Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and all throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. (Acts 26:19-20)
Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place - unless you repent. (Rev. 2:5)
Millions of American evangelicals are now speaking optimistically about a coming revival, while others speak on the subject in more guarded and cautious tones. I personally believe that revival is the church’s greatest need, and I really do believe that it will come. But as I pray, travel, minister and converse with pastors and laymen, I find myself more deeply concerned, even disturbed, than ever before about American churches. Most of us believe that the Second Coming of Christ is near; but we also believe that the Bride (the Church) has not prepared herself for the Bridegroom’s (Christ’s) return. Nor has the Church completed its task of taking the Gospel to all the people groups on planet earth so that the end may come (Matt. 24:14). Only a genuine, full-scale, historic revival will bring about the holiness and power in the lives of the people of God to make us ready to meet the Lord. Only such a revival will fill the Church with the passion and purpose to complete its mission and bring back the King.
I fear that most pastors and lay leaders in our American evangelical churches are merely wishing for revival; they are not desperate for it. They prefer at this point to go on with religious business as usual than to experience Upper Room praying and repentance. This would involve cross bearing, burden sharing, tears, days and nights of prayer and fasting. Most of us are not ready for this. American churches seem to be intoxicated by their numerical and financial successes. They are more bent on institutional survival than on spiritual revival. How and when will this change? When leaders begin to focus again on Upper Room praying! A praying remnant must prevail with God in intercession until there are visitations of the Spirit. With visitations of the Spirit there will come conviction. And with conviction in the hearts of professing men and women in the body of Christ there will come repentance.
