Defining Revival | Time to Smell the Rain Again
2 Words in 1
Defining Revival
In the wake of the Asbury and other outpourings, and given much of the hyperbole surrounding these events, I think it wise for us to pause a moment to consider whether that which we label ‘Revival’, is really worthy of that name tag.
There has long been a penchant for Pastors and others to announce boldly, “We’re having Revival for the next few meetings, starting Sunday at 7.00pm!”
What they really mean is that ‘We’re having a meeting and hopefully The Holy Ghost will come along too!’
It’s almost as if they are first inviting The Holy Spirit to come to their meeting, but they’re limiting Him to the one day, and probably to a specific time slot too!
This is only a small critique because, in most of their hearts, they would love to see any kind of Holy Spirit Outpouring in their Church — but they don’t really expect it to happen!
On the other hand, an outpouring as seen recently in Asbury, Lee, Ohio, and quite a few other places, are immediately hyped up as ‘Revival’ when they haven’t been going for more than a couple of days.
Some last only a few days, a couple of weeks at most, but others keep going for a long time, and the “Revival” label tends to stick a bit more firmly.
But is it revival, or is it just an outpouring by The Holy Spirit?
Why do I ask such a question?
Well, to me, revival is a sovereign move of God, by His Holy Spirit, which is, as we often say, ‘a game changer’!
By that I mean it doesn’t just affect The Church. It affects the surrounding area, the city, the nation, and beyond.
The Great Awakening in the mid-1700’s was one such under Jonathan Edwards. Cane Ridge and Red River in the early 1800’s was another. The Ulster Revival of 1859-61 was one.
And we all know how the Welsh Revival and Azusa Street Revivals of 1904-1910 affected the world. Then there was the Hebridean Revival of 1950-52, followed by the more recent Argentine Revival of 1985 which some say has never stopped!
What about Toronto, Pensacola, even Lakeland, the Bay Revival and others — they too affected whole communities, even nations?
And what about the revivals in Iran, China, and other places that hardly get a mention?
There are so many — too many to mention. Yet one thing defines revival in all these places more clearly than anything else — they lasted — they produced, many thousands of salvations — they were marked by astonishing healings — and their fruit lasted.
They affected the morality of all, they spread like wildfire wherever they touched, and they changed communities, they changed cities, and they changed and affected nations!
None of these parameters have yet been fulfilled in this current wave. It’s only been going for three weeks and we haven’t seen much fruit yet.
Certainly, The Holy Spirit has poured his anointing on them but they’ve affected relatively few people — mostly in the 16-25 age group.
Granted, many folk have rushed to sample what’s happening, which clearly demonstrates the hunger and longing for revival across the age spectrum. But they are not yet in Revival — great hopes certainly but it’s too soon to lumber them with the even weightier responsibility of revival – the responsibility of stewarding what they do have is onerous enough.
They need time to learn stewarding and shepherding in real life scenarios.
Finally, I’ll say it again, this isn’t IT yet! This is only a taster.
Yes, the tsunami that is Revival is on its way, but it’s not here yet.
Support the current outpouring with prayer, with finances, with mentoring — but don’t weigh them down with the responsibilities of Revival — not yet anyway!
Time to Smell the Rain Again
That small cloud, as big as a man’s hand, has gotten bigger.
As with any rain cloud, the smell of rain precedes it, and follows it too.
“Time to smell the rain!” says The LORD. “I AM about to release the rain of My Spirit over your land.
He will come as squalls at first — a squall here and there. As I release Him, His Rain shall soak the dry land and you will see the affected areas grow and grow until they begin to join together.
Then I shall release My Rain over the whole land, and you shall declare that ‘Revival is here!’ and My Glory shall manifest. Even the media shall acknowledge this phenomenon.
The Rain that I send shall not just bring Revival,” says The LORD, “No! The Rain I AM sending shall separate wheat and chaff.
It shall touch all of My People, but some shall reject it, and I shall withhold it from some who are not willing to let go and let me move by My Spirit.
I shall take and remove the Lampstand from some who are great in their own and man’s opinion. Then I shall place the Lampstand where it will shed light on all and give Me all The Glory!” says God.
“Many shall see this as Judgement from Me, but that is not so. It shall be a final Warning to those who are reluctant to let go of their control, in order to give Me control by My Spirit. My Judgement comes later!”
“The Rain is coming!” says The LORD. “Can you smell the rain yet? It is very close, and it is much closer than many believe. Its time to smell the Rain!” says God.
The Rain has started, or is starting, all around the world.
Can you not small it, feel it, sense it?
Cement your lampstand into God’s Word. Don’t miss out or get caught out with little or no oil in your lamp.
It’s here! It’s now!
LORD, let Your Rain pour down on us!
~ Chris G. Bennett
Chris Bennett came to salvation in 1962 but didn’t begin ministry until 2007 — a late-comer! Now mandated by The LORD to prophesy and open old wells of revival in the U.K., but especially in Wales. He has also operated Healing Rooms, and worked with deliverance teams, all with his wife, Linda. Happily now doing whatever The LORD asks of them! Founder, with wife Linda, of their ministry The Upper Room Encounter.
Not to forget that many revivals are happening in the silence.