Bethlehem was God with us, Calvary was God for us,
and Pentecost is God in us. - Robert Baer
With 2.5 billion Christians, and 5 billion of our counterparts, all facing modern life’s onslaught of doubt and worldliness, there's never been more wood for the flame of Pentecost's fire. Equally obvious is Churchianity desperate need of revival, if not reformation.
In regards to the birth and exponential growth of Christianity, the vital role of 1st Century Pentecost can hardly be over emphasized. While 21st Century Christians enjoy the privilege of billions of Bibles to guide us, the deceptions and distractions of modern life have splintered the true Gospel into a myriad of sects offering various versions of Christ. Prophetic Christians recognize the deepening need for a genuine and sustainable return to the truth of Scripture, yet how few are willing to honestly and diligently seek God for a new global Pentecost with an immediate tactical yield of about a Million Upper Rooms!
While they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God’s Word with fearless confidence. The whole congregation of believers was united as one - one heart, one mind. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them.
- Acts 4:31-33 MSG
It’s easy for those fortunate enough to live in the best of times to miss the full nature of the spiritual struggle around us. With so much to enjoy and be distracted by, it’s far simpler and pleasant to see the cup as at least half full. Yet Scripture reveals a darker side to life where suffering and sin aren’t just symptomatic of bad luck and mistakes, but signs of evil and an Evil One. As Paul reminds:
- “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12 King James Version
A more contemporary version explains it this way:
“This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.” Ephesians 6:12-13 The Message
That depends on us. To what degree are we aware and involved in this crucial struggle? How well are our weapons working? It’s been noted the answer to the first question can be summed up in just three words from the previous opening verse “We wrestle not…” While pithy, with Hell to loose and Heaven to gain, such an admission is hardly funny. Also troubling is that when it comes to gaining proficiency with Heaven’s arsenal, even simplistic movies like “War Room” reveal that when it comes to serious prayer for even our own families, there’s much work to be done. Yet, with such immense stakes in both time and eternity, could there be a more worthy pursuit? The clock is running down for each and all of us. With so much confusion and so little power, we can ill afford to ignore such tremendous need.
In regards to the birth and exponential growth of Christianity, the vital role of 1st century Pentecost can hardly be over emphasized. While 21st century Christians enjoy the privilege of billions of Bibles to guide us, the deceptions and distractions of modern life have splintered the true Gospel into a myriad of sects. Each offering various versions of Christ. Prophetic Christians recognize the deepening need for a genuine and sustainable return to the truth of Scripture. Along with a resurgence of the miraculous power necessary to demonstrate its validity. Yet, how few are willing to honestly and diligently seek God for a new global Pentecost. One with an immediate tactical yield of about a million upper rooms!
Considering such a journey begs a question or two:
Didn't we already have a Pentecost? Yes.
Isn't one enough? Like so many important questions, the quantum answer is both yes and no.
Christianity was birthed and empowered on Pentecost, some 50 days after the Passover preceding Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. The anniversary of which Protestants are hardly aware and most Catholics take small notice. Nevertheless, Pentecost is unquestionably one of the three most important historical days for Christendom. If not mankind.
In the Book of Acts, Pentecost was marked by the Holy Spirit's arrival as ball lightening, with spontaneous Christian combustion setting believer's hair spiritually aflame. The Spirit's outpouring afforded direction and miracles, signs and wonders, without which this portion of Scripture would likely have been entitled, The Book of Words.
Apostles and 1st century Christians, filled with the Spirit of God, produced the light the Church has been guided by for millennia. And by a marvel excelling that catching Moses' eye on Sinai. "Devout men from every nation" were astonished. Not by an unconsumed burning bush, but by tongues of fire dancing on believers heads. These, rejoicing at being consumed by God, burst out in unknown tongues testifying of the wondrous Gospel that would spread to cover the globe.
It’s true that the words and lives of the apostolic fathers certainly provide a lamp to our feet and light to our path. The Scriptures and the examples of the faithful, have down through the centuries afforded billions the opportunity to live and rejoice in Pentecost's brightness! Even so, we have most certainly lost our way. Wonderfully, this transformational offer is still extended. Tragically, it’s generally either rejected or accepted in little more than name only.
Our generation was not present 2,000 years ago and is in desperate need of a Pentecost of it's own. Not to produce new revelation, but a new appreciation and obedience to that already received. While Bibles in various forms are more plentiful than people, God's commands are no longer in style. More often than not they are marginalized, misinterpreted or publicly maligned.
