We've got more books on the Holy Ghost than any generation ever, but we've never had less power.
- Leonard Ravenhill
The need's never been greater to fervently pray for the miracle working power of God to be restored to the Church. Neither the ministry of Christ nor His apostles would have succeeded without God continually confirming His word with signs and wonders. Early Christianity was so marked by the miraculous that the record of that time period is called the Book of Acts.
Sadly, the genuine gifts of the Spirit, particularly the "children's bread" of healing and deliverance, are so infrequent today that given the record of modern Christianity we'd be lucky to have our description entitled the Book of Words. May God quickly open our eyes to comprehend the depth of need and potential opportunities for power evangelism and discipleship! May the Lord's first recorded miracle prove He stands ready to change our water to wine, once again having "saved the best for last." May Jesus move us to prevail in prayer that He might demonstrate in and through us even greater Kingdom power and glory than has ever been seen before!
God the Son's miraculous human birth and ministry, death and resurrection coupled with His ascension into Heaven and prophesied return to Earth certainly qualify the gospel as the "Greatest Story Ever Told." Historically, "His-story" of the price God paid for our atonement has tremendously impacted humanity both individually and collectively. Yet today, for most of the world, the purpose and power of this timeless message is being lost against the backdrop of modern life. Science and technology provide those of us living in First World Nations such a wealth of experience and rich lifestyles that in many ways our abilities rival that of mythological Gods. Sadly, rather than falling to our knees in thanks, we continually take for granted our privileged status and overwhelming blessings. The momentary pleasures of entitlement, combined with unprecedented levels of temptation and sin are wreaking havoc on individuals, families and society the world over.
Physical and mental pain and anguish also has a mitigating effect on mankind's ability to believe and receive the "Good News." Millennia since the birth and empowerment of the Church, continued cases of sickness and disease, famine and drought, pain and death increasingly enveloping the globe understandably call into question the goodness of God.
Then there's the delicate issue of God's apparent distance and silence. On the one hand, His existence is easily proven beyond a shadow of a doubt and His role as Intelligent Designer is clearly evident. Furthermore, evidence abounds for the authority of scripture and that God is as exactly as the Bible claims. On the other hand, innumerable unanswered prayers and the worldliness of modern Christianity undermines the gospel by underscoring the spoken and/unspoken issues with God and the church held by billions of atheists and agnostics.
So the greatest question before humanity is, "which is it?" Is God awesome or awful? Is God present or absent? Is Omnity's mind blowing power and glory to be trusted? Just how good and faithful is our Creator and Savior? Should we expect love and mercy, or justice and judgment or perhaps all the above? What does He require of us? Does God have a plan for mankind? If so, is His will being realized in everyday life or are we basically in this alone. To what degree can we realistically anticipate help from above during our time on Earth and even more importantly throughout eternity?
While there are a myriad of reasons for God's placing so low in opinion polls, there's one with singular importance. Simply put, modern Christianity has abdicated it's position of authority and power and is no longer capable of performing the signs and wonders absolutely necessary to fulfill Christ's Great Commission:
- "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'" Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
- "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.' After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it." Mark 16:15-20 NIV
From the Gospel of Mark we learn how the Great Commission is to be accomplished. Jesus explains the Christian message will be accepted based on the fact "these signs will accompany those who believe..." Notice that Christ's promised miracles were to be accomplished not just by the apostles but by "those who believe" their message! As in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles, signs and wonders were to play a prominent role in both power evangelism and discipleship. Meant to be the rule rather than the exception, the gifts of the Spirit in general, and miraculous healing in particular were designed to simultaneously draw crowds while pointing the way to Christ.
The Chinese word for crises 危机 is composed of two characters. Some translate their meanings as "danger" and "opportunity." Since all investments of time, energy and money contain various amounts of risk, regardless of the etymology of this word the concept is sound. This is certainly true of humanity's current condition. Without God's will and power continually evidenced through His presence, provision and protection, the world and even the Church is nearly defenseless against today's onslaught of doubt, temptation and sin. Even so, were believers to fully realize the will of God in this matter and respond appropriately, a new day for Christianity might quickly dawn.
