A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. - Proverbs 25:11

Gearing Up For Revival

By Chip Hill

The Lord knows our desperate need as a nation. He knows that we are completely incapable of birthing a move of God on our own. It is also a fact that we are incapable of maintaining a move of God on our own. Throughout history all revivals and awakenings have died the death. In truth, all revivals and awakenings expired within ten years, most within a couple of years. And the greatest revivals never came about because any segment of mankind deserved them. While some God-fearing people helped to pray them in, there still was enough Adam even in those people to kill the revival and turn God’s face away forever. But this didn’t happen! The Lord prolonged each revival for as long as He could without crossing a boundary known only to Him. Revivals and awakenings, therefore, are mysterious, merciful and conspicuous outpourings of God’s grace on sinful men and societies, which are totally undeserving. From time to time, God simply arrives in stunning ways and multitudes of people are changed forever, lives and communities are altered by His manifest presence, and the moral and religious climate of each receives a much-needed overhaul.  Today, each region of our woeful nation needs a torrential outpouring of God’s gracious Spirit; indeed, our nation as a whole is desperate to experience another great awakening! And God is about to send it!

So What Do We Do?For a long time I have been telling people to build an ark, because the storm is coming. Many prophetic teachers and preachers have been saying this for years. In fact, a verse from the book of Hebrews has been a keynote scripture upon which many have based their warnings: 

By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household …                                                                                                      Hebrews 11:7 

Noah’s example of obedience and diligence sets a wonderful example for how we should prepare for the storm that will soon rush over the world. Daniel said it would be “a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time” (12:1b). Jesus echoed this warning, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21).  The fact that there will be a great tribulation has never been in question for the Christian; but how to prepare for it is a constant concern.  

“Buy all the gold and silver that you can!” many people cry.                

“Gather up and store non-hybrid seed!” others stress.                

“Stockpile ammunition,” a few say, “you’re going to need it, not only for food and  protection, but also as currency with which to barter for necessities.”                

“Store up non-perishable foods, dehydrated foods,” some stress, “and have enough to carry you and your family for several months!”                

Others say, “Move to the country, grow your own food, develop your own water source, burn firewood, erect a windmill, get off the power grid!”                 

For the average Christian, all of this can be mind numbing. For many, it borders on impossible. What are they to do? Quit their jobs, leave their communities and hightail it for the mountains? Beloved, I live in the mountains; there are few jobs to be found out here. Farmland is outrageously high, and if you’re going to build an end time, self-sustainable fortress, you had better come with tens of thousands of dollars and a very rugged pioneering spirit. Living off the land and becoming an independent mountain dweller may be a romantic notion, but it is a difficult life at best, and a nightmare at worst. I believe as a rule, it is better to hunker down where you are, jumpstart your faith in God’s Word, prepare some natural fortifications where you are, and learn to access God’s miraculous provision and protection.                  While there may be an enormous, financial and societal storm brewing offshore, maybe even barreling toward this nation, we must choose not to fear it, but rather see it as an opportunity to reach millions with the glorious gospel. Perhaps we need to see the coming tribulation as a fertile seedbed for a spiritual awakening.                

Below is a list of things I believe every Christian can do to prepare for what is coming:     

1.  Consecrate yourself with prayer and fasting. Prayer calls to God for His merciful intervention; fasting consecrates you and me for more effective service. The second chapter of Joel, verses twelve through nineteen address this crucial discipline. They point out that: Fasting is a tool that helps one commit his whole heart to the Lord. Indeed, a special grace is released when we are willing to set aside legitimate appetites for the purpose of seeking God and consecrating ourselves to Him. If we do not develop an undivided (whole) heart within ourselves, little of consequence will happen in our lives for His glory. That is why David prayed, “Unite my heart to fear your name! (Psalm 86:11b). Obviously the king understood that the divided heart does not properly fear the Lord, nor can it receive the benefits of the covenant.                 

Fasting also is the primary means by which we rend our hearts, instead of our clothes. The rent heart depicts the anguish one might feel when he sees the utter hopelessness of a situation, as well as his great need for the God of grace and mercy.      When Ezra learned that some among God’s people had not separated themselves from the people of the lands, but had taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, he tore his garment and robe … and sat down astonished!                

When Job heard about the death of his frivolous, carousing children, he tore his robe and shaved his head, both actions of deep grief.                

When Reuben returned to the pit his brothers had thrown Joseph into, so that he might rescue him and return him to his father, he found that the lad was not there. Horrified and grief-stricken, he tore his clothes.                 

When Jacob thought that a wild beast had killed Joseph his son, he tore his clothes… and mourned for many days.                

When the high priest heard Jesus admit that He was the Christ, Son of the living God, he tore his clothes, symbolizing the horror he felt at hearing another man make such a claim.                

When Elisha witnessed the catching away of his master in a heavenly whirlwind, he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces, symbolizing not just his sorrow at being separated from Elijah, but also his desire for a deep, consecrating work of the Lord in his own heart and life. It seems that by ripping apart the garments that concealed his chest, he was saying to the Lord, “Have Your complete way with my heart and in my life!”                