Power evangelism and discipleship have long been usurped by anemic doctrines and practices passing into tradition. Bible study has largely been replaced by movies and music, TV and tablets, smart phones and social media.
Scriptural ignorance and misunderstanding is pandemic. Ask the average church attendee what their pastor spoke on a month ago and few remember. Much less have put what they might recall into serious practice. However, ask particularly Protestant Christians, the lyrics to a couple of favorite inappropriately intimate worship or contemporary Christian songs, and they can rattle them right off. So who's teaching doctrine to the Church today? Entertainers. And what kind of doctrine? “He loves me, He can’t love men not. I love Him, I can’t love Him not…” All set to multi-million dollar music and video.
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His Name,
from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers,
no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
In song and sermon a myriad of spiritual giants like Charles and John Wesley also repeatedly stressed the duty of the church militant to train Christians as soldiers to stand against the Adversary and his temptations. Today, Churchianity stresses little more than the misnomer of God’s unconditional loving acceptance, thus inspiring lifestyles largely indistinct from our worldly counterparts. Far from soldiers, we hardly qualify as wise civilians, or even measure up to yesterday's honest heathens.
Quantumly, rapid incrementalism is a leading reason behind recent reversals. Those cruising aboard a ship feel little motion. The lack of momentum between passengers and crew gives a false sense neither are moving. Finding a point of reference beyond the ship is essential to accurately gauge course and speed. The same is true for a culture or an entire generation. Change, even relentless and radical change, can be so slow and subtle as to be hardly noticed. This is one of many reasons God provides Scripture as a trustworthy sextant and compass. Together with the orthodoxy of past generations, reference points make it possible to accurately plot our present position and heading. Much harder is to admit what such readings reveal. In point of fact, we've so lost our course that a new paradigm is needed.
Terminal velocity, reached in free fall by skydivers, provides a more accurate description of our current dilemma. As I can personally attest, jumping from a plane one quickly accelerates to maximum or terminal velocity. Amazingly, once reached, there is literally no sense of falling. So much so, at night skydivers use body position to orientate themselves until passing beneath cloud cover reveals lights below. The effect is so euphoric that many become addicted to the sport. The analogy is spiritually perfect. To the extent our exuberance over the best of times eclipse concern over the worst of times, falling literally feels like flying. Nevertheless reality only offers one of two options. Deployment or impact. And deployment equates to impact, if not done properly and timely.
The good news is that God, having foreseen our current eventuality, has filled the Bible with prophetic advice for just such a contingency. The bad news is, as previously mentioned, few are listening. Not many today make a habit of studying the Scriptures and being studied by them. Not even to the point of simply correctly interpreting their basic tenants. Less still understand the unparalleled judgment in store for America and the First World. Such Biblical illiteracy is as mind boggling as it is chilling. As believers living in the information age, any fact or figure is instantly available. Yet even with our very blessings cursed, we continue with business as usual. Refusing to pay attention, we sing a little louder. A habit reportedly developed by believers in Nazi Germany, attempting to drown out the noise of the trains running Jews to death camps.
Revival, a renewed sense and experience of the dynamic presence of God, is a hope and prayer that has been shared by billions. While some sects of Christianity are more open to charismatic experience, those desiring to be filled with the Spirit’s fruit and gifts, come from all denominations and backgrounds. Revival also carries with it the connotation of renewed success in evangelism and discipleship. Both sorely needed today.
According a leading report, 34% of the world preferred Christianity to other religions. At least when it comes to checking a box. “According to a 2017 study by the Public Religion Research Institute, approximately 69% of the Americans identified themselves as Christians, with 45% professing attendance at a variety of churches that could be considered Protestant, and 20% professing Catholic beliefs.”
A further examination, matching personal belief systems and lifestyles to Biblically mandated ones, decreases the number of authentic Christians substantially. Such a reassessment likely holds true globally. Depending on just how close to the bone God makes the cut. Remember Christ terrible Parable of the Ten Virgins. Truth be told, 10% or less may actually be living an acceptable lifestyle. Billions espouse some kind of belief in Jesus. Yet only a remnant of a remnant submit to Christ as Lord. The only kind of “belief” Scripture deems acceptable.
