The Gift of Revival — a Bit of a Warning (Update)
Update : Revival — or Foretaste?
With the events in Bertrand, Missouri evoking hopes of revival once again, I feel led to re-post this Word from last year.
Image © Bertrand Grassroots Tent Revival
Asbury sparked the same feelings a year ago.
Now it’s Bertrand. Is it real Revival?
Time will tell as it’s too soon to give what is undoubtedly a move of God by His Holy Spirit the ‘Revival’ label.
All I’m doing is advising caution, prayer, and the exercising of faith before we all get hyped up with thoughts of revival.
Is The LORD moving? Undoubtedly!
But I feel, good though it is, it’s only a foretaste of that which is to come.
I still believe that THE promised revival will break out in several places, in several countries, virtually simultaneously.
My view using my prophetic lenses, that’s all.
Original Word
Originally posted on HKP: March 26, 2023
In his book, Why Revival Tarries, the author, Leonard Ravenhill, discusses all the reasons we don’t have revival.
I’m not about to dispute with Mr Ravenhill — far from it. I heartily agree with most of his comments.
What I want us to focus on is the privilege and honour of receiving The GIFT of Revival.
How many presumptuous, maybe even foolish pastors have advertised ‘Revival — here tonight’, or ‘We’re having Revival this weekend — don’t miss it!’
As if we can order up Revival like a take-away meal, or as if we can limit it to a single night. No no no — Revival, genuine God-sent Revival, is a precious gift from a sovereign God — and it costs a great deal!
Perhaps that’s why we don’t see genuine revival very often?
Argentina in the 80’s, Toronto and Pensacola in the 90’s are the closest we’ve come in the last seventy years.
Even though most people accredit them as revivals, it is my belief they were only ‘practice runs’ for the real thing.
Lakeland, the Bay Revival, Smithton — mighty moves of God, but not true Revival.
They all had signs and wonders, all had multiple salvations, all sent the blessing all over the world. But none had the indelible hallmark of revival — whole communities affected far and wide.
The Welsh Revival and Azusa Street Revival both affected millions and whilst they may have been deemed ‘big’, no other ‘revival’ had the effect of these two.
The last time anything close to revival hit Britain was the Hebridean Revival in 1949. Argentina had revival in the 80’s, and while Toronto and Pensacola were huge, many say revivals, and had lasting effects even to this day, they were never full blown Revivals — just training or practice runs.
If we look at it objectively, there are very few pastors who can shepherd or steward revival. John Kilpatrick is an obvious exception.
Revival isn’t a word to be bandied around pretentiously. Even if we do have moves of God that stir up churches, maybe towns, they are not full on revivals but training exercises for the benefit of those who need to learn the cost of true revival.
Revival is gift from a sovereign God to those He can trust to steward it properly. It’s a 24/7, seven days a week, 365 days a year move of God upon a repentant church and an unchurched people who need Jesus!
It’s 24/7 services and prayer meetings. It’s spontaneous healing, signs, and wonders! It’s spreads way beyond our boundaries at the speed of wildfire!
It becomes a way of life for those carrying it and many of those caught up in it! It is a GIFT to be cherished, nurtured, and obeyed!
God births it – God gives it life through the obedience and prayers of those leading it — God allows it to die when we try to control or limit it!
Are you willing to be used in this way; to follow Holy Spirit as He leads us into and through Revival. Until we are — Revival still tarries, but when we are — expect true God-sent Revival in your land once again.
~ 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.
I had a dream what I believe is right around the corner. I was at a soccer (football to you) game and it ended and we won. A boy then said, I hear a Blackhawk helicopter). We could hear it but not see it due to the cloud cover. Then, a large white jet landed on the pitch. A pod fell off of it and people were running away afraid. I was not. I stood and watched. Out of the end of the jet people were exiting the jet, all dressed in white. They were dispersing jumping over fences going in different directions. End of dream. I woke yup to the smell of incense. I knew it was prophetic because when you’re sleeping your senses are dull and they aren’t immediate upon awakening.
The end of the match signaled to me it was the appointed end of time. The helicopter was symbolic of war. The white jet with white dressed occupants was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Amen. Hear and agree w/you man of GOD. The word reality of ‘revival’ begins in (1) heart. One heart can start a revival Deut. 32:30 KJV. The cost of a whole heart surrendered to GOD from the cunning comfort of compromise to which Christ Fully paid/Re-deemed us – The Gift of revival must first begin as examine the root of our heart/s 2Cor.12:5 KJV. Revival is a Re-NEWED condition of the heart by the Fire of the Holy Spirit. Yes..The Gift of what God re-vives, or made ‘New’ and/or births in us. It is…and can be a tangible manifestation of the Spirit of GOD ignited in us, through us and upon us as the heart/s of people in expectation of His Spirit to fall – land upon us like as a Dove, spread in us and effectively through us as hearts seeking the desire a GOD encounter. Behold He comes!!
* 2Cor.13:5 KJV
Thank you , so positive and encouraging
God bless you
Chris
Delighted to share sir. As i re-read the post, as not a usual ..i’m drawn to the message of salvations of ‘cities’ – and i’m reminded of the Samaritan woman John 4:28 KJV – she tells the ‘men’ in the city about Jesus and the men went John 4:29 KJV Salvation came to Samaria. Men will be catalysts as ‘well’ as women in revivals for the salvation of cities of many nation/s John 4:39-42 For the unnamed woman at the ‘WeLL’ was the first Evangelist! – God is about to use some un/notable people to declare His Word! Hallelujah!
* 2Cor. 13:5 KJV
You said it all well my brother. Enjoyed the read.
I also agree wholeheartedly about the Welsh and Azusa street Revival.
May we be truly willing to pay the cost. God bless you.
Thank you, so encouraging!
Chris
Amen!