Gavin, Initially, I intended to skip over this video… but something told me to watch it. Now I’ve been crying for 40 minutes and 50 seconds. May the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, breathe new life into us all! Love and prayers from Japan!
Gavin, might I say you are the very first Reformed person who I have seen endorsing the Revival at Asbury. I spent several hours today watching the live footage of what is going on there and I am totally 100% sold it is the real thing! I hope it spreads to our church! We have a very small congregation of less than 50 people, but my people there have heard me pray for revival in prayer meetings and such. I love how God answers His people. May the Revival bless the whole US and beyond!
@@rosehammer9482 -as one who watched the Feb 23rd Evening of Prayer, there was no platforming of Francis Chan, Rick Warren or any other well known Christian pastor/speaker. They don’t seem to be connected
I’m with you Gavin! Great video! Much needed. I was saved in 1971 as a direct result of the revivals at Asbury and Wheaton and other in places in 1970.
Thanks so much for this video Gavin. I don't see this kind of careful positivity much in the reformed crowd but I feel you model it very well. Please, anyone who reads this, pray for revival in the German church.
Gavin, I don't know how you do it, but you always leave me with such great reassurance that it is possible to be both hopeful and careful, without wantonly falling for every hype that passes us by, nor falling conversely into a pit of cynicism. Thank you.
Thank you, Gavin. I have been reluctant to look into this Revival, probably out of fear of later disappointment. But when I saw you commenting on it, I felt like this was a safe way to acquaint myself with it.
Well-thought perspective, Gavin! I would be interested in talking to you about how to revive the MAINLINE Churches, as that's a project I'm working on. God bless!
Thanks for putting this together Gavin. I was brought to Christ in the very early days of an outpouring at my high school in Fallbrook, California back in 2000. It was student-led, worshipful, Bible-studying movement that involved a small group gathering together for prayer and worship before the school bell rang every morning, and encompassed a larger lunch-break worship and verse-by-verse Bible study every day for nearly an entire academic year. Deeply appreciative of that time in my life, May the Lord be pleased to do it a million times over amongst the youth and older generations today!
This is such an uplifting clip. It is balanced, encouraging, and full of love. Thank you. I am so glad that the college principal is not allowing celebrity figures to disrupt the revival meetings. He is meticulously keeping the focus on Christ, respecting God's order, and carefully guarding his sheep. Unlike the way influential famous leaders let the sheep down, confused, and deeply hurt at the Lakeland mess.
Brother Gavin: Such a thoughtful and sensitive reflection. Thanks for taking the time to share your heart and affirming cautions to us. I was your father's roommate in college, and also a football teammate. Bud--at that time--was my best friend! It is so affirming to see you, Dane and your fam members are going deeper! Go under the Spirit! Steve Hoke
Current Wheaton College student. Please pray for the college and the student body for authentic revival as it feels like the administration is really trying to almost engineer and force revival upon us.
Thanks for this perspective, Gavin! A helpful encapsulation of revivals I had heard of, but didn't know much about. I was thankful to get to meet you a couple months ago and continue to be grateful for your channel!
#AsburyTheologicalSeminary The skeptical people who are against this revival did not expect God to visit a Wesleyan Theologically based seminary in a very small town of only 6,000 people, especially among very young students. They are upset because it did not come through their church or ministry. We should just enjoy the fact that God turned up. I think that it is absolutely wonderful how God orchestrated the whole thing. After only a few days, the college had to open a fourth building for the thousands of visitors. Christians are thirsty for God's presence. AMEN!
This is why you have to not focus solely on one type of YT ministry. Your work on Catholocism is so needed, but I would not want to be without these gems. Thank you, Gavin
Love this! Thanks for sharing your thoughts Dr Ortlund! Love hearing you dig into the history and share the story of your grandparents. Your voice here in this space matters!
With everything going on in this dark world instead of asking the Lord for the rapture to happen I've been praying for revival. There's far too many headed for Hell. Yes, Hell is a real place. 🙏❤️🙏
When Jesus returns we all change to spiritual bodies immediately (1COR 15:50-58, MATT24:30-31), never believe He's returned unless you're changed FIRST, no matter what happens, or who comes, or who they say they are, if you're still in your flesh as is then Christ has not returned. The church stays on earth during the tribulation - REV 11:4 "These are the two olive trees, and the TWO CANDLESTICKS standing before the God of the earth." - REV 1:20 "...and the seven CANDLESTICKS which thou sawest ARE the seven CHURCHES." (ZECH 4) - "anti" in Greek means instead of, so the title "anti-Christ" should be understood as "instead of-Christ". (Shepherd's Chapel/TH-cam) The anti-Christ comes 1st acting like God, if he acts like Jesus come to rapture you, or like the tribulation is over and he's Christ returned to reign, it's a lie to get you to commit apostasy by giving up on waiting for the true Christ cause you think he is Christ, do not worship him even if he acts like Jesus, peaceful, doing miracles with millions of angels (REV9:16, MATT24:24, REV13:13-14) The anti-Christ acts peaceful (physically) in order to destroy spiritually - DAN8:25 "...he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by PEACE shall destroy many..." 2COR 11:14 "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light." REV13:11 "...another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." (Seems like a peaceful lamb but speaks lies. The true Christ is the true Lamb, wait for him, wait to be changed!) Our gathering to Christ will not be until AFTER the man of sin shows himself like he is God (2THESS 2), only after that will the true Christ return to reign giving His church rest, and wrath to the evil (2THESS 1:6-7) Wait to be changed to know Jesus has returned/There is NO mid or pre-trib rapture REV2:10 "behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful" The great tribulation will only last 5 months (ROMANS 9:27-28) MATT24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved REV9:5 - they only have 5 MONTHS - I learned most of this studying with the Shepherd's Chapel, they're on TV and TH-cam so if you want to learn more you can look them up and study any chapter in the Bible verse by verse. - Always remember to wait to be changed to a spiritual body first before believing that Jesus has really returned, if you're still in your flesh and blood body as is now, then Jesus has not really returned. I believe when Christ's returns ALL old people will be changed to look young, and all infants/children will look like young adults, so wait until everyone is changed! The Bible says that we all will be changed immediately when Jesus actually returns. - 1 COR 15:50-52 ...flesh & blood CANNOT inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51...WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED, 52In a MOMENT [instantly], in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: ..., ...the dead shall be raised INCORRUPTIBLE, & WE SHALL BE CHANGED. - Don't be decieved by a fake! 2 COR 11:14 "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light." - "anti-Christ" means instead of-Christ in the Greek - The church remains on earth during the tribulation, mentioned after REV 3 in REV 11:4 - The candlesticks are the church - REV 1:20 - Don't worship and be fooled by the anti-Christ even if he claims (or you assume him) to be Jesus and says (or you assume) that he's here to rapture you before the tribulation, - OR even if he says (or you assume) that the tribulation is over and that he is Christ come back to reign on earth for the millennium after the tribulation, don't worship! - And even if he says (or you assume) that he is Christ returned and that somehow the MILLENNIUM is over and he's here to do the final judgment, DON'T WORSHIP! - If you're still flesh like now, then Christ has not returned, but only a fake is here. - He will be acting peaceful doing miracles with millions of angels (fallen angels) - DAN 8:25, REV 13:13-14, MATT 24:24, REV 9:16 - Wait to be changed to a spiritual body! - There's is NO mid, or pre-tribulation rapture.