With a global population of 7.5 billion, even a 10% salvation rate is appalling. All the more so given today’s mortality rate: “According to the CIA World Factbook, as of July 2012, the global crude death rate was 7.99 deaths/1,000 population." Globally, about 7.5 million die per year, 20,500 per day, etc. Such accounting alone should be enough to drive all of Christendom to it's knees until an unprecedented global revival breaks out. The again, with cessationist misinterpreting Scripture and charismatics misreporting reality, who’s even looking for the drastic turn around so desperately needed?
Spiritual truths, often quantum in nature, may have more in keeping with a philosophy and theology of both/and rather than either/or. The cessation vs. charismatic question is just such a religious/social paradox. On the one hand, clearly the extraordinary and/or miraculous gifts of the Spirit were instrumental in testifying to the authenticity and power of message of the apostles. Much of which would come to be canonized into the New Testament. Furthermore, traditionalists and conservatives from both camps would agree that the Old and New Testaments represent a unique and completed work of the highest authority.
Yet each argues, from these very Scriptures, what is often an apposing viewpoint regarding spiritual gifts. In his Strange Fire conference, the globally syndicated John MacArthur objecting to both doctrine and often outlandish practice, has gone so far as to publicly excommunicate charismatics in toto from Christendom. Equally emphatic in his book by the same name.
If only a remnant of the remnant would admit and confess our worldliness and sin, entering into the kind of Prayer of Anguish required by James 4 with missionary zeal, we might yet fully recovering the genuine fruit, and gifts of the Holy Spirit! Particularly that of repentantly and routinely healing the sick.
Still, for a multitude of reasons, we delay. Furthermore, fearing failure, we build bulwarks of justifications to excuse our powerlessness. Even Charismatics settle for crumbs when it comes to the miraculous. When comparing our record against that of the Gospels and/or Book of Acts, we content ourselves with a healing here or there. Almost as if the exception proves the rule.
Cessationism has no need for such spiritual contortions. The lack of the miraculous across the board strongly supports the viewpoint miracles have largely ceased since the apostolic age and canonization of Scripture. An assertion, some suggest, the New Testament itself would seem to support:
- "Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 NIV
Clearly, this passage reinforces the promised and blessed hope of complete transformation when in eternity the faithful behold Christ, "But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure."
Simple and straightforward interpretation of this and all such Scriptures, moves with rather than against the flow of the entire New Testament. Taken together, they provide compelling testimony that all the fruit and gifts of the Spirit remain available. For those Scripturally and spiritual honest enough to admit the truth. And train themselves and others, becoming effectually fervent and righteous enough to "take it by force."
A review of Scripture renders a clear and decisive verdict on the matter. Simply put, examples and teachings on spiritual gifts abound throughout the entire New Testament. Without which, neither the 1st or 21st century church could fully forward, much less fulfill, Christ’s great commission.
Wikipedia records the following cursory review of just a handful of many helpful passages:
The cessationist are right to both note and object to unfortunate subtle and obtuse, unbiblical and nonsensical practices by innumerable charismatics for over a century. Nevertheless, they are equally wrong to assert Scripture forbids the seeking and implementing of genuine spiritual gifts. In fact, both are mandated pursuits required by the New Testament. A point made obvious in just a single chapter regarding the subject:
- “What I want to talk about now is the various ways God’s Spirit gets worked into our lives. This is complex and often misunderstood, but I want you to be informed and knowledgeable.” 1 Corinthians 12:1 The Message
- “God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful: wise counsel, clear understanding, simple trust, healing the sick, miraculous acts, proclamation, distinguishing between spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues, All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 The Message
- “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues?" Do all interpret?” 1 Corinthians 12:27-30 New International Version
- “Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.” 1 Corinthians 12:31 New International Version
- “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:13-16 New International Version
This may go a long way in explaining the hostile doctrines of cessationists, as well as the exaggerated claims of charismatics.
In the case of the modern practice of “speaking in tongues,” and to a lesser degree “prophecy,” misunderstanding abounds of both sides of the aisle. In regards to the latter, charismatics by and large reject the assertion that contemporary personal prophetic words are offered with anything close to the authority of Scripture. Unfortunately, use of phrases such as “Thus saith the Lord” only add to the confusion and should be avoided for many reasons. Not the least of which is a dismal track record of doctrinal error and inaccuracy.
