In Revelation, Christ refers to Himself as “HE WHO OPENS AND SHUTS THE DOORS” (see Revelation 3:7). This was in a letter sent to the believers in ancient Philadelphia, a church the Lord complimented for having kept the word of His patience and never denying His name. Simply put, in their most trying times, these people stood faithfully on God’s Word. They did not accuse the Lord of neglecting them or turning a deaf ear to their cries.
Scripture speaks again and again of the fear of God: “Fear the Lord and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:7). “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13). “In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil” (Proverbs 16:6).
When there is no fear of God, people have to invent a gospel of convenience.
The world has concocted a gospel in which there is no God and therefore no heaven or hell. There is no afterlife, with nothing and no one to answer to.
Years ago I was invited to speak at Yale University. Upon my arrival, I was warned that a group of demonstrators in the audience was ready to interrupt me on notice. As I stepped up to the podium, I saw some of those protesters holding signs.
My message that night was, “HELL: WHAT IT’S LIKE AND WHO IS GOING THERE.” I preached exactly what Jesus said: “There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:50). As I spoke, there was total silence in the auditorium and the atmosphere grew heavy with conviction. Afterward, everyone filed out of the auditorium in stunned silence.
“As the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness’” (Hebrews 3:7-8).
“Let us hold fast our confession [of faith]” (Hebrews 4:14).
Some who have backslidden tell themselves, “I can get right with the Lord whenever I choose. I’m just not ready. I’m not mad at God; I just need time with my friends, time to enjoy myself. I know God is loving and merciful, so when I’m ready, I’ll come to Him. I’ll know when that time is.” I hear these thoughts especially among young people who are drifting away.
I once heard a missionary speak of great awakenings around the world. It was clear that in every case, the “spirit of prayer” is tied to the last harvest. In Vietnam, China, Siberia, the Amazon, Africa, God’s people are praying with fire and fervency — weeping and crying out to God, seeking His face, dealing with sin and turning to righteousness.
Let us look at Daniel’s prayer: “Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications … incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations … for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of your great mercies” (Daniel 9:17-18).
The word “supplication” is never used in the Bible except to denote a cry or prayer that is vocalized; in other words, it is not private or a meditation. Supplication definitely has something to do with the voice!
The book of Titus tells us that grace is given to us as power over sin, to enable us to live sober, holy lives. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13).
It doesn’t matter what kind of manifestations you see in a so-called revival. It is not a true move of God unless it is focused on the harvest! Holy Ghost rains always fall to produce an ingathering of souls.
God poured out His Spirit at Pentecost to soften and prepare the ground for the gospel seed to be sown. Spirit-filled believers were sent out from the Upper Room into the entire world to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
David instructs us, “Those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence” (Psalm 31:19–20). It is time to shut ourselves in with Christ and pour out our hearts to Him.
When the fury of the storm strikes, we will need our own individual supply of strength. When we are in the midst of the storm, none of us will be able to make it on the strength of anyone else. We won’t be able to draw on our mate, our pastor, our friend, even a prophet of God.