Well, yes, but scripture does tell us (aka command us) to pray for His return.... Is rationalizing away a command a healthy and useful thing to do? Praying for both is a great thing.... He has reasons for His command, even though the date and time is already known by the Father.....
@@bomackin When Jesus returns we all change to spiritual bodies immediately (1COR 15:50-58, MATT24:30-31), never believe He's returned unless you're changed FIRST, no matter what happens, or who comes, or who they say they are, if you're still in your flesh as is then Christ has not returned. The church stays on earth during the tribulation - REV 11:4 "These are the two olive trees, and the TWO CANDLESTICKS standing before the God of the earth." - REV 1:20 "...and the seven CANDLESTICKS which thou sawest ARE the seven CHURCHES." (ZECH 4) - "anti" in Greek means instead of, so the title "anti-Christ" should be understood as "instead of-Christ". (Shepherd's Chapel/TH-cam) The anti-Christ comes 1st acting like God, if he acts like Jesus come to rapture you, or like the tribulation is over and he's Christ returned to reign, it's a lie to get you to commit apostasy by giving up on waiting for the true Christ cause you think he is Christ, do not worship him even if he acts like Jesus, peaceful, doing miracles with millions of angels (REV9:16, MATT24:24, REV13:13-14) The anti-Christ acts peaceful (physically) in order to destroy spiritually - DAN8:25 "...he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by PEACE shall destroy many..." 2COR 11:14 "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light." REV13:11 "...another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." (Seems like a peaceful lamb but speaks lies. The true Christ is the true Lamb, wait for him, wait to be changed!) Our gathering to Christ will not be until AFTER the man of sin shows himself like he is God (2THESS 2), only after that will the true Christ return to reign giving His church rest, and wrath to the evil (2THESS 1:6-7) Wait to be changed to know Jesus has returned/There is NO mid or pre-trib rapture REV2:10 "behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful" The great tribulation will only last 5 months (ROMANS 9:27-28) MATT24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved REV9:5 - they only have 5 MONTHS - I learned most of this studying with the Shepherd's Chapel, they're on TV and TH-cam so if you want to learn more you can look them up and study any chapter in the Bible verse by verse. - Always remember to wait to be changed to a spiritual body first before believing that Jesus has really returned, if you're still in your flesh and blood body as is now, then Jesus has not really returned. I believe when Christ's returns ALL old people will be changed to look young, and all infants/children will look like young adults, so wait until everyone is changed! The Bible says that we all will be changed immediately when Jesus actually returns. - 1 COR 15:50-52 ...flesh & blood CANNOT inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51...WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED, 52In a MOMENT [instantly], in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: ..., ...the dead shall be raised INCORRUPTIBLE, & WE SHALL BE CHANGED. - Don't be decieved by a fake! 2 COR 11:14 "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light." - "anti-Christ" means instead of-Christ in the Greek - The church remains on earth during the tribulation, mentioned after REV 3 in REV 11:4 - The candlesticks are the church - REV 1:20 - Don't worship and be fooled by the anti-Christ even if he claims (or you assume him) to be Jesus and says (or you assume) that he's here to rapture you before the tribulation, - OR even if he says (or you assume) that the tribulation is over and that he is Christ come back to reign on earth for the millennium after the tribulation, don't worship! - And even if he says (or you assume) that he is Christ returned and that somehow the MILLENNIUM is over and he's here to do the final judgment, DON'T WORSHIP! - If you're still flesh like now, then Christ has not returned, but only a fake is here. - He will be acting peaceful doing miracles with millions of angels (fallen angels) - DAN 8:25, REV 13:13-14, MATT 24:24, REV 9:16 - Wait to be changed to a spiritual body! - There's is NO mid, or pre-tribulation rapture.
Speaking of lasting fruit, Jonathan Edwards tells the story of a four year old girl saved during the Great Awakening. Her parents would hear her crying out to God in the closet. It was reported that when she was in her 80s, she was still following Christ. Fascinating!
Wonderful balanced perspectives as always, Dr Ortland. People pray for revival, then when it starts, they want to rain on the parade so to speak. This kind of reminds me that we don’t really always believe that our prayers are being answered. Just as when Peter was supernaturally let out of jail, but the very people who were praying for him didn’t believe it when he showed up at the door.
I am jealous to. Hope it spils out here to South-Africa. I want to work where the Lord is at work in great numbers at one moment. It would be an amazing dream to come true as Laborer for Jesus Christ.
I think time will show if it's a revival or not. If it's a genuine conversion, it will last. My hope right now is that it is a revival so that many might come to faith, but God is glorified no matter what fruits they bear. I pray for new brothers and sisters in faith
We felt the reverberations of the seventies revival even in South Africa, where I grew up, and the fruit lasted. I was a teenager at the time. We had Bible study groups in my school and meetings after church on Sunday nights we couldn't get enough of. In my area young people went into the streets in Cape Town on Friday nights to help the down-and-out and there was a record number of new theology students at my university in the early seventies. To me it seems that each time our culture goes off the edge in the direction of evil, God does something amazing to bring us back to him.
The vibe I get from many folks unfortunately is that this can't possibly be a revival unless everyone involved follows their exact theological leanings without exception
@@wesmorgan7729That's part of human nature. Things of the Spirit are spiritually discerned. Nehemiah did not have an easy ride but God started the whole thing.
Count me in. 4am eastern time I will rise and pray for the Spirit to move across our land and bring many to Christ. Does anyone want to join me at that hour?
This video inspired me to go see the revival for myself! Thanks, Gavin. Praise God for the work you do and for the moving of the Holy Spirit around the country. I was still expecting much wackiness at Asbury even after the video but it was actually just like a normal evangelical worship meeting but with more people.
