By Bill Elliff
Most of us have never seen a spiritual awakening that has touched an entire nation. Some of us were young but mightily shaped by the Jesus movement of the 1970s. God is moving now in unprecedented ways, for which we have prayed for 50 years.
If God sends a mighty, sweeping revival (in the church) and spiritual awakening (among the lost) in our day, we would be wise and be helped by remembering five important truths:
• Surprising, massive movements of God are necessary. We know this must be so because God keeps bringing them! He did it all through church history. Our nation has seen at least five nationwide movements, occurring every 30-60 years, to bring a needed course correction and accelerate the work of God. This is easily historically provable. Every true Christian is thankful for the day-to-day walk of the Christian life and the church, but we long for more — for God to “rend the heavens and come down” (Isa. 64:1 NIV) in a great outpouring.
• Spiritual awakenings are always glorious and messy at the same time. Genuine awakenings are miraculous interventions from God, both in kind and in number. In the First Great Awakening, 15% of the entire population of the United States came to faith in Christ. (Today’s equivalent would be over 50 million people coming to faith over the next few years!)
During the 1857-58 Prayer Revival, one million people came to faith in a brief period from a population of 30 million. One hundred thousand came to Christ in 9 months in the small principality of Wales in 1904-1905, and it spread around the world, mightily touching America as well. Twenty years later, 80% of those Welsh believers were still attending church and walking with God.
But also, why would we expect not to see Satan’s imitations and distractions? Surely, he would try to use false prophets and even unbelievers to try to thwart the activity of God. We should not be surprised at this. We must be open-hearted but “examine everything carefully” (I Thess. 5:21), and be “wise as serpents and gentle as doves” (Matt. 10:16).
• There are surprising leaders and surprising critics. God chose to use a 26-year-old Bible college student in the Welsh Revival. Jonathan Edwards was in his early 30s during the First Great Awakening. Asahel Nettleton, who some estimate saw 30,000 people come to Christ through his work in the Second Great Awakening, was 17 years old when the Awakening began in 1800. The Jesus Movement of the 1970s (which some of us participated in) was greatly fueled by college students, many of whom have become spiritual leaders across our nation over the last 50 years.
• There are theological differences, but God meets all who respond in simple surrender and faith. Jonathan Edwards, a mighty theologian, was compelled to write to silence the critics of the First Great Awakening who reacted to what they considered “excesses.” A wise leader will never deviate from the infallible Word of God but will also recognize true passion and piety when he sees it and love and embrace the fervor of new, young believers. There is a humble balance needed.
It would seem to me that we must be careful not to be instant critics, claiming that everything must pass through our very narrow grid, but rather be gracious and kind to men and women of God who come alongside, if needed, and explain the way of God more fully to young believers. However, we should also stand back in awe of the boldness and courage of the early adopters and learn from them.
It’s amazing to consider the men and women God has used throughout history, despite their weaknesses. If we do not recognize God’s mercy in using any of us, we should go stand before Him for a while and repent.
• Revivals and awakenings can be missed and never experienced by those who quench and grieve God’s Spirit. I personally watched this happen in the Jesus movement. Some pastors instantly reacted, condemning the “hippies” who were being saved and who brought their guitars into worship. Instead of welcoming, discipling and lovingly helping, they were quick to judge and missed the activity of God. I can think of no greater tragedy. It’s a serious thing to quench the Spirit by “despising” — to treat lightly, ignore, disregard — what God is saying (I Thess. 5:19-22).
God seems to be moving in extraordinary ways — ways we have prayed and longed for across decades. Those of us who have known Christ for a while and perhaps have been called to serve Him must realize that it is our task now to humbly, carefully and gracefully help steward and shepherd His work, for gracious shepherding is always needed. Those who are new to the faith would be wise to seek the counsel of truly godly leaders who’ve gone before. But we must also stand back in awe and see the salvation of God and then cooperate aggressively with His activity.
Father, help us discern the false from the true, but follow You with boldness and faith and instant obedience. Please help us be slow to judge and quick to encourage and disciple. And, above all else — God send sweeping revival and awakening to our nation and world for Your glory and the salvation of millions, and do not pass us by!