The sheer number of New Testament Scriptures dealing with both the miracles and the message of the gospel so attest to the emphasis of both they strongly suggest these are two sides of the same "Kingdom" coin. Just as the authentic fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit may be all but inseparable, so too the message of the gospel and demonstration of the power of the Spirit. An interplay visible in various ways and levels throughout the New Testament:
- "Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20 NKJV
- " And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 KJV2000
- “Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?” 1 Corinthians 4:18-21 NKJV
31 Gospel Miracles
Control of Nature:
1. Calming the storm – Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:37-41; Luke 8:22-25
2. Feeding 5,000 - Matthew 14:14-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14
3. Walking on water - Matthew 14:22-32; Mark 6:47-52; John 6:16-21
4. Feeding 4,000 – Matthew 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-9
5. Fish with coin – Matthew 17:24-27
6. Fig tree withers – Matthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14, 20-25
7. Huge catch of fish – Luke 5:4-11; John 21:1-11
8. Water into wine – John 2:1-11
Healing of Individuals
1. Man with leprosy – Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-44; Luke 5:12-14
2. Roman centurion’s servant – Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10
3. Peter’s mother-in-law – Matthew 8:14-15; Mark 1:30-31; Luke 4:38-39
4. Two men possessed with devils – Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-15; Luke 8:27-39
5. Man with palsy – Matthew 9:2-7; Mark 2:3-12; Luke 5:18-26
6. Woman with bleeding – Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48
7. Two blind men – Matthew 9:27-31
8. Dumb, devil-possessed man - Matthew 9:32-33
9. Canaanite woman’s daughter – Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30
10. Boy with devil - Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:17-29; Luke 9:38-43
11. Two blind men – including Bartimaeus - Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43
12. Demon-possessed man in synagogue – Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37
13. Blind man at Bethsaida – Mark 8:22-26
14. Crippled woman – Luke 13:10-17
15. Man with dropsy – Luke 14:1-4
16. Ten men with leprosy – Luke 17:11-19
17. The high priest’s servant – Luke 22:50-51
18. Nobleman’s son at Capernaum – John 4:46-54
19. Sick man at the pool of Bethsaida – John 5:1-15
20. Man born blind – John 9:1-41
Raising the Dead
1. Jairus’ daughter – Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56
2. Widow’s son at Nain – Luke 7:11-17
3. Lazarus – John 11:1-44
26 Miracles Book of Acts
Raising the Dead
1. Peter raises the disciple Tabitha – 9:36-42
2. Paul raises the young man Eutychus – 20:9-12
Healing of Individuals
1. Peter heals the lame man at the Temple gate – 3:1-16
2. Ananias cures Saul of his blindness – 9:17-18
3. Peter heals the paralytic Aeneas – 9:33-35
4. Paul cures the lame man of Lystra – 14:7-9
5. Paul stoned and miraculously healed at Lystra – 14:19
6. Paul exorcises girl possessed of divining spirit – 16: 16-18 7. Paul heals Publius’ father of dysentery 28:7-8
Miracles in the Natural
1. Violent wind at the Cenacle in Jerusalem – 2:2-6
2. Shaking of the assembly building in Jerusalem – 4:31
3. Prison doors open for the Apostles – 5:17-25
4. Philip snatched by the Spirit of the Lord – 8:39
5. Peter liberated from prison by an angel – 12:5-11
6. Chains fall from Paul and Silas – 16:25-30
7. Paul shakes off viper from his arm – 28:3-6
Collective Miracles
1. Many signs and wonders done by the Apostles in Jerusalem – 2:43
2. Apostles perform signs and wonders among the people – 5:12
3. Peter’s shadow cures many in the streets – 5:15
4. Multitudes from outside Jerusalem are healed – 5:16
5. Stephen works great signs and wonders – 6:8
6. Philip cures crippled and possessed in Samaria – 8:6-8,13
7. Miracles worked by Paul and Barnabas on mission journey – 14:3
8. Great signs and wonders done among the Gentiles – 15:12
9. Miracles worked through objects touched by Paul – 19:11-12
10. Paul heals all the sick brought to him on Malta – 28:9
Miraculous Penalties or Afflictions
1. Ananias and Saphira struck dead at Peter’s feet – 5:5-11
2. Saul struck blind on the road to Damascus – 9:8-9
3. Herod suddenly slain by an angel – 12:23
4. Paul temporarily blinds the sorcerer Elymas – 13:9-12
It’s been noted that we are all telling ourselves a story. The question is to what extent do our individual and corporate narratives resemble Scripture? One crucial test is the routine and demonstrable presence of Holy Spirit as measured by authentic gifts of the Spirit including that of bonafide miraculous healing and extreme acts of Godly love.
