A Coming Revival – Fact or Fable
By: M.E. Townsend

Revival as defined by Webster is - “the act of bringing or coming back to life, health or activity. The act of bringing or coming back into use or popularity, " a meeting at which there is excited preaching for the purpose of ‘stirring’ up religious feeling.”

The teaching of a coming revival has been circulating in some American churches for over 20 years - talk of repentance - noticeably absent from such teaching.

Repentance as defined by Webster is - “to feel sorry for having done wrong, to feel regret over something done and change one’s mind.”

“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing [revival] may come from the presence of the LORD. Acts 3:19

The teaching of a ‘coming revival’ is often predicated on the non-Biblical doctrine of Dominion Theology.

Dominion Theology holds that the church will continue to get stronger and stronger until it takes over the world and cleans it up in preparation for the Lord’s return. With authority from the King, we are to reclaim the earth for our Saviour; not just spiritually, but socially, economically and politically; with organizations such as Promise Keepers, The Institute for Christian Economics and the Coalition of Revival leading the way. Those who follow Dominion Theology teach that the mission of the church goes beyond the spiritual transformation of individuals into ‘moral patriotism’. For Jesus the Christ to be pleased with Christians, they must become political and social activist.

We cry out for revival to come to the church of the twenty-first century – an apostate church that is lukewarm, poor, blind, naked, motivated by greed and overcome by the teachings of seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. Un-motivated by godly living, based upon the Word of God and the hope we have in His imminent return, the church of today is consumed by the task of reconstructing society, the work of our hands, embracing all faiths as one and have embarked on a quest for enlightenment and truth found apart from scripture.

We continue to cry out; “Let Your fire fall.”

This is in direct opposition to what the Bible says about the responsibilities of the church and the End Times. Jesus the Christ tells us over and over our duties as Christians. The Great Commission found in Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19 and in Mark 16:15 tells us to –

“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

We as Christians are to be salt and light to this dark and dying world, not social activist or moral patriots. Jesus the Christ said, “I AM the AMEN.” God made a promise; Jesus sealed that promise with His blood. He is the proof that what God said was and is true. Our lives all too often do not reflect holy fear, neither is reverence nor respect for our LORD in evidence. All too often our lives reflect a desire for the gift - not the Giver. While refusing to look at the sin deep inside ourselves, we have chosen to love the pleasures of this world more than we love God.

Far too many attempt to distort and change the Word of God. Teachings are plentiful that absolute unity is more important than absolute truth, feelings and fellowship more important than faith and facts. We desire to be entertained rather than enlightened, tickled rather than tested, stroked rather than submitted.

We have become addicted to the emotional trappings, psychological maneuverings, and sensual seduction taught from pulpits across America. No longer is Jesus enough. There is no fervent teaching of scripture, no mention of sin or the depravity of man.

None cry out - “we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled..." Daniel 9

“Instead of sound doctrine, believers are feed “junk food” of contemporary psychotherapy, wrapped in Christian terminology that deceives the unwary as well as the elect.” The Berean Call

The Bible teaches the 'true' Church will continue to decline in influence while the apostate church will grow stronger as the end of the age approaches. As evidenced in our society, many are becoming less and less tolerant of the Christian worldview while more and more tolerant of the sins which so easily entangle, keeping those who are unaware far from their God.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

BUT YOU – be watchful in ALL things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your mission." 2 Timothy 4:5