Fifty years ago, God granted a season of refreshing that reached many places in North America. The revival at Asbury College spread to 130 campuses. The Canadian Revival swept through the western part of that country. The Jesus Movement took many from marijuana parties to Bible studies, and several denominations grew exponentially.
God moved. God was in the land. The tide was in. Churches and groups of churches were ignited in their love for Jesus. Many were revived in deep reality. Souls came to Christ in healthy numbers. Evangelists rode the wave. It was a season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.
The psalmist said, “He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion” (Psalm 111:4). On this, the fiftieth anniversary, we plan to highlight some of these revivals over the next several weeks.
Some may wonder about certain elements that don’t seem to fit with one’s understanding. From the outset we need to understand that because the enemy hates revival, he attempts to muddy the waters. In the past, writers have referred to the introduction of deceptive aspects as dual streams. What we must understand is that while a pure stream does not condone an impure stream, an impure stream does not negate a pure stream.
The key is to test the spirits according to 1 John 4. In short, does a movement point people to Jesus? Does it point people to the Word? Is God’s love manifest? These revivals of the 70s have a definite stream that passes these tests. As we remember God’s wonderful works of fifty years ago, may we be inspired to seek God’s face to move again.
John Van Gelderen
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I WENT TO THE LAST REVIVAL MEETINGS WITH RON DEGARDE@WESTSIDE BAPTIST IN KATY,TX. WE WILL SEE THE IMPACT THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS AND MONTHS WHETHER IT MADE AN IMPACT ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD.WISH THE OTHER CHURCHES WOULD HAVE 2 LEAST 1-2 A YEAR.I GUESS IT WILL ALWAYS COME DOWN TO MONEY,TIME INVESTMENT,ETC. A LOT OF FACTORS SEEM TO ALWAYS COME INTO PLAY.That is really the only hope for survival.
I have 2 questions
1. Do you believe that repentance (defined as you have in previous articles) must precede any true revival?
2. Given the fact that we are told of the dead spiritual at the very end of the age, “ the love of many will grow cold,” “and when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth, “etc. , is it even realistic at this point to expect much, if any, revival on any large scale?
Thank you for your help
Great questions! For the first one, repentance is a part of seeking God in the matter of revival (2 Chron. 7:14; James 4:8-10). But when God moves repentance goes deeper. If you don’t mind I will answer the second question on the Q&A.
Yes, and thank you. Sorry for my typo- ** “dead spiritual condition”