What did YOU think Revival meant?

What do you think revival meansI once bought a Christianity Today magazine, paged through it and thought, “this will come in handy one day”. Years later I picked it up again, and I realized that day had arrived.

Is Revival Really Here? 

What are the next steps toward true revival?

by Michael Cassidy – Christianity Today – November 2009

“THE COVER OF THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF Today read:   “Revival in the Land”.  Rodney Howard-Browne apparently thinks it is.  So does Angus Buchan.  Could be!  Who am I to argue with these brothers?   Yes I’m not so sure if it’s real revival just yet, or only pockets of it.

I’d be hesitant to say how I would recognise a national revival.  I have however, had exposure to the so-called East African Revival which has gone on for over 60 years in a sustained way, especially in Uganda and Rwanda.  Yes both countries produced genocidal type happenings in the 80’s and 90’s.  I did also have a perplexing week at the Airport Vineyard Church in Toronto celebrated for the Toronto Blessing.

In India recently I gleaned a touch of revival in the slums of Mumbai and Delhi, and some amazing things in Chennai and Hyderabad.  And I’ve been in cities like Washington DC and Los Angeles during Billy Graham Crusades when the churches were certainly ‘revived’.

Also in the 70’S, locally we certainly saw some renewal as the Spirit moved in many congregations.  Yet curiously many participants in the charismatic renewal continued supporting apartheid.  Was something missing?

All these movements were at heart for the most part wonderful, But we must submit them to be tested, as Professor Richard Lovelace, a great renewal and revival scholar writes:  “authentic spiritual renewal inevitably produces results in a social and cultural transformation.  No deep lasting social change can be effected by Christian’s without a general spiritual awakening.” [ Emphasis added]

Lovelace also explains that there is authentic revival in a land when law-makers and media influences begin to do this differently.  He affirms that “the Old Testament prophets habitually call for a threefold repentance on the part of God’s people:  The rejection of idolatry or false religion, the renunciation of adultery, drunkenness and other personal sins:  and a renewal of caring for the poor and needy, forsaking indifference, fighting oppression and seeking justice.”

So if South Africa is in real revival or interested in moving into it, the only way to tell is through a revival of caring for the poor, forsaking indifferent, fighting oppression and seeking justice, along with a major concern to evangelise and win souls.

Nor will we know real revival by whether people start laughing or falling down, but by what they do when they stop laughing and when they get up! [ Emphasis added]

That’s why James Burns in his great classic ‘Revivals, Their Laws and Leaders’ (1909) could note:  “All revivals are ethical revivals, they move – if they are authentic revivals from above, and not merely in the realm of emotions, but in the sphere of conscience and the will” [ Emphasis added]

In other words, revived consciences will not ethically or morally tolerate society evils but will volitionally resolve to challenge these and work for their elimination. [ Emphasis added]

For this reason, and given South Africa’s horrific and seemingly mounting propensities for crime, the neglect of the poor, and the assault on the rule of the law and so on, we need to test out any revival claims against whether South African Christians are starting to make any dent on all that.  Are Christians, in other words, becoming what one of Wesley’s biographers called ‘regiments of reform?”  That’s the acid test of real revival. [ Emphasis added]

Revived men and women need to demonstrate their revived state of soul by also labouring for ‘National Reformation’ in the land. [Emphasis added]

If that sort of thing happens, and if righteousness, goodness, honesty, and the upholding of family values also penetrate government, legal and business opportunities of our land, then indeed we will know that revival has come to South Africa.

But only then.”   

Michael Cassidy is founder and international Team Leader of African Enterprise, an interdenominational Christian mission agency with teams in ten countries across Africa. 

So what does REVIVAL in this day an age REALLY mean?

  1. Revival means the New Age ‘renewal of your conscience’.  Not by the Holy Spirit but another spirit that is leading people into an anti-Christ trap.
  2. The full gospel of Jesus Christ is not preach properly and because of the lies told at these so called revivals – Jesus Christ is never glorified.
  3. A renewed conscience or enlightened mind will want to do good works;  it will want to demonstrate your passion for the poor, will want to fight crime, will not tolerate injustice.
  4. A New Age renewed mind will want to help their neighbour.  A renewed mind will want to start a community/society that can make a change in the lives of many people. 
  5. A New Age renewed mind wants to be part of a brotherhood or sisterhood of sharing.
  6. A New Age renewed mind will sooner or later agree to the redistribution of wealth, whether it’s in South Africa or the entire world.
  7. A New Age renewed mind will help bring about Transformation (Socialism)

Here is an article from Dion Forster who is very good friends with Michael Cassidy.  Both Dion Forster and Michael Cassidy are some of the main supporters of Angus Buchan and Graham Power’s conferences including the Global Day of Prayer.  Unless it’s the other way around and Angus Buchan and Graham Power are the main supporters of Dion Forster and Michael Cassidy… who knows.  Anyhow.