Regularly Gen Z students responding to a very unassuming Scriptural message, and then a movement of the Holy Spirit ushers in The Worship of Jesus; of repentance; of responding to God’s Word, of Love, without contrivance or fanfare - Something transcendent & transforming is happening here …
Thank you for talking about this. I totally agree. People are so quick to criticize a move of God where people are clearly being touched. I pray people would be open to God moving as he has been where I'm from for 5 years now. So important.
I have the gift of discerning of the spirits. And our Holy Spirit God always brings me information. So I was watching the start of the Asbury revival. This young man who was connected to the college somehow. He sounded a little bit older like maybe he had graduated and was sticking around in the area? Or maybe he was still a student I am unsure. For all I know, I guess he could’ve been a professor? Anyhow, I overheard this beautiful conversation that he had with a young lady that he was sitting next to while live streaming. You could tell that he was just a lovely kind hearted young man. He was speaking about how he had never felt God supernaturally like this before. I have had spiritual supernatural uplifting like this from God before, so I knew exactly what he was talking about. Then he went on to say that he was going to be at the revival today, and maybe tomorrow whatever. But he had things of God’s work that he needed to do, that he’s always done! He had a Bible study, the next day he had to go do his charity work that he does, and the next day he had to do some other weekly Already pre-revival scheduled activities for God. I thought to myself, and spoke to Jesus, what a wonderfully grounded young man this is. That he is feeling you super naturally like that for the first time, and he is still going on with his already scheduled life of which he was doing for you anyway pre-revival. Then I thought you know God had the people that he wanted down there in Asbury university at the time this revival broke out. They had the free world choice to go or not go and they went.
Very good! I covered a few videos on this as a Baptist pastor as well. I think it’s important to talk about the theology of revival. Thank you, Gavin. 🙌
You can't light the fire until there's enough kindling! That's what's happening at these revivals. When there's enough kindling, God'll light it! Amen, praise Jesus. We need more revivals as individuals too. We need to be on FIRE for the Lord! Passionate and willing!
As an Asbury grad, thank you for this perspective. I personally know tons of people who have had God change them in powerful ways. It's real, and even though there will inevitably be sinful people trying to ruin a good thing, we should be very careful before speaking against the Spirit
@@truthisbeautiful7492 freedom from sin, addiction, one person with scoliosis was partially healed and started running around, I've heard tons of reports of bitterness being let go, enemies being reconciled, hearts being softened, an overwhelming sense of peace, deliverance from pornography, etc.
@@hudsonensz2858 well moral change is positive so thank you for the information. I am skeptical of 'healings' without personally knowing the person's and evidence first hand. God can certainly heal people if He desires, but the church has always had to deal with false signs and wonders. Has there been any evidence of unbelievers trusting in Christ? Are people gaining assurance of salvation? Are people giving up astrology or witchcraft, or drunkenness or fornication? Are there false prophecies, unusual bodily contortions, people neglecting their duties to family or work? Are people gaining a greater love for the Scriptures and a desire to have non Christians become Christians? Pro revivalists have pointed to those involved in revivalism to becoming missionaries to reach pagans for Jesus - has that happened?
Gavin, thank you for your perspective. I've listened many times to J Edwin Orr's talk, "the role of prayer in spiritual awakenings." I love this talk so much. I've thought about you when listening it because Orr said general revivals were always preceded by general prayer, united together with all denominations. In other words, church unity in prayer. I think of the Psalmists recounting God's deeds of old, saying "How long oh Lord?" They knew what God did in the past, and that it was missing from their own day. This is how I feel when I hear about the revivals of the past. The prophet Joel says, "Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, "Spare your people, oh Lord, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'" Why should Christians leave the faith and tell the world they're better off now. Why should the world not see a sharp distinction between the world and Christians? Why should Christians(myself included) live so occupied with the world and not with God? Why should we be afraid of evangelization? As though, "a thousand shall flee at the threat of one", and "You shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them." Why are we so timid and yet we're not even experiencing substantial persecution? To me all this comes back to prayer. If we are not finding success wherever we go, and God is not adding to our numbers daily, then it seems to suggest a problem and the need for repentance. Joel says "call a solemn assembly" and gather everyone. It seems to me we need a general call to go out through the churches for prayer and agreement on when to pray and for what.
what is happening at asbury sounds awesome. We don't have a lot of hype in canada for christianity, our identity as christians is so different from the US. But I pray we have something similar one day. I grew up in Quebec where the church REALLY hurt the population (catholic church more specifically). I think the protestant church forms 0.3% of the Quebec population and most of it is from Haiti. I remember growing up with adversity as christians, our community being looked at the same way christians our now seen as in america, probably worst. I pray one day we have something similar occur here.
My charismatic family is very excited about this, but I am slightly more skeptical. Thank you for this video though, it helped clear up some misunderstandings I had.
My church met tonight to pray for this movement. One of the things that I personally was stirred to pray for was unity in the church. There are so many naysayers right now that are doing nothing except confusing people. We should be excited that these students are pursuing Christ. Instead we are tearing them down because they aren’t fulfilling our expectations. We have to make sure that we are not so arrogant that we tell God how He is supposed to operate.
In both this pod and the panel with Timothy Tennant your comments were so measured, careful, incisive and careful. The more you do on the topic of revival, in our day and here, in the West, the better it will be for all of us. And .... more video of your grandparents! :) Their ministries were so helpful. I had not known of their visit to Wheaton and their connection to Asbury in 1970.
This was a good discussion of prior revivals in American and British history. The Second Great Awakening truly made Christianity in America what it is today. I wish you gave some background on what's happening at Asbury University (I had to look it up afterwards), otherwise good video.
In a major Welsh revival, the Holy Spirit changed hearts so much that, all of a sudden, the work shut down in the mines. Why? Because no one was cussing all of a sudden, and the mules had to be retrained in order to know commands without cussing. Did the repentance happen before the Holy Spirit brought revival then? Maybe. Can we manufacture that? Not sure.... But it occurs to me that all we can do is what we were commanded to do: Love God with everything we have, and love our neighbor as ourselves. Theology? It is just the study of. Moving beyond that discussion of theology? Walking in Him? That is vital. Theology is useful. It helps us recognize the bumpers as we are learning to drive these bumper cars of life..... May we find joy in figuring out how to respond to our life of bumper cars meet bumper cars.....the good, the bad, the ugly, and the miraculous.....
Gavin, I have been wondering for some time what the Scriptural precedent is for praying specifically for revival. I thought it might be covered here, but if it was, I missed it. Thanks
You know, in addition to Hab. 3:2, which I think I mentioned unless I forget, I have often wondered about Psalm 85:4-7: 4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! 5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? 6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. there are other texts that are more oblique; this one seems to be specifically of "revival" (v. 6). does this help?
