Why Revival Tarries, Part 2

Are we heading for revival or a great falling away ?

I know that many are expecting to see revival. I know that
many are praying for revival. But it is possible that God
has entered into a time of Judgement and like in the book
of Jeremiah, God reaches a point where He says....
"tell them not to pray for I will not hear them".

The apostle Paul reminds us that before our Lord returns
there will be a great falling away.

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come,
except there come a falling away first..." 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

These will be believers that appear to believe and may even
be themselves convinced, but something happens that makes them
fall away or leave the faith.

Could that be judgement that they were not expected to be
present for ? Could they just "not be found worthy" and turn
back from the truth ?

So Revival may not be tarrying, but may not be the next event
to occur on planet earth.

As I see the world today, there is a lot more evidence that
God is judging mankind and destroying our idols, than any
indication that a revival is about to break out. That does not
mean we could not have small awakening and revival in small
groups throughout the world. But a great revival is less likely
than a great falling away.

Seems to me that God the Father, like God the Son is in the
process of "turning over the tables of the money changers".
He is getting ready to cleans the earth.

Just my 2 cents worth.
Randy Petersen

Hi Randy,

I'm not quite sure what point you're trying to make. As in the example of Jesus cleansing the temple, judgement is pretty much a necessary precondition of Revival, no?

-- Ernie P.
"If we are out of our minds, it is for Christ" -- II Cor 5:13

Hi Ernie

Yes you are correct. The point I was making is that I believe
America is on track for Judgement next. It could infact be
followed by a Revival. In fact I really hope there will be a
Revival. We are currently distracted by all our toys and vices.
God seems to be in the process of clearing those things away now.

I remember when I was a boy. My mother would tell me...
"wait till your Father gets home". I knew I was going to get
some form of punishment. When Dad got home he dispensed the
punishment and it was over.

So I would like God the Father to come soon and spank America
get it over with and we can then move on toward restoration
and revival. That really is my heart.

Cheers
Randy Petersen

Hi Randy,

I agree with the general principal, but I think I'd invert the emphasis. Repentance is the key to Revival -- but Judgement is often necessary to create Repentance. Right?

The question is, can we repent now in order to "escape the coming judgement"? More importantly, what do we (the church in America, Kingsway, you, me, us...) need to repent of?

• Brethren many of us have been long baptized and have been wondering were the power is? It is in us and all we need to do is remove the obstacles in our lives that block its flow. Some of us are still pursuing God for something more. Let us try yielding to Him. Let us deny ourselves and make the right choices as His Spirit leads. Then there would be nothing hindering the flow of the Spirit out of us and we would see great results.
  

-- Ernie P.
"If we are out of our minds, it is for Christ" -- II Cor 5:13

Ernie my man

Yes there still may be time for America to turn and repent
and the Bible in 2 Chronicles 7:14 gives us the formula.

"If my people, that are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their lands."

It seems we need to "humble", "pray", "seek God's face", and "turn"
for God to "forgive" and "heal". Our land sure needs healing at
all levels. There is always hope.

"No King but King Jesus"
Randy Petersen

Hi Randy,
I worry that we're still talking past each other. My perspective is that:

a) God's heart is always for Repentance; Judgement is just a way to bring about Repentance.

b) It is up to us as God's people to repent, as we are supposed to be Salt & Light

Do you agree? And if so, what do we need to repent of?

-- Ernie P.
"If we are out of our minds, it is for Christ" -- II Cor 5:13

Ernie my man

You should not worry that we are talking past each other.

I agree that God is always looking for Repentance of
the INDIVIDUAL. He will use PERSONAL Judgement in our lives
to accomplish that. For example letting us get arrested for
a DUI and then getting us to face our drinking sins. He
wants all of His CHILDREN to be restored to Him. If we are
not restored then He will keep turning up the heat until
we respond. I believe in ABSOLUTE perserverance of the
Saints.

I was referring to how God deals with NATIONAL Judgement.
He must JUDGE a nation in the here and now. Many times in
the Bible, both old and new testement, we see that God
judges. He will warn continually for a period of time and
then eventually His reighteousness DEMANDS Judgement. So
we see that Israel was almost completely destroyed on more
than one occasion. A time will come when God's ear will be
closed to REPENTANCE of a Nation. That time may be near.

So unless you are a RECONSTRUCTIONIST who believes we can
be Salt and Light to preserve our nation and thus usher in
the Millenium. I do not see a NATIONAL Repentance and I
do not see any National Christian leader preaching a
NATIONAL Repentance. This Repentance must go beyond just
Abortion and Aberrant Lifestyles. We have unjest weights
and measures, we are stealing from widows and orphans,
we are cheating our servants who labor and are not paid.
We buy endless streams of toys and live on borrowed money.
We have allowed other gods to have their temples built.
We elect leaders who are clearly immoral and liars.
We make sure we break ALL 10 of the Ten Commandments.

That is why I am not a RECONSTRUCTIONIST as there is no
way the Church can make America Repent and thus satisfy
a just God. The Church is not restraining anything that
I can see. We CAN get our own Heart in Order, so that we
MUST DO. God is showing me all the garbage I have in my
heart and slowly cleaning up the mess. He is SOOO VERY
Merciful.

No King but King Jesus
Randy Petersen

Hi Randy,

I think I'm still confused. Are you asserting that:

a) At some point in the past, the Church in America (at a national level, as a whole) was Righteous in God's eyes?

b) That in the past, it was possible for the Church as whole to Repent and America as whole to be Forgiven?

c) That in the present, even if the Church did repent, God wouldn't listen?

Or am I still missing your point?

-- Ernie P.
"If we are out of our minds, it is for Christ" -- II Cor 5:13