As in the 1st century and even more so in the 21st, only genuine power evangelism and discipleship can produce the kind of radical commitment the Kingdom of God requires. Employing “show and tell” Jesus and the apostles often referenced the vital role of the miraculous to the message of the Gospel. Signs and wonders abounding, they both drew crowds and motivated believers to develop and continue in the faith once for all delivered to the saints:
- “Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”John 10:37-38 New International Version
- Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. Mark 16:20 New International Version
- After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” John 11:11-14 New International Version
- When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call. Acts 2:1-4, 2:38-39 New International Version
- They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. Acts 2:42-43 New International Version
- “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 4:29-31 New International Version
- The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed. Acts 5:12-16 New International Version
- But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!” 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 New International Version
- I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles. 2 Corinthians 12:12 New International Version
- For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:2-4 New International Version
According to the Gospel of John, Christ’s recorded miracles were just the tip of the iceberg of the evidence that the Kingdom of God was among us. No doubt the same can be said for the Acts of the Apostles. Why? It takes little imagination to understand that when it comes to touching the hearts and minds, attitudes and actions of individuals and families, friends and neighbors, there are no words to adequately express the meaningfulness of experiencing miraculous power evangelism and no words or model that can replace it.
Most church leaders and attenders of dozens of various denominations often preaching various versions of Christ at odds with each other in doctrine and practice join together to resist the essential need for power evangelism and discipleship for a variety of reasons. This includes the all too commonly mistaking well meant presumption for faith thereby assuming salvation for themselves and others. A condition often warned of in Scripture:
- “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’” Matthew 7:21-23 The Message
Partially recognizing the dilemma, some of the best and brightest have espoused a return to older traditions such as home fellowships and/or church structures focussing on individuals rather than numbers. Yet neither criticizing or optimizing church growth models nor any other adjustment addressing simply form or function can make a dent in the ubiquitous levels of temptation and deception entitlement and sin pandemic without and within worldly and modern Christianity.
Jesus repeatedly promised that even a mustard seed's worth of genuine faith should literally work wonders. As previously mentioned, the success of the Great Commission was due in large part to God "confirming his word by the signs that accompanied it." In fact, miracles were so common and vital to the growth of the early Church that the record of evangelism by the apostle's is called the Book of "Acts." This being the case, should the lack of signs and wonders today be sending us an important message? Might our powerlessness be a symptom of something serious or even sinister?
Tragically no denomination and few if any congregation is committed to authentically seeking the restoration of genuine Kingdom power. Cessationist are honest regarding reality (lack of miraculous power) but dishonest regarding Scripture (cessation). Charismatics are dishonest regarding reality (lack of miraculous power) but honest regarding Scripture (promises not conditions). Thus who is left to honestly and diligently look for what supposedly no longer exists or is already in hand?
What is needed and alone will suffice is a renewed spiritual sensitivity and righteous judgment leading to an unprecedented pre-revival repentance ushering in a New Pentecost resulting in genuine and ongoing renewal, revival and reformation.
A Perfect Trap
Unfortunately, Heaven and Earth's Adversary is all too aware of the vital role the fruit and gifts of the Spirit play in evangelism and discipleship. Displaying devilish cunning Satan has for millennia employed various means to move God's people to grieve Him. Samson's foolishness with Delilah is an example of worldliness and lust deceiving God's anointed judge and deliverer. Even the great warrior and psalmist, prophet and King David on more than one occasion fell prey to Satan's snares with devastating results:
- "Now Satan entered the scene and seduced David into taking a census of Israel. David gave orders to Joab and the army officers under him, 'Canvass all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and get a count of the population. I want to know the number.' Joab resisted: 'May God multiply his people by hundreds! Don't they all belong to my master the king? But why on earth would you do a thing like this—why risk getting Israel into trouble with God?' But David wouldn't take no for an answer, so Joab went off and did it... And God, offended by the whole thing, punished Israel. Then David prayed, 'I have sinned badly in what I have just done, substituting statistics for trust; forgive my sin—I've been really stupid.' God answered by speaking to Gad, David's pastor: 'Go and give David this message: 'God's word: You have your choice of three punishments; choose one and I'll do the rest.' Gad delivered the message to David: 'Do you want three years of famine, three months of running from your enemies while they chase you down, or three days of the sword of God—an epidemic unleashed on the country by an angel of God? Think it over and make up your mind. What shall I tell the One who sent me?' David told Gad, 'They're all terrible! But I'd rather be punished by God whose mercy is great, than fall into human hands. So God unleashed an epidemic in Israel—seventy thousand Israelites died.' 1 Chronicles 21:1-15 MSG
