THE NEXT GREAT REVIVAL

For years I have heard of the great revival that would happen before Jesus returns to earth in the rapture (first taught by John Darby in 1830) or second coming depending on what camp you believe. There are so many thoughts, theories, and assumptions out there: rapture, pre tribulation, mid tribulation, post tribulation it all will give you a headache if you try studying it. I honestly believe we need to live in the first 65 Books of the Bible and God will take care of the Book of Revelation. After we get past the third Chapter of Revelation the symbolism, type and shadow of metaphors and concepts are steeped Jewish lore one can really get off track and in the ditch as we see has happened with the whole Hebraic movement. Yes Jesus is coming back, why? Because He said so and that is good enough for me. When I do not know and I need no preacher or teacher to convince me of Jesus' return. If you are not convinced of the return of Jesus Christ my friend then there is a lack of understanding and doctrinal truths of the word of God you desperately need. I know Jesus is coming back not because someone told me oh no, but out from my communion with the LORD and me discovering the truths of God's word and I know in my spirit He will return. But in Luke we read, "I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8) and in 2 Thessalonians Paul talks about the LORD's appearing is at hand, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;" (2 Thessalonians 2:3) Paul does not talk about a great revival (word not in the KJV of the Bible), but of a "falling away" and the revealing of "the son of perdition" some say is Satan, but the word "perdition" (Strong's G684) means wasters, destroyer, destruction. I really do not know or really care who "the son of perdition" is he is not my focus Jesus is my focus and if I can train my thoughts and spirit on Him that is enough. But today on Christian TV (which is a oxymoron) we hear of this great revival before the end of days that will sweep the world and billions of souls will be saved. Now do not get me wrong here I hope it happens. Oh how I hope it happens, I like the LORD wishes none to be loss no not one, but that is not what the Bible says. Jesus again in Matthew, "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:4-14) This huge end time revival is not the picture Jesus paints. I wonder why what Jesus said is not preached as much as the prosperity messages and seeker sensitive doctrines? I guess you cannot get a bunch of people to rally around your mega church with such doom and gloom even if it is the truth. Those today who preach and teach about the "end of days" and what will befall the earth in the future from the Books of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelations, in my opinion, have no clue and at best they are guessing. Christian TV is full (each denomination has their own special star) of these soothsayers and they say the LORD gave them this special understanding and if you buy their book or video you too can know what is going to happen after the rapture, during the millennial reign, or when we all get to heaven, well mule fritters! Well if the LORD gave everyone a special understanding why do they all disagree in doctrine and timeline? Someone is not telling the truth. Shame on these charlatans and shame on the people that get snookered. John had to be in the Spirit to receive the Book of Revelation and fell at the LORD's feet as dead and today we merchandise the truth of the word of God for money, power, control, and prestige . God please forgive us for our greed and presumption. This end time folly revival really intrigues me. Again I hope I am wrong a lot of money and time has been dedicated trying to make it happen. As I have thought about it I have come to the realization (and I am not sure if we can call it a revival or an awaking), but after the LORD returns (and He will He said so) I believe every church in the world will be packed 24 hours a day every day of the year. I will even go as far and say people will be killing people to get through the doors. What a contrast from today. After the rapture or the second coming (again what you believe) as the Book of Revelation unfolds people will know they missed it. They were told and they did not believe, but now that they missed it God has their attention and they know there will be things that will be happening where they might have a second chance to make it to heaven and shun hell. Make no mistake hope in a second chance after the rapture will be the only thing that will keep most people going. Their lives will have been shattered death and destruction is ever before the people and they will know they missed it and they also will know there is still hope. I do not believe God will take the precious Holy Spirit from the earth at this time. Jesus said I will NEVER leave or forsake you and He means this too. Gene Fowler visiting W. C. Fields shortly before his death found his ailing crony sitting in the garden reading the Holy Bible. Fowler asked, "what are you doing?" Fields explained shyly, "I am looking for loop holes." That is what these people will be doing they will be looking for loop holes looking for ways to miss hell and make heaven their home. And in God's grace and mercy He has provided ways for this to happen. Many Christians do not know many people will live through the great tribulation and make it to heaven, but John writes, "And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them." (Revelation 7:13-15) I believe these could be the ones who had to give their lives for the Gospel. John again in Revelation, "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." (Revelation 20:4) Now I do not know how all of this is going to work out nor do I need to know. But I do know if you cannot stand for Jesus now when times are not really that tough how can you give your life? I do not know. Why Jesus Himself said, "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." (Matthew 25:13) All I need to know is Jesus and His word and things will work out fine. Will there be a great end time revival I do not know, but I do know God has a made a way for us to spend eternity with Him and we now need to take Him at His word. My friend let us double our efforts now to reach as many people as possible. Written by David Stahl