No hope for revival in our land
Many Christians pray for revival, but in this age there is no hope for revival in our land.
Why so? Because in this age God is building the Body of Christ…
2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Galatians 6:15 (KJV) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
…and the Body of Christ is a new creature rather than a revived one.
REVI'VE, v.i. L. revivisco; re and vivo, to live.
1. To return to life; to recover life.
(Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English language)
Example:
1 Kings 17:22 (KJV) And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.
Is the notion of ‘revival’ scriptural? Answer – while the word ‘revival’ itself does not appear in scripture, the notion of there being a revival assuredly does, and it applies to redeemed Israel i.e. the remnant of Israel who go into the kingdom.
1. The revival pictured:
Nehemiah 4:2 (KJV) And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?
2. The remnant’s plea for revival:
Psalm 85:6 (KJV) Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
Habakkuk 3:2 (KJV) O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.
3. The promise of revival:
Isaiah 57:15 (KJV) For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Hosea 14:7 (KJV) They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
4. The assurance known of revival:
Psalm 138:7 (KJV) Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
Hosea 6:2 (KJV) After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
In summary, there will be no revival in our land because there is nothing to be revived. Therefore, rather than praying for revival Christians should engage in the work of the ministry, and some men will believe the things which are spoken and some will not (Acts 28:24).