The prophet Daniel foresaw a last-days company that possessed wisdom and discernment in the things of God — a purified, tested remnant that would understand his Word. “Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand” (Daniel 12:10).
Isaiah deplored the spiritual blindness of backslidden Israel and said, “They err in vision, they stumble in judgment” (Isaiah 28:7). What little discernment they once possessed had been destroyed by their lusts, but Isaiah went on to prophesy of a day in which “the deaf shall hear the words . . . the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness. . . . They will hallow My name, and hallow the Holy One of Jacob [Christ], and fear the God of Israel. They also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, and those who complained will learn doctrine” (Isaiah 29:18, 23-24).
I believe the last-days revival so many preach about is a revival of cleansing. If the work of the Holy Spirit is to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, then it is certain that the great outpouring upon mankind will involve powerful waves of conviction. A careless, indulgent Church will be shaken and forced to face her sins.
While multitudes of Christians chase after signs and miracles, seeking out teachers of success and prosperity, God has been calling out a “wilderness people” who are consumed with hunger for more of Christ. Disillusioned with hypocrisy, these saints delve into the Word of God and discover His ultimate purposes. They set themselves to hear and understand by the Holy Spirit that the end of all things is at hand.
Christ is coming! Lay aside every besetting sin and set your affection on things above! Do not be partakers in the dreams of men but prepare to meet your Savior.