@Truth Unites yes thank you. It helps lots and will make a difference to my prayers. I found a few other passages cross- referenced in my Bible too. I think I'd always read these as reviving/re-energising/encouraging believers rather than bringing in Jon believers. And I guess I'd hoped for NT examples, but they were in a state of revival st that time already, maybe.
For those who express concern over the lack of proclamation of the word, I actually don’t think it was always powerful preaching that sparked previous awakenings. It seemed to be prayer and a completely sovereign move of God. Remember the prayer revival in New York City around 1857. The powerful preaching of say, a Charles Spurgeon, or Martyn Lloyd Jones, never precipitated an awakening. Again, I can’t emphasize enough that these things are totally the sovereign decision of our Lord. We can pray against the devil schemes to derail it and also that preaching will take center stage. For now, I think it’s a little early to write it off.
Re. the Asbury "revival," one of the things that worries me is that I have not heard any mention of preaching. Historically, it is powerful preaching that sparks these things -- think of the preaching of Peter at Pentecost or Luther or Whitefield. It seems as though it is just a bunch of young people spontaneously getting together to "worship" (as they call it) and pray together arm in arm. Okay, wonderful. But where are the adults (preferably ordained ministers of the Word) who are preaching Christ and his gospel? And what exactly is the content of their preaching? I haven't heard a single thing about that. Since "revival" is a somewhat dubious biblical concept anyway, it is impossible to evaluate only the things that are happening, the revivalistic phenomena per se (the long hours of being together in chapel to worship, the praying, the emotions) to determine whether it is biblical or just mass hysteria. I'm not saying it is just mass hysteria, but we need criteria to determine that. And the only criteria we have in Scripture are related to preaching. All we can do is ask, "Is the Word being preached in a way that is faithful to Scripture and exalting of Christ? Are the people who are allegedly coming to faith or recommitting themselves to Christ doing so in response to this preaching? Do they have a credible profession of faith, that is, giving evidence of genuine conviction of sin and deeper trust in Christ and desire to follow him?" Perhaps powerful Christ-centered preaching is happening, but I haven't seen anyone explain that in their accounts. If such preaching were indeed the engine of this revival, surely it would have been mentioned by now. Dr Lee Irons
Andre Murray’s Church had revival break out after a girl prayed at the small group gathering. Everyone was down on their knees praying and worshiping. This was during the 2nd great awakening. I recommend the book Humility by Andrew Murray.
@@rosehammer9482 thanks for the reply. I've read a lot of Murray and find his theology deeply troubling. The second great awakening is at the heart of many of the serious problems in American Evangelicalism. The emphasis shifted from what God has done in Christ to what is allegedly happening in me. Many errors of doctrine and practice were catalysed in this "movement".
I actually don’t think it was always powerful preaching that sparked previous awakenings. It seemed to be prayer and a completely sovereign move of God. Remember the prayer revival in New York City around 1857. The powerful preaching of say, a Charles Spurgeon, or Martyn Lloyd Jones, never precipitated an awakening. Again, I can’t emphasize enough that these things are totally the sovereign decision of our Lord. We can pray against the devil schemes to derail it and also that preaching will take center stage. For now, I think it’s a little early to write it off.
Asbury University has a history of revivals, dating back in 1905, 1908, 1921, 1950, 1958, 1970, 1992, and 2006. The 1970 revival at Asbury had far-reaching cultural effects, and remains central to the construction of Asbury's spiritual identity. They always happen in February or March(Something that would concern me.) Test all things
I appreciate your thoughts on the subject of the Asbury Revival and am grateful for your historical understanding of revivals. However, one thing a I would like to point out is that the Gospel was not preached in the chapel sermon at Asbury University. I noticed that many times throughout the video, you mentioned the Gospel as being central. However, that wasn’t the case in this particular event at Asbury University.
Your mention about Jonathan Edwards had me wondering... There is one letter in the Bible where Paul writes to a person who had a slave. Paul didin't say to him repent of this, he didin't call it a sin at that time. So why do we call it a sin in Jonathan Edwards life? Can someone explain it to me? Maybe the situation was different in that century when Jonathan lived?
My understanding is that slavery in the ancient world was nothing like slavery in more "modern" times. It was thought of almost like holding a job, not being owned "body and soul" by another person. It was a way for people to pay off debts, to have food and shelter if they had no other way. People would offer themselves into slavery - they weren't being captured and taken from their home and sold to someone. I'm sure it wasn't like that for everyone and that there were exceptions, but *overall* I think that's what the difference is. I've heard very little teaching on this, I will admit, but what I heard really stood out to me because it was so eye-opening.
@@GoodSchooling This is my understanding as well. Slave in the ancient world could mean forceful taking into an oppressive servitude (like with later African American slave trade), but it could also mean what we would think of as indentured servitude. You basically submit yourself into someone's employment for a set amount of time in exchange for basic necessities, housing, etc.
