ignite a passion for the gospel, or that many who are dead in sin are saved and therefore are “revived” in Christ. Most would categorize it to say that revival would be for those who are already saved, but have a new vigor or passion for the gospel. Some have watered it down farther to a re-dedication of your life to God. Are there instances of revival in the Bible and throughout history? I would submit the answer is yes, but what usually ignites revival may be a surprise to most…
The first instance of revival can be found in Genesis 4, the story of Cain and Abel. We probably all know the story by now, Cain was jealous of his brother and slew him. As a result Seth was conceived. We read in (Genesis 4:25-26) "And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. {26} And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD."
So we see that after Abel was persecuted, God blessed Adam with another son, and his son had a son, and then men began to call upon the name of the LORD. Revival; Let’s see if this trend continues?
One need only look at the book of Judges for a historical lesson on revival. Throughout Judges the same pattern is seen: the people were faithful to the Lord, they gradually fell into idolatry; then God punished them through enemies until they repented and called again on the Lord (revival) for rescue; God raised up judges to resist and overcome enemies. I wonder then if revival in the church works the same way?
Let’s start with the death of Jesus, because it is through his persecution, death, and resurrection that our souls can be revived at all. Consider the cross and how horrific it was. The human body contains about 3.5 liters of blood, but by the end of his time on the cross a Roman soldier thrust a spear into his side, and only water poured out. He was literally out of blood, but still alive because he was God. I think it is important to remember that despite all his physical afflictions, it paled in comparison to the spiritual afflictions he was going through when the Father turned his back. Hell is simply separation from God, and Jesus suffered this punishment for you and me, Praise God death had no dominion over him however, for he had never sinned.
Through the persecution and resurrection of Christ, we see the first Christian revival. The Apostles sold out for God, all ended up suffering martyrs death but one.
Matthew
Suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, was killed by a sword wound.
Mark
Died in Alexandria, Egypt, after being dragged by horses through the streets until he was dead.
Luke
As a result of his tremendous preaching to the lost , was hanged in Greece.
John
Faced martyrdom when he was boiled in huge Basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution In Rome . However, he was miraculously delivered from death. John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison Island of Patmos... He wrote his prophetic Book of Revelation on Patmos . The apostle John was later freed and returned to serve As Bishop of Edessa in modern Turkey . He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully, but certainly suffered persecution.
Peter
He was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross. According to church tradition it was because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die in the same way that Jesus Christ had died.
James
The leader of the church in Jerusalem , was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a fuller's club. This was the same pinnacle where Satan had taken Jesus during the Temptation.
James the Great
Son of Zebedee, was a fisherman by trade when Jesus Called him to a lifetime of ministry. As a strong leader of the church, James was ultimately beheaded at Jerusalem. The Roman officer who guarded James watched amazed as James defended his faith at his trial. Later, the officer walked beside James to the place of execution. Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and Knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.
Bartholomew
Also known as Nathaniel was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed for our Lord in present day Turkey. Bartholomew was martyred for his preaching in Armenia where he was flayed to death by a whip.
Andrew
Was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. After being whipped severely by seven soldiers they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony. His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words: “I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it.” He continued to preach to his tormentors for two days until he expired.
Thomas
Was stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the sub-continent.
Jude
Was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.
Matthias
The apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded.
Paul
Was tortured and then beheaded by the evil Emperor Nero at Rome in A.D. 67. Paul endured a lengthy imprisonment, which allowed him to write his many epistles to the churches he had formed throughout the Roman Empire. These letters, which taught many of the foundational Doctrines of Christianity, form a large portion of the New Testament. Perhaps this is a reminder to us that our sufferings here are indeed minor compared to the intense persecution and cold cruelty faced by the apostles and disciples during their times for the sake of the Faith. (Matthew 10:22) " And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."
Does this Spirit of revival continue throughout history? One could read a book like “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs” to see the answer is yes. So many Christians have been put to death for their beliefs. Even in present day Christianity, outside of the US, we see the church is heavily persecuted, check out (links removed in compliance of forum rules)
I’d like to share just one occurrence I read about in China. Soldiers broke into the church and threw a Bible on the ground, they stated “anyone can live who spits on this book of lies.” One by one people spit on the Bible and left, until a 17 year old girl kneeled down, and wiped the spit off the Bible and was shot in the head.
So this poses a question for Americans. We see our history was riddled with faithful Christians, but we as a nation have been worshiping idols for a few generations now, if we look at our history lesson we see that next comes persecution, then revival. Are you ready for revival Christians? If we say, “yes I’m ready to die for Christ!” Are we proving it by living for him now?
