Glory & Shaking
Pastor Ashley McArtney
Revival Definition
Christ is overall. But generally speaking, that is not openly manifest. Breakthroughs, miracles, and salvations give us a glimpse, but these point to a greater reality. Revival is when the Father gives a season where the victory and supremacy of Christ is known to everybody. It’s openly manifest - Jesus IS exalted at the right hand.
Mike Bickle from the International House of Prayer says “God's people easily receive the good news about a coming great revival. The challenge lies in interpreting the unprecedented pressures without being afraid or offended by the many negative events that will occur.”
Jesus was walking revival for 3 years, and people hated Him and what He did. In revival, darkness flees but does not dissipate. It creates a black-and-white choice. It is vital that as the hour draws near, we hold a correct scriptural view of the last days. While many things still lay in mystery to us, there are some things that we see as conclusive, both through the scriptures and the experience of revival history. Those who don't understand the biblical narrative or storyline of unfolding events will be disillusioned, confused and even afraid.
Shaking in the World
For thus says the Lord of hosts: "I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations and I shall fill this house with Glory” (Hag. 2:6).
We are currently experiencing massive cultural upheaval and change, affecting not just individuals but entire nations. We see this prophesied in Joel 2, “As the prophet describes the return of the presence of God to Jerusalem as akin to a horde of locusts, devouring that which opposes God, devastating the corrupt social, religious, and political systems that occupied the holy city.” (Mark Sayers). Jesus prophesied that the Great Tribulation will be so severe that God shortens it to three-and-a-half years to keep the entire human race from being physically killed (Mt. 24:21-22) It will be the most severe time in world history.
The Glory of the Saints
However, seen in the light of scripture these times of escalation are not to be feared by the saints. In fact suffering for the gospel and martyrdom is the great crown and privilege of the people of God…! It is the glory of the saint to execute judgment on the enemies of God (Psalm 149), and it is the glory of the Bride in dealing the Devil the final blow (Rev 12). This will be the Church’s finest hour.
Heaven is Drawing Near
How we see affects everything. Gods presence is with us, shaking and judging world systems. God is sovereign and in control - and we must view what God is doing in our world through the lens of His presence. Mark Sayers says “at its deepest levels, the crisis is caused by the presence of Christ… This great cultural tumult, this crisis in the world, is simply the fact that Jesus Christ is the Lord and is judging.”
The sense that the ground is shifting beneath us, the sense of foreboding, that we are not as safe as we once were, and that things we once took for granted are at the forefront of our thinking. This is a sign that heaven is drawing near. When heaven gets closer, the church experiences the glory, love and fire, while the earth trembles and shakes. When heaven gets closer things manifest - crisis, the sin of man, judgements and shaking. Believers receive the Presence as love, joy, peace and righteousness. But those in rebellion to God experience simultaneously judgement and shaking. It’s the glory and the shaking - both together.
The Opportunity of the Moment
Crisis produces transitional opportunity’s. After the events of 9/11 church attendance went up! The world is in a season of transition where the gate stands open. When people are in a transitional season they are more open to change. This is great news for the Gospel. If we examine this shaking thought a scriptural lens, then we ought to be filled with excitement for the possibilities that lay ahead! What if we reframe this as brilliantly good news?
“And Look” Haggai 2:6
Isaiah 60 says it even clearer than Haggai 2:6. The greatest harvest of souls is coming in context to the end-time shaking of the nations. ‘And look’, in the darkness that is all-consuming, look, they are coming, Kings, queens, daughters and sons, coming to the glory of the Church. Darkness presents the greatest opportunity for revival.
Ephesus and the 5 Characteristics of Revival (Acts 19)
The outpouring of the Spirit and extraordinary Miracles (Acts 19:11)
Fear of the Lord (Acts 19:17)
Deep conviction of sin (God is getting closer so sin has to respond)(Acts 19:18)
Loosing of satan’s authority over a region (Acts 19). Subsequent wrath, persecution and chaos. See also Luke 10:18
The word of God prevails (Acts 19:20)