The purpose of my life in one single sentence…

by Dion Forster – Monday, March 29, 2010 at 5:19PM

“….Today I visited the investment firm of a friend – they are one of the more prominent investment firms in Hong Kong with a massive portfolio!  I have heard of their commitment to the redistribution of wealth and the effective transformation of society through recapturing economic systems so that they can more adequately reflect God’s desire that no person should have to much while any person has too little.

They employ a host of very bright and hard working people for their firm (not all of them are Christians, but they do have to understand the principles on which the firm operates).  It was a joy to spend some time with them discussing how Christians can use their ability, influence, and resources under God’s guidance to bring about transformation…”   [Emphasis added]

This is not the revival you were thinking of right?   Yeah, thought so.

What they are subtly trying to do to you at all these so called ‘Revivals’  is too renew your mind, change the way you think.  You go there under the pretence that these people are worshipping the same Jesus Christ as you are, but they are not.  They will tell you what you need to do to ‘find God’ which will lead you to a spiritual awakening in your consciousness and your will – an awakening that will lead you into accepting socialism.  This awakening is satanic and in no way Biblical.

They will tell you what they want YOU to hear.  And they will hit home with things most personal to you.  It’s starts with your family they tell you, then your finances.  Become a Christian, it’s the only way to live.  So everyone starts to act like a Christian.  But they are not.  This renewal of your mind can be simplified into one sentence:  “making you think you are something that you are not”  And this is Satan’s whole grand scheme of things.

Here is South Africa we are almost commanded to do 67 minutes of GOOD for Mandela and if you don’t you are looked at as though there is something wrong with you.  I was asked on Mandela’s 95th birthday, “so what good did you do today for your 67 minutes”.  I replied, “if you are up to it, lets sit down and I will tell you that Mandela is not my god, but Jesus Christ the Son of God and doing good for 67 minutes is going to help no one, but preaching the saving gospel of Jesus Christ for 5 minutes will help someone for eternity.  Are you interested in listening?”  The guy said no, he had to go.  I said to him, “hey you just have to listen for 5 minutes, not 67 minutes” he looked at me as though he was about the be tortured.  He then said that he goes to church.  I said, “sure”.  And off he went.

The revival you thought was taking place is not what you thought it was.  It has nothing to do with saving souls.  It has nothing to do with the Gospel of Jesus Christ – in fact it has nothing to do with Jesus Christ.  They are using his name to fool you, it is another Jesus, another Christ.

Stop following the world, stop following men, and start picking up your Bible at home and reading it by yourself – you do not need to go to these so called disguised revivals and conferences where they tell you you will hear the most inspiring message ever.  That is a complete load of nonense because you can open the Bible on any page at any point in time and read the most inspired message EVER – Inspired by God Himself.

Do you want to know who Dion Forster is and the god he worships?  He calls his god, “Christ”, but it’s not the Jesus Christ of the Bible.  See here where Dion Forster follows the Cosmic Christ and Oom Angus says you need to put your doctrinal differences aside.

Please share:

Deborah (Discerning the World)

Deborah Ellish is the author of the above article. Discerning the World is an internet Christian Ministry based in Johannesburg South Africa. Tom Lessing and Deborah Ellish both own Discerning the World. For more information see the About this Website page below the comments section.

11 Responses

  1. Grant C says:

    100%, 100%, 100%

    Matthew 11:

    15He who has ears, let him hear.

    16“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

    17“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

  2. Barland Johnson says:

    Dear Deborah

    thank you to you and your team for your good work. thank you to my brothers and sisters who support your ministry. Your articles on revival are spot on. my heart sank at the news of Paul Washer but cannot say i am surprised about GCC and others alike. But WOW!!
    The thing about people embracing false teachings is that it is birthed when people do not reject lies out right. the WORD of GOD is very simple and straight forward about everything it teaches us. When leaders are enticed to embrace falsehoods they open themselves to delusion and eventually the heart will be turned away from GOD. This then can easily explain why “men” of GOD were preaching love and forgiveness oneday and hatred the next during the time of Hitler. It will also explain why leading Christian leaders were complicit during the Rwandan Genocide. Any falsehood deserves nothing but our contempt and utter disgust must be our only reaction. In this day i have seen friends who loved GOD turn away from the truth and turn to Mammon worshio, to self worship. the churches are emptying out and the temples of Mammon filling up. It is like hyper-Rhema where you pay and pray.
    Once you turn away from GOD and embrace all the false doctrines it is curtains for the heart becomes hardened. Also not surprising is the observation that al these turning away from GOD are men that have preached unbiblical doctrines like the Calvinists. I also see it in the Baptist arena that most have embrace PDC and PDL by R.W. Many pastors and leading Baptist scholars love Tony Campolo, R.W, and even TD Jakes. Finally Piper is coming to SA and will attend at the Florida Baptist. (Is he not reformed and replacementist??)
    Thank you once again and may GOD cause your voice to grow louder and He direct your ministry to reach out whever there is a computer and cellphone.
    GOD Bless you

  3. Wow, thank you Barland. Thank you!! I have many researchers, side kicks and wonderful born again Christians friends who help make this possible and JESUS CHRIST because this is HIS website!!