Regarding the former, the often misinterpreted and even decisive subject of speaking the tongues, Scripture reveals two unappreciated yet salient points of clarification:
- Speaking in tongues is certainly among the spiritual gifts offered by the Holy Spirit to Christ’s church. - 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
- Scripture would seem to suggest there are at least five viable categories of tongues.
Prior to the Day of Pentecost, a group of the highest trained and motivated Disciples turned Apostles strove for until receiving the promise of the Father, i.e. the compete infilling of the Holy Spirit. This transformation outpouring far exceeded all their previous extremely impressive spiritual experiences and exploits. Up to and including Christ’s individual calling and training, as well as miraculously healing the sick and casting out demons. Not to mention Jesus already breathing on them while commanding, “receive” the Holy Spirit.
If anyone could claim to have already responded to God, to the point of working miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit, it was such as these.
Rather, obeying Christ’s command to them, and by extension and example all future believers, they chose to tarry until you receive power from on high. In an upper room experience they were united “in one accord” with other extremely serious believers in what may well have been the most fervent Christian prayer meeting in history. Lasting for weeks, they undoubtedly cried out to the resurrected Messiah whom they had just witness vanishing in clouds of glory, leaving them utterly alone. This at at time when Jew and Roman alike wanted them silenced, if not dead.
Little wonder, praying as if their very lives depended on it, they continued to do so until bursting into spontaneous spiritual combustion.
From these points we glean that there are levels of yielding to and empowerment by the Holy Spirit. As well as the importance of seriously seeking to progress from lessor to greater degrees of both.
On the Day of Pentecost these unique and exemplary Christian men and women encountered God in a way previously unknown. One of several evidenced of which was speaking “in other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance.” From that event, the Apostles walked in a wisdom and power far beyond their own education and resource, causing even their enemies to take note:
- “Now when the men of the Sanhedrin (Jewish High Court) saw the confidence and boldness of Peter and John, and grasped the fact that they were uneducated and untrained [ordinary] men, they were astounded, and began to recognize that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in reply.” Acts 4:13-14 Amplified Bible
Case in point, the minimum five varieties of the gift to tongues as represented in the New Testament are frequently lumped into a single category. Both by practitioners and detractors alike. They are as follows:
- Ecstatic utterance as evidence of being Filled with the spirit
- Speaking in unlearned languages (of men and angels)
- Public expression without interpretation
- Public expression with interpretation
- Private devotional language
- “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.” Acts 10:44-46 New International Version
- “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place, and suddenly a sound came from heaven like a rushing violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. There appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were being distributed [among them], and they rested on each one of them [as each person received the Holy Spirit]. And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (different languages), as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out [clearly and appropriately].” Acts 2:1-4 Amplified Bible (AMP)
- “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.” 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 New International Version
- “Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?” 1 Corinthians 14:6 New International Version
- “For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.” 1 Corinthians 14:13-17 New International Version
All but universally mistaken for one, if not all four greater levels of spiritual infilling, innumerable errors in doctrine and practice hamper rather than help those seeking to truly experience and walk in the Spirit. Often and regrettably to the point of meriting Paul’s rebuke to his beloved self same Corinthians, “I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.”
Nevertheless, private devotion tongues come with an incredible, albeit somewhat convoluted endorsement:
- “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.” 1 Corinthians 14:18-20 New International Version
- “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27 New International Version
- “But if all prophesy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and an unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted [of his sins] by all, and he is called to account by all [because he can understand what is being said]; the secrets of his heart are laid bare. And so, falling on his face, he will worship God, declaring that God is really among you.” 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 Amplified Bible
- “Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:20-23 New King James Version
Such sorely needed men and women recognize the Bible was written by and tells the stories of people who cultivated and experienced great revival. Saints, while no doubt our betters, still offer encouragement and counsel to even such as we.
A sentiment captured by a few lines from Alfred Tennyson’s Ulysses:
“Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are —
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
Literature and life about with examples of circumstance demanding the foolish and weak put on wisdom and strength. In the movie, “The Edge” Anthony Hopkins famously forces Alex Baldwin to man up in regards to killing a blood crazed giant grizzly with a sharpened tree limb. Shamed by ancient rights of passage of natives who did as much, Baldwin’s bid to continue shouting the truism, “What one man can do, another can do” until he believes.
