End Times Are Here

Revival

Revival = turning people from a lukewarm state to a zealous state.

A spiritual awakening, if you will.

Reason for revival

A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work.
- Ellen White, Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 121

We are not just after revival because it sounds good. We actually need revival to make it through the times of trouble, and do the work that God has set before us, e.g. Revival -> Latter Rain -> Loud Cry.

It's our sacred duty:

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
- Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV)

Seventh-day Adventists have been given a work of the most solemn import-the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels messages. There is no other work of so great importance. They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention.
- Ellen White, Testimonies to the Church, vol. 9, p. 19

The Holy Spirit will help us to become bold, and will lead us into the battlefield.

The work will be similar to that of the Day of Pentecost. The 'latter rain' will come, and all who will receive it will share the message of salvation with power.
- Ellen White, Great Controversy, p. 611

Prayer and repentance are key, and we need to start claiming God's promises.

The dispensation in which we are now living is to be, to those that ask, the dispensation of the Holy Spirit. Ask for His blessing. It is time we were more intense in our devotion. To us is committed the arduous, but happy, glorious work of revealing Christ to those who are in darkness. We are called to proclaim the special truths for this time. For all this the outpouring of the Spirit is essential. We should pray for it. The Lord expects us to ask Him. We have not been wholehearted in this work.
- Ellen White, Testimonies to the Ministers, p. 511.3

How bad will this get?

I think most people underestimate how bad things are going to get, and as a result do not adequately prepare for the time of trouble.

The "time of trouble such as never was," is soon to open upon us; and we shall need an experience which we do not now possess, and which many are too indolent to obtain. It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal.
- Ellen White, The Great Controversy, p. 621/622

It is a solemn statement that I make to the church, that not one in twenty whose names are registered upon the church books are prepared to close their earthly history, and would be as verily without God and without hope in the world as the common sinner.
- Ellen White, Christian Service, p. 41

Most (?) preachers do not sound the warning message either. Are they asleep too?

Let's get real for a second. The judgment will first come to the church, and the sealing season will then begin. If you're found "just", you will receive the Latter Rain, and you will be part of the Loud Cry. If you're found "unjust" the Holy Spirit will be withdrawn from you, another spirit will enter, and you will probably end up killing the very people you were in church with. All that with a hardened heart similar to that of Pharaoh from Egypt. Cain and Abel.

The two parties represented by Cain and Abel will exist till the close of this earth's history. The well-doer, the obedient, does not war against the transgressor of God's holy law. But those who do not respect the law of God oppress and persecute other people. They follow their leader, who is an accuser of God and of those who are made perfect through obedience.... The spirit that leads people to accuse, condemn, imprison, and put to death other people has waxed strong in our world. It is this spirit that always works in the children of disobedience.
- Ellen White, Manuscript, p. 136, 1899

As the defenders of truth refuse to honour the Sunday-sabbath some of them will be thrust into prison, some will be exiled, some will be treated as slaves. To human wisdom all this now seems impossible, but as the restraining Spirit of God shall be withdrawn from men and they shall be under the control of Satan, who hates the divine precepts, there will be strange developments. The heart can be very cruel when God's fear and love are removed.
- Ellen White, The Great Controversy, p. 608 (1911)

When satan personates Jesus, persecution will ramp up greatly. We will be accused of causing all the calamities, and I think that it's here that many will die.

Then, just after the close of probation, Ellen White says that "the living saints" are "144,000 in number".

The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake.
- Ellen White, Early Writings, p. 15

That to me is almost unimaginable, but Ellen White wrote it, and prophecy does not fail. At the close of probation only 144,000 saints are alive.

Then, shortly after that, the seven plagues will begin. That's no walk in the park either.

And that's how bad this will get. That's why we need the Holy Spirit. That's why we need a revival.

I believe that if we don't do this, God will bypass us, and find other workers to finish the job.

But I speak not my own words when I say that God's Spirit will pass by those who have had their day of test and opportunity, but who have not distinguished the voice of God or appreciated the movings of His Spirit. Then thousands in the eleventh hour will see and acknowledge the truth... These conversions to truth will be made with a rapidity that will surprise the church, and God's name alone will be glorified.
- Ellen White, Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 16

Individual work

Okay, the text below is not inspired, and I don't remember where it came from, but it does sum it all up quite nicely.

Preparation for the Latter Rain comes in making conscientious decisions regarding life's little things. We cooperate with the Holy Spirit's work in our lives when we submit to His work on our conscience. This happens when we speak to and about other people, when we respond to circumstances, and when we stand up against injustice. It happens by making right choices in regards to diet, exercise, relationships, entertainment, and the literature we choose to read (Phil. 4:8). It's not the big and profound issues in life, but the many small decisions we make, which prepare us to receive the true Latter Rain.
- Unknown

That's huge. So, all the daily continued transgressions, ultimately leads to God withdrawing His Spirit altogether. When I read this on Friday, I was shocked (and ultimately blessed that it was shown to me).

