Stages of Revival

By Apostle Aje Pelser Harvester Reformational Church, Cape Town, Jan 2014

 

I once understood by the Spirit that the flames of Revival are for purposes of Reform.

 

We have seen wonderful revivals from century to century but then fundamental truths need to be engrained into the operations of functional churches, or else another revival will come and go and sustainable change remains a carrot that dangles in front of a religious generation, hungry for God but unwilling to make the changes that are required to allow Jesus to build His glorious Church.

 

In Hosea we read how much God loves His people and how a Prophet acted out buying back an immoral wife as a picture of forgiveness.

In chapter 14 there are clear stages of revival that will lead to reform if understood and applied by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

 

SCRIPTURES:

Hos 14:1  O Israel, return to the LORD your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;

Hos 14:2  Take words with you, And return to the LORD. Say to Him, \””Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.

Hos 14:3  Assyria shall not save us, We will not ride on horses, Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, \’You are our gods.\’ For in You the fatherless finds mercy.\””

Hos 14:4  \””I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him.

Hos 14:5  I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon.

Hos 14:6  His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his fragrance like Lebanon.

Hos 14:7  Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain, And grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

Hos 14:8  \””Ephraim shall say, \’What have I to do anymore with idols?\’ I have heard and observed him. I am like a green cypress tree; Your fruit is found in Me.\””

Hos 14:9  Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them. God will heal backsliding

OUR ROLE is SIMPLE, in fact we do very little and God is the one who revives and reforms by His Spirit – not by our might and power…

 

Stage 1: RETURN!
Return. The words used for return and backsliding share the same root that includes the meanings “convert, deliver, rescue, restore and retrieve – to fetch back home. But the word carries with it a negative connotation if the direction is reversed. One can return to old ways and sin like a dog to his vomit. Soul ties can be broken and deliverance can take place to remove the old ways. New creation realities in Christ Jesus are a wonderful orientation into the new you in Christ. Remember how we could not change ourselves? How then? By taking heed according to Your Word,

Psa 119:9  How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.

Psa 119:10  With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

Psa 119:11  Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

Psa 119:12  Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes.

 

We have heard that we should turn our hearts to God. That David was a man after God’s own heart who would do all His will. It means that David was after what was in God’s heart as well as God having a heart for david because of his faith and sacrifice of praise. The key of David spoken of in revelation unlocks a new testament reality of grace.

Returning to God daily in repentant prayer is a life style. We are busy with a continual metamorphosis by the Spirit of God. It is not just saying sorry but re-turning one’s heart to the Father God of all souls. Your maker, the Potter as we heard last week. Let him remould us from within…

Acknowledge stumbling because of iniquity

 

Stage 2: PRAY
Take the right words to God in prayer:.

Say to Him, \””Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.”

Jesus also taught us the principle of prayer and how to Approach God in the Lord’s Prayer.

Only Jesus’ blood can redeem us from our sins.

 

Stage 3: Receive GOD’S RESPONSE

People experience God’s Love

God’s Anger turns when people repent

God’s Care is Manifested

Growth occurs (Grow like a lily – a lily is in the right place – the swamp!)

Communion Develops – Lengthen Roots –  like Lebanon – see Cedars of Lebanon

Commission is fulfilled – “Branches Spread”

God Beautifies the Meek with Salvation – Psa 149:2  Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Psa 149:3  Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

Psa 149:4  For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

Sacrifice releases a Sweet Fragrance of Church to the World – Php 4:18  Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

Php 4:19  And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

People return to God and are Revived

People Dwell under the Shadow of the Almighty – Psalms 91.

Engraftment into the Vine – causes growth of long term fruit. John 15

Idols are forsaken (Like in Ephesus) Acts 19

Cypress tree Principle…

Fruitfulness – Isa 29:17  Is it not yet a very little while Till Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, And the fruitful field be esteemed as a forest?

 

Wisdom and Understanding Establishes “Wise will understand, the Prudent will know…)

The REFORM:

People will then walk in God’s Ways – God’s Spirit will continually cultivate a lifestyle of Righteousness and the fruit that we desire will be evident, the world will see the manifestation of the true sons of God!