    Everyone needs to know what is happening. We wont be able to stop it because this is the way the world has to go, but we warn people we love to get out, to get back to a strong relationship with Jesus Christ. Time is ruining out. There are those out there who will hear and see and God will pull them out of the horror that is to come in a nick of time.

  4. Pete says:

    Great stuff D.T.W. God bless you
    In His love
    Pete

  5. Amanda says:

    Health warning: do not read this after a meal.

    Here is an excerpt from Ed Silvoso’s foreword to the new book ‘Transform your work life: Turn your ordinary day into an extraordinary’ by Graham Power and Dion Forster:

    God has been speaking eloquently and repeatedly to the church about his heart for, and his upcoming move in, the marketplace. Dr Billy Graham, one of the most respected leaders and surely the most perceptive modern evangelist, has stated that God’s next move will be in the marketplace. His statement is consistent with the words spoken by the prophet Joel and quoted by Peter when he preached the first sermon of the Church Age in Acts 2. God’s Spirit will be poured out on all people (see Acts 2:17, NIV), clearly implying that the end-time revival will happen in the marketplace since that is where most of ‘all people’ reside.

    This book is co-authored by two of God’s choicest gifts to the church and to the world – Graham Power and Dion Forster. It reflects ‘what the Spirit is saying to the churches in this day and age’. Consequently, those who have ears are instructed to hear.

    Many people have written on the subject of marketplace ministry and Dion and Graham are quick and gracious to acknowledge that they stand on the shoulders of early pioneers. But there are at least two important elements that make the content of this book unique: Firstly, it is the collaborative work of a pulpit and a marketplace minister who have and will continue to share in the trenches in God’s kingdom. Their placement in those different, yet complementary arenas enables them to present God’s message in well-balanced stereo. Secondly, it is the result of sound implementation of Biblical principles. It is not theoretical, but practical; fully sustained by experience that serves as an example for others to follow. Graham and Dion’s stories are extraordinary, but they are rooted in ordinary, everyday situations, making the challenge and the instruction appealing and accessible to everyone.

    As someone who has devoted his life to seeing transformation come to cities and nations, I welcome this book and highly and enthusiastically recommend it to anyone with a burden to see our world become a better place as God’s will in heaven begins to be reflected on earth.

    – Ed Silvoso Author Anointed for Business and Transformation CEO International Transformation Network.

    From one of the two of God’s choicest gifts to the church and to the world, Dr. Dion Forster’s book Christ at the Centre – Discovering the Cosmic Christ of Bede Giffiths:

    What I suggest here are merely three ‘further steps’ among many that I believe can arise from the example of Fr Bede’s spirituality as seen in his cosmic Christology. The three are: the courage to seek the truth, the desire to be enriched through encounter with different cultures and religions, and an engagement with a wide array of disciplines outside of traditional theology. I am sure that there are many brighter minds, and more committed hearts, that will find meaningful and helpful further steps to suggest beyond these three.

    Shirley du Boulay pays a fitting tribute to the contribution that Fr Bede’s spirituality has already made in the lives of many. This quote is a fitting conclusion, showing the true significance of Fr Bede’s cosmic Christology, as it arises from his spirituality.

    Bede’s vision was for all humankind, but it is of special importance to Christians. Through his own great longing to reach the reality beyond the opposites, the mystical union that he was convinced lay at the heart of every religion, he helped today’s Christian to realise that it is possible to follow a mystical path and remain within the institutional church. In his humility and confidence of the truth of his experience he challenged the Church and left an image of an inclusive Christian for the future, once more his own example, his courage, inspiring others to follow his instincts…. He was like yeast, leavening the flour and water of institutional religion, seeing its point of transcendence where all is one and where all is love. In his life and thought, Bede Griffiths eventually found the meeting place between the opposites. His whole life and thought culminated in the knowledge that beyond the opposites, beyond the darkness, was ‘that Great Person, of the brightness of the sun’ (1998:292).

  6. Amanda

    >> God has been speaking eloquently and repeatedly to the church about his heart for, and his upcoming move in, the marketplace. Dr Billy Graham, one of the most respected leaders and surely the most perceptive modern evangelist, has stated that God’s next move will be in the marketplace. His statement is consistent with the words spoken by the prophet Joel and quoted by Peter when he preached the first sermon of the Church Age in Acts 2. God’s Spirit will be poured out on all people (see Acts 2:17, NIV), clearly implying that the end-time revival will happen in the marketplace since that is where most of ‘all people’ reside.

