The Last Great Revival in the Bible Is Global Transformation

"He will be a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate." (Isaiah 228:6, NIV)

This is not just a description of local church revival.  Take of your Sunday School, church-meeting-confined glasses.  Our text speaks of city and national transformation.  Even though many have tried for centuries, the Bible will just not allow a parochial interpretation. 

For the last 45 years particularly, the humanist collegiate scene has denigrated the "Founding Fathers" of America.  Regardless of the attack on them, I saw a great painting in DC this past week of the 1774 meeting of the Continental Congress which depicts the Congress in prayer, men on their knees, some with hands folded.  This is not just a painting; it's historic fact.  These men were a key part of, "those who turn[ed] the battle at the gate."  One can only imagine what would happen in the United States of America, and any nation for that matter, if that painting would "come alive" today! 

In the mid 19th century, there was what has been referred to as "The Layman's Prayer Revival of 1857-1858" (note, "Laymen's").  One author describes it as "a widespread religious awakening most famous for urban prayer meetings in major metropolitan centers across the United States." Another writer says of the revival, "With little human planning, a nationwide revival broke out....In the awakening that followed, nearly 1,000,000 people accepted Christ....It would be as though today 8-9 million people came to Christ."  Here is a sample of the power of Christ's Presence just in New York City.  "Ships coming into New York harbor came under the power of God's presence.  On one ship a captain and thirty men were converted to Christ before the ship docked.  Four sailors knelt for prayer down in the depths of the battleship North Carolina anchored in the harbor.  They began to sing and...shipmates came running down to make fun, but the power of God gripped them and they...knelt in repentance."

Some believe that had this "revival" spread even further, the tragic American War Between the States may have been averted, speculation, of course.  But how many "speculations" do we need before the Church decides "enough is enough?"  How many more 2008 elections do we need? how many more Sept. 11ths, 2001? Viet Nams? etc.?  Make no mistake-- even though religionists, liberal, evangelical, and charismatic alike have attempted to keep people involved with just "spiritual things," and that within the confines of church activities, parochial
sermons and national ministries, you just cannot keep Jesus Christ so confined.  The last great "revival" in the Bible speaks of "Global Transformation."  It would behoove us all to so prepare and involve ourselves.

Father, in Jesus' Name, enough of just reading about it.  Amen.
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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

The Battle is "At The Gate"

"In that day the LORD of hosts will be...strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate." (Isaiah 28:5a, 6)

"The Message" paraphrase says, "to those who guard and protect."  The NLT says, "to their warriors who stand at the gates."  The CEV says, "he will see that justice rules and that his people are able to defend their cities."  The New Century Version says, "and strength to those who battle at the city gate."  This is not just referring to some elites who consider themselves more "spiritual" than others.  The original text just says, "to them that turn the battle at the gate."  Where are you doing, "battle," today?!?

Over the years I have heard people say, "Well, I don't know why you have to go to all those places.  I can pray right here."  Of course you can.  But there is a call here in our text to get out of the comfort zone, to get out of that church building, away from the television, that favorite chair------------------------ and get to, "the gate."  It was good to be, "at the gate," of the Nation's Capitol this week, even when the thermometer hit 99 F, 37.2 C.

It is the old, "on site with insight."  If transformation is going to come to any city or nation, it will be the result of, "those who turn the battle at the gate."  Jesus came among men to be "on sight."  Some theologian could come up with a religion of God staying in Heaven and dictating the events of the Scriptures-------------- but it would be simple foolhardiness.  The Holy Trinity has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ as, "God with us," among us, in our houses, cities, nations.  "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I need your strength, wisdom, and provision to be about Your business.  I trust You for all.  Amen.
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DC report will be on the Blog later:     www.apf327.blogspot.com
New "Jerusalem Watch" at:     www.apfjw.blogspot.com


When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

Prayer update

Folks,

Joe is being kept in the hospital where a team of doctors is hoping to discover a possible previously unknown source of infection. Pray for the Lord to reveal that to them. He feels weak and exhausted from the fight and from lack of sleep because the chills and fever and aching have kept him up at night for over a week but his attitude was great when I spoke with him last night.

