Pinkster Rewolusie deur Prof. Kotze

Inleiding: Terug na Pinkster
Terug na Pinkster! Is dit nie ‘n onsinnige en ketterse stelling nie. Sommige sal dit miskien so wil bestempel. Lê ons dan nie elke Sondag belydenis af van ons geloof in die Heilige Gees nie? Bely ons dan nie daarmee, dat ons glo dat die Heilige Gees in die gemeente woon nie? Hoe kan ons dan nou praat van terug na Pinkster, terwyl die gawe van Pinkster onherroeplik aan die gemeente op daardie dag gegee is? Is ons dan nie in Pinkster, wanneer ons Sondae bely: “Ek glo in die Heilige Gees” nie? ....
Vir die volledige artikel, gaan na http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhc8vrb6_6c5p3jgch

Hoofstuk 1 Die Roepende Nood van die Kerk
Indien ons nie teruggaan tot die eerste Pinkstergemeente as ons voorbeeld nie, dan loop ons gevaar om ‘n gevalle kerk as model te neem. In die loop van die tye het die Gees van God herhaaldelik periodes van verkwikking en herlewing laat aanbreek, maar van die Christelike Kerk as geheel egter is dit waar, dat die ontaarding vroeg reeds begin en algaandeweg toegeneem het. So vroeg as die einde van die eerste eeu al, gee ons verheerlikte Heiland aan Johannes op Patmos opdrag, om aan die sewe gemeentes in Klein Asië, Sy teleurstelling met hulle geestelike agteruitgang bekend te maak...
Vir die volledige artikel, gaan na http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhc8vrb6_8qrwvvthm

Graaf Van Zinzendorf en die Morawiese Sending

‘n Rukkie gelede moes ons ‘n aanbieding by die Reformasievereniging doen oor Graaf Von Zinzendorf en die Morawiese Sending. Die hoofbron van inligting was Dr. Andrew Murray se beskrywing, soos gevind in Die Versamelde Werke van Dr. Andrew Murray, Die Sendingvraagstuk. Daar was soveel geseënde geestelike lesse te leer uit hierdie materiaal dat ons dit goedgedink het om dit ook in die Ploegskaar aan u weer te gee. Vervolgens haal ons dus direk aan uit die Versamelde Werke van Dr. Andrew Murray; Die Sendingvraagstuk; Hoofstuk 3 DIE MORAWIESE KERK EN LIEFDE VIR CHRISTUS:Laat my toe om die woorde van mnr. Mott weer aan te haal: “Die Morawiers lewer vir ons die treffendste voorbeeld van wat uitgevoer kan word in belang van die buitelandse sending....
Die volledige artikel kan besigtig word by http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhc8vrb6_9dvtp56fd

Martin Luther: Vonk van die Reformasie—Deel 1


Die Reformasie was een van die gewigtigste draaipunte in wêreldgeskiedenis. Dit was gelei deur manne met sterk geloof, diep oortuigings, groot intelligensie, hoë morele standaarde en leeue moed. Martin Luther troon uit bo al hierdie hervormers as die moedigste, mees invloedryke en kontroversiële hervormer van alle tye.
Die kontroversiële
Luther was alternatiewelik beskryf as die briljante geleerde wie die hoofboodskap van die Bybel herontdek het, ‘n profeet soos Elia en Johannes die Doper wie gestuur was om God se mense te hervorm, die verlosser wie verskyn het om sy mense te bevry van die onderdrukking van Rome, die laaste middeleeuse man en die eerste moderne man. Zwingli het hom beskryf as: “die Herkulus wat die tirannie van Rome oorwin het.” Pous Leo X het Luther “ ‘n wildevark wat sy wingerd plunder” genoem. Keiser Carl V het hom “ ‘n demoon in die kleed van ‘n monnik” genoem....
Vir die voledige artikel:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhc8vrb6_3d2k4tnhn

Thoughts on Revival

Reformation is not revival

Does the Church still need revival today? Does the Church not rather need reformation? Reformation and revival must not be considered to be alternatives or opposites. Although reformation and revival often goes hand in hand, the two are not the same. Reformation is a return to the Word and living according to the Word. Revival is the return of the Lord to His church, so that the church could live through His Spirit. Reformation alone is not enough to overcome worldliness, self-centredness, carelessness and other forms of self-centred sins. There is a counter force needed to stop the winds of spiritual and moral decline. What is necessary, is the fire of God to burn against the coldness in the church.

