Let’s take a brief look at the greatest revival of all human history, when Jesus returns.
The return of Christ will be a time of joy for believers, “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:39-40 NIV) Great will also be having a place of our own, “Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14:1-3 NLT)
Revival then will be eternal glory, “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:4 ESV) Of His soon return, we all have hope, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up [Latin rapiemur, raptured] together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NASB)
History will totally change for the better, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8 KJV) Will this hope fill us too, “We are filled with hope, as we wait for the glorious return of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 CEV)? Happen to think this great start to eternity, and the joy that we will all experience? When He comes, such glory will be overwhelming, “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (1 Peter 5:4 ESV) Jesus is preparing now. Is He coming soon, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done” (Revelation 22:12 NIV)? Coming at a time we don’t expect, He wants us to always be ready,
Rejoice, lovers of God, that Jesus will return and revive this mortal body with eternal glory.
That finishes this series of Bible Studies on revival. Revival is moving from death in sin and trespasses to life in trusting God. Abel, Seth, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses each made a choice in their generations to worship God rather than go along with the crowd. Joshua, Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Jotham, Tolah, Jephthah, Samson, and Ruth each chose in their generations to embrace Israel’s God. Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, a Shunamite woman, the prophets, Naaman, and a prophet who lost an axe each chose God as the solution to their problems instead of the world. Jehu, Joash, Solomon, Asa, Amaziah, and Uzziah started out with revival but each failed in his own way. Hezekiah, Josiah, David, and Jehoshaphat each had a revival of heart and chose to remain faithful until death. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel chose to faithfully prophesy against corruption in this world and of a better government coming. Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi each prophesied faithfully. Although Jonah was reluctant and cryptic, Nineveh repented and revived. John the Baptist prepared for that great revival the incarnation.
Whether it be personal, community wide, or national revival, it is our choice to turn to God. His invitation is always open. Revival can come in the form of a sacrifice which is from the heart not just an outward religious show, relocation to leave slavery to bad influences behind, divine provision of physical needs, a decision to put God first in family and corporate life, a decision to destroy the idols of materialism and turn to God, and most importantly of all, repentance from dead works and new life in Christ.
Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, burial, resurrection, ascension and soon return all prepare for the greatest revival the world has ever known. The apostles each spread news of that revival far and wide. As we wait for the return of our Lord and Savior, we prepare for the greatest revival in history, the resurrection of the dead in Christ. Let’s always be ready.
