Some believers in the Pre-Tribulation fold believe that 144,000 Jews will be preaching the word to others in a tribulation period, and that’s where the revival happens. Revivals can happen at any time in history when the conditions are right.
However, I find in the Bible that people will diminish in their affections to God. Matthew 24:9-12 talks about church persecutions increasing because “the love of many will grow cold.” 2 Timothy 3:1-9 speaks of “perilous times” in the last days where church-members’ godliness is only on the outside and people live for their lusts. 2 Peter 2 warns about “false prophets” who will do much harm in the church.
There will certainly be personal revivals in the end times (in which we are living), where people wake up to their condition and apply the Word more zealously. The letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and Revelation 3 reveal how they are spiritually bankrupt, and give promises to those who overcome the problem in spite of the church. Revelation 6:9-11 and 12:10-11 recount episodes of those who continued to remain steadfast against the enemy. Perhaps they took hold of Jesus’ comment in Mark 13:13, “He who endures to the end will be saved.” Perhaps they will hold fast to the promises of reward in Matthew 24:36-47 for continuing faithfully in their appointed work, such as hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Would you call those stories instances of revival in the end times?
You can have a revival in your own life. Psalm 119 has several prayers asking for revival: https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/search.cfm?Criteria=revive&t=NKJV&csrf=Psa&csrt=Psa#s=s_primary_0_1
The writer of Psalm 119 is “afflicted” and in “troubles” and pleads for God to “revive me according to your Word.” Those who are content in life are not looking for revival. If we are satisfied we have it better than most, we may not be revived. What is revival “according to Your Word”? Perhaps it’s seeing God as in Isaiah 6:1-8, of seeing one’s own sinfulness, then being delighted in God’s mercy and grace. That would revive anyone! So it was at the burning bush with Moses, who had lost the vision of being used by God 40 years ago, and God then called him when he was broken and humbled (Exodus 3). It came with Peter when he saw the glorified Lord and told Him, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”, and Jesus invited him to become a fisher of men (Luke 5:8-10).
What is revival “according to Your Word”? We just looked at how several individuals found revival according to the stories in God’s Word. But revival is not limited to extraordinary events. Revival happens because of God’s Word itself. Through it God still speaks. He still calls and rouses from slumber those who are seeking Him in the Word. His disciples will acknowledge, “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:66-68). Again, Psalm 119 tells us a variety of experiences we can have as the Word affects us if we pursue the Lord in the Word. Let me open my Bible and check the verses I marked over the years and share them. What will God’s Word do for people who seek God?
It will cause them to be “blessed” by God, vv. 1-2. To overcome sin, v. 11. Rejoice and delight, vv. 14, 16. Revive them, v. 25. Strengthen them, v. 28. Teach them, vv. 33-34. Help them walk at liberty, v. 45. Find comfort, v. 50. Find mercy, v. 77. The Word guides them, v. 105. And more.
There’s a reason we read and ponder the Word of God, ideally morning and night. Let it sink in. Pursue it because Christ reveals Himself in it and in the obedience of it (John 14:1). Then the revival you find will be no less than Christ living through you.
Will there be revival in the end times? Yes, if you see your insufficiency and need for Jesus, and seek Him with all of your heart.
If you have found revival, please tell us about it in the Comments.
