The world is on the brink of revival.
The Asbury revival is a precursor to what is coming to America and the nations.
The devil has had his time. We have seen the enemy rant and rave for three years through Covid 19, and the moral compass of our nation is at an all-time low. I believe a spiritual awakening is imminent.
God is about to take over the headlines of the entire world. We have witnessed a form of awakening on college campuses in several states. The Asbury revival has received some press from the media, and this is just the beginning.
People are experiencing the presence of God in fresh ways. God is also awakening churches and church leaders to waves of His presence. We are unsure if it’s revival or awakening, but the meetings have the markings of previous spiritual awakenings.
The first sign of New Testament awakening is repentance.
“In those days of John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. (Matthew 3:1-8, ESV)
The first sign at Asbury College was brokenness and repentance. Stan Key, from One Way Ministries, says, “Our students are discovering the presence and power of God’s sanctifying spirit in their lives.” For the 20-something generation [with] much brokenness and pain, I’ve been hearing some of the testimonies of students, and just what they’ve lived through and the issues they face.”
Another marker for revival is the unusual presence of God’s Spirit.
All church services are unique and uncommon from most gatherings. But when believers gather, God releases His Spirit into those meetings. We can call this His presence, glory, or anointing, and we can brand it however we want, but we know God shows up at His churches.
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20, KJV)
Different things happen when God shows up. People discern that things are not as usual. They are often unsure as to what is happening, but they feel God’s presence in a different manner. Awakenings begin when people sense that God is doing something new. If God is truly present, the Holy Spirit will start to lead individuals to sing, read scriptures, worship, pray, and sit in the presence of God. It is a beautiful thing to witness.
Awakenings have an atmosphere like no other. God’s presence is like waves of the ocean. The waves come and go, and the undercurrents are real. Strong waves bring powerful prayers and passionate singing. Lighter waves order contemplation, reflection, and quiet prayers. Public and corporate prayer is a common thread of every significant revival.
Prayer manifests through passionate and fervent dialog and silent whispers. Silence is not uncommon when God shows up. I have witnessed believers sitting silently for hours and then quietly leaving one at a time. I have also seen believers sing at the top of their lungs for long seasons as the Spirit of God was rich and intense on everyone in attendance.
Spontaneous singing is another sign that awakening is happening.
Music and spontaneous songs are a mark of genuine awakenings. Most awakenings do not begin with worship bands or song directors. The Holy Spirit hijacks the meetings as He orchestrates the singing of well-known hymns, choruses, and relevant spiritual jingles.
Both song leaders and clergy become a part of the congregation when genuine awakenings begin. Lay leaders and those without clergy training often find themselves on the front lines of spiritual awakenings and spontaneous revival. When trained spiritual leaders step up to lead awakenings, the awakenings often end rather quickly. This is strange but nonetheless true.
Yes, the markings of awakening are prayers, singing, and a strong presence of God’s Spirit; these attributes are the quintessential traits that provoke repentance. There is no awakening without seeing people come to Christ. When we see people receive Christ as their Savior, we witness the true mark of a spiritual awakening. A harvest of souls is coming into the church, and we will witness the most significant revival of all time in the coming seven years.
Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” So, he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped. (Revelation 14:14-16, NKJV)
We are sitting on the precipice of a worldwide spiritual awakening. God is awakening his people to pray and seek His face. The awakening will include a church prepared to host revival and disciple the new believers.
The last day of revival will resemble the book of Acts.
And said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:37-42, NKJV)
Peter was a former disciple and an apostle of Jesus. Peter represents those in the church who will usher in the next move of God. Many in the body of Christ must step up to preach, sing, and serve what is doing in this hour.
Christians indeed fear they are not able to do God’s work, and all God wants is for us to be available.
Availability is the greatest need in the next season.
Thanks for reading this post.