Gavin, I want to throw a few things out there, and I know that I'm probably going to be called a "legalist" or "Pharisee" by some, but having spent my youth in revivalistic confessions, I know of what I speak. Please hear me out. First, may I suggest you watch both Joel Webbon (Right Response Ministries) and Chris Rosebrough's (Fighting for the Faith) videos in relation to Asbury? And when you do, please keep in mind that both of these gentlemen spent their younger years in revivalism. Also, while I would not dismiss everything going on down there as being fake (Jonathan Edwards was right in that things like this are usually messier than people realize and that there is error with truth), I would point out a few things that both Rosebrough and Webbon refer to that I would encourage you to consider 1.) Todd Bentley was present at the revival. For those who don't know, Todd Bentley is a Word of Faith healer who holds to blatantly aberrant doctrines and practices, and who also was caught in some very inappropriate activity that I'm not going to detail here for sake of decency, things that he seriously downplayed and tried to sweep under the rug. He went there and claimed he "felt the Spirit" and had experiences. Yet there are no signs of him confessing sins, undertaking actual repentance, or anything suggesting a retraction of his seriously false doctrines. Now, in fairness, Asbury was not told that he would be there, and did not officially sanction his presence, for which I give them a nod of approval. However, if the Spirit is working down there as thoroughly as everybody says, why did Bentley not seem to be affected by it? Just food for thought. 2.) Apparently Asbury has a contingency of LGBT students down there, and based on tweets that they have put out, they are all for this revival. Yet to my knowledge there have been no indications that these same students have expressed any repentance or contrition concerning their lifestyles. That may or may not be the fault of how things are being presented in these services (I don't know; obviously I'm not there). But again, as with Todd Bentley, that raises a red flag: if the Spirit of God is working down there as is being maintained, why are these students not coming forward in confession? 3.) Francis Chan, Rick Warren, and members of the International House of Prayer--all of which espouse doctrines that are serious red flags and run contrary to the Scriptures on several vital points--have all been invited to Asbury (Look up "Collegiate Day of Prayer-2023 Live from Asbury University"). That they are being invited to Asbury, and that nobody under this revival is standing up and saying "We should not have these people," is very troubling. Wouldn't you agree that a move of the Spirit of God would include a measure of discernment? Yes, I know that they rejected an appearance from Kenneth Copeland, but it would make me feel FAR better about things if that discernment (which is also a gift of the spirit) was applied more consistently. Do you see the concern that some of us have? We're not "Pharisees" or "legalists;" we don't deny that God can and does convict to the point of evoking emotion in people. We simply want to make sure that what's happening is in agreement with the holy Scriptures. Chris Rosebrough pointed out that revival in the Bible was FAR LESS about whether or not emotionalism was involved, and far more about the preaching of the law in its sternness followed by the gospel in its sweetness. When bad doctrine is allowed to stand (such as Asbury's practice of women's ordination; which runs directly against St. Paul's words in I Cor.14 and II Tim 2), people get suspicious, and IMO rightly so. Next, Mark Dever, I believe, once said that it's easier to produce outward emotion than it is inward repentance. He's got a point. Revival is judged, not in the moment it is believed to start, but weeks and months and years after it has ended. If this is actual revival, then do this: make today the last day of the extended chapel services. Have the seminary/college president stand up and say "Thank you for participating in this. Now it is time to go out and live in that faith in your everyday life." Then see how many people were actually directed toward biblical repentance vs. how many require the bolstering of an emotional service experience to prop up what they believe is actual faith. Recall the parable of the soils that Jesus spoke of: there are people who have an immediate, probably emotionalized reaction to the Word of God, but as soon as trouble comes, as soon as that initial experience is gone, the Word within them withers away. If this is really as much of a move of God as people maintain, then the constant chapel services with hours of singing is not necessary to bolster it up; The Spirit (through the Word of God) will continue His work in the lives of individuals when the mundaneness of the "real world" kicks in. Real spiritual work in the life of a Christian is seen AFTER the emotion and events die down. It's easy to claim spirituality when everybody's in church singing and praying; it's another thing to SEE spirituality in the person who leaves the church and has to serve his/her neighbor without the emotional high that accompanies revivalistic services. Please consider what is said here. There are admittedly knee-jerk reactions on both sides of this issue that are most likely not providing clarity, but it is just as bad to blindly accept what is done in the name of Jesus as it is to blindly reject what is done in the name of Jesus Thank you
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Just to interact with one point, you wrote: "However, if the Spirit is working down there as thoroughly as everybody says, why did Bentley not seem to be affected by it? Just food for thought." Don't you think this argument could be used against Christ, since Judas was there from the beginning? It seems to me that the genuine work of the Spirit does not guarantee all will repent and reform accordingly. Some can resist. Thoughts?
Fair enough. Maybe my past of being in revivalistic movements is tainting me, as I would hear about (especially in charismaticism) how people would walk into an event and claim to be immediately overcome by conviction.
@@Outrider74 Thank you for recommending caution. You raise some excellent and biblically valid points. We are commanded to test all things, not immediately accept or reject. Another thing to consider is that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. I don't understand why God's children would feel compelled to travel long distances to a building to experience God. Are we not the temple of the Holy Spirit? I recommend Mike from On Point Preparedness he has excellent discernment. Be blessed.
@@heathers4961. Yes, I agree we should be testing all things. We’ll see what fruit cones of it. But one thing we can say for certain- if this is genuine, there will be demonic counterfeits. I wish the crowds would stay away, and not turn this into a circus or politicize it, but with the nature of social media, that was bound to happen. I still think this is a genuine move of the Holy Spirit.
I am a part of the pray, see and test the spirits group. I've lived in the bible belt for all my life and im just cautious of calling this a revival too early. Im just sick and tired of fake and false revivals I've seen it a dozen times. Not saying this is or isn't a revival. Im praying for it to be as i have been praying for Reformation. But even if the revival is falsified it would put many who weren't praying for revival before or who stopped to pray for it again. Im not a continualist but that doesn't mean we don't believe in revival. I just pray that false doctrine and heretical influence and influencers dont creep in.
Gavin,
Initially, I intended to skip over this video… but something told me to watch it. Now I’ve been crying for 40 minutes and 50 seconds.
May the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, breathe new life into us all!
Love and prayers from Japan!
Thanks for sharing that! I know Japan is a place that greatly needs the gospel. May the Lord bless you and his work there.
Revival!
Gavin, might I say you are the very first Reformed person who I have seen endorsing the Revival at Asbury. I spent several hours today watching the live footage of what is going on there and I am totally 100% sold it is the real thing! I hope it spreads to our church! We have a very small congregation of less than 50 people, but my people there have heard me pray for revival in prayer meetings and such. I love how God answers His people. May the Revival bless the whole US and beyond!
May it spread far and wide, always staying focused on Christ!
@@TruthUnites Amen!
Mathew Everhard endorsed it earlier today as well. Praying it makes it all the way out here to Colorado.
John Cooper has been pretty positive about it.
@@rosehammer9482 -as one who watched the Feb 23rd Evening of Prayer, there was no platforming of Francis Chan, Rick Warren or any other well known Christian pastor/speaker.
They don’t seem to be connected
I’m with you Gavin! Great video! Much needed. I was saved in 1971 as a direct result of the revivals at Asbury and Wheaton and other in places in 1970.
Shepherding our hearts away from cynicism. Yes.
Thanks so much for this video Gavin. I don't see this kind of careful positivity much in the reformed crowd but I feel you model it very well. Please, anyone who reads this, pray for revival in the German church.
Gavin, I don't know how you do it, but you always leave me with such great reassurance that it is possible to be both hopeful and careful, without wantonly falling for every hype that passes us by, nor falling conversely into a pit of cynicism. Thank you.
great feedback to hear, thanks!
Thanks Gavin. So pleased you have spoken. You ae a trusted voice for so, so many reasons. I'm with you Gavvo!
Thank you, Gavin. I have been reluctant to look into this Revival, probably out of fear of later disappointment. But when I saw you commenting on it, I felt like this was a safe way to acquaint myself with it.
Thanks a lot for sharing the account of your grandparents. It's so moving. Let's pray for our time.
Well-thought perspective, Gavin! I would be interested in talking to you about how to revive the MAINLINE Churches, as that's a project I'm working on. God bless!
Is Methodism not mainline?
@@chriscoke2505 The Catholic Church needs as much reviving as any other part of Christ’s body.