Our current spiritual need of Pentecost’s fire, coupled with life's hardships and uncertainties, join to create a desperate need to touch and be touched by the Eternal. Throughout history, for better and worse, this innate desire has translated into faith. Often inspiring both the best and worst of humanity. Heavenly and hellish acts of the religious fill annals. Within and without the Church, saints and sinners feel driven, committing the deeds of angles and devils. All while striving for a happiness few can define.
Without the fullness of the Spirit, mankind anthropomorphizes God and Scripture, reshaping both in our image. Sin, in it's lusts for pleasure and wealth, sex and drugs, crime and violence, etc. are heaped, generation after generation, into the void of the human soul. A quantum vacuum at once infinitesimal and immense, fleeting and eternal. Filled with aspirations and cravings satisfied by nothing less than the abiding presence and glory of God.
Within modern Christianity, while much conspires to create a wish for revival, amazingly little genuine effort and resource are expended in it's pursuit. This is not to say that books and audios, events and conferences, don't abound on the subject. TV and radio, podcast and apps promote and promise it. Yet, all such effort combined is merely a drop of water in an ocean of often misdirected religious activities and tradition. Given the considerations already addressed, clearly these activities have been far from successful.
A good question is why? While legalism is anathema to Churchianity, honest realism is invaluable. If only a fraction of a percent of Christians are seriously seeking God, our chances of collectively pleasing Him are small. Doing so to the point of initiating another outpouring like Pentecost are minuscule, given we've merited judgment not further blessings. Nevertheless, the is the only work worthy of the Times and Season in which we live. As Winston Churchill famously noted, "Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm."
Pursuing revival equates to pursuing God. The same God we are so greatly offending. Such an endeavor is quantum in nature. When we draw near to God He draws near to us. If we do so acceptably. We pursue Him, yet He pursues us. Either for the sake of mercy or judgment. We desire Him, yet He originates and/or frustrates this desire.
This is particularly true when we’ve continually “insulted the Spirit of Grace.” In ever new and greater measure. Knowingly or not.
Revival devotees often feel they've been waiting on God. Years and decades pass longing for an outpouring of His Spirit. More likely the opposite is true. Given modern sins of commission and lack of enthusiasm for the things of God, particularly the kind of repentance He's enthusiastic about, it's little wonder revival lags. What is curious is why we wait to pursue revival whole heartedly. With billions of lives and souls at stake, the riches of Heaven to gain and the pains of Hell to loose, what could be more profitable? Yet, literally nothing is more rare than Christians wisely and strategically committed to this cause.
Even so, the mystery of why revival tarries may be elementary. For example, some have suggested Winnie the Pooh as a working metaphor for the Holy Spirit. None need wonder what attracts Winnie. Honey. And lots of it. Similarly, to spark and feed a revival we need only do those things that attract, rather than repel, God’s Holy Spirit .
As mentioned, Paul admonished Christians to have the dedication to Christ and His eternal Kingdom possessed by athletes, farmers and soldiers to their earthly endeavors. Arguably athletes are the the least committed of this group. Yet even amateur athletes routinely invest several hours daily honing their skill. They and their coaches ruthlessly examine and evaluate their performances and insist on bettering them. All this they do for a worldly reward. It would seem the “children of light” could indeed stand to learn a thing or two from their counterparts when it comes to diligence and dedication.
Good excuses for not seeking revival with this kind of intensity abound. The afore mentioned Pentecostal Paradox is a leading cause for the lack of serious and concentrated efforts in this area. Oddly, official and unofficial denominational positions on the subject reveal that the two major viewpoints on revival are opposite in nature, yet have the same negative effect of dampening its pursuit.
The earmarks of the New Testament's Pentecost were the kinds of signs and wonders Jesus not only performed but predicted His followers would do in even greater ways. Christ, the Word made flesh, taught by show and tell. He used wonders to draw crowds and signs to point His target audience to the truth of His message.
His disciples followed suit in the Book of Acts. In the Gospel of Mark’s account of the Great Commission Jesus declares miraculous signs and wonders would follow, not only the apostles, but those who believed their message.
James' epistle also makes it clear that the sick would be routinely healed. He orders the elders of the church to anoint them with oil. He declares that the elder's prayer of faith would heal them. The passage continues by assuring their sins would also be forgiven, reinforcing the previously referred to healing was physical, not spiritual, in nature. Should one cut from the New Testament all the passages dealing with miracles and spiritual gifts, by way of example or admonition, one would have a “hole-ly” Bible indeed. And a far less useful read.
