By John Abiola
” Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”(Matthew 28:19-20. AMP)
In my earlier articles, I explained in simple terms what Revival is, but to give you a deeper understanding of this, I would state here that: Revival is derived from the Latin word “revivere” which means to live again.
In Greek, the word revival is given as “chayan” which is similar to the Latin, means to bring back to life. Revival could also mean “to restore to consciousness” or “to restore to a previous condition”.
From my viewpoint, Revival is an outpouring of His Spirit for the purpose of transformation which definitely brings about Reformation.
This is in relation to the Greek and Latin word for revival which is “to live again” or “to bring back to life”
Joining these two multi-syllabic words (Transformation and Reformation) in a concise word means “change.” To transform means to change, and to reform also mean change.
So in other words “revival means change”
I have come to realize that most revival is triggered in a moment and situation of hopelessness, melancholy, and discombobulation.
To state my point palpably, revival has always occurred when there is social, political, and economic decadence and sin, wickedness, and all manner of evil running wild amidst God’s people and in the land.
It occurs when from all appearances there is no hope, not a ray of light that can illuminate the present gross darkness in the land.
These are crucial moments in God’s master plan where God steps down in the power of the Holy Spirit, manifesting Himself through visions and dreams, using individuals, thereby placing a deep burden in their hearts to travail fervently in prayers.
These individuals are agents of change or instruments of revival (read Acts 2). They are always used as unfettered tools in the hands of God to propel the movement of change in such dire situations.
In other words, they are God’s sword bearers to precipitate a reforming move that will usher in a mighty revolution that would bring backslidden children of God to their knees, weeping for mercy and forgiveness and turning completely from their sins.
Multitudes of non-believers are not left away in this moment of change, their hearts are turned in faith towards Christ Jesus.
A time like this is when God exposes sins, corruption, decadence, and wickedness on the part of clerics, spiritual leaders, false prophets, and Apostles as well as the blindness or shortsightedness and ignorance of those following them.
This continued move brings about knowledge and understanding of the Word of God. It also brings consciousness of eternity to Christians.
It brings sanctification, awakening from apathy towards the things of God, and It abrogates ignorance, evokes unity, love, and joy in the Church, brings hope to the hopeless, healing to marriages and broken homes.
It brings adequate knowledge and understanding of biblical revival, prayer, mission, and holiness, It enables operations of the gifts and manifestation of the fruits of the Holy Spirit in the Church, It never fails to bring acute revelation of what hovers around that country or Church spiritually that led to a dead state and atmosphere.
This revelation propels the second stage of change, which is mostly a Judgemental change (one that removes and replaces). The first change I pinpointed was the change of reformation and transformation which means “bringing back to life.”
However, the Second stage is the Judgemental change. This stage is a stage of evacuation and re-selection.
More emphasis on the second stage of Change:
As a foremost revivalist and historian of revivals, Dr. J. Edwin Orr makes an interesting statement in his last sermon, a day before his death which was titled “Revival is Like Judgment Day.“
In it, he describes how the coming of revival is almost always marked by a radical work of God in dealing with the sins of believers.
Historian of revivals, “William Castle, from Sichuan in China, said, ‘Revival means judgment day.’ That’s what happened in Shantung.
Judgment on missionaries, pastors, and people, and then fear fell on the world and God’s name was glorified. Yet people have such a wrong idea of what revival means.
They think of revival as something triumphant and an overflow of great blessings. It’s judgment day for the church, but after this judgment comes blessing abounding.”
This confirms Ecclesiastes 12:14,” For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil”
Luke.3.7 – Here is a sample of John’s preaching to the crowds that came for baptism: “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee God’s coming judgment?
Luke.3.8 – Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say, ‘We’re safe”.
*Chris Bennett’s vision*
On January 9, 2018. God showed Chris Bennett this vision of the battle in the heavenlies and the coming greatest revival in history. Read excerpts:
“Battle fire, I saw clouds of thick black smoke rising, flames everywhere. I heard cries of those in the thick of it. I saw angels dating in and out of the inferno, swords, stabbing, cutting, inflicting damage.
“I saw demons fleeing as fast as they could, and I even saw Satan far off cursing as he watched sulphur, ” is this my imagination Lord?” “No” he replied. What am I seeing then? “You are watching another battle in the heavenlies.
“I am driving Satan away, to make way and make room for the Holy Spirit to bring revival,” said the Lord. But what is your purpose in showing me this? I asked. ” So that you can see and smell that hell is as real as I describe it in My word.
