Why Revival Tarries and Why Hope Remains
by Edgar Martin
"Come, and let us return unto the Lord; for He hath torn and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up … He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth" – Hosea 6:1, 3b
Revival waits because of the sins of the nation. National sins provoke the wrath of God and bring nations down. Two of these are blood guiltiness and covenant breaking. Our forefathers covenanted with God yet we have slain millions of unborn babies. Now the blood of the elderly stains the soul as euthanasia becomes more acceptable. We have broken very covenant with our First Nations peoples, and marriage covenants are broken as well. Our forefathers covenanted with God to keep the Sabbath day holy, but now our nation routinely breaks the Sabbath. No wonder revival tarries!
Moral perversion is another sin that breaks down our nation. Fornication and adultery are no longer considered sin, we are told that homosexuality and perversion must be accepted. Holy matrimony is rejected in favour of unholy partnerships of strange descriptions. Derelict Dads and irresponsible mothers exploit their own children. Venereal diseases and early deaths claim the lives of our youth. These are consequences of sin and will be the fate of a nation that embraces moral perversion. Yet, our leaders are willing tow rite laws to protect and promote these despicable lifestyles. No wonder revival tarries!
Occult Idolatry will bring us to the lowest level to which a nation can fall. Witchcraft and pagan religion are here in our libraries, books and movies, in cartoons and toys, and music, in schools and public places. Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism are here as well as cults and secret orders, some of which claim to be Christian but deny the deity of Christ. We revere our idols: sports, entertainment, materialism, pleasure and pastimes. These idols dominate and control lives and become like gods. Demonic influences fasten on them just as they did on the idols of ancient days. No wonder revival tarries!
All too often the sins of the nation become the sins of the church. While seeking to win the world, many have accepted the ways of the world into their churches. Doctrinal compromise has led to tolerance, easy beliefs and lowered standards. The Gospel is cheapened by a costless and cross-less Christianity. That which costs us nothing has little value, but the Pearl of Great Price and the hidden treasure of the Kingdom of God can only be possessed by a surrendered life and a heart hungry for holiness. Many churches have lost their first love for Christ and have turned to the world's allurements. They have become lukewarm and indifferent to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Others are hindered by pride, prejudice, and hypocrisy; becoming lovers of themselves more than lovers of God. This is spiritual adultery. No wonder revival tarries!
There is hope for a coming revival. Hope in History. The Bible and history contain accounts of revivals that came when men prayed and repented. Many occurred at the worst and darkest of times. These events changed history and saved nations from destruction. They caused hell to tremble and heaven to rejoice. Best of all, these great revivals added to the Kingdom. These events are recorded in the annals of time, and they give us hope that it can happened again!
Hope from prophecy. Great revivals are sure to play a vital role in the final victory of God's church. Jesus said that the Gospel of the Kingdom would be preached unto all nations. Daniel saw a vision of the Triumph of Christ, that His kingdom would fill the whole earth and would stand forever (Daniel 2:35, 44). Joel said that in the last days the Spirit would be poured out upon all flesh (Acts 2:17-19; Joel 2:28 -30). Habakkuk said, "The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Habbakuk 2:14, Isaiah 11:9). Hosea and James spoke of the latter rain as a symbol of revival before the Lord returns (Hosea 6:3; James 5:7, 8). These prophecies fill our hearts with hope for a great revival in the last days.
Hope from the heart of God. Our hope for revival is founded in our faith in the loving nature of God. God will forgive and save any individual, group, or nation who will truly humble themselves, repent, pray and obey (1 Chronicles 7:14). Out of His great love He gives personal revival to every repentant backslider or lukewarm Christian; to all who are weary, heavy laden and empty of the Spirit (Revelation3:20; Matthew 11:28, Acts 2:39). He will do the same for every family and nation that will likewise repent.
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