@@ryanburk9023 Methodism has conservative branches. And all the branches in the US are dwarfed by the orthodox Methodist churches in the third world.
@@HiHoSilvey He is referring to US mainline churches who have gone too liberal
Thanks for putting this together Gavin. I was brought to Christ in the very early days of an outpouring at my high school in Fallbrook, California back in 2000. It was student-led, worshipful, Bible-studying movement that involved a small group gathering together for prayer and worship before the school bell rang every morning, and encompassed a larger lunch-break worship and verse-by-verse Bible study every day for nearly an entire academic year. Deeply appreciative of that time in my life, May the Lord be pleased to do it a million times over amongst the youth and older generations today!
This is such an uplifting clip. It is balanced, encouraging, and full of love. Thank you.
I am so glad that the college principal is not allowing celebrity figures to disrupt the revival meetings. He is meticulously keeping the focus on Christ, respecting God's order, and carefully guarding his sheep. Unlike the way influential famous leaders let the sheep down, confused, and deeply hurt at the Lakeland mess.
Thank you for this take. I've seen so much cynicism which I've found surprising and disheartening and this was a breath of fresh air.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks you Gavin, that was very insightful. A breath of fresh air. God bless you. First time viewer fro Cape Town S A.
Glad to be connected!
Brother Gavin: Such a thoughtful and sensitive reflection. Thanks for taking the time to share your heart and affirming cautions to us. I was your father's roommate in college, and also a football teammate. Bud--at that time--was my best friend! It is so affirming to see you, Dane and your fam members are going deeper! Go under the Spirit! Steve Hoke
This is a well considered analysis. We need the Holy Spirit's work because we've become so stagnant in many ways.
You're a true man of God. I love your style. Thank you brother.
Thank you, Gavin for your ministry. You’ve been a huge blessing to me. It’s also very comforting to have a hope like this.
So glad!
Great video. I'm praying for it happen here in Canada 🇨🇦
Praying for you guys!
As a charismatic Catholic, I really enjoyed this video. Thank you, Gavin!
Current Wheaton College student. Please pray for the college and the student body for authentic revival as it feels like the administration is really trying to almost engineer and force revival upon us.
Just prayed for you all there, Timothy!
Thanks for this perspective, Gavin! A helpful encapsulation of revivals I had heard of, but didn't know much about. I was thankful to get to meet you a couple months ago and continue to be grateful for your channel!
Thanks for the commentary and the historic dive, Gavin. God bless you and your ministry!
#AsburyTheologicalSeminary The skeptical people who are against this revival did not expect God to visit a Wesleyan Theologically based seminary in a very small town of only 6,000 people, especially among very young students. They are upset because it did not come through their church or ministry. We should just enjoy the fact that God turned up. I think that it is absolutely wonderful how God orchestrated the whole thing. After only a few days, the college had to open a fourth building for the thousands of visitors. Christians are thirsty for God's presence. AMEN!
This is why you have to not focus solely on one type of YT ministry. Your work on Catholocism is so needed, but I would not want to be without these gems. Thank you, Gavin
Thank you very much. Your reflection is very good and encouraging. Praying for God to move across the nations.
I love how the Lord didn't do under a big name church or pastor. Jesus gets the glory.
If a church has Apostolic sucession and has valid sacraments, Jesus gets the glory 100% of the time, all the time.
Love this! Thanks for sharing your thoughts Dr Ortlund! Love hearing you dig into the history and share the story of your grandparents. Your voice here in this space matters!
With everything going on in this dark world instead of asking the Lord for the rapture to happen I've been praying for revival. There's far too many headed for Hell. Yes, Hell is a real place. 🙏❤️🙏
When Jesus returns we all change to spiritual bodies immediately (1COR 15:50-58, MATT24:30-31),
never believe He's returned unless you're changed FIRST, no matter what happens, or who comes, or who they say they are, if you're still in your flesh as is then Christ has not returned.
The church stays on earth during the tribulation - REV 11:4 "These are the two olive trees, and the TWO CANDLESTICKS standing before the God of the earth."
- REV 1:20 "...and the seven CANDLESTICKS which thou sawest ARE the seven CHURCHES." (ZECH 4)
- "anti" in Greek means instead of, so the title "anti-Christ" should be understood as "instead of-Christ".
(Shepherd's Chapel/TH-cam)
The anti-Christ comes 1st acting like God, if he acts like Jesus come to rapture you, or like the tribulation is over and he's Christ returned to reign, it's a lie to get you to commit apostasy by giving up on waiting for the true Christ cause you think he is Christ, do not worship him even if he acts like Jesus, peaceful, doing miracles with millions of angels
(REV9:16, MATT24:24, REV13:13-14)
The anti-Christ acts peaceful (physically) in order to destroy spiritually
- DAN8:25 "...he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by PEACE shall destroy many..."
2COR 11:14 "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light."
REV13:11 "...another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon."
(Seems like a peaceful lamb but speaks lies.
The true Christ is the true Lamb, wait for him, wait to be changed!)
Our gathering to Christ will not be until AFTER the man of sin shows himself like he is God (2THESS 2),
only after that will the true Christ return to reign giving His church rest, and wrath to the evil
(2THESS 1:6-7)
Wait to be changed to know Jesus has returned/There is NO mid or pre-trib rapture
REV2:10 "behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful"
The great tribulation will only last
5 months (ROMANS 9:27-28)
MATT24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved
REV9:5 - they only have 5 MONTHS
- I learned most of this studying with the Shepherd's Chapel, they're on TV and TH-cam so if you want to learn more you can look them up and study any chapter in the Bible verse by verse.
- Always remember to wait to be changed to a spiritual body first before believing that Jesus has really returned, if you're still in your flesh and blood body as is now,
then Jesus has not really returned.
I believe when Christ's returns ALL old people will be changed to look young, and all infants/children will look like young adults, so wait until everyone is changed!
The Bible says that we all will be changed immediately when Jesus actually returns.
- 1 COR 15:50-52 ...flesh & blood CANNOT inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51...WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED, 52In a MOMENT [instantly], in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: ..., ...the dead shall be raised INCORRUPTIBLE, & WE SHALL BE CHANGED.
- Don't be decieved by a fake!
2 COR 11:14 "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light."
- "anti-Christ" means instead of-Christ in the Greek
- The church remains on earth during the tribulation, mentioned after REV 3 in REV 11:4
- The candlesticks are the church - REV 1:20
- Don't worship and be fooled by the anti-Christ even if he claims (or you assume him) to be Jesus and says (or you assume) that he's here to rapture you before the tribulation,
- OR even if he says (or you assume) that the tribulation is over and that he is Christ come back to reign on earth for the millennium after the tribulation, don't worship!