Thank you for your prayers.
Anne

"I Came...[As a Separator]"

"Then Jesus said, I came into this world for judgment [as a Separator, in order that there may be separation between those who believe on Me and those who reject Me], to make the sightless see and to make those who see become blind." (John 9:35, Amplified Bible) 

 

Interesting interpretation of our text---- "as a Separator."  Biblical Theology teaches that this is not the purpose, but rather the result of Jesus' coming.  The Bible teaches that there are two categories of personages in the earth, those who don't see but think they do, and those who think they don't but do.  It is pride vs. humility, presumption vs. man-does-not-understand-what-he-thinks-he-does.  The former never come to Jesus Christ and submit to the Word of God because they already know everything they want to know.  The latter, well, they appear dumb and severely handicapped to the others, but are really prime candidates for the King and His Kingdom---------- "'I came'...[as a Separator]"--- "a Separator" between the know-it-alls, and the "I-really-don't-know-anything."

 

Last night I was looking at the heavens, stars, beautiful cloud formations, then the appearing of the moon over the ridge--- "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained"------- I just cannot comprehend, it's that simple.  Many people talk of "believing in God" as though they do comprehend.  They talk of belief in God in a carefree, of-course-I-do, I-grasp-everything sort of way.  Yet pride blinds them to the reality that no person left to himself could ever "believe in God."  There is only one possibility.  It is only those, "who in Him," or, "because of Him (Jesus Christ) believe in God.

 

My "belief in God" is all WONDER.  Understand Him in His fullness?-- No;  understand how a Being is eternal, i.e., no beginning?-- No; how His Presence fills just what I was able to see last night?--- No, how He lives in my heart and became continual, "rivers of living water," in me?--- No.  Accept it all?-----------------------------------------------------YES.  

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, in the great separation of humanity, I thank You that in Your Grace through the Blood of Jesus, I am in. Amen.

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New Article at:    www.apf327.blogspot.com

 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

Father, Let the Government, "Be Established in Righteousness"

(Two news videos from Israel at: www.apf327.blogspot.com

I am going to DC this Wednesday-- will spend time at the Capitol Building, Supreme Court, and White House after attending the Free Congress luncheon.  Please pray.)  

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"Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness."  (Proverbs 25:5)

 

This is true of every aspect of human civilization, from the family, business community, right to the "top" of government.  The current American President has surrounded, and continues to surround himself with, "the wicked," men and women who are amoral.  If someone chooses to do this, one can only come to the conclusion--- that person himself/herself is, "the wicked."  Wickedness in Biblical Theology is anyone who does not submit to the Living Triune God by embracing, following, and obeying Jesus Christ as the Only Savior of mankind, the Only King of the Universe, of men and nations, and the "God-Breathed" Words of God as the only rule for personal, national, and international Law.  Argument against this is futile. 

 

America has chosen to be led and government by wickedness.  We allowed this most demonstrably when we allowed, "the wicked," Supreme Court to take the Prayer of Jesus out of our state school system, and a year later to take the "God-Breathed" Word from that same educational system.  We cannot blame the politicians who appointed the Court.  If America is, as Abraham Lincoln said, a government "of the people, for the people, and by the people," then the responsibility is, you got it-------------- "the people!"  Yes, that which I grew up with, that tradition of starting every single school day in the United States of America with a reading from the, "Breath of God," ended in 1963.  More than saying we took the Bible out of the schools, the American Church should realize it was the very, "Breath of God," to which America said---------------- NO!   

 

In spite of this tragedy, the other day I was reading, receiving the, "Breath of God."  At some point I had an "experience" of which I cannot remember its equivalent.  I had a real sense that a new "awakening" is coming, not of the Jesus' Movement nor Charismatic vein, but more like those of the 18th and 19th centuries, where the Holy Spirit convicted, "of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment," and, as the hymn says, "sinners be converted, and Thy Name glorified."  I am holding on to this.  Regardless of the details of this revelation, I know what it has done in me------ renewed.

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, let that which You have shown me "happen."  Amen.

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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2