The silence of God, the "great revival" has begun, and God's promotion by David Nelson

Posted: 2008-05-08 09:04:42

The silence of God, the “great revival” has begun, and God’s promotion
by David Nelson   (5-7-08)

There are three things I want to give to you today so I thought I would write this at one sitting. They may be a little unrelated but they are all important in my heart at this time.

First concerning the silence of God, do not be overly troubled when God does not say anything to you for a period of time. He is testing us to see if what we say we believe we still believe when He is silent, or as the Psalms say, “He hides His face” for a period of time. The Psalmists were perplexed when they said things on numerous occasions like this, “How long will you hide your face from me, O Lord?”

The Lord is intensely training each one of us to know Him so well that our confidence is not anymore in good feelings, or experiences, or gifts from above (although these may stop for a period of time God never means them to go away permanently, for He loves us so much and wants to keep giving us pleasant things). But to really be trained completely He must show that these are not central but just Him, who He is, who we have come to know Him to be, regardless if all outward or inward blessings cease for a time. To fully receive this lesson and to keep being reminded of it, the Lord may be completely silent for periods of time. Sometimes for much longer than we ever would have dreamed or felt necessary. But again, His point to teach us is, to know who He is and who He has shown Himself to be. We have read these things in the Word and we have experienced who He is over and over in our lives already. So, when everything becomes dark, with thick clouds allowing no light through, and this dark period lasts for many days, we must know who He is, who He always is, what His love is, and that His plans will one day be revealed, be fulfilled, and resume on schedule. For the Sun is always shining brightly even when it is night or thick clouds cover it, we just can’t see the Sun now (or hear Him), but He is shining brightly (out of sight) and never changes. We must know Him that way through all our dark experiences and His times of silence which He does to train us to deepen our character and our holiness in Him. We must always center on Him and not let anything around us move us. This is the Secret Place of the Most High, let us dwell there and stay there.

Now I would like to share that the “great revival” we are all waiting for has already begun. After I finish my thoughts here I will post an article titled “Vision of True and False Revival” by Patrick Ersig for your consideration. In that article (which is called a vision) it describes two kinds of revivals. One revival has lots of dancing and noise, “powerful” messages and miracles but the above author calls this a deceptive revival that sucks you into its power and charisma and yet does not change you into a holy servant of God or into one who walks intimately with God. We see meetings and “revivals” like this going on even now. The other revival has also begun already but it started some years ago in the hearts of individuals as they were becoming tired of the “same old” church services and feeling that something was wrong and that God wanted to do something new (or go back to His original plans). Really God had been progressively departing the old church systems till His glory has completely lifted now. He was fed up and sick of the false things in the church because it no longer centered on Him and it was not allowing the Body of Christ to come forth so that all could minister to each other as it was supposed to be. These fed up and sick feelings we were having over the old church ways was really God in us calling us back to Himself. He wants to teach us intimacy with Himself, individual by individual, and sometimes He may have to get each of us alone to do that. As He has been teaching and training these individuals all over the world He is giving us a desire and discernment to hear only His voice and follow only Him. This keener discernment now will show us what meetings are of God and which ones aren’t. Also we will know which speakers and song leaders have messages or anointings from God and which ones don’t. But the days ahead will be so seductive and so deceptive that messages and songs and miracles if possible may deceive even the very elect. So my warning to all is that we must be part of the individual training the Lord is now calling His people to (and not miss it for anything), and that a corporate coming together will in time come for those of the Bride being prepared (possibly in smaller groups at first). But these being trained will know each other in the Spirit, they will have kindred spirits with our own, and we will know in our hearts that they fellowship with the living God. I do not want to condemn bigger meetings with lots of excitement, for God will have purposes we don’t know about, but just make sure that all that we do or experience is really drawing us into a closer walk with Him. His sheep will know the voice of the real Shepherd and strangers they will not follow. Just because there is glitz and glamour and “miracles” do not let anything deceive you away from your intimate knowing and walk with the Lord. We must grow in love, humility, be broken and be holy. Jesus warns us in Matt. 24 of much deceptions, false teachings, false prophets and false miracles. (also see II Thess. 2:9,10) There may be two simultaneous revivals in these last days. Seek the Lord with all your heart and you will find Him.

Below is the article by Patrick Ersig

NOTE from Andrew Strom Ministries (2006):  I too have sensed the strong
possibility that there may occur "two Revivals" almost together -
one true and the other counterfeit. So I was very interested to hear
the below vision.

VISION of TRUE and FALSE REVIVAL
-by Patrick Ersig.

Here is the account of a vision from God that I received regarding
true and counterfeit revival. This vision occurred on March 4th 2006.

