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When Does a Revival Really Start?

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When Does a Revival Really Start?

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by Filip Brunner

“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).

In the middle of September, a tent was pitched in front of our church. Not a tent you would go camping in, but a tent that holds over 1,400 people as a part of our first ever tent revival. Over several days, we saw God work in wonderful ways. Countless believers rededicated their lives,

and almost 100 received Christ as Savior. But when did the revival really begin? Was it when four to five men met for prayer three years ago because they were tired of the same old, same old?

“Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up” (Hosea 6:1).

Or, was it a long time ago, in eternity past, in the heart of God?

“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Show us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation. I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly” (Psalm 85:6-8).

Is it possible that there is only one real revival which is multi-branched and multi-faceted? Indulge me for a moment. When Seth was born, people began to call on the name of the Lord. Revival. Enoch walked with God after the birth of Methuselah. Revival. Noah found grace with God. Revival. Peter heard a rooster crow. Revival. Paul saw a light and heard a voice. Revival. Paul and Silas sang at midnight after being beaten and imprisoned. Revival. Peter killed and ate from stuff that the law said was unclean. Revival. Some gave all they had. A woman gave a penny. Revival. Mary Magdalene broke an alabaster box and anointed the feet of Jesus. Revival. The mother of Jesus saw her Son on the cross. Revival. A young boy gave his lunch, and a lot more than just 5,000 men were fed. Revival. What about the four men who prayed earnestly for revival? Little by little, others joined them, but some fell away because they became discouraged. Still, others prayed all the more. Finally, three years later, perhaps… but definitely in eternity past, God knew the day would come. Intertwined in the revival that flows from the very heart of God, a small church on the side of the road, like so many others before it, plunged headlong into the current of God’s grace and mercy. We became the benefactors of God’s will for us by taking a closer walk with the Almighty. We have renewed zeal and an overflowing of God’s love for a world in need of Jesus. Just something to think about.

About The Author Filip Brunner is married to his wife, Dr. Kim Brunner and together they have six children. He is a writer, author, and artist.

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