FOR IT CAME SUDDENLY

The Body of Christ is more divided than ever before. When asked, many times we say: “I am Baptist”, “I am Charismatic”, “I am Pentecostal or Lutheran, Quaker, Methodist”. The Bible addresses divisions. Four times Paul addresses it in 1 Corinthians and then in three other letters. We see this in the comments about what is going on at Asbury University, in response to revival. Several have questioned whether this “event” is a move of God. Many are refraining from using the terms revival or awakening.

If history has taught us anything, it is that Calvinist, Baptist, Charismatic and any other denomination; each approaches their faith in totally different ways and they each think they are 100% right. I do not mean to cast a spotlight on any specific denomination, but it does appear that there are denominational differences in response to revival.

Let me be very clear! Revival is not defined by John Calvin, John Knox, William Seymour, Martin Luther, Dennis Bennett, John Wesley, Jonathan Edwards or any other theologian. Revival is plainly described in scripture. It is time to set denominational ideals aside and open up our Bibles and seek out the Word of God! Dr. Vance Havner, who is possibly one of the most quoted evangelists of all times, made a point that many times we make Jesus the subject of our study and not the substance of our souls. It is time to focus on the things that matter!

Scripture talks about revival in several passages: 2 Chronicles 7, 2 Chronicles 29, Psalms 85 and there are many others. However, I want to look at 2 Chronicles 29 – Where Hezekiah reigns in righteousness and restores worship unto the Lord. 

“Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced over how God had prepared the people, for it had come suddenly.” 2 Chronicles 29:36

Pay attention to the last words here: “For it had come suddenly”. The thing that had come was, reformed revival. Scripture teaches that it came on in less than two months. Verse 17, tells us that for eight days they consecrated the temple and then 16 days they made an end. Scholars tell us though that from the time Hezekiah called the first meeting in verse 4, to the time we see in verse 36 – less than two months had passed. That is why we read, “For it had come on suddenly”.

Notice a few things. When Ezra wrote the book of 2 Chronicles – he included these last few words for a reason. It is important to note that when this “thing” occurred, the likes of such had not been seen for roughly 170 years. The last recorded revival of this magnitude was in 870 BC, with King Jehoshaphat. During this 170 year period between Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah, eight Kings had sat on the throne and there had not been a move of God.

In 2 Chronicles 28, they had practically given over to idolatry. There was evil all around and it did not look like God was going to move. However, if you look at the times God has moved throughout history it has been in times of great trails.

The appointed time had come, for a God sent revival. There was nothing that Hezekiah done to bring forth this move of God. Just like Hezekiah, there is nothing that you or I can do to bring revival, we just need to be found  in a place that when God does bring it – we get in on it. When God does move, he does move suddenly. Revival came! 

There are a few things to understand. Hezekiah led in it, but he did not start it. He led in it, he did not cause it. He led in it, but he can not get credit for it. The truth is no man ever has and no man ever will: start, cause or bring a revival to pass. We can pray a revival starts, but our prayers better be specific! We can think it, we can hope for it, we can schedule the revival meeting and  try as much as you desire – revival comes when God brings it. When God shows up and he will in fact show up, we need to be ready. We need to make sure there is oil in our lamps, for it will come suddenly.

True genuine revival must begin with God. Hezekiah did bring in the priest and Levites and communicated to them what he as king wanted done. However, this did not bring on the reform – God did. It is not in man to bring forth revival.

It does not matter if you schedule a revival meeting months in advance, invite well known evangelists and pray for God to move – none of these will bring forth a revival. Only God can! Today, God is doing something, God has moved! What began on February 8, 2023 at Asbury University as a normal chapel service has turned into a 240 hour revival and it is growing. This revival has spread to other campuses around the nation, to churches. This was not a planned revival by man, there is no fancy choir, there is no designated pastor and there is honestly no structure whatsoever. God is in control, not man. When God moves it is on His schedule. Look at Asbury right now though, the Spirit of The Lord is present, the move of God. It is worship in the purest form, a God sent, Spirit led revival. 

Genuine revival is for God’s glory. During genuine revival only God will be glorified in that time. Today, we do not have the glory of The Lord before us. It has become a world all about me. Unfortunately, we are seeing that in our churches too. It is a world where we invite God to come with us, instead of praising God for never leaving us! An “Evangelist”, with quite a following some years ago was speaking at a church when he invited God onto the stage. He acted as if he saw God and was bringing the congregation up one at a time to “touch the hand of God”. In the video, people were talking about the prophetic ability and anointing of this individual. Not one did anyone in this clip say, “I experienced the living God”.

Scripture tells us in 2 Chronicles 29:36, “Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced over how God…”. They were rejoicing, because of what The Lord had done! They were glorifying the King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s. If it is of God, it will also be of glory.

During genuine revival, people will come. In 2 Chronicles 29:15, 20, “They gathered their brothers together, consecrated themselves…” and “King Hezekiah got up early, gathered the city officials, and went up to the Lord’s temple”. When revival comes you will want others to be a part of it. 

Look at what is taking place right now at a small place in Kentucky, called Asbury. An auditorium that holds 1,500 people now has thousands coming to be a part of a service each day. People from across the nation, driving thirteen plus hours and then waiting just as long; to be a part of something that is not of man, but of God. 

When God moves, people will come. When God comes, believers will come. The reason people do not come to church is they can not see the signs of the times – they do not believe that we are in the last days. Revelation tells us, “The Spirit and Bride say, ‘Come’. And let the one who hears say, ‘come’. And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take water of life without price.” When God is present you will see a growing gathering of the church – the Bride of Christ.

When God moves there will be prayer. At the end of Chapter 29, it is mentioned several times that, “they bowed down”. It is no secret that prayer can move mountains and it is essential in the Christian way of life. It is the purest form and the simplest form of worship that exists. 

Look at 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land”. I love this passage because we can easily apply it to our individual selves. If I, Jonathan, would become humble before God and seek his face, and turn from my wicked ways, and seek his face, then God will move and forgive my sin… This is a personal revival with God. It is not corporate, it can become corporate – but it starts with a personal prayer. When God moves, we will fall on our knees as Hezekiah and the Levites and we will pray. There will be praying and weeping in the presence of God.

During genuine revival there is guilt. Look at 2 Chronicles 29:31-34, we see evidence of this. Hezekiah told them to bring their sacrifices – bring their guilt to the temple. The ones who were willing scripture tells us they burnt offerings. This means they brought their sin and guilt. Scripture goes on to tell us that there were not enough priests to deal with all the burnt offering.

Paul tells us that, where sin abounds, grace abounds much more. The Levites were more aware of their sin than the priests were. However, the grace of God was abundant. This is what happens in a genuine God sent revival. People will start to deal with the sin in their own heart. There does not have to be a pastor to bring a message. Revival is about God moving, not a speaker. When God moves, people will confess their sins, they will get right with God. It is God at work in the heart of man. 

Revival will come when God calls for it. We see a revival among a younger generation. A generation of people that some have lost hope for. God has not lost hope and we as believers should not either. God can take this country and turn it upside down, he can make it change course by the command of his voice. There is hope!

In closing, there are a few points to take with you. 

If you are open to the move of God, the Spirit will move.

Prayer can move mountains.

God centered worship changes the atmosphere of your faith.

Healing comes when you fully surrender yourself to God.

Forgiveness comes when sins are cleared out.

God shows up when people are hungry for his presence.

Obedience to God is needed to see change.

God moves through denominational, age, race and class lines.

Calling on God puts the world on notice that things are about to change.

God is not done yet.