I think revival is about drawing nearer to God, and a full and relentless pursuit of repentance.

I saw that none could share the "refreshing" unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action. We should therefore be drawing nearer and nearer to the Lord and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord.
- Ellen White, Early Writings, 71 (1851)

Revival will come only as hearts are broken before God. There must be confession, repentance, and sincere turning away from sin.
- Ellen White, Testimonies to Ministers, p. 444

Then God will bless us.

When the way is prepared for the Spirit of God, the blessing will come. Satan can no more hinder a shower of blessing from descending upon God's people than he can close the windows of heaven that rain cannot come upon the earth.
- Ellen White, Review and Herald, March 22, 1887

Church work

Here is another key ingredient to a successful revival.

The great outpouring of the Spirit of God, which lightens the whole earth with His glory, will not come until we have an enlightened people, that know by experience what it means to be laborers together with God. When we have entire, wholehearted consecration to the service of Christ, God will recognize the fact by an outpouring of His Spirit without measure; but this will not be while the largest portion of the church are not laborers together with God.
- Ellen White, Christian Service, 253.

If I look at all the other lukewarm churches, I think we're doing okay, but I would love to see a stronger focus on outreach.

Seventh-day Adventists have been given a work of the most solemn import-the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels messages. There is no other work of so great importance. They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention.
- Ellen White, Testimonies to the Church, Vol. 9, page 19.

We have to warn people.

Not long ago a very impressive scene passed before me. I saw an immense ball of fire falling among some beautiful mansions, causing their instant destruction. I heard someone say, "We knew that the judgments of God were coming upon the earth, but we did not know that they would come so soon." Others said, "You knew? Why then did you not tell us? We did not know." On every side I heard such words spoken....
- Ellen White, Review and Herald, November 24, 1904

I acknowledge that such a message is hard to give, but it is what God has asked us to do.

Urgency

Shortly after covid, most people in our church were "awake". People were asking questions, praying, doing tracts, and books, and whatever... But now, several years later, people are a lot more chill about it all.

It is a solemn statement that I make to the church, that not one in twenty whose names are registered upon the church books are prepared to close their earthly history, and would be as verily without God and without hope in the world as the common sinner.
- Ellen White, Christian Service, 41:1.

I can assure you that the Second Coming (starting with a Sunday law) is at hand, and it gives me a strong sense of urgency. I let it lead me in whatever I do.

If people only realized how close we really are, they would take revival, repentance, the Latter Rain, the Loud Cry a LOT more seriously. Judgment is just around the corner...

Transgression has almost reached its limit. Confusion fills the world, and a great terror is soon to come upon human beings. The end is very near. We who know the truth should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise.
- Ellen White, Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 28

Even if you don't think any of this is urgent, we can still go through the motions, and see if there's anything that we have missed. Are we ready for the time of trouble? Really?!?

One of satan's biggest lies

One of satan's biggest lies is "there is time", and as a result most people postpone the repentance that's needed in their life.

But I'm here to tell you that there isn't time, and that we must do this work now.

And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
- Mark 3:2 (KJV)

Don't get me wrong, putting up with the "light affliction" is worth it in the end.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory
- 2 Corinthians 4:17 (KJV)

But we do need to prepare for the time ahead.

My brethren and sisters, let us study to know what is the work devolving upon us individually. You have something to do for those who are around you, and for those afar off. We have no right to devote all our means for the enjoyment of our present life. We have no right to spend dollars to glorify and indulge self. The judgments of God that are coming upon the earth are certainly not far off, and we should be up and doing our part. As we consider what Christ has suffered for us, we should seek to come into a position of self-denial and self-sacrifice, that we may help in the salvation of the souls that are in peril of everlasting destruction. We can have no excuse to offer to God for neglect of this work.
- Ellen White, Ministry to the Cities, p. 29

It's time to rise from our slumber.

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
- Romans 13:11-12 (KJV)

Conclusion

Prayer is required for revival. Let's start there.

A revival need be expected only in answer to prayer.
- Ellen White, Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 121

Then follows repentance, and picking up the work.

God will give us the Latter Rain, and we do the Loud Cry.

All of this is not for the fainthearted, and will require much soul searching. For example: what if we decide to drop the Sabbath School guides, and replace it with a thorough study of Last Day Events (to see if we missed anything, etc). Or, what about bringing back to 2 minutes silence after the service. Some people will rebel against things like that, but it may be the only way.

Things are really quite sobering, and people need to be told, so that they can prepare for what is coming.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
- Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)

But yeah who wants to hear that?! But that's revival, isn't it?

We have the prayer team, and we have the message for this time. Let's just pray about it, and follow the SOP closely in this.

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
- Matthew 26:41 (KJV)

An individual work, but done together...