    HAHAHAHAHA. NO, you kidding!!!

    He says: “God’s Spirit will be poured out on all people (see Acts 2:17, NIV), clearly implying that the end-time revival will happen in the marketplace since that is where most of ‘all people’ reside.”

    What a load of utter rubbish. And you know the worst part. Everyone will actually agree with this. How utterly foolish are these people.

    >> Many people have written on the subject of marketplace ministry and Dion and Graham are quick and gracious to acknowledge that they stand on the shoulders of early pioneers

    Stand on their shoulders? My, how humble they are. But this too is a load of rubbish. The New Apostolic Reformation have ALL (like thousands of them) have been preaching this nonsense for years. The early pioneer they are speaking about is Peter Drucker. I am not sure he can carry the weight of Graham and Dion. Shame, poor guys idea has been hijacked.

    >> From one of the two of God’s choicest gifts to the church and to the world. Dr. Dion Forster’s book Christ at the Centre – Discovering the Cosmic Christ of Bede Giffiths.

    My word, Dion ‘Cosmic Christ’ Forster’s book has replaced the bible. What’s the other gift to the world? Graham powers book? I must say Dion I never saw that one coming. But never fear I am still way ahead of what you are upto on everything else 🙂

  7. Amanda says:

    An endorsement by Rev Trevor Hudson for the book ‘Transform your work life’ by Graham Power and Dion Forster:

    “At long last we have a book that affirms our daily workplace as a primary place for us to live out our faith. Few people are better placed and more equipped to show us the way than Dion Forster and Graham Power…. I pray that this book will enable many individuals the world over to see their work as a means of dignity, love and provision, both for themselves and their neighbour.”

    – Rev Trevor Hudson, South African Pastor and Author.

    You can learn more about Trevor Hudson from Part 3 – A biblical appraisal of the Mosaic Congress held at the Mosaic Church in Fairlands, Johannesburg (4-5 Sept. 2009)

    Christians are beacons of light that illuminate the way to heaven by their preaching of the unadulterated Word of God and their sanctified lives. Like John the Baptist they ought to point to Jesus Christ and declare “There is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.” John the Baptist never performed any miracles and neither did he pour himself out on behalf of others to alleviate their suffering, poverty and misery. And yet Jesus hailed him the greatest prophet born of women because he never compromised the Word of God for the sake of a unifying spiritual journey. Also when Paul said that he was being poured out he was merely referring to his life that was nearing its end and not to a life of service to the poor and the destitute (2 Timothy 4:6). In the other instance where he mentions him being offered as a libation sacrifice, he did so on behalf of the faith of his brothers and sisters and not to ease their poverty and dire circumstances (Philippians 2:17). I’m not in the very least suggesting that they had no compassion for the poor and their suffering.

    Throughout the Congress the speakers eulogized the need for experience, mysticism, intuition, thoughtlessness, silence, passive sitting, awareness while they downplayed rationalism, thinking, studying, understanding, i.e. everything that relates to man’s cognitive capacities. It predictably leads to the assumption that the transformation (transfiguration) of an individual is not accomplished through the cognitive learning, understanding or knowledge of certain doctrines. Biblical exposés such as “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” are no longer tolerable in our post-modern enlightened society. Instead, the “truth” is passively received by means of a mystical induction or infusion when the mind moves beyond reason through deep contemplative and silent meditation. You will recall that Johan Geyser said it is not acquired but induced by just sitting and being in a state of complete silence. Well of course, the expediency in this is that it eliminates disagreement, factions or divisions, conflicts and war because no one needs to defend the doctrines of a particular faith; we are all induced with a like-mindedness that has its origin in the same source — a generic god who is equally at home in Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism etc. etc. etc. You may also recall that in my previous comment I said “It is said that a guru is capable of transmitting his own state of being (love, compassion, empathy, intuition and aliveness) to the receptive pilgrims who sit with him at his feet.” In Buddhism this is called TO BECOME ENLIGTENED.

  8. Elmarie A says:

    Amanda & Deborah (Discerning the World)

    I cannot help but think that in the OT these people would have been stoned for their heresies!

    Leviticus 24:23
    Then Moses spoke to the Israelites, and they took the blasphemer outside the camp and stoned him. The Israelites did as the LORD commanded Moses.

  9. Michael says:

    Ps 2

    Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

    2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,

    3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

    4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

    5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

    6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

    7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

  10. Michael says:

    There will be no revival…I quoted ps 2 becauses it depicts a UN type of world government (and religion) opposed against the true Lord Jesus Christ.

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