Thus Scripture strongly suggests that the reason for our powerlessness is that our faith and faithfulness, rather than our situation or dispensation, has changed. On the other end of the spectrum is the Charismatic movement, the modern history of which can be traced to the Holiness Movement and/or Pentecostalism. This current "dispensation" began in earnest with the Welsh Revival of 1904. The fire of which was spread round the world by its American counterpart, the Azusa St. Revival of 1906. Named after it's 312 Azusa Street Los Angeles, California address.
Over 500 million Pentecostals and Christians can trace their charismatic belief and experience back to these events. Over a century later, given the movement’s popularity, it might be hoped that a new Pentecost might at least be visible on the horizon.
Unfortunately, such is far from the case. Reasons for this are many, but the simplest is again the most significant. While, generally speaking, cessation asserts miracles have ceased, charismatics assert they occur in the lives of true believers everyday and twice on Sunday.
I know, I am one. I can honestly and sadly attest that more than 30 years of participation in, and study of, this movement has given me a unique appreciation of, and disdain for, we "crazy charismatics.”
Charismatic's are world renown for our Holy Ghost shenanigans and extravagant claims. Often based on little fact or research. Televangelist’s outlandish lifestyles and excessive bank accounts, not to mention notorious moral failures, all paraded before the public bring the entire movement into disrepute. As does over inflated "evangelistic" handling of the truth.
This is particularly damaging when concerning the miraculous. All the more so when clergy and TV evangelists, caught with their pants down so to speak, fail not only the test of holiness but that of genuine repentance. A seriously unfortunate circumstances for both believers and naysayers alike. One unbelievably repeated time and again on both the mega and micro ministry levels. Literally a sad state of affairs, artfully illustrated by my long time friend Philip C. Brewer:
There are two good reason to ignore the pursuit of something. It's failure to exist or it already being in hand. Again, today’s cessation and charismatic movements, for polar opposite reasons, have the combined net effect of rendering serious and strategic pursuit of a New Pentecost moot. What is needed is a paradigm shift that doesn't through the baby out with the bath water. While fully admitting the bath water is in desperate need of changing.
Revival tarries because we do. We tarry when it comes to thinking and speaking honesty. We tarry when it comes to confessing our sin. We tarry when it comes to acknowledging our desperate need. We tarry when it comes to seeking revival diligently. What might be helpful is a new and updated perspective. Quantum Christianity was designed to provide such a mindset. A Biblical worldview, allowing every Scripture to speak fully, provides the best platform to open an honest dialogue on this and other vital topics.
There are various and instrumental spiritual tools at our disposal. It's high time we put them to use in our own upper room where together we might seek God acceptably until our generation experiences the Spirit's ball lightening for ourselves. Rest assured fire is coming. Will it be the fire of judgment we may so richly deserve, or the fire of revival we so desperately need? One must overcome the other, seeing fire can't go where it's already gone.
Thank God Christ was willing to bare the Cross while paying the full price for our atonement. Yet, it was Jesus Himself who warned that without daily denying ourselves and carrying our cross we cannot be his disciples. Thus negating much, if not all, redemptions effect. Given today's toxic levels of the original sin of entitlement, doing so requires nothing less than being continually filled with the Holy Spirit. With eternity on the line, the choice is ours.
Addendum
The original article above was written a decade ago. Much has happened since. The first half of 2020 witnessed the global health and economic impact of COVID-19 and talk of worldwide contact and/or tech tracing of individuals. In the U.S. alone thirty three million sought unemployment benefits within two months and in matter of days massive rioting and looting spread coast to coast over George Floyd's unfortunate death. See GB articles COVID-19 and Prayer of Anguish.
The author is well aware that the premise of these articles, if not Quantum Christianity in toto, are easily rejected. More demanding New Testament principles are not only challenging, but abrasive. To this end, Søren Kierkegaard, the prodigious 19th century Danish theologian and poet, religious author and first existentialist philosopher warned that authentic Biblical Christianity is not for the timid, "It is the deepest wound that can be dealt to a person designed to collide with everything on the most appalling scale.” Such a sentiment reinforces the need for Quantum hope and costly honesty. Both prerequisites of "accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth."