The VISION

Everything was black and I saw one person walking at a semi-brisk
pace. Not fast walking, but a slight cadence above normal pace.
Walking with purpose. This person was walking straight and sure -
upright and strong - solemn and serious, like a revolutionary  - a
warrior - a light to darkness. I then saw a couple more people and
then others in the distance and they were bright and shining
against the blackness that was all around. They all walked the
same way - solemn and serious and the Lord spoke and said,
"These are my remnant who are walking in holiness, righteousness,
obedience, brokenness and utter submission to MY WILL - watch
what I am doing Patrick." Then I saw the individuals begin to unite
in small groups of two to three at first and then more came and the
groups grew to five and even ten and the light intensified greatly. It
was beautiful like a sunset over the mountains or a sunrise on the
ocean, a rose in full bloom. What I saw next made me burst into
tears and sobs to the point that I couldn't continue to describe what
I was seeing. My wife kept saying "What?!, what is it? What do
you see?!" After a few  minutes I was able to control the weeping
to explain what I saw happening. As the Lord was drawing together
His remnant into these small groups the power of God came down -
like in the book of Acts - the lame were walking, the blind were
seeing, the deaf were hearing, (literally and figuratively) and
persecution fuelled the fire! This end time HOLY and RIGHTEOUS
remnant of serious and solemn warriors and revolutionaries walked
in the deep darkness of America and her backslidden lukewarm
churches with apostolic glory and power not seen since the book
of Acts - to proclaim the true Gospel of Jesus Christ - repentance
and holiness and freedom from sin!

The Lord spoke and said, "This is the revival that I am bringing
about and it starts with the individuals who have been called out to
personal revival and are walking straight and sure - upright and
strong - solemn and serious, like revolutionaries, warriors, lights to
darkness. My remnant is walking in holiness, righteousness,
obedience, brokenness and utter submission to MY WILL and I am
drawing them together."

Then the vision switched.

Now I saw what looked like a dimly lit movie or a video shot with
poor lighting. I saw clips of people dancing and shaking. I saw
people falling down, shouting, jumping, and singing. There were
huge multitudes rather than the few, and many, many were coming
in large groups that filled large auditoriums and stadiums instead
of small groups of individuals being drawn together. Even some of
the lights that were in the first part of the vision were drawn to this
part of the vision. I saw dancing and clapping, shaking, shouting,
strong and powerful emotionalism and sensationalism.  Soulish
and fleshy spirits claimed to be the Holy Spirit. Great miracles
abounded - signs and wonders. People proclaimed, "This is the
revival we have been waiting and praying for!! -This is the revival we
have heard prophesied!!! - This is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
- a great move of God!" But the Lord spoke and said, "Patrick this
is not from me - this is from Satan - it is a counterfeit!! And many
will be fooled and tricked by this clever deception from the enemy!"

Then the vision switched again.

Now I saw both visions side by side - split screen, so to speak.
They both grew in intensity at an equal rate - as the true would
grow in power, the false would grow in numbers and as the true
would grow in numbers, the false would grow in false signs and
wonders. The Lord spoke and said, "This is not a vision of the
future, but this has already begun and will grow as the days pass.
I am doing this now and the enemy is coming against it at this very moment."

Conclusion:

The Lord is bringing about an end times revival of which the like we
have never seen and it begins with you. The Lord is calling you to
be separate, to holiness and righteousness unto the Lord and to
walk in obedience and utter submission to His will. Be free from sin,
be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect, be dead to flesh and
alive IN Christ. Walk sober and solemn and serious before the Lord
with a reverent and holy fear of God. If you are looking and waiting
for some big corporate outpouring of emotionalism and signs and
wonders you are going to miss the coming revival. The revival starts
with you! Seek the Lord and press into Him closer everyday. Allow
the Blood and Grace of Jesus to break the bonds of your flesh and
produce Holy and Righteous living in your life. Ask the Lord to show
you what it is in your life that is keeping you from that which is
perfect - no matter how small or how painful; ask the Lord to expose
everything that is keeping you from being closer to Him and bring
Glory to Him and His kingdom and deeply renounce all that He shows you.

Live your life as a living sacrifice - a living drink offering poured out
before the Lord for His glory and honor. There are many things that
are cultural, societal and religious that keep us separated from God
and walking in His Spirit. Pray for God to bring these things to light
and put them to death no matter how hard it may be. If you don't
realize that the revival the Lord is doing begins with you individually,
then you are going to miss it! The Lord is calling you today, repent
for your lukewarmness and your lackadaisical attitude toward sin in
your own life and those who are perishing and plunging into hell all
around you everyday! The Lord is calling you today to allow the
Blood of Jesus and the grace of God to produce holiness and rivers
of righteousness in your life that you maybe salt to a decaying
world and light to the darkness that prevails. What will you do? The
Lord is calling you right now to make up your mind to love Him with
all your heart, mind, soul and strength, take up your cross, die to
self and follow HIM - forsaking ALL and seeking after Him with all
that you are and have. Come out and be separate in holy, righteous
obedience unto God!