Andrew Murray on reformation

1 Cor. 3:10-11 “For other foundation can no man lay, than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ; but let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon.”

The Reformers had to lay again the foundation. In the course of centuries the Church of Rome in building had left the true foundation. Instead of justification by faith in Jesus Christ being the foundation of Christian life, the Church itself claimed power to forgive sins. Forgiveness could be obtained only through a priest; indeed it might be bought from a priest for money. The great work of Luther and Calvin was to lay anew the foundation of Jesus Christ, to the comfort of thousands of anxious souls. We can never thank God enough for the Reformation, when Jesus was proclaimed anew our righteousness, our peace with God. That great work of Reformation was not accomplished in a day or a year. It took fifty years to establish the Reformation, and even after that time there were many priests whose conversion did not include the power of a holy life. Calvin himself said the Reformation was more in doctrine than in the lives of the people, and he felt deeply the need of the people to be taught and trained in the paths of righteousness. It was no wonder that so long as the foundation had to be re-laid in the full truth of conversion and faith, their was delay in the building itself on the true foundation – a life of sanctification. The Reformation was never a return to Pentecost

Andrew Murray on revival:

The Psalmist writes in Psalm 80:3 “Turn us again, O Lord God of Hosts. Cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.” Israel was in sore need. Their enemies scoffed at them as if God had forsaken them. Three times the Psalmist uses the words of our texts to reinforce his prayer, “Stir up Thy might, and come and save us.” In our day the enemy rejoices that in spite of our many churches, Christianity is so powerless in overcoming the sins of drunkenness, immorality, (drug abuse), worldly-mindedness, and love of money. God’s children are asking: “Can nothing be done? Is there no hope of Revival?” Is God not willing to lead His people into a fuller, deeper life of victory over sin and all that opposes Christ in Christian and heathen lands?

Has not God in His great love promised to give us His Spirit in answer to prayer? Is God not waiting for our prayers to begin the work of Revival? A revival is much needed, and it is possible. God is longing for us to claim His promise and exercise our right as members of the Royal Priesthood. (1 Pet. 2:9) Where must the Revival begin? With God’s children, who may offer themselves to God as instruments to be used by the Holy Spirit, separating themselves from sin, and devoting themselves to the work of saving souls. Christians must realise and prove that the object of their life is God’s service, and the saving of those for whom Christ shed His blood.

Revival has already begun wherever God’s children offer up everything to live and work and suffer as Christ did.

Arthur Wallis on Revival:

“God came. . . His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of His praise. . . He stood, and measured the earth; He beheld, and drove asunder the nations: And the eternal mountains were scattered, the everlasting hills did bow; His goings were as of old” (Hab. 3:3).

There was never a day in which the term “revival” needed to be more carefully defined. It has come to be used in relation to spiritual things so widely and so loosely that many are perplexed to know what it does mean.

Duncan Campbell on revival:

Revival is not churches filled with people, but people filled with God.

Jonathan Edwards referred to revival as:

“ A special season of mercy”

Revival is not ...

• Excessive emotionalism and mass hysteria

• a successful evangelistic campaign

• a Gospel campaign defined by the church as “having a revival”

• Revival without personal revival, manifestations without confession of sin

• Human initiative instead of God’s initiative

What is revival?

It can be described in various ways but essentially revival is simply God amongst His people in power and glory. Revival implies a rejuvenation and a return to the Biblical pattern for God’s people. The church, at Pentecost, enjoyed a powerful outpouring of God’s Spirit and the revival spread far and wide. Throughout history God has seen fit to send times of refreshing to His people. In times of revival Christ is at the very centre as the glorified Lord to whom all must bow.