If Christianity’s a cruise ship sailing merrily from here to Heaven, then Søren’s sentiment is way out of line. If, from an eternal perspective, Heaven and Earth are at war with fallen angels and devils, Christianity is indeed a battleship and Kierkegaard’s spot on. What recruit facing the rigors of boot camp, much less the horrors of war, would possibly take offense?
Even if Christianity could be likened to a pleasure cruise, given Churchianity’s collision course with so many modern temptations and deceptions, up to an including the blood red mountainous iceberg of abortion, in certain respects might even many well intended ministries be reduced to simply arranging deck chairs on the Titanic?
So is Christianity a cruise or gunship? We must decide. And do so quickly and carefully. Military directives and drills, cramped quarters and sea rations, would be absurd on a pleasure cruise. So too, civilian itineraries and activities, opulent suites and sumptuous banquets, would be anathema during a time of war.
It can’t be overstated that according to the context of Scripture, the battlefield is not a mythical analogy, but rather eternity’s reality. This partially explains the Bible’s harsh or even horrible accounts of earthly conflict. An explanation pampered modern Christians refuse to accept. Thus our failure to acknowledge the New Testament's call to arms.
Another small problem with the primary tenants of these articles is that they are impossible. Tasking today's believers with not only experiencing, but routinely performing the miraculous, is patently absurd. Yet, Christianity is synonymous with impossibility. From the incarnation by virgin birth to the atonement and resurrection. From Kingdom signs and wonders to the entire Book of Revelation.
Faith producing miracles is by definition rare. Should mountain removing levels of mustard seed faith be common, the world would be quite a different place. Even so, The New Testament is not only replete with the miraculous, but depended on it. Both as a foundation for 1st century Christianity, as well as a litmus test for Biblical authority and power evangelism/discipleship. Nothing is more troubling and telling than modern Christianity’s lack of miracle producing levels of faith. Nor is anything more needed and necessary than its restoration. As the primary and demonstrable aspect of both the Kingdom and glory of God, its importance and influence is infinite and eternal. As are the ramifications of its continued loss.
Improbable or not, failure to face difficult, or in this case impossible truth, undermines the offer of power implicit in the New Testament. Christianity was designed to be heralded by "a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power." Without which much is left lacking. As with any split vessel, half the Gospel holds little or no promise of living water.
Even so, what modern church would open such a spiritual pandora's box? How many in positions of leadership are willing to risk all they have on an impossibility with little or no chance of success? Even if persuaded to do so, what explanation would suffice for having delayed so long? What would parishioners and colleagues think? What other unpleasantries might require addressing?
This is exactly Kierkegaard's point when sardonically stating, "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?" A reasonable question. Thankfully one asked and answered by a great cloud of witnesses, the likes of which we are told "The world was not worthy." Up to and including Martin Luther and Blaise Pascal, Charles Wesley and Hudson Taylor, Charles Finney and Smith Wigglesworth, George Müller and Evan Roberts, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Jackie Pullinger, Brother Yun and Nik Ripken. To name just a few.
Countless Christian men and women have proven the old adage, "The difficult is done at once, the impossible takes a little longer." Or as Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas, commanding Allied air, land, and sea forces during World War II is credited as praying, "God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right even though I think it is hopeless."
With such examples and so much to gain, validating and complying with the directives of James 4 hardly seems too much for God to ask. While such a demanding assignment may be problematic for entire denominations or even large congregations, a qualified insertion group of spiritual commandos might prove worthy of the task. For those hardy souls willing to venture in, we highly recommend a thorough reading of GB's Prayer of Anguish, where step by step exegesis and helpful suggestions are provided.
Spiritual Press Release
The imagined text of the Spiritual Press Release below was prayerfully written, in quantum hope, a week prior to Pentecost Sunday 2020, as if offered the day after:
By the end of May churches across America, and much if not most of the world, had been shuttered for months. Bowing to pressure he helped create, on May 22 President Trump finally declared that in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, houses of worship were essential and ordered state governors to remove bans against congregational gatherings. He also directed the CDC to issue reopening guidelines.
Yesterday, Pentecost Sunday 2020 came and went. Judging by millions of messages before, during and after, it was business as usual. Merely temporarily reduced in the scale.
Multitudes joined in cautious and joyful reunion, to fellowship and worship, enjoying renewed albeit limited freedom.
