This Revival
This Revival
I dreamt recently (May 13) that a leader of the Church in New Zealand (a man of "apostolic" stature) said to me, "This revival is sixteen feet deep!"
Sixteen is a number with little or no Biblical significance. However eight (8x2=16) is a number charged with meaning. It represents entry into a covenant relationship with God through the destruction of the "flesh".(Genesis 17.9-14) It also symbolises resurrection in the midst of God's judgement. (1 Peter 3.20)
It is a sad Church which is overtaken by revival, unready and unprepared. To this end let me unequivocally state that "this revival", which at present is only just beginning to make its presence felt on earth with a few scattered, very light, early showers (and which I believe will run its course until The Day ... 1 Corinthians 1.8) will,
* Eclipse entirely all we have ever known of revival throughout the Church's history; an overwhelming, double portion visitation.
"When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, 'Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.' And Elisha said, 'Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.' And he said, 'You have asked a hard thing...' " (2 Kings 2.9-10)
"And he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through." (Ezekiel 47.5)
* Its power and purity will bring destruction to the "flesh". "Flesh" is a term of the utmost importance to the great Apostle Paul. By it he meant, "human nature unbowed and unyielded to the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ and the plain, unalloyed Word of God ... the Bible".
"For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep doing." (Romans 7.18-19)
The deadliest and most lethal activity of the "flesh" is religious and spiritual. It is that human nature which is quite happy to relate to God, but strictly on its own terms ... a kind of unholy alliance, so to speak, which is in fact phony and ends with the creature worshipping itself rather than the Creator.
I welcome its destruction. It has vitiated and warped the Church more than hordes of demons and squadrons of devils.
* "This revival" will occur in a world "on fire" with the consequences of centuries of sin and rebellion ... personal, institutional and national.
But in the midst of the fury of this final flood, God will draw forth and save by grace all who are willing to turn to Him and trust in Him.
"But concerning that hour and day no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." (Matthew 24.36-39)
"When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will put him to flight." (Isaiah 59.19)
"He drew me up from the pit of destruction, and out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40.2-3)
