The most desperate need for the Church today is a revival. We are truly living in the best of times and the worst of times. The Lord is coming soon! Let us rejoice! The devil also knows this and is very active knowing that he has but a short time left, so he is trying to destroy the church from within.

The Lord is raising up a godly remnant to stay faithful to Him in life and doctrine, and yet, simultaneously there are a multitude of seeds sown by the evil one in the world, especially in the church world. Thus, it is important to recognize that dead churches abound all over the world.

Just because they have a trained choir, have conferences, convocations, an evangelism team, a youth group, a school for children and adults, several services during the week to cater to their flock, etc., it does not automatically follow that they have a, “good” thing going or that they are a God-honoring church. Many of these churches have an appearance that they are, “serving the Lord”, when in fact they are self-serving and following the ways of the Devil. These fellowships are those to whom the Lord’s warning applies:

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked …” (Revelation 3:15-17)

Some have held to the traditions of man and become disloyal to the Lord and His Word.  They are forever trying to preach on the love of God, while not holding to the Truth of God that only those who live holy and endure unto the end will be saved. "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Mat 24:13).  They are content to hold lifeless services week in, week out and any inquiry into why there is a general lack of conviction in their hearers and lack of anointing would be considered brazen and incendiary. No honesty and no repentance. Hence, no power from the Lord to obtain a revival.  Others have willingly allowed immorality to be excused in their fellowships.  Still, others have become totally unconcerned and unburdened for the lost.

Many these days are entertaining their people with ringleaders posing to be anointed with the Holy Spirit when they are nothing more than self-promoting businessmen and con artists who, “make merchandise” of men, insolently twisting the Word of God and openly blaspheming His Holy Name with strange new doctrines as well.

" But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not" (2 Peter 2:1-3).

How can the leaders of such congregations, even if they are tens of thousands strong in membership impart life, when they themselves are but professing Christians who have no life in them?  Backslidden pastors, elders and deacons cannot inspire anyone to live a godly life in this perishing world.  When leaders have compromised the Truth of Christ and live at a substandard level in foolish jesting and dishonesty, then it is no surprise that they have no power at all to effect a change in other lives. There are multitudes of, “ministries” in churches small and great, which prove nothing at all.  Lots of activities for folks of all ages and backgrounds, but no substantial offer for a truly changed life.  Much like a circus of fun and tricks. Gluttony, immorality, theft, insobriety, pride etc. abound in the church and are never properly addressed from the pulpit with the power of the Holy Ghost, because the pulpiteers are themselves guilty of these very sins in the dark.

What is a revival? It is a complete turning of a person or persons to the Lord God.  It is a mighty visitation from on High by God to convict people of their utter wretchedness and hopelessness without Him, leading to True and Total repentance!  It is a powerful anointing of the Holy Ghost upon people of all classes in society in a supernatural way.  These people in turn, automatically become witnesses to the Lord’s Love and Power to all around.

If the leaders of churches and their congregations are to turn to the Lord in obedience, then they must live and preach repentance. No repentance, then no revival!

How desperately we need a revival today in our churches so that we can be sure of Heaven and please the Lord in all things and thereby be effective soul winners and affect our world for the better! Crime would not be an issue anymore and the Matchless Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth would be on every tongue in praise and prayer! Yes, these things have actually transpired in years before when true revival took place in certain societies.

Where homosexuality is allowed not only in congregations, but in the leadership as well in many denominations, where convicted murderers are, “forgiven and supported” by their pastors publicly because they were once very faithful attendees and active leaders in their churches, where people within the churches are promoted because of their financial status, good looks, charisma or educational achievements, are we not desperately in need of a revival? We need a revival sent from God and secured by His intercessors on earth. Faithful men, women, and even children have been God’s co-laborers in persistent prayers to bring about revivals in history. They experienced a personal revival or total repentance before the Almighty and became qualified to spark revival fires in their churches and countries.

We need a revival in the world in this last hour of the world’s history. Multitudes can be swept into the kingdom of God even in this late hour, if we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and completely consecrated to be His vessels to consistently walk with Jesus and pray for a mighty revival.

Just consider the possibilities as God used ordinary men like us, who when filled with the Holy Spirit accomplished extraordinary things:

In Bible times under Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Josiah, Nehemiah, Ezra, Hezekiah, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, Phillip, etc. there were mighty revivals.

In more recent history, under Count Zinzendorff and the Moravians, under John Knox, John and Charles Wesley, George Whitfield, Martin Luther, Charles Finney, Adam Clarke, John Welsh, William Burns, Hudson Taylor, Jonathan Goforth, William Carey, Dr. John Sung, John Hyde, George Muller, Pastor Shengmo Hsi, Pandita Ramabai, etc. there were mighty revivals in the last four centuries.

Why not in our generation through the Holy Spirit working through yielded lives like yours and mine today?

How, you may ask?

Here's how:

1) May we answer, "Yes, Lord use me for Your Glory Alone in my world before Your imminent return!"

2) Then, may we seek Him diligently above all else in this world and reject worldliness and self-centered living, so as to be a living sacrifice upon His Glorious Altar for the salvation of many unbelievers and for the obedience of many backslidden professing Christians!

3) Increase your personal Bible reading and prayer time, with an honest heart to repent and obey wherever and whenever the Lord calls you to.

You will then be on your way to becoming a catalyst for revival in your church, community, and the world!

Maranatha!

© 2010, 2015 Pastor Pradeep Emmanuel Stephen

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