• Revival is divine intervention in the normal course of spiritual things

• It is God revealing Himself to man in awful holiness and irresistible power

• A manifest working of God where human personalities are overshadowed

• A manifest working of God where human programs are abandoned

• It is man retiring into the background because God has taken the field.

• It is the Lord making bare His holy arm, and working in extraordinary power on saint and sinner.

• The God of the Old Testament saints and prophets was the God of revival.

• Revival can never be explained in terms of activity, organization, meetings, personalities, preachings.

• Revival is essentially a manifestation of God; it has the stamp of Deity upon it, which even the unregenerate and uninitiated are quick to recognize.

• Revival must of necessity make an impact upon the community.

What are the characteristics of revival?

• God-given conviction of sin, mourning for sin begins amongst God’s people and later extends to the unsaved;

• confession of sin is thorough and deep

• restitution (returning of stolen goods, apologising, etc.) are the natural outflow of repentance which means a change of mind regarding sin and God

• the joy of forgiveness through faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice for sin

• lives obedient to Jesus Christ; the fellowship of the saints; a missionary zeal to bring the Gospel to the lost

Many supernatural signs and wonders have been observed and recorded in revivals. However, visible manifestations are not necessarily a proof that revival is genuine. Counterfeit manifestations are characteristic of false revivals. Any movement which has physical manifestations as its central focus, such as laughing, animal noises, ‘jerks’, etc. is immediately suspect, especially if the before mentioned characteristics of revival are absent. Revival leaders, such as Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield, warned against physical manifestations when they became the epicentre of a movement and were detached from true repentance and the fruit of the Spirit.

Important

A revival is, by its very nature, bound to be accompanied by emotional excitement. However, once the idea gains acceptance that the degree of the Spirit’s work is to be measured by the strength of emotion or outward manifestations, the Spirit of God is quenched and revival comes to an end.

Revival in the Bible: Old Testament

Exo 15:6 Thy right hand, O Jehovah, is glorious in power, Thy right hand, O Jehovah, dasheth in pieces the enemy.

Jos 23:10 One man of you shall chase a thousand; for Jehovah your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he spake unto you.

Psa 68:28 Thy God hath commanded thy strength: Strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.

Psa 80:18 So shall we not go back from thee: Quicken thou us, and we will call upon thy name.

Psa 80:19 Turn us again, O Jehovah God of hosts; Cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.

Psa 85:6 Wilt thou not quicken us again, That thy people may rejoice in thee?

Isa 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Isa 64:1 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might quake at thy presence,

Isa 64:2 as when fire kindleth the brushwood, and the fire causeth the waters to boil; to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!

Amo 9:13 Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.

Hos 6:1 Come, and let us return unto Jehovah; for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.

Hos 6:2 After two days will he revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before him.

Zec 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of Jehovah unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts.

The God of the Old Testament saints and prophets was the God of revival.

Isaiah recalled how God’s people had rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. He longs for a manifestation of His zeal and mighty acts. He looks upon the downtrodden sanctuary and cries out, “Oh that Thou wouldest rend the heavens, that Thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might bow down at Thy presence. . . to make Thy name known to Thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at Thy presence! When Thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, Thou camest down. . .” (Isa. 64:1-3). Habakkuk also, living in a day when God’s judgments were already being poured out upon His people for their sin, pleads for revival, “O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy”(3:2). At the end of the Old Testament story we find God still pleading with the remnant through His servant Malachi, and promising revival at this eleventh hour if His people would pay the price: “Bring ye the whole tithe into the storehouse. . . and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (3:10). One might refer to Zechariah, to Joel, and to many another prophets, who brought to dark days a ray of hope in the promise of revival. How many saints in that bygone age could have testified to the value of this great expectation that filled their lives, in the words of David: “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Ps. 27:13).

