The history of spiritual revival in King Josiah’s day is inspiring because it occurred during a time of great idolatry that was, well, probably worse than today. Though God had shown Josiah that judgment was coming to the land, nevertheless, a local spiritual revival occurred among those who were open to it before the final fall of Jerusalem occurred.
The apostle Paul prophesied of a “falling away,” an apostasy in the last days (II Th 2.3), and basically we are living in a post-Christian society. Nevertheless, God can send down a spiritual revival at any time and place and He’s not dependant on any world statistics or base support. I heard a sermon a long time ago by Jon Courson on this theme in II Kings but had renewed interest when I considered how applicable it is for us today. The following seven steps outline the revival that occurred in Josiah’s day:
1)
Repair damage to the house of God – Workers began joining together to repair the house of God (II Kings 22.5). This is important physically, but more important spiritually. In the NT, individual believers are referred to as living temples of God. (I Cor 3.16) The Church body is also referred to as a temple of living stones (I Pet 2.5). Personal healing is a step towards revival as is renewed love in the body of Christ as a whole. I Peter 4.8 says
"Above all things put on love." Love should be first on the list. Without love everything else is meaningless. In Ukraine, where I'm a missionary, there’s deep bitterness between many Ukrainians and Russians, even in the church. President Yushenko recently said
“There is no forgiveness and there will be none” referring to Stalin's infamous Bykivnya slaughtering ground.
2)
Rediscover the word of God – The scriptures had been lost but were discovered by the priest, Hilkiah (22.11). Previous kings Manasseh and Ammon tried to destroy the scriptures, much like governments and institutions today that are trying to eradicate any mention of God or the scriptures from society. But the word of God was studied and read and love for it grew.
3)
Repent of sins – When the word of God was studied Josiah repented (22.11). Like Daniel, it may have been more for the sins of his nation than for his own sins (Dan 9.5). Repentance means more than just feeling sorry for sins; it means changing direction and following God wholeheartedly.
4)
Request guidance from the Holy Spirit – Our relationship with God is not based on a formula but on a dynamic interaction. We are to seek God’s specific will for our lives. Verse 13 shows Josiah’s request and verse 16 shows God’s answer to spare Josiah from the coming judgment. In turn Josiah continued to take steps towards revival.
5)
Respond outwardly – As the word of God was being taught people responded in tangible ways. The were not “closet believers” but were willing to take a stand for God and His word (23.3)
6)
Remove all idols – One of the main responses of true repentance is the removal of any and all of the idols in our lives. Josiah had the idols burned (23.6) and this exemplifies God’s jealous love for us like a consuming fire (Deut 4.24). An idol is anything which vies for our attention or affection over and above our devotion to God. Examples may include money, career, family, comfort, pleasure, etc.
7)
Revival’s result is Jesus – In the fruition of the revival, we see the Passover celebrated as the most remarkable one in the history of all the judges and kings (23.22). The Passover is a picture of Jesus’ redemption and our present day “communion” practice is an affirmation of His continual presence in our lives. In spiritual revivals there is a return to the basics.
templestream@xanga
Comments (14)
I think a better hope for our post-Christian society is Jeremiah 29: "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."
Ultimately, we need to realize that we are a church in diaspora, and have been since Vatican II. And that's a good thing.
I believe a revival is possible, and I agree with all of your points. I once listened to Henry Blackaby preach on this and actually went to a whole conference based on his book Fresh Encounter, which hits a lot of the points that you did here. And like you said with Josiah, I think a revival for a community, starts in the hearts of the individuals.
Awesome post! A lot to think about!!
I have no idea if a revival will take place, that is up to God-- I will simply pray for the strength to remain faithful till the end and enjoy the wonders God will send (revival or not).
Great post. I really enjoyed this.
@k_stin@xanga - I actually just did a few concerts with Henry's son Tom just recently! Tom spoke and I sang! He's a very gifted speaker as well.
I would say that a "true impacting revival" takes place even if one soul is brought back to his or her first Love and I know that has happened in my life and I've seen that in the lives of others. No, it's not yet wide spread, but I have a sense it is coming and I am praying in His sovereign timing that God would be merciful to us and return and revive us again and breathe life into the dry bones throughout His Church all around the world!
And, of course, God can send revival to a seemingly hopeless place. That's what He's all about. Impossible with men. Possible with Him! He is the God who does wonders today. He is the one opens blind eyes and deaf ears and softens hard hearts.
Rend the heavens and come down!
If we are truly near to the "end times", then probably not... <key word, "probably"
@gabrielpeter@xanga - Wow! That must have been an amazing experience!
@SirNickDon@xanga - I hear where you're coming from. It reminds me of Paul's admonition: "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you." (I Thess 4.11) A lot of people use a lot of hype and fleshly promotion when it comes to the subject of revival. But, nevertheless, I think revival can happen in a big way without this, even beginning with just a few people earnestly praying for it, as was the case with the famous Welsh revival in 1904. I don't really see a contradiction between the Jeremiah 29 lifestyle you proposed and a true grass roots revival.
@SirNickDon@xanga - I have had an aversion to praying for my city because it seems so hopeless. It is in the Bible Belt in the bad sense in that the churches have become significantly more cultural than spiritual. Also, it is in a capital city which means that the churches are influenced rather heavily by politics in one way or another. So the situation is exceedingly bleak and my inclination to ask for a flood greater than that of asking for restoration.
Therefore, I would appreciate your prayers for strength and encouragement to pray for this city in horrid circumstances.
If "God can send down a spiritual revival at any time", then please stop fussing at us and trying to convert us and just watch for the revival. It's okay, I'll wait.
@SirNickDon@xanga - I agree w/ @templestream@xanga that the two are not at all incompatible. Jeremiah was sending the message to be about your business in exile while Isaiah was prophesying about and praying for revival (e.g.-Isaiah 62).
@AngelBeast777@xanga - When it's hopeless, where else have we to turn but prayer? When it's hopeless, when all seems lost, that just when God loves to step in. When the bones are driest, His sends His breath! It's hard for us to have faith to pray when we keep looking at the dry bones, but if we look to the living God who can breathe life into those dead bones, then our perspective totally changes. Heb. 11. Yes, God is justifiably angry with the Church, yet He is gracious and merciful and slow to anger. As He sends revival He will reveal sin and purify His Church.
He was merciful and gracious to us while we were sinners. May we be manifest that same merciful and gracious attitude toward the Church as well and pray He would send revival to her.
I will be praying God will strengthen and encourage you to be in prayer for your city.
I think we need a large scale revival. The Church has blended the "American Dream" into the Gospel and has justified continually putting ourselves before the cause of Christ. If we continue on in this way, the Church will be nothing but a joke or at best a nice social club.
The Church should be making waves through their odd Christ-centered love for each other and God...not politics, education, careers, personal success or devices.
@naphtali_deer@xanga - Thanks for the encouragement and prayer - I will not turn down either.
@subSacred@xanga - Amen.
@AngelBeast777@xanga - You're welcome.