- "And the Lord said, ‘Who can entice Ahab to go into battle against Ramoth-gilead so he can be killed?’ There were many suggestions, and finally a spirit approached the Lord and said, ‘I can do it!’ How will you do this?’ the Lord asked. And the spirit replied, ‘I will go out and inspire all of Ahab’s prophets to speak lies.’ 'You will succeed,’ said the Lord. ‘Go ahead and do it. So you see, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all your prophets. For the Lord has pronounced your doom.” 1 Kings 22:20-23 NIV
In another example, Scripture tells us that "at the time when kings go off to war" David sent the entire army of Israel off into battle while remaining at home in his palace. Satan, exploiting a lack of diligence by one of God's greatest warriors, seduced David by enflaming his lust for Bathsheba. What few realize is the full extent of his horrifying betrayal. Though he could have married any and as many Israelite virgins he chose, instead he was moved to pick a woman who was far more than just the wife of some unknown soldier. According to 1 Chronicles 11, this same "Uriah the Hittite" was one of David's elite personal guard. Furthermore, we are told Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam, another decorated soldier. Worse, she was also the granddaughter of Ahithophel, perhaps David's wisest counselor, of whom scripture says his advice was like listening to "the oracle of God." The reason David could see Bathsheba bathing from his rooftop was because of the honored positions held by her faithful and loyal husband, father and grandfather!
Such passages record the frailty and betrayal by the worst and best of the Lord's own people. David, hand picked and anointed by God, repeatedly fell from grace. If such a champion of faith and man after God's own heart could be so deceived, it's little wonder 21st century Christianity bares so little resemblance to 1st century believers.
What we know for certain is that faith's an interesting study. By faith we please God. "By grace you are saved through faith." By faith we serve God, hoping to hear "well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joys of the Lord." Yet faith can be tricky. As "the evidence of things hoped for, the substance of things not seen" it largely deals with the eternal, making it hard to quantify and judge in the here and now.
Faith can also be premature or misled. Well meaning presumption can be difficult to recognize and even harder to admit. Making matters worse, because genuine faith deserves protecting, even unexamined misconceptions and errors seem to require defense. This in turn makes false belief systems hard if not impossible to correct. Perhaps understandable, such a scenario nonetheless has all the makings of a perfect trap. Often subjective, faith can seem abstract, yielding to any number of personal opinions. Thankfully, Scripture being "God breathed" offers a more concrete guide. Sadly, many different Christian denominations testify to a nearly hopeless number of differing interpretations.
The following are just some of the challenges facing modern Christianity in this regard:
- Subjectivity of faith: Like playing basketball without a rim, spiritual success or failure seems arbitrary, however we choose to define it at the moment.
- Hesitancy to admit problems: Whether natural or devilish, resistance to honestly evaluating the source and true nature of our weakness keeps Churchianity in a constant state of being "ignorantly bliss" of its condition and the world's perilous state.
- Powerlessness: Rather than face our worldliness and sin may be grieving the Holy Spirit charismatics often play as fast and loose with the facts as cessationists do with Scripture.
- Lack of Repentance: Few today have the stomach for controversy. Church leaders willing up to explore the full depth of the problem might well encounter dramatic losses in revenue and attendance. Faced with the looming specter of possible unemployment makes honesty something few feel they can afford.
During the first Christian Pentecost recorded in the Book of Acts the fire of God fell on laymen. In fact is seems most major revivals have centered around those with little or nothing to do with the upper echelon power structures of the Church. This is not to suggest that many professionals don't work hard to forward the Kingdom of God as they perceive it in the best ways they know how. What seems clear is that those who would follow the example of Christ's disciples who gathered for weeks in the upper room to pray like their lives depended on it must first admit they do. Many with seemingly successful Christian ministries would be hard pressed to admit they might have accomplished exponentially more had they been faithful to pray through to the kinds of signs and wonders the Bible promises believers. So the best of us settle for this and that outreach, which may be a noble gestures, yet too fee heed prophetic advice and call for a sacred assembly to press God for outpourings of His Spirit like the Welsh Revival that saw seventy thousand saved and added to the Church in less than two months!
