Notes on revival by Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

1) Signs that always accompany a true revival
 1a) It raises peoples esteem about Jesus:
Ps 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
Ps 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
1b) It leads them to turn away from sin and toward holiness:
Ro 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
Ro 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
2Co 7:1 ¶ Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
1Th 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
1Th 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
Heb 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
1c) It increases their love for the Bible:
Psalms 119:1-176
1d) It grounds them in the basic truths of the faith:
Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Col 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
1e) It evokes greater love for and service to God and other people:
Mr 10:43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
Mr 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
Lu 10:36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
Lu 10:37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Joh 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
Joh 21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Ga 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Ga 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

2) Signs that may accompany a conterfeit revival
 2a) The work is carried on in an unusual way.
2b) It produces strong effects on the bodies of the participants.
2c) It prompts a great deal of attention.
2d) It stirs people's imagination.
2e) It promotes too much by the influenece of example and testimony.
2f) Errors in judgment and even "delusions of Satan" are intermingled with it:
Ac 16:16 ¶ And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
Ac 16:17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
Ac 19:13 ¶ Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
2g) Some of its professed converts later fall into scandal:
Ac 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Ac 8:19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Ac 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Ac 8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Ac 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
2h) Its preachers insist too much on the terrors of God's wrath.

[Originally adapted from "Faith Today", Page 24, 25. March-April 1995, Volume 13, Number 2, Box 8800, Stn. B., Willowdale, Ont. M2K 2R6, by the Online Bible.]

 


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