Revival in the New Testament:

In the New Testament the true motive-force of revival is seen in clearer light as we find it associated with the pouring out of the Spirit. In its historic setting as the birthday of the church, Pentecost was unique, and there were factors in that remarkable event that have never been repeated. But as a specimen outpouring of the Spirit, Pentecost was unique only in being the first. Peter declared on that memorable day, “This is that which hath been spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh” (Acts 2:16). It is to be noted that Peter, speaking under inspiration, was led to alter the Joel prophecy (2:28) from “it shall come to pass afterward” to “it shall be in the last days”. This wonderful promise relates then to a period of time, “in the last days”, not just to a moment of time, such as the day of Pentecost. It is equally clear from the words that Peter quotes that the prophecy had but a partial fulfilment on that day. There was evidently more to come. All the years of the church’s history have been “in the last days”, and thus it has pleased the Lord down those years at special seasons to fulfil this prophecy. There is further evidence in the New Testament that God never intended to confine the outpouring of the Spirit to one historic day. In Acts 10 verse 45 the remarkable event at Caesarea is described by Luke as an outpouring of the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. Paul writing to Titus uses the same word as did Peter when quoting Joel: “the Holy Spirit, which He poured out upon us richly” (Titus 3:5, 6).

Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Act 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Act 19:18 Many also of them that had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds.

Act 19:19 And not a few of them that practised magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

Act 19:20 So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed.

2Pe 1:3 seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue;

Revivals in history:

True revivals have ever been marked by powerful and often widespread outpourings of the Spirit. Many many times the preaching had to cease because the hearers were prostrate, or because the voice of the preacher was drowned by cries for mercy. Who will deny that these were outpourings of the Spirit? Who could find a more appropriate description of such scenes than the words of Luke: “The Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the Word”? (Acts 10:44).

David Brainerd recorded the beginning of the wonderful movement among the American Indians in 1745 thus: “The power of God seemed to descend upon the assembly ‘like a rushing mighty wind’ and with an astonishing energy bore down all before it. I stood amazed at the influence that seized the audience almost universally, and could compare it to nothing more aptly than the irresistible force of a mighty torrent. . . Almost all persons of all ages were bowed down with concern together, and scarce one was able to withstand the shock of this surprising operation.”

Daniel Rowland, a man of revival in the 18th century Wales, would preach so powerfully on the ‘indignation of heaven against sin” that people came under such deep conviction that numbers of them, unable to stand, lay down on the ground that it would not be easy for a person to pass by without stumbling against some of them.

Jonathan Edwards, after experiencing great revivals, said that “the distinguishing evidences” of a genuine work are a conviction of Christ’s deity and saving uniqueness, an aversion to every manifestation of sin, a greater regard for God’s Word, and God’s love at work in the individual.

He once preached a sermon during a time of revival, “Sinners in the Hands of an angry God” which was so powerful that the terror-struck congregation held onto the pillars and pulpit thinking they would fall into hell any moment.

The Welsh revival of 1904-1906 brought mining to a halt in some places. The ponies which were used for pulling the underground coal carts couldn’t understand commands without the swearing which had suddenly come to an end when many miners found Christ.

The 1740’s revival in Wales changed whole districts. According to an observer of the revival “the tone of whole districts were changed, instead of playing games on the Sabbath, dancing, cursing, swearing, blaspheming the Name of God, singing unworthy songs, empty talk, gossiping, collecting stories, lying and persecuting God’s people – instead of all this … the shepherds would sing hymns in the valleys, the ploughmen and the driver of his oxen often sings psalms and spiritual songs together in the fields, the maidens, the children and the old men together discoursing happily about the works of the Spirit of grace.”

George Whitefield wrote a pamphlet (Letter to Religious Societies) emphasising the importance of confessing faults to one another.

He did not publish reports stating the numbers of conversions. He said: “There are so many stony-ground hearers which receive the Word with joy, that I have determined to suspend my judgements till I know the tree by its fruits.

His rule was: A holy life is the best evidence of a gracious state.