Conspicuously absent from this oft forgot religious anniversary were remarks targeting, much less prayerful confessions regarding, our doubtful habits and besetting sins. Beliefs and lifestyles having reduced modern Christianity to our current deplorable state.
False doctrines embraced by scores of sects were happily resumed, rather than repentantly redressed. Habitual justification of anemic faith, by teaching and obeying half the Gospel or less, continued unabated. Reinforced by the false comforts of assumed salvation and presumptive worship.
Subdued services on this anniversary of Pentecost failed to note the height of irony. Few if any, gathering on the memorial of the birth of the church by Holy Ghost fire dancing on the heads and tongues of fully sanctified 1st century believers, soulfully lamented the spiritual pandemic of powerless so blatantly pervasive in the 21st.
After months of costly and mountainous evidence, growing concerns regarding conspiracies and conspirators arose here and there. Yet none concerning our own. A conspiracy of silence through designer doctrine artfully concealing the loss of the gifts of the Spirit offered and imparted on the original day of Pentecost. As both Christianity‘s birthright and responsibility. Particularly telling has been the wholesale theft of the children's bread of Divine deliverance and miraculous healing.
Pulpits were silent on the issue for obvious reasons. Not the least of which being the need to placate parishioners and replenish bank accounts. Elders were shielded from suspicion, much less inquiry, regarding their unacknowledged and unmet responsibility to heal the sick and forgive sins through the prayer of faith. Ministries and worship teams we’re not only given a pass, but were celebrated for their resolve and resourcefulness in employing technology and social media to provide comfort and assurance. In obfuscated opposition to the spiritual Koinonia and unity marking the first Pentecost, Churchianity joined in false harmony proclaiming, “Peace, peace, when there is no peace.”
What fingers were pointed targeted ubiquitous and growing levels of temptation and deception, immorality and sin. All conveniently outside the camp. While right to do so, we were equally wrong in failing to discern and confess the plain and simple heart of the matter. That the presence and power of darkness grows in direct proportion to the absence and impotence of light. Both naturally and supernaturally.
Here again, as ever before, little or no heed was paid to the more numerous fingers pointing back at us. Thus the primary and principal lessons from not only the global health and economic crisis of COVID-19, but the coming and going of Easter and now Pentecost, was lost on the spiritually shuttered eyes and ears of modern Christianity. Even Prophetic Christians failed to enter the crucible of James 4's Prayer of Anguish. Thus tragically, the only people on earth possessing even a remote hope of hearing and rightly responding to what the Spirit is saying to the church, yet again refused to listen.
God have mercy. Christ have mercy.
Update:
COVID-19 Pentecost 2020 came and went as predicted. Sermons before, during and after continued to be status quo and seeker friendly. Many minored on the topic of change, yet remained mired along traditional lines. Most justified previous positions, with little or no questioning regarding the problem of powerlessness made obvious by C-19. Few, if any, offered deep dives into such crucial topics as worldliness and entitlement, brokenness and repentance, sanctification and unanswered prayer. Passages like 2 Chronicles 7:14 were given lip service at best. James 4's Prayer of Anguish was ignored entirely.
Here and there, the importance of Pentecost was raised without doing the subject justice. Much less pinpointing the glaring global need for a new Pentecost of our own. If and when talk of a Sacred Assembly arose, there was little interest in even discussing prerequisite pre-revival repentance. In regards to healing the sick or the importance of power evangelism and discipleship, there were no mentions of our fall from grace. No church councils were convened to address the matter. No team tasked to recover the gifts of the Spirit.
What could and should have been our finest hour, was largely our darkest.
Sermon titles and subjects varied. Some more interesting than others. Yet nary a one chose the clearest text of all. "Behold I stand at the door and knock." Rampant and rising levels of temptation and deception, immorality and sin on display everywhere. Both without and within modern Christianity. The threat of present and future global pandemics abound. Economic tribulation reverberating worldwide. Forty three million seeking unemployment benefits in the U.S. alone. George Floyd rioting and looting from coast to coast. The specter of apocalyptic events appear looming on the horizon…
Makes one wonder how much louder He needs to knock.
For additional information regarding these and related topics please the scores of embedded links as well as GB Articles: Prayer of Anguish, Missing Something, Litmus Test, Pre-Revival Repentance, A New Pentecost, If My People, Prophetic Advice, Sacred Assembly and Renewal, Revival, or Reformation.
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