Trending on Twitter these past few days is the apparent Revival in Kentucky. For several days now, people have been reporting that they are "being Spirit Filled," and a mighty work of the Holy Spirit is taking place. Historically, there are many so-called "Revivals" that took place. However, the term was more recently associated with the Vineyard movement from the late '80s to the 1990s. For many, Revival looked more like individuals taking part in New Agism and operating more in a Kundalini type of religion. It was not Revival - but many claimed it was.
Going back a little further, one could look at the Saskatoon Revival of the 1970s. Starting in a small Baptist Church, many individuals gathered for Revival prayer meetings. The Word of God was being preached, and Revival was breaking out. So much so the location of the meetings had to change several times. To this day, Canada and the United States continue to feel the effects of the residual movement of God. Seminaries, families impacted and Christian movements all from the Revival. Many called this a Revival, and it was.
Billy Graham used to hold Tent Revival meetings back in the day. Now, I would not suggest that these were actual "Revivals," but men knew that an essential part of Revival was prayer and repentance. After all, faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). Going even further back to the days of the Great Awakening and the second great Awakening, the Revival, started by men and women being confronted with their sin. Hearing the message preached drives individuals to prayer. People call out, "What must I do to be saved." In some places, meetings were so packed the preacher could not get to those who needed prayer, so they called them up to the front for prayer (the start of Altar Calls). What all these Revivals had in common was – Prayer. Preaching. Repentance – Reconsiliation – Restitution. People were making right. Criminals were turning themselves in. There will be a difference when God steps down; Revival is more than just being carried away by the moment.
Now from what I have seen on Twitter is most definitely emotional. No person could watch and at least not slightly get their heartstrings pulled. I am not saying people are NOT praying, nor am I saying you won't see people crying, but is this Revival? People crying? Singing? Well, I don't believe so. Here are a few reasons.
1. The Emotionalism behind it. Many songs I am hearing are the strong, Hillsong – Passion type of songs that can trigger emotions. Especially when people so desperately want to feel something.
2. The lacking of preaching. When people want to encounter God, they want to hear what He has to say. So when Ezra read the law (Ezra 10, Neh 8), there was a response. People did not need all the music to be hit with reality. Big red flag - Christian music is NOT the word of God (unless you are singing the Psalms).
3. Where are the reports of repentance? People repent when in the presence of the King. Revival is not just a song. I am not saying there is no repentance, but something is missing.
4. Todd Bentley has visited this "move of God" and is comfortable there. Why is he comfortable? For a man who has been disqualified several times from public ministry and holds to a false charlatan gospel, should there not be a change? He's not crying out asking God to forgive him and publically confessing he is a changed man, is he?
I know many will chalk this up to another Reformed Baptist, dead in doctrine and cannot taste Revival or just another guy blaspheming the Holy Spirit, but Scripture is clear what a move of God is, and it is not just music. God's word is paramount – Tota Scriptura, if we want to see a move of God, let's look to His word. Let's hear some Gospel proclamation and brokenness. I want Revival. I want others to come to Christ and wounded Christians to once again be soaring, but I want authenticity, and it all starts with what God has already said, in His word. If this is not sufficient, there is danger.
We are not to believe every spirit, but called to test the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1) – we also know God allowed 400 false prophets to proclaim victory to the King of Isreal when he wanted Jehoshaphat to join him in war, and only one spoke truth (1 Kings 22). There is always room for error; I may be wrong, and if I am, I will go down in history for being wrong. Still, from what I have seen online, I am saying what is going on in Asbury may be emotional, tranquil, or trending, but not Biblical Revival.
In His Grace,
Pastor Steve
Comments