Robert Murray McCheyne, greatly used of God in Scotland, was afraid of giving souls false hopes and said: “A real desire after complete holiness is the truest mark of having been born again.”

Objections against Revival 1

Revival is … a sign spoken against.

“Behold, this Child is set for the falling and rising up of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against. . . that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34).
Thus spoke the aged Simeon as he held the long-promised Saviour in his arms. Thirty years elapsed and then the prophecy was fulfilled as Christ stood in manhood in the synagogue at Nazareth with the roll of the book in His hand.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,” He read, “because He anointed Me to preach the gospel. . .” (Luke 4:18). Then He began to preach, applying the word in the power of the Spirit to the consciences of His hearers. Soon their wonder gave place to wrath, and they “cast Him forth out of the city, and led Him unto the brow of the hill. . . that they might throw Him down head-long” (verse 29).

Thus from the time that He commenced to preach and work in the power of the Spirit, He became “a sign spoken against. . . that thoughts out of many hearts might be revealed”.

Joh 2:23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, during the feast, many believed on his name, beholding his signs which he did. Joh 2:24 But Jesus did not trust himself unto them, for that he knew all men, Joh 2:25 and because he needed not that any one should bear witness concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man. It has been thus with every servant of God whose ministry was endued with power. It has been thus with every movement of God by which the church has progressed since its inception at Pentecost. It has been thus with every genuine revival - a sign spoken against. . . that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed”. The mighty operation of the Spirit will always uncover and draw forth into the open the antagonism of the natural or carnal mind which is “enmity against God”.

He whom God chooses to be an instrument in revival may expect to be a continual target for the malice of Satan, who never seems to lack willing hands or lips to do his work, in the church as well as out of it. Many know of the contribution of Jonathan Edwards to the New England Revival in the seventeen hundreds; few know that he was ultimately compelled to resign from the church so signally blessed through his labours.

Many know of William Burns, under whose ministry revival broke out in R. M. McCheyne’s church in Dundee, and elsewhere; few know of the gruelling he received in defending that work before a committee of his fellow ministers. So it was with Finney and many others. If we find a revival that is not spoken against, we had better look again to ensure that it is a revival.

Objections against Revival 2

Some, however, speak against revival out of ignorance. They have never experienced it, do not know what it is, and are prejudiced against it from the outset. Influenced by enemies of the work, their opinions are based on hearsay. The effective cure for such, if they are willing, is to go and see for themselves.

Objections against Revival 3

Others object to revival because they consider that it is always accompanied by excesses and other undesirable features. That there is a tendency for such to occur where care is not exercised, and that at times excesses have occurred, cannot be denied. No one would pretend to claim that every revival burns with a smokeless flame. But let us test the depth of the argument.

Would these critics suggest that the early church ought never to have sold their possessions that distribution might be made to those in need, because this was abused by Ananias and Sapphira? Should the young churches have refrained from eating the Lord’s supper, because in some places, e.g., Corinth, the ordinance had been abused? Ought there to have been no Reformation because occasionally Protestants gave way to excessive zeal and wrongs were perpetrated?

The picture must be seen in perspective, and the evils must be weighed against the overall good. “After drought, the copious rains often deluge the land and sweep away bridges, and otherwise do very much harm. But no one is so alarmed by the evils of rain, as to desire a continuation of the drought”

Objections against Revival 4

There are always some who are desirous of revival until it comes, and then they bitterly oppose it, because it has not come in the way they anticipated. The instrument that God used, or the channel through which the blessing flowed, was not what their convictions had led them to expect. They looked to see an Eliab or an Abinadab chosen for this great work, but the Lord, who “looketh on the heart”, chose a David.

They thought that their own local church, their own fellowship which was so scriptural and right, would see the beginning of the work, but God chose to work elsewhere, and this became to them a stumbling-block. To all who handle the work of revival, this should be a solemn warning of the great danger of yielding to jealousy and prejudice, which blind the eyes, harden the heart, and hinder the Spirit.