“So you can warn people of the danger of them making a bad choice!” With that, I caught a smell of the Sulphur, I felt the heat of the flames, I felt the fear in the demons, and sensed the hatred of Satan!”
The Lord continued, ” Tell my people the time is short, the harvest is great, and the labourers are still few. Tell them to speak out as I prompt them and give them the word.
“Tell them I do not want to lose any whom I have marked for salvation. “Tell them.” His word echoed through my mind as I continued to watch the battle being waged. I watched and saw a mighty eagle in the sky also watching carefully.
See”. He said, ” Holy Spirit is preparing to land. He’s looking for the places prepared for Him. He brings with Him more than you can ever imagine. He brings My presence, healing, salvation, peace the fire of another Pentecost! “Another Pentecost, Lord?” ”
Yes, even what is prepared for you! Wave after wave, after wave. Outpouring here and there , and wherever needed! “The vision faded, memory remains”.
*Play a part in God’s move*
“The harvest is abundant [for there are many who need to hear the good news about salvation], but the workers [those available to proclaim the message of salvation] are few. Therefore, [prayerfully] ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest”.(Luke 10:2 AMP)
Rise up o Nigerian church! Rise up o church in Africa! The awake global body of Christ. It is time to revive the world, bring many more souls into God’s Kingdom, and prepare the ways and the nations for the imminent return of Christ.
Let us come out of the comfort and love of money, worldliness, and Idolatrous worship. Let us come out of secularism, tradition, materialism, individualism, and personal interest that have hijacked and sabotaged the Church and the world.
The things that destroy doctrines
Let us come out of the things that have destroyed the doctrines of Christ, delaying the fulfillment of the great commission, and as a result, millions are sliding daily to hell for eternity without hearing the true Gospel of the Kingdom of Christ.
Yes, some of these prophecies have been fulfilled. But what about the rest which are yet to be fulfilled? Can they come to fulfillment if we keep relaxing in our comfort zones? No. It demands great work of prayer and intercession for the conquest of the land and for the purpose of world evangelization that would push God to move in a unique way.
It would lead to the kind of revival that will restore biblical standards and values to the evangelical, Pentecostal, and Charismatic churches. Also, it would lead to a revival that would raise and release many more labourers and strengthen those already in the fields.
This would also propel God to pour out His Spirit of revival along with his fire of judgment. This places a demand on us all to become witnesses of Christ in taking radical steps to spread the gospel of the love of Christ and the undiluted word to sinners wherever they are.
I see the body of Christ in Nigeria, Africa, and the world fulfilling her prophetic destiny through you and our brothers and sisters around the world. We must not fail, we must not miss this great opportunity again, and we must rise by going down on our knees in silent cries and prayers ceaselessly.
A young poet once wrote. ‘ To kneel is to conquer and to Stand is to redeem. It’s time for the redemption of our Nation. It’s time. Let us fulfill our ministry’s mandate, our calling as individuals, as a church, and as Nations.
I want to sincerely appreciate all that has taken the Lord’s burden upon themselves around the world to sacrifice everything, their time, energy, “labouring in silent cries, prayers, and love to John Abiola and his prayer team. Great is your reward. ( 2 cor 2:11, “you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many”).
*Revival prayer*
Heavenly Father, I realize I am dead in my sin, have mercy on me, revive me and let there be a continuous outpouring of the fresh moving of the Holy Spirit and revival in the body of Christ in Nigeria and around the world, raise more labourers to evangelize the world at large and cause men and women, old and young, of all tribes, languages, colours, to proclaim your saving grace and save souls into your Kingdom in readiness for the second coming of your Son in the name of Jesus. Amen! John Abiola.
Revive Us Again series 83.
About the author:
John Abiola answered the call of God into the ministry almost 30 years ago.
He is known to spend hours in prayer with the Lord in solitude. This has given him the privilege of having several visions from God concerning the impending revival in the Church, one that would provoke repentance and renewal, that would also cause multitudes of souls to profess Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. God has also given him visions concerning a new revival coming to Nigeria. He has carried out several revival prayer journeys and preachings to people with tracts in many streets, hospitals, homes, business centres and churches in Nigeria. He is the author of books, Where is Real Happiness and
“Africa To Revive The World”, -widely distributed, and the “Revive us again” series has been promoting revival among many people and in many Nations continuously.
globalintercessors7@gmail.com