- And even if he says (or you assume) that he is Christ returned and that somehow the MILLENNIUM is over and he's here to do the final judgment, DON'T WORSHIP!
- If you're still flesh like now, then Christ has not returned, but only a fake is here.
- He will be acting peaceful doing miracles with millions of angels (fallen angels)
- DAN 8:25, REV 13:13-14, MATT 24:24, REV 9:16
- Wait to be changed to a spiritual body!
- There's is NO mid, or pre-tribulation rapture.
Your certainty is concerning.
Well, yes, but scripture does tell us (aka command us) to pray for His return....
Is rationalizing away a command a healthy and useful thing to do?
Praying for both is a great thing....
He has reasons for His command, even though the date and time is already known by the Father.....
@@bomackin When Jesus returns we all change to spiritual bodies immediately (1COR 15:50-58, MATT24:30-31),
never believe He's returned unless you're changed FIRST, no matter what happens, or who comes, or who they say they are, if you're still in your flesh as is then Christ has not returned.
The church stays on earth during the tribulation - REV 11:4 "These are the two olive trees, and the TWO CANDLESTICKS standing before the God of the earth."
- REV 1:20 "...and the seven CANDLESTICKS which thou sawest ARE the seven CHURCHES." (ZECH 4)
- "anti" in Greek means instead of, so the title "anti-Christ" should be understood as "instead of-Christ".
(Shepherd's Chapel/TH-cam)
The anti-Christ comes 1st acting like God, if he acts like Jesus come to rapture you, or like the tribulation is over and he's Christ returned to reign, it's a lie to get you to commit apostasy by giving up on waiting for the true Christ cause you think he is Christ, do not worship him even if he acts like Jesus, peaceful, doing miracles with millions of angels
(REV9:16, MATT24:24, REV13:13-14)
The anti-Christ acts peaceful (physically) in order to destroy spiritually
- DAN8:25 "...he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by PEACE shall destroy many..."
2COR 11:14 "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light."
REV13:11 "...another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon."
(Seems like a peaceful lamb but speaks lies.
The true Christ is the true Lamb, wait for him, wait to be changed!)
Our gathering to Christ will not be until AFTER the man of sin shows himself like he is God (2THESS 2),
only after that will the true Christ return to reign giving His church rest, and wrath to the evil
(2THESS 1:6-7)
Wait to be changed to know Jesus has returned/There is NO mid or pre-trib rapture
REV2:10 "behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful"
The great tribulation will only last
5 months (ROMANS 9:27-28)
MATT24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved
REV9:5 - they only have 5 MONTHS
- I learned most of this studying with the Shepherd's Chapel, they're on TV and TH-cam so if you want to learn more you can look them up and study any chapter in the Bible verse by verse.
- Always remember to wait to be changed to a spiritual body first before believing that Jesus has really returned, if you're still in your flesh and blood body as is now,
then Jesus has not really returned.
I believe when Christ's returns ALL old people will be changed to look young, and all infants/children will look like young adults, so wait until everyone is changed!
The Bible says that we all will be changed immediately when Jesus actually returns.
- 1 COR 15:50-52 ...flesh & blood CANNOT inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51...WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED, 52In a MOMENT [instantly], in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: ..., ...the dead shall be raised INCORRUPTIBLE, & WE SHALL BE CHANGED.
- Don't be decieved by a fake!
2 COR 11:14 "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light."
- "anti-Christ" means instead of-Christ in the Greek
- The church remains on earth during the tribulation, mentioned after REV 3 in REV 11:4
- The candlesticks are the church - REV 1:20
- Don't worship and be fooled by the anti-Christ even if he claims (or you assume him) to be Jesus and says (or you assume) that he's here to rapture you before the tribulation,
- OR even if he says (or you assume) that the tribulation is over and that he is Christ come back to reign on earth for the millennium after the tribulation, don't worship!
- And even if he says (or you assume) that he is Christ returned and that somehow the MILLENNIUM is over and he's here to do the final judgment, DON'T WORSHIP!
- If you're still flesh like now, then Christ has not returned, but only a fake is here.
- He will be acting peaceful doing miracles with millions of angels (fallen angels)
- DAN 8:25, REV 13:13-14, MATT 24:24, REV 9:16
- Wait to be changed to a spiritual body!
- There's is NO mid, or pre-tribulation rapture.
God will not fail to save a single one of His sheep. We pray "Your Kingdom come, Your will be DONE." It's not up to our understanding of things.
Speaking of lasting fruit, Jonathan Edwards tells the story of a four year old girl saved during the Great Awakening. Her parents would hear her crying out to God in the closet. It was reported that when she was in her 80s, she was still following Christ. Fascinating!
Wonderful balanced perspectives as always, Dr Ortland. People pray for revival, then when it starts, they want to rain on the parade so to speak. This kind of reminds me that we don’t really always believe that our prayers are being answered. Just as when Peter was supernaturally let out of jail, but the very people who were praying for him didn’t believe it when he showed up at the door.
Im totally with you brother I am SO excited. I was taken to Hab 3:2 myself.Amen!!
I’m with you, praying for revival!
I love that verse from Joel about God restoring so much!
I am jealous to. Hope it spils out here to South-Africa. I want to work where the Lord is at work in great numbers at one moment. It would be an amazing dream to come true as Laborer for Jesus Christ.
I think time will show if it's a revival or not. If it's a genuine conversion, it will last. My hope right now is that it is a revival so that many might come to faith, but God is glorified no matter what fruits they bear. I pray for new brothers and sisters in faith
Keep up the great work, Gavin. Thanks for your ministry!
Thank you Tim!
We felt the reverberations of the seventies revival even in South Africa, where I grew up, and the fruit lasted. I was a teenager at the time. We had Bible study groups in my school and meetings after church on Sunday nights we couldn't get enough of. In my area young people went into the streets in Cape Town on Friday nights to help the down-and-out and there was a record number of new theology students at my university in the early seventies.
To me it seems that each time our culture goes off the edge in the direction of evil, God does something amazing to bring us back to him.
“The fruit lasted.” Love that. I’ve met so many people who were saved in revivals many decades ago and are still walking closely with the Lord.
revival is so amazing! i hope this spreads around the country in pockets, it's so refreshing 💙 🕊
I very much appreciated the enthusiasm, truth and sincerity you conveyed in this video!
Thank you Gavin, it was a very helpful video
Glad it was helpful!
This was excellent. Helpful, clarifying, encouraging. Thank you!
So glad!