Objections against Revival 5

Then the manner of the Spirit’s working or the manifestations through which God chose to exhibit His power may have been contrary to their expectations or foreign to their experience. They brought the glorious work of the Spirit to the bar of their own judgment, and there condemned and denied it. As the Jews rejected their Messiah because He did not fit in with their plans, or fulfil their preconceived ideas, so these also reject the manifestation of God in revival.

Thus it becomes, as in the case of the Lord, “a sign spoken against”, and those who thus speak inevitably reveal, by their opposition to the work of the Spirit, the thoughts of their hearts. Let all beware of an attitude which presumes to dictate to the Almighty how He shall conduct His work. Objections against Revival 6Some do not speak against revival itself, but against the expectation of it. They readily acknowledge the need of it, and that should it come it would do much good, but deny that God is ready to meet that need and do that good. Some take this view because they do not see any evidence in the church or the world to encourage the hope and instead rather proclaim that the very reverse of revival is to be expected in these last days.

Those who argue from Scripture say, “Are we not approaching the end of the age? And do not the Scriptures teach that in the last days perilous times shall come, and that things in the world are to wax worse and worse? How, then, can we look for revival, and a great ingathering of the lost, when God has predicted the very opposite?” It is based on 2 Timothy 3 and other like passages, where we are told that “in the last days grievous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of self”, etc. and that “evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived”. The passage teaches, what is affirmed elsewhere in Scripture, that moral conditions in the world are to deteriorate in the end times, that men will be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, cloaking their sin with a form of godliness that denies the power. But why should this forbid revival? Was it not in grievous and perilous times that the church was born? God found it needful then to demonstrate His power and pour out His Spirit. If the gathering out of the church is to be consummated in a greater time of world turmoil, how much more needful that God should again act in power to safeguard His rights, complete His church, and vindicate His Name.

History abounds with instances of where the desperate plight of man has called forth all the mightier working on the part of God. Again and again the history of revival has been the history of God’s intervention to retrieve what was hopeless.

Furthermore, the prophetic word warns us that Satanic agents are going to deceive by signs and wonders (Matt. 24:24). Is the Lord then to withhold His power, and so give the Devil the monopoly in the realm of the supernatural? Are the Moses and Aarons of these last days to hold their rods while “the magicians of Egypt” cast down theirs and turn them into serpents? Should we not expect the servants of God to do as much, and more - that their rods should swallow up those of “the magicians” as they did of old, according to the promise, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world”? (1 John 4:4). The same Book that warns us that “iniquity shall abound”, also reminds us that “where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly”

(Rom. 5:20).

Objections against Revival 7

Finally, there are those who object to the expectation of revival because, they assert: “The church should not be looking for revival, but for the return of Christ”. Of course the church should be looking for the return of Christ, but is it? Dare we begin to claim that the people of God are ready and waiting for their returning Lord? How can they be when, in the main, they are carnal, sleepy, worldly, lukewarm? “He that hath this hope set on Him purified himself, even as He is pure” (1 John 3:3). And it is certain that the church is largely in this state, not because it is preparing and pleading for revival, but because it is not doing so. In revival the church is awakened, carnality and worldliness are slain, the lukewarm are made hot, and the people of God begin to purify themselves. There is nothing calculated to incite preparation for and expectation of the return of Christ so much as revival.

How does revival happen?

One needs to understand that revival is a sovereign act of God – only His work can be called revival. While there is no simple formula for “getting revival” on a large scale, we are encouraged by God’s Word to seek Him for revival. Revival is a special season of mercy and the place and timing are according to His will. However, personal revival is a must for every Christian.

What should I do to have personal revival?

We borrow from Jim Elliff’s “Five Resolves for Personal Revival”. Personal revival begins when the believer faces his sin honestly.

1. Repent of every known sin.

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Resolved: I will not go to bed this evening nor live this day without fully repenting of all known sin against God.

2. Forsake all questionable habits and activities.

Rom 14:23 … and whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Resolved: I will not go to bed this evening nor live this day without removing from my life every habit of activity I cannot be absolutely sure is approved by God.

