Originally printed in the Gospel Herald, June 17, 1952

A real heaven-sent revival puts Satan on the job with all his available followers, in order to counteract the influence of revival. Let us not confuse a genuine soul awakening revival with the superficial run-of-mine “not-more-than-one week” variety where so much formality prevails that the Holy Spirit has very little chance to work. We have no desire to minimize the decisions which are made, but unless the lukewarm and cold ones are awakened to their dangerous condition and revived, it is hardly a revival. Rev 3:15-16: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot : I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

Genuine revival must be preceded by much prayer and by Spirit-filled preaching of the Word of God and denouncing of sin. Revival can never come about unless people are made aware of their own sinfulness and coldness.

Read more: Lancaster Revival 1951

• Created on 04 November 2008.

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Gird yourselves and lament, ye priests
Howl, ye ministers of the altar.
Come, lie all night in sackcloth.
Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly.
Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land
Into the house of the Lord,
and cry unto the Lord.
Joel 1:13-14

Every year as November rolls around, we look forward to Youth Bible School. It is always a great spiritual blessing to all of the brothers and sisters here. Each Bible School has its own unique flavor because God works in so many different ways. This year was no exception. We noticed from the Sunday before the classes began that there was revival in the air. The students arriving early were full of expectations in the Lord. I remember hearing some of the ministers say, “If it starts on this high note, where will it end?”