The actual word “revival” is not found in the Bible. The definition of revival is an instance of returning to life or consciousness; a restoration of vigor or vitality. From a Christian perspective it could mean to ignite a passion for the gospel, or that many who are dead in sin are saved and therefore are “revived” in Christ. Most would categorize it to say that revival would be for those who are already saved, but have a new vigor or passion for the gospel. Some have watered it down farther to a re-dedication of your life to God. Are there instances of revival in the Bible and throughout history? I would submit the answer is yes, but what usually ignites revival may be a surprise to most…
The first instance of revival can be found in Genesis 4, the story of Cain and Abel. We probably all know the story by now, Cain was jealous of his brother and slew him. As a result Seth was conceived. We read in (Genesis 4:25-26) "And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. {26} And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD."
So we see that after Abel was persecuted, God blessed Adam with another son, and his son had a son, and then men began to call upon the name of the LORD. Revival; Let’s see if this trend continues?
One need only look at the book of Judges for a historical lesson on revival. Throughout Judges the same pattern is seen: the people were faithful to the Lord, they gradually fell into idolatry; then God punished them through enemies until they repented and called again on the Lord (revival) for rescue; God raised up judges to resist and overcome enemies. I wonder then if revival in the church works the same way?
Let’s start with the death of Jesus, because it is through his persecution, death, and resurrection that our souls can be revived at all. Consider the cross and how horrific it was. The human body contains about 3.5 liters of blood, but by the end of his time on the cross a Roman soldier thrust a spear into his side, and only water poured out. He was literally out of blood, but still alive because he was God. I think it is important to remember that despite all his physical afflictions, it paled in comparison to the spiritual afflictions he was going through when the Father turned his back. Hell is simply separation from God, and Jesus suffered this punishment for you and me, Praise God death had no dominion over him however, for he had never sinned.
Through the persecution and resurrection of Christ, we see the first Christian revival. The Apostles sold out for God, all ended up suffering martyrs death but one.
Matthew
Suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, was killed by a sword wound.
Mark
Died in Alexandria, Egypt, after being dragged by horses through the streets until he was dead.
Luke
As a result of his tremendous preaching to the lost , was hanged in Greece.
John
Faced martyrdom when he was boiled in huge Basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution In Rome . However, he was miraculously delivered from death. John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison Island of Patmos... He wrote his prophetic Book of Revelation on Patmos . The apostle John was later freed and returned to serve As Bishop of Edessa in modern Turkey . He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully, but certainly suffered persecution.
Peter
He was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross. According to church tradition it was because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die in the same way that Jesus Christ had died.
James
The leader of the church in Jerusalem , was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a fuller's club. This was the same pinnacle where Satan had taken Jesus during the Temptation.
James the Great
Son of Zebedee, was a fisherman by trade when Jesus Called him to a lifetime of ministry. As a strong leader of the church, James was ultimately beheaded at Jerusalem. The Roman officer who guarded James watched amazed as James defended his faith at his trial. Later, the officer walked beside James to the place of execution. Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and Knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.
Bartholomew
Also known as Nathaniel was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed for our Lord in present day Turkey. Bartholomew was martyred for his preaching in Armenia where he was flayed to death by a whip.
Andrew
Was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. After being whipped severely by seven soldiers they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony. His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words: “I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it.” He continued to preach to his tormentors for two days until he expired.
Thomas
Was stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the sub-continent.
Jude
Was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.
Matthias
The apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded.
Paul
Was tortured and then beheaded by the evil Emperor Nero at Rome in A.D. 67. Paul endured a lengthy imprisonment, which allowed him to write his many epistles to the churches he had formed throughout the Roman Empire. These letters, which taught many of the foundational Doctrines of Christianity, form a large portion of the New Testament. Perhaps this is a reminder to us that our sufferings here are indeed minor compared to the intense persecution and cold cruelty faced by the apostles and disciples during their times for the sake of the Faith. (Matthew 10:22) " And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."
Does this Spirit of revival continue throughout history? One could read a book like “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs” to see the answer is yes. So many Christians have been put to death for their beliefs. Even in present day Christianity, outside of the US, we see the church is heavily persecuted, check out (links removed in compliance of forum rules)
I’d like to share just one occurrence I read about in China. Soldiers broke into the church and threw a Bible on the ground, they stated “anyone can live who spits on this book of lies.” One by one people spit on the Bible and left, until a 17 year old girl kneeled down, and wiped the spit off the Bible and was shot in the head.
So this poses a question for Americans. We see our history was riddled with faithful Christians, but we as a nation have been worshiping idols for a few generations now, if we look at our history lesson we see that next comes persecution, then revival. Are you ready for revival Christians? If we say, “yes I’m ready to die for Christ!” Are we proving it by living for him now?