3. Make right any wrongs between yourself and others.

Mat 5:23 If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, Mat 5:24 leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Resolved: I will not go to bed this evening nor live this day without doing all that is possible to correct any wrongs between myself and others.

4. Commune with God through prayer and the Word.

Psa 119:107 … Quicken me, O Jehovah, according unto thy word.

1Th 5:17 pray without ceasing;

Resolved: I will not go to bed this evening nor live this day without spending quiet moments with God in prayer and sincerely meditating on His Word.

5. Trust God to use you as His instrument in the lives of others.

Jam 5:19 My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him; Jam 5:20 let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.

Resolved: I will not go to bed this evening nor live this day without asking and expecting God to use me as an effective instrument of revival in someone’s life.

Questions to answer:

• Do we thank God for everything we enjoy every day?

• Do we consult Him in all our decisions?

• Are our lives and actions a testimony to the Lord?

• Do we esteem others better than ourselves? (If I interrupt somebody else during a conversation, I act contrary to the Word of God.)

• Do we talk about another’s mistakes without discussing them with the person in question.

• Are we shallow-hearted hangers-on or dedicated followers of the Lord?

• Do we really try to hear God’s voice and discern His will for our lives?

• Is He truly Lord of our time, our will and our possessions?

• Do we fail to notice pride and complacency in our lives?

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Die prys van ‘n droom—die verhaal van Robert Manry

