“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17)
Christie and I just returned from a three-day gathering in Nashville of Christians who are zealously praying and fasting for revival in our state and nation. We were there to represent some faithful Christians in the Tri-Cities who are also praying for an abiding spiritual awakening. Only God can bring the community healing and transformation we so desperately need. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Please understand. I love where I live, and I love our nation. I share your gratitude for all the blessings we have here.
But there is darkness everywhere. Our lives have all been touched by divorce, addiction, abuse, rejection, depression, anxiety, confusion, “and the list goes on.” We have many people in bondage to poverty, racism or both, and many others in bondage to pornography or other sexual brokenness. Political divisiveness is the worst it has been since the Civil War. And we have millions of people who do not know Jesus.
God can deliver us from these things. God can deliver our loved ones and our neighbors. We need revival!
Seventeen years ago, I asked God to show me what revival would look like. He gave me a series of six short “visions” in rapid succession. I shared them in an article in 2007 and wish to share them again today.
Vision #1 was a picture of the Cloud of God over a reverently praying congregation. The Cloud represents God’s Presence. We need to become a house of prayer. (Isaiah 56:7)
Vision #2 showed three women praying for another at a prayer rail. There was a spirit of community among all four, and as the prayer concluded, there were hugs of appreciation and a sense that God had answered.
The Church is not about “clergy” who minister while “lay people” observe and receive. All Christians are part of a royal priesthood and we can all minister with each other in great faith and with great effectiveness. (1 Peter 2:9; 1 Corinthians 12:1-27)
Vision #3 was a person standing tall and straight in a “heavenly place”, a limitless and timeless place that I knew to be before the throne of God. The person was connected and aware of where he was and Who he was with.
Revival includes personal revival – the tremendous intimacy each man and woman is invited to have with God. (Ephesians 2:6; Hebrews 10:19-23)
Vision #4 was a picture of four faces together like petals on a flower. All the faces looked the same, except one was slightly bigger, as if I was seeing two children, a mom and dad. They were all laughing.
Revival will bring restoration of families – the building blocks of community. God will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. (Malachi 4:6) There will be joy!
Vision #5 showed a person, with other people behind him, standing in the light before an immense intimidating darkness. The people began to grow, and as they grew, the light grew. The darkness receded, faded, and withdrew.
A friend of mine saw this as a picture of Isaiah 60:1-5. A spiritually awakened Church will prevail against the forces of darkness. (Matthew 16:18; John 1:5-9)
Vision #6 was a street scene of downtown Kingsport, with people whistling on their way to work and stopping to laugh and pray with each other.
Revival is not a religious thing. It is a Life thing. (Acts 2:42-47)
These six short visions may speak to your heart in ways they did not speak to mine. You may have your own visions. The key is that God has a vision. God wants to bring abiding revival to His people so they can be a light shining with His glory. (Matthew 5:14)
And He wants to bring revival so we, His children, can have life abundant: Kingdom life filled every day with His Holy Spirit, righteousness, peace and joy. (Romans 14:17)
What is God waiting for? I believe, primarily, God is waiting for us to want what He wants. (Psalm 37:4) God is waiting on us to return to our first love – loving Him with all our being. (Revelation 2:4; Mark 12:30) God is waiting for us to see our childlike need for Him in every aspect of life and community. (Mark 10:14-15; Revelation 3:17)
And God is waiting for enough of us to earnestly ask for revival. “If my people pray….”
Will you join those who are praying for revival? Will you join those who know how desperately we need Him now
God bless you, and God bless our community.