“A consecrated fast,” Joel says, “transforms a gathering of repentant believers into a sacred or solemn assembly.” How is this? Because those gathered get things right with God! They do not come making excuses or pointing fingers, but rather crying, “Woe is me, I am the one standing in need of mercy and grace!”  Such a humble attitude joined to fasting actually calls forth the zeal of God for His people, not against them. Consecration through fasting also secures the needed grain, new wine and oil, so that the Church will be nourished by the Word, empowered by the Spirit, and anointed for service.  Today, the Church of Jesus Christ is scorned and ridiculed by many because of its compromise, hypocrisy and powerlessness. Seasons of serious fasting would help to change that. When the world sees God’s people actually modeling what it professes to be, a change in its attitude will occur. Not only that, but God will begin to “remove the northern army, and will drive him away into a barren and desolate land” (Joel 2:20). A northern army is one that has the advantage*. Typically, an attack from the north is like an attack from the high ground, typifying the ease with which an invader is able to swoop down upon its prey. It usually occurs with superior numbers, superior force, and with great speed and thunder. It seems that the demon powers are better able to sweep in upon and dominate the people of God when their heart is divided. But when they consecrate themselves through prayer and fasting, uniting as a solemn assembly, they are able to see God drive off their invaders.

 2. Rid yourself of attitudes and motives that are offensive to God.  Wrong attitudes are those ill feelings we hold toward one another, or toward life in general. As in flight, a plane’s attitude determines its altitude, so does one’s attitude toward the people and situations around them determine how high or low he or she will go in God.Motives are our reasons for doing things. Whenever you consider taking any course off action, measure your reasons by these verses: 

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus …                                                                                                                                             Colossians 3:17 

And whatever you do, do it heartily as unto the Lord, and not to men.                                                                                                                                              Colossians 3:23 

Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Corinthians 10:31

 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with (all) your might.                                                                                                                                           Ecclesiastes 9:10 

If we will examine the “why” of our every action, our every endeavor by these timeless verses, we will have correct motives and find God’s favor. Therefore, as you are preparing for whatever comes in the days ahead, be sure your motives are pleasing to the Lord. One bad motive can ruin any great work you attempt for Him.                    

3. Make the Word your daily portion.     

      A. It will keep your feet in right places.   

Concerning the works of men, by the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer. Uphold my steps in Your paths, that my footsteps may not slip.                                                                                                                                                               Psalm 17:4-5 

Wander down wrong paths and into dangerous places nowadays and you may never get back to where you need to be. Therefore, make the Word your daily bread.      

     B. It will be fitted in your heart and mouth  

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge; for it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; let them all be fixed upon your lips.   Proverbs 22:17-18

 When I get under intense pressure, my mouth automatically flies open and out pops the Word of God. It is much like the pop valve on a boiler. When pressure rises to a certain level, the valve pops open and lets off steam. The Word in our hearts and on our lips should work like this. Therefore, take the Word of God as your daily portion and allow the Holy Spirit to fit it on your lips. You will love the results!     

      C. By the Word you will cleanse your way from sins of the flesh and mind, from fear, pride, blindness, coldness and a fruitless life. 

How can a young man (or woman) cleanse his (or her) way? By taking heed according to Your Word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.                                                                                                                                                                                              Psalm 119:9-11

 John said that we should “purify ourselves” as we see the time of Christ’s return drawing near (1 John 3:1-3). Only by hearing and doing the Word will we be able to do this. If we do not do this, we will be leveled by the terrible times that will wash over the human race just prior to Christ’s return. Therefore, get yourself ready by taking heed to God’s Word, and gear up for the revivals that will coincide with times of great pressure.

 4. Come down from your high horse, vacate your ivory tower, and get out among the people. Engage the lost and hurting. In serving them, many doors of opportunity will open to you.  

"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are (already) ripe for harvest.                                                                                                                  John 4:34-35

 I believe that those who get their eyes off themselves and on to other people will be better positioned to weather the coming storm and be part of the great revivals that will soon sweep across the world. The Lord will honor, shield and protect those who are actively seeking to meet the needs of others as His return approaches. Regardless of how much money one has in the bank, how much gold one has hidden in a safe, or how many quarts of food one has in the cellar, if he is not actively involved in the end time harvest, he will be overcome by the pressures that are mounting. Jesus told all of us: “Let your waist be girded (for service), and your lamps (spirits) be burning (bright)” (Luke 12:35). He calls them faith and wise stewards who obey this command, and promises to give us our portion of food in due season” (v. 42).

Beloved, it is time to gear up for the coming harvest.  Footnote *The armies that have invaded Israel throughout history generally came down out of the north. These were the armies of nations like Assyria and Babylon.  Ezekiel describes a battle yet future, when a confederation of armies will come down on Israel “out of the far north” (38:15), depicting an extraordinarily strong army of warriors bent on Israel’s destruction. But as in all cases, the Lord rises up to liberate His people when the remnant seeks Him through prayer and fasting.