Die 47 jarige Amerikaner, Robert Manry, het as klerk in ‘n kantoor gewerk vir ‘n koerant in Massachusetts. Elke werksdag was dieselfde en hy wou graag iets nuuts doen. Hy kry toe die gedagte om die Atlantiese Oseaan na Engeland oor te kruis met ‘n baie klein seilbootjie. Hy het begin droom en sommetjies gemaak en besef dat hy die tog stoksiel alleen sou moes aanpak. Dae lank het hy geworstel met die plan, totdat hy besluit het om tog te gaan, ook as dit sou beteken dat hy op die see sou omkom. Hy’t besluit dit is die moeite werd. Hy het niks vir die mense vertel nie, behalwe vir sy vrou. Hy was nie bang vir die see nie, maar wel bang dat die mense hom gek sou verklaar en hom sou ontmoedig en afraai, sodat hy geen moed sou oorgehad het vir sy gevaarlike onderneming nie.Sy bootjie was destyds die kleinste booitjie wat die see oorkruis het en was slegs 4,12 meter lank, wat hy “Tinkerbelle” gedoop het. So iets het niemand nog ooit gedoen nie en hy wou die eerste persoon wees. Uiteindelik klim hy in die seilbootjie en vertrek op 1 Junie 1965 vanuit die hawe van Falmouth in Massachusetts. Net sy vrou het hom afgesien, want niemand anders het geweet van die gewaagde onderneming nie en so het hy die lang reis oor die Atlantiese Oseaan begin.Hy het vir 78 dae eensaam en alleen oor die groot see geswerwe. Hy het die hoofroete van die skepe gevolg en moes dag en nag op die uitkyk bly om nie deur die groot skepe op hierdie roete getref te word nie. Sy bootjie was so klein dat niemand dit op ‘n radar sou opmerk nie. Die reis was so moeilik en uitputtend dat hy versteurd geraak het en amper van sy kop afgegaan het van eensaamheid. Tydens storms moes hy homself met ’n tou vasmaak aan die mas van die bootjie, sodat hy in sy bootjie kon terugklim as die see hom oorboord geslaan het. Soms moes hy dae lank nat en smaaklose kos eet wannneer die sout seewater sy voorrade natgemaak het. Somtyds het hy so sleg en eensaam gevoel en van God en mense verlate, dat hy getwyfel het of daar nog wel iemand was wat aan hom gedink het.Toe hy na twee en ’n half maande sonder om te stop uiteindelik die kus aan die ander kant van die Atlantiese Oseaan nader, neem hy hom voor om na sy aankoms eers lekker in ‘n hotel te gaan bad en slaap en dan daarna na ‘n koerant te gaan met die vraag of hulle sou belangstel in sy verhaal. Groot was sy verbasing toe hy op 17 Augustus die hawe van Falmouth te Cornwall, Engeland binnegevaar het. Daar het hy die skrik van sy lewe gekry. Op die kaai het 30.000 mense vir hom gestaan en wag om hom te verwelkom en hom toe te juig. Daar was ‘n vloot van 400 skepe en bootjies wat gelê en wag het, wat gelyktydig hulle mishorings vir hom geblaas het. Hy word toe ingewag deur al die koerante en fotograwe. Hy het nog altyd gedink dat niemand van sy reis geweet het nie, maar sy vrou het mense laat weet dat hy met ‘n booitjie van slegs vier meter die Oseaan oorkruis. Toe hy arriveer weet almal intussen reeds van sy prestasie. Watter onvergeetlike ervaring was hierdie dag vir Robert Manry. Hoeveel makliker sou sy reis gewees het as hy besef het dat daar so baie mense was wat hom in hulle gedagtes gehou het en wat hom met soveel eer en vreugde sou ontvang.Vir party christene is dit nie voldoende om elke Sondag netjies in die kerkbanke te sit nie. Hulle wil graag meer met hulle lewens en drome maak, en graag iets besonders vir die Here doen en daarom gaan doen hulle sendingwerk. Wanneer hulle dan later, vêr van die huis en in die vreemde, dag vir dag vir die Here werk, miskien vertaalwerk doen, of op ‘n ander manier die Here dien, en as dit dan so stil is en die eensaamheid hulle oorval, dan vra hulle hulself ook baie kere af of hulle van God en mens verlate is. Hoe moeilik kan dit word. Dan wil so iemand graag weet of daar nog wel iemand is wat vir hulle bid of aan hulle dink.Na hierdie swaar reis was die ontvangs ‘n geweldige skok vir Robert Manry. So geweldig sal die ontvangs miskien wees wat ‘n sterwende kind van God te wagte kan wees as hy die hemel binne kom. Miskien word die liggaam maande lank deur kanker afgebreek en het die stryd aan sy einde gekom. So ’n sterwende persoon kan homself ook afvra of daar nog iemand is wat van hom weet of aan hom dink. Watter blydskap en verbasing sal dit wees vir so ’n uitgeputte mens, om dan verwelkom te word by die Pêrel Poort, om deur die Groot Koning Self, saam met Sy miljoene engele ingewag te word.Wees vasberade as u iets begin het. Besef vooraf watter gevolge dit vir u gaan inhou. Sê liewers nie te veel as u vertrek nie. Besef die erns en wees liewers stil. Sorg dat die Naam van Here nie tot skande gemaak word as u halfpad kom en sien dat u die reis nie kan volbring nie. Moenie dat die duiwel u versoek om dinge aan te pak wat te groot vir u is nie. Weet wat u kan of nie kan hanteer nie, anders kan dit u dood beteken.Atlete is bereid om groot offers te bring vir ‘n kampioenskap. Christene moet bereid wees om die prys van die wedloop te betaal vir hulle hemelse kroon. Hulle mag hulle nie laat voorskrywe deur die wêreld nie. Die samelewing glo dat daar geen oorwinning oor sonde is nie en glo dat ons nie vry kan kom van sondes nie. Hulle glo dat die huwelik maar hel op aarde moet wees en dink dat huwelike nie gered kan word nie.Christen, begin weer om te droom van ‘n oorwinning met God. Droom byvoorbeeld om die evangelie te kan uitdra na die plekke waar God u roep. Het u al moedeloos geword en u drome verloor? Begin dan vandag opnuut. God belowe: “Julle sal My soek en vind as julle na My vra met julle hele hart.” (Jeremia 29:13)Geneem uit ‘n boodskap van Dr. Albu van Eeden, voltyds sendeling en voorsitter van die internasionale organisasie Dokters vir Lewe Internasionaal.