Not only is breaking with traditional and modern methods and programs problematic but doing so raises difficult questions. Why haven't we been doing this all along? What about the danger of wild fire? Doesn't departing from perceived orthodoxy open the doors to charlatans and con men? Might even well intentioned seekers succumb to hyper emotionalism and/or spiritual nonsense? Not to mention that many if not most congregations and entire denominations may be teaching such grossly inaccurate doctrine and/or promoting wordiness and worse as to have little or no hope of experiencing the genuine power of God. There are several reasons for powerless, some boarding on profanity. For these and other obvious reasons many in leadership would prefer the slow and steady pace of the tortoise to the herky jerky lunging of the hare. The moral of the story might be more apropos if our current efforts were working rather than plunging us into a spiraling descent.
Kingdom Violence
Even in the face of tremendous spiritual loss Churchianity remains big business. With revenue and assets in the trillions, it's easy to see the hesitancy to jeopardize such wealth for uncertain and intangible spiritual treasure. Rather than rise to the challenge of the end of the age, the fiscally prudent choice is to continue placating the masses. Current wisdom is not to altogether suppress the truth of our dire situations but rather "damn it with faint praise." Concessions are made for minor efforts to confront temptation and sin in the lives of individuals and society so long as they require little or no resource and are assured not to rock the boat.
To carry out such an objective the body of Christ must be tranquilized and then constantly sedated. Theology and doctrine, worship and prayer must be choreographed to produce a Christian world view that cries, "peace, peace even when there is no peace." As Søren Kierkegaard the preeminent Danish philosopher, theologian, poet, social critic, and religious author who is widely considered to be the first existentialist philosopher noted in regards to diluting doctrine:
- “The matter is quite simple. The bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly. Take any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined. How would I ever get on in the world? Herein lies the real place of Christian scholarship. Christian scholarship is the Church’s prodigious invention to defend itself against the Bible, to ensure that we can continue to be good Christians without the Bible coming too close. Oh, priceless scholarship, what would we do without you? Dreadful it is to fall into the hands of the living God. Yes it is even dreadful to be alone with the New Testament.”
It's high time the remnant of the remnant shake themselves free of such deceptions. Like First Century believers, modern prophetic Christians must circumcise our hard hearts, pursuing pre-revival repentance and a New Pentecost that we might receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. We must master the art of intercession, storming the gates of Heaven relentlessly until the fruit and gifts of the Spirit, particularly the "Children's bread" of healing and deliverance, are fully restored. We must both routinely encounter and be able to demonstrate the power of God that faith, holiness and good deeds would arise inside and outside of the Church. We must be transformed into the Church rather than being satisfied to merely attend one a few hours a month. We must fully comprehend and teach the whole truth of the cosmic spiritual battle raging across the Three Heavens, recognizing that to be "saved" equates to nothing short of being drafted into the army of Christ. Like Jesus' persistent widow and story of the man demanding food at midnight, we must insist God give us all the resource needed to carry out the Great Commission with which we've been entrusted.
As has been noted, "desperate times require desperate measures." Perhaps this is why, "God doesn't answer prayer, He answers desperate prayer." As it is written:
- “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34 NIV
- "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it." Matthew 11:12 NIV
- "I'm passing this work on to you, my son Timothy. The prophetic word that was directed to you prepared us for this. All those prayers are coming together now so you will do this well, fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we're in." 1 Timothy 1:18 MSG
- "The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity." 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 MSG
Many Called, Few Chosen
Jesus lamented, "For many are called, but few are chosen." Why? Because few chose to answer His call. To fully do so requires more than simple belief. We must foster lifestyles of unflinching resolve, embracing radical discipleship to the point of complete transformation into the entirely new creations of New Testament promise.
Such rare and necessary men and women might be called Prophetic Christians. These do well to ponder the lives and accomplishments of the noteworthy example of Finney and Müller, Roberts and Wigglesworth. While currently lacking the power of such champions of the faith, we can certainly follow in the footsteps of their wisdom. QC particularly recommends emulating their lifestyles marked by radical sanctification and spiritual sensitivity.
Perhaps the simplest and most Scripturally astute advice for developing and maintaining sensitivity to the Spirit of God was developed by Evan Roberts, the leading figure of the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival.
- “The revival lasted less than a year, but in that time 100,000 people were converted. Begun as an effort to kindle non-denominational, non-sectarian spirituality, the Welsh revival of 1904-05 coincided with the rise of the labour movement, socialism, and a general disaffection with religion among the working class and youths. Placed in context, the short-lived revival appears as both a climax for Nonconformism and a flashpoint of change in Welsh religious life. The movement spread to Scotland and England, with estimates that a million people were converted in Britain. Missionaries subsequently carried the movement abroad; it was especially influential on the Pentecostal movement emerging in California."