WARNIG - DO NOT be fooled by these sensual, emotional
counterfeits that are and will be popping up, that these people and
churches call "revival". IT IS A TRICK FROM THE ENEMY! When
you hear that "revival" has broken out in the next town or the next
state or even in your own city - please remember this warning.
There will be much singing and dancing and shouting and many
things will sound as though they are true. There will be great surges
of emotion that will cause people to fall down and jump and shout,
cry and weep but this is not from God. Many will be crying out in
joy, "Peace, peace".   But God's Servants will have discernment
above and beyond any gift, and a willingness to die than lie -
despite the increase of signs and wonders from all of the
counterfeit moves around them in the 'churches'. If the "revival" you
are in is not serious and reverent, holy and righteous, and the Love
and reverent fear toward God are not the only things you see, then
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, and warn everyone you know. These spirits
are strong and extremely powerful - get out of the building and don't
be fooled by the signs and wonders. Please, I am begging you to
remember this, for I know that there will be many who are fooled
and even (if possible) drawn away from the real to the counterfeit,
but I also know that there will be some who read this warning and
remember it and are spared. The true revival army will look like
small bands of revolutionaries or Special Forces with an end
times mission to complete and Satan's counterfeit will resemble a
band of wild Indians or tribal warriors dancing shouting battle cries.

The true revival army will attack the enemy at its stronghold, sin -
their mission will be the souls of men through the power of the Holy
Spirit - they will be concerned with setting people free from the
bondage of sin through the message of the cross and will watch
strongholds of sin topple. Satan's counterfeit will go after places
and methods of sin - they will try to legislate morality and get laws
changed, which results in forced morality and no salvations. God's
army will seek to save that which is lost in the streets and alleys -
Satan's army will try to change the laws to prevent sin but result
in the salvation of no one. "Whosoever loves his life shall lose it. 
Whosoever loses his life for MY sake, shall find it."

Satan you are on notice! God is preparing a revival army that is
going to tear down the strongholds of your kingdom and Jesus is
preparing a bride for Himself that is spotless and pure!

God is calling to make a decision right now - what will you do?!

Finally concerning God’s promotion, I want to read in Daniel chapters 4 and 5 and communicate an important message from the Lord that has encouraged me greatly for the days ahead. In chapter 4 Nebuchadnezzer king of Babylon was the leader of a great empire who had great success, and his empire was like a great tree that covered and protected all inhabitants to the ends of the earth. But king Nebuchadnezzer must learn this lesson (it is a decree and a demand), and all the living of the earth should learn it too (Dan. 4:17) that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever He wills, and sets over it the basest (humblest and lowliest) of men.

Seven times will pass over king Nebuchanezzer and he will be cast down to have the mind of an animal, he will eat grass like an animal, he will be outside with the wild animals (be wet with dew), his finger nails will grow long until he knows that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He wills. While you Nebuchadnezzer are going through this period of seven times (an unknown period of time) your kingdom and position will remain intact for you (Dan. 4:26), and after that you will have known that the heavens do rule (all the affairs of the earth). Do we think we have done anything spiritual for God’s glory “by the might of our power, for our honor or for our majesty?” (Dan. 4:30) We must know that all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing (including ourselves) and that He does according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth (including us), and that none can stop His hand, or say to Him, “What are you doing?” (Dan. 4:35) And so when Nebuchadnezzer was restored to his right senses his lords sought him again and his position and kingdom was intact and majesty returned to him. Nebuchadnezzer then realized that the Lord alone was to be honored and that those who walk in pride He is able to abase (or demote).

Then in chapter 5 a similar thing happened to Nebuchadnezzer’s son Belshazzar. In Dan. 5:19 Belshazzer was sternly reminded by Daniel the prophet that his father Nebuchadnezzer (and any great emperor such as himself) has the authority to slay who he wants, or to keep alive who he wants, to promote who he wants and to demote who he wants. We must all know that it is the Most High God who rules (from heaven) in the kingdom of men and that He appoints over it whomever He wills (He is the one behind every promotion and every demotion). Then Daniel said, O Belshazzar, the God in whose hand thy breath is, and in whose hand are all thy ways, you have not (recognized) glorified. And that night Belshazzar was slain and his kingdom was divided.

Do we really know (as yet) that every individual of the earth is as nothing (like grasshoppers)? And that God raises up whomever He wants and whomever He wills at the right time and for the right season (even the humblest, lowliest, and basest)? Just like Joseph, John the Baptist and Jesus were raised up for the right time, and some were not even recognized or honored as they ought but they were God’s promotions for the right hour. We too must know that each of us has a purpose, and a time, and a gifted place in God’s plans. Promotion comes from the Lord. (Ps. 75:6,7---For promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he puts down one, and lifts up another). Some will be seen, some will not. Some will be in caves, prisons, or destined for martyrdom. Some will be very visible, with public messages and miracles. But every one of us (if we hold His hand) will accomplish all we were destined to be. He is the author (He has begun His work in us) and He will be the finisher (of each one of us as His masterpieces). Do we believe it? Know that He will promote in due season from heaven! Ponder these things from Daniel and you will realize that He wants you to know that He is over each of us for His glory. He is in control of all His plans for the earth and He loves and wants to use each one of us.