"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18).
Even as in the days of Jesus when the mobs viciously killed
an innocent Man and a "terrorist" named Saul of Tarsus made havoc of the
church, it only set the stage for revival. The same mobs that once cried,
"Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" Were the same masses that weeks later also cried
out, "What must we do to be saved!?" It was pandemonium before Pentecost.
Crowds rioted through Jerusalem, innocent people died, some were committed to
prisons. "At that time there was a great persecution against the church..."
(Acts 8:1). Yet it was in the aftershock of Jesus' death and the war against
His followers that the greatest revival ensued.
It was post World War 2 that the Charismatic movement swept
the church and a healing revival brought millions into the Kingdom of God.
There is no comparison to what the Lord is about to do in this present point
in history. A greater move of God will occur in conjunction with this
tragedy. This only enhances and heightens the urgency to save souls. How
many in this tragedy today were saved? How many had a personal witness of
Jesus Christ at work? Or on the street to and from work, at the restaurant or
at leisure? Only Heaven knows. But one critical point remains, we must
at all cost preach the gospel in every place and see souls won to the Lord!
That is the only true immunity to disaster or destruction. "For me to live is
Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21).
"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must
go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and
scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day." (Matt. 16:21).
It was not until Jesus had suffered that He would be glorified. This same
principle applies to His Church, "Even hereunto were ye called: because
Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his
steps..." (1st Peter 2:21). It also through the fiery furnace of suffering
that we will experience His glory and a nation wide revival that will harvest
millions of souls.
"Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves
likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath
ceased from sin...(1st Peter 4:1). This attack will create an atmosphere of
national repentance. Repentance will inevitably lead to national revival.
The persecution prior to Pentecost forced the early church into a state of
emergency prayer that produced Pentecost. It also propagated a mass unifying
of Christians that was not able to be achieved before the persecution and
death of Jesus. In the same way this can only push the Church in a strategic
place of unity and revival. The army of God is being prepared for
unprecedented spiritual battle that will impact the nations and usher in the
greatest harvest the earth has experienced to date.
"And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty wind..."
(Acts 2:2). As suddenly as this tragedy has struck, is as sudden that the
Lord will blow upon this country with revival power and glory. Prayer will
take precedence and set the stage for a spiritual awakening. The "upper-room"
or place of prayer
in churches across the nation will
take priority. Churches will be opened 24 hrs. a day to receive the influx of
intercession. Denominations and factions of the church will finally find
common ground as the standard of prayer is raised. The end result of this
will be the Lord's promise to all those that have prayed through the
centuries, "I will forgive their sin and heal their land..." (2nd Chronicles
7:14).
A great urgency for soul winning will sweep the nation. The pressing question
of salvation will increase. "Is my neighbor saved?" Will be foremost on our
minds. A revelation of life and death will enlighten the eyes of our
understanding. We will become vigilant soul winners not accepting no for an
answer. We will now understand the command, "Compel them to come in." A
great harvest of life will result from these deaths. An army of soul winners
will emerge from the ashes to possess the land. "And they departed from the
presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer
shame for his name..." (Acts 5:41).