REVIVAL? - Really? by Paul M Hanssen

I wholeheartedly rejoice over the millions of lives touched by Charlie Kirk's life, and even more so over the many positive things that have occurred since his death, especially the memorial service held in his honor.

However, despite how positive and powerful that was, I am also aware of warning signals and red flags waving wildly in the winds of change that are blowing.

The word "revival" has been used repeatedly since the memorial service, and yet I see a mist of deception creeping over the land. We shout revival because prominent figures, including the President, cabinet members, and other well-known faces, spoke the name of Jesus to a cheering crowd. We shout revival because 100,000 people gathered in honor of a man of great faith and conviction. We shout revival because of the electrifying atmosphere that many felt and experienced. But is this true revival, or are we just witnessing a popular trend?

As of now, I have not yet seen the results of a revival. Revival is a spiritual awakening that causes changes in behavior, attitude, and lifestyle. Revival brings about conviction that leads to repentance, humility, brokenness, and submission to God's Sovereignty. 

Revival is not about filling a building with people. It has nothing to do with mouths proclaiming to honor God in a setting of popularity. True revival comes with fire and power that transform a backslidden, filthy heart into a vessel of honor unto God. Revival is born in the furnace of affliction, where sin is condemned, and the heart's corruption is exposed. Revival causes the proud, stubborn, and arrogant to bow their knees in search of God's will and to embrace it. Revival is like an earthquake that reshapes the landscape into something unrecognizable from what was familiar. True revival causes the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life to melt in the glory and presence of Him who the revival is all about - Jesus!

No, we have not yet seen a revival, but it is on the way. Don't be misled. Many false Christs (anointed ones) and false prophets (falsely inspired ones) will appear and create an illusion of revival that ignores sin and unrighteousness. This is not true revival.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

A word to the wise!

~Paul M Hanssen