Grasping the importance of attracting, rather than grieving the Holy Spirit, Roberts promoted an elegant 4-fold strategy.
- Confess any known sin to God and put any wrong done to others right.
- Put away any doubtful habit.
- Obey the Spirit promptly.
- Confess your faith in Christ publicly.
Whoever and wherever we are, it behoves each of us to do our best. Preferably in groups of two or more. The correlation between connectivity and causation are quantum truths. In both the physical and spiritual world. In regards to the unity of diversity, the New Testament likens Christ’s Kingdom to a single body comprised of a myriad of parts functioning as a cohesive whole. Thus we all have vital roles to play. Ones in which we are far stronger together. As Scripture attests:
- “I’ll make the country a place of peace—you’ll be able to go to sleep at night without fear; I’ll get rid of the wild beasts; I’ll eliminate war. You’ll chase out your enemies and defeat them: Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand and do away with them. I’ll give you my full attention: I’ll make sure you prosper, make sure you grow in numbers, and keep my covenant with you in good working order.” Leviticus 26:8-10 The Message - Emphasis QC's
Rise up O men of God
Have done with lesser things
Give heart and soul and mind and strength
To serve the King of Kings
To serve the King of Kings
Rise up O men of God
His Kingdom tarries long
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong
And end the night of wrong
Rise up O men of God
The Church for you doth wait
Send forth to serve the needs of men
In Christ our strength is great
In Christ our strength is great
Lift high the Cross of Christ
Tread where His feet have trod
As brothers of the Son of Man
Rise up O men of God
Rise up O men of God
Our response, or lack thereof, to the cause of Christ and humanity, holds equally great and grave potential. In both time and eternity. Through chains of causation, the rise or fall of friends and family, society and entire generations rests in our hands. As exemplified in the old proverb, For Want of a Nail:
For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the message was lost.
For want of a message the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
While partial visible today, only eternity will reveal the full extent of all that has been forever lost for want of honest and vigorous prayer and Bible study, discipleship and evangelism. Wherever and whenever possible, we highly suggest Prophet Christians move beyond mere Christian fellowship and church attendance, into and through the crucible of deeply repentive and strategic corporate prayer. See GB's Prayer of Anguish.
A deep dive into the lives and ministries, writings and legacies of Charles Finney and Smith Wigglesworth reveal a quantum path in seeking and serving God. Particularly in regards to the rigors of radical discipleship and the restoration of power evangelism. Essential components when advocating for personal and corporate revival in the modern world.
Both men were 200% committed to Christ. Each, in their own respective ways, lived and ministered with perhaps the greatest authentic and documented anointing seen in centuries. Neither allowed a hint worldliness or unbelief, doubtful habits or subtle sin, to diminish their Scriptural power and authority. Nor did either, for even a moment, dare grieve the Holy Spirit from Whom their spiritual strength flowed. Even so, while yielding unprecedented results, their effectiveness and expertise focused on nearly opposite facets of Christian faith.
Finney's life and work majored on repentance and service. Godly fear and love for Christ, without compromise, required vigorous and demanding holiness and sanctification. No dualistic or double-minded lifestyles. The reward for which was the glorification of God and expansion of His Kingdom. Finney's cry was for radical Christian experience resulting from extreme sanctification to God. For the sake of God's own infinite goodness. A goodness that closed not only bars and brothels, but dance halls and theaters, far and wide. Often for years after he had come and gone. All this while simultaneously expanding social services and outreach for those in need at levels previously unseen.
Wigglesworth life and work majored on belief and miracles. Absolute faith in the love of Christ, without doubt, also required vigorous and demanding holiness and sanctification. Again, no dualistic or double-minded lifestyles. The reward for which was experiencing and sharing the absolute power and glory of the unequalled goodness of Christ and His Kingdom. Wigglesworth's cry was never to leave a Christian meeting without a life altering encounter, if not collision, with the Spirit's fruit and gifts. Gifts of phenomenal healings and deliverances that enabled and empowered the fullest expression of Christ's inconceivable love and grace. The experience of which created individual and corporate cravings to fully please, and never grieve, the Holy Spirit of promise.
Prophetic Christians do well to meditate on Finney and Wigglesworth in hopes of replicating their unique and unsurpassed anointing. Doing so, mindful of Christ's warning to His first disciples, "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." Perhaps God may yet raise up true heirs to their legacy in this late and troubled hour.
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