First, we are promised that true revival will come, and it will be a revival of primitive godliness.
“Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children.” The Great Controversy, page 464. This primitive godliness is found individually, as a person surrenders the heart fully to the working of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit then transforms the character by bearing His fruits in the life instead of the works of the flesh.
While this revival is an individual experience, we are promised that there will be a time in the last days when it will occur “among the people of the Lord” and of such a magnitude “as has not been witnessed since apostolic times.” Obviously, it will be experienced by a group of people, not simply one individual here and there.
Yet in addition to this experience of true revival in the church, we are also forewarned that there will be a counterfeit.
“The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it by introducing a counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power he will make it appear that God’s special blessing is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit.” Ibid.
No doubt this deceptive revival will find acceptance in the mainline Christian churches, but could it also affect any Seventh-day Adventist churches? It would appear so, for the next sentence states: “Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian world.” Ibid. Satan will seek to spread his version of revival to every Christian church. Thus the only hope of safety, even for Seventh-day Adventist congregations, will be to hold onto Bible truth and thus make sure that we are not among “those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power.”
We can be thankful that God has given us specific descriptions of what a true revival movement in the church will—and will not—look like, so that we do not need to be taken in by the false.
Speaking of false revival, “There is an emotional excitement, a mingling of the true with the false, that is well adapted to mislead.” Ibid. A true revival is the work of the Holy Spirit. It will not encourage continuance in sin. Nor will it quietly overlook ongoing sin and error.
“Yet none need be deceived. In the light of God’s word it is not difficult to determine the nature of these movements. Wherever men neglect the testimony of the Bible, turning away from those plain, soul-testing truths which require self-denial and renunciation of the world, there we may be sure that God’s blessing is not bestowed. And by the rule which Christ Himself has given, ‘Ye shall know them by their fruits’ (Matthew 7:16), it is evident that these movements are not the work of the Spirit of God.” Ibid. pages 464, 465.
The Holy Spirit will always inspire a revival that leads men and women to the Bible. Never will a revival that proceeds from Him be compatible with continuance in disobedience of God’s Word. The fruits will be seen, and we are to judge those fruits. They will include self-denial and renunciation of the world. If those who are experiencing the revival do not feel a need to leave off the vain customs, fashions, materialism, movies, entertainments, and pleasures of the world, it has not worked a transformation after God’s order and is not the work of the Holy Spirit.
“A wrong conception of the character, the perpetuity, and the obligation of the divine law has led to errors in relation to conversion and sanctification, and has resulted in lowering the standard of piety in the church. Here is to be found the secret of the lack of the Spirit and power of God in the revivals of our time.” Ibid. page 465.
A true revival will sweep away subtle errors regarding the necessity of obedience to God’s Law, the necessity of sanctification to our salvation, and the victorious experience to be had by every truly converted person. A true revival will never leave the people uncertain as to how fully it is possible to overcome sin, or what actions are, and are not, in harmony with God’s Law.
Is it possible for some people in the church to be experiencing true revival under the working of the Holy Spirit, while others sitting next to them in the church are at the same time experiencing a counterfeit revival? Yes. This is why we need to know what true revival is, so that we may not be self-deceived, thinking we are experiencing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit when we are not. We also need to present the need for revival to others in such a way that they will be led to the true experience, and will not be deceived by a false revival.
In the last days, there will be both true and false revival. What shall we do if we encounter a revival that does not bear the marks of the Holy Spirit’s working? We should pray and do all in our power to experience the true. The Holy Spirit will never lead us to brood over the shortcomings of others, when we ourselves are unconverted. Then, when we have fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit’s working, let us prayerfully go to work for others, to help them also experience the power of God that leads to primitive godliness.
All quotations are by Ellen G. White.