This was a great video! I would be more than encouraged to see more commentary on current events related to being united in the truth of the gospel :)
The vibe I get from many folks unfortunately is that this can't possibly be a revival unless everyone involved follows their exact theological leanings without exception
Honestly shame on them
@@wesmorgan7729That's part of human nature. Things of the Spirit are spiritually discerned. Nehemiah did not have an easy ride but God started the whole thing.
Well stated. Thank you. God Bless you.
Count me in. 4am eastern time I will rise and pray for the Spirit to move across our land and bring many to Christ. Does anyone want to join me at that hour?
Thank you for this! Keeps our thinking straight. So helpful.
This is awesome. Thank you.
This is very helpful and would like to hear more stuff like this from you
hey God bless you and your church....If I lived near you I would totally join!
Thank you Pastor Gavin …seriously thank you. ❤🙏🏼
If you pray for rain, bring an umbrella; If you pray for revival be ready! Jesus Revolution movie comes out next week. I was part of that movement.
Amen! May His Transforming Spirit continue to move upon Us! Thank you Jesus!
May God bring it to London as well!
This video inspired me to go see the revival for myself! Thanks, Gavin. Praise God for the work you do and for the moving of the Holy Spirit around the country. I was still expecting much wackiness at Asbury even after the video but it was actually just like a normal evangelical worship meeting but with more people.
One intereting thing is that just earlier today , I read someone excited about a revival at Lee University.
So good! Really appreciate your perspective and heart for the church.
Regularly Gen Z students responding to a very unassuming Scriptural message, and then a movement of the Holy Spirit ushers in The Worship of Jesus; of repentance; of responding to God’s Word, of Love, without contrivance or fanfare - Something transcendent & transforming is happening here …
This presentation reminds me of the meal scene at the end of the film “Babette’s Feast”. I pray for revival all throughout the US church ⛪️ 😄
Babette's Feast? Wow, there's a reference I didn't expect to see in TH-cam today. Nifty.
Thank you for talking about this. I totally agree.
People are so quick to criticize a move of God where people are clearly being touched.
I pray people would be open to God moving as he has been where I'm from for 5 years now. So important.
Thank you for the video of your grandfather.
They have a revival there every few years… months later nothing came of it. We have to be careful what we call revival
I have the gift of discerning of the spirits. And our Holy Spirit God always brings me information. So I was watching the start of the Asbury revival. This young man who was connected to the college somehow. He sounded a little bit older like maybe he had graduated and was sticking around in the area? Or maybe he was still a student I am unsure. For all I know, I guess he could’ve been a professor? Anyhow, I overheard this beautiful conversation that he had with a young lady that he was sitting next to while live streaming. You could tell that he was just a lovely kind hearted young man. He was speaking about how he had never felt God supernaturally like this before. I have had spiritual supernatural uplifting like this from God before, so I knew exactly what he was talking about.
Then he went on to say that he was going to be at the revival today, and maybe tomorrow whatever. But he had things of God’s work that he needed to do, that he’s always done! He had a Bible study, the next day he had to go do his charity work that he does, and the next day he had to do some other weekly Already pre-revival scheduled activities for God. I thought to myself, and spoke to Jesus, what a wonderfully grounded young man this is. That he is feeling you super naturally like that for the first time, and he is still going on with his already scheduled life of which he was doing for you anyway pre-revival. Then I thought you know God had the people that he wanted down there in Asbury university at the time this revival broke out. They had the free world choice to go or not go and they went.
Free will choice
I tried to post a link to Trevin Wax’s article at the Gospel Coalition. I thought it was very insightful . It’s easy to find.
This was so helpful and so good! Thank you!
This is gold. Praise God!
Very good! I covered a few videos on this as a Baptist pastor as well. I think it’s important to talk about the theology of revival. Thank you, Gavin. 🙌
Thankful for this video. God bless you, Gavin.
You can't light the fire until there's enough kindling! That's what's happening at these revivals. When there's enough kindling, God'll light it! Amen, praise Jesus. We need more revivals as individuals too. We need to be on FIRE for the Lord! Passionate and willing!
As an Asbury grad, thank you for this perspective. I personally know tons of people who have had God change them in powerful ways.
It's real, and even though there will inevitably be sinful people trying to ruin a good thing, we should be very careful before speaking against the Spirit
What kind of changes?
@@truthisbeautiful7492 freedom from sin, addiction, one person with scoliosis was partially healed and started running around, I've heard tons of reports of bitterness being let go, enemies being reconciled, hearts being softened, an overwhelming sense of peace, deliverance from pornography, etc.
@@hudsonensz2858 well moral change is positive so thank you for the information. I am skeptical of 'healings' without personally knowing the person's and evidence first hand. God can certainly heal people if He desires, but the church has always had to deal with false signs and wonders.
Has there been any evidence of unbelievers trusting in Christ? Are people gaining assurance of salvation? Are people giving up astrology or witchcraft, or drunkenness or fornication? Are there false prophecies, unusual bodily contortions, people neglecting their duties to family or work? Are people gaining a greater love for the Scriptures and a desire to have non Christians become Christians? Pro revivalists have pointed to those involved in revivalism to becoming missionaries to reach pagans for Jesus - has that happened?
Using my God-given brain with sincerity isn't speaking against the Spirit. Stop thinking that me testing the spirit can stop God. It can't.
@God called me son. Lol. You got offended because I didn't immediately bow to you. You're not my God.
Gavin, thank you for your perspective.
I've listened many times to J Edwin Orr's talk, "the role of prayer in spiritual awakenings." I love this talk so much. I've thought about you when listening it because Orr said general revivals were always preceded by general prayer, united together with all denominations. In other words, church unity in prayer.
I think of the Psalmists recounting God's deeds of old, saying "How long oh Lord?" They knew what God did in the past, and that it was missing from their own day. This is how I feel when I hear about the revivals of the past. The prophet Joel says, "Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, "Spare your people, oh Lord, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'" Why should Christians leave the faith and tell the world they're better off now. Why should the world not see a sharp distinction between the world and Christians? Why should Christians(myself included) live so occupied with the world and not with God? Why should we be afraid of evangelization? As though, "a thousand shall flee at the threat of one", and "You shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them." Why are we so timid and yet we're not even experiencing substantial persecution? To me all this comes back to prayer. If we are not finding success wherever we go, and God is not adding to our numbers daily, then it seems to suggest a problem and the need for repentance. Joel says "call a solemn assembly" and gather everyone.
It seems to me we need a general call to go out through the churches for prayer and agreement on when to pray and for what.
what is happening at asbury sounds awesome. We don't have a lot of hype in canada for christianity, our identity as christians is so different from the US. But I pray we have something similar one day. I grew up in Quebec where the church REALLY hurt the population (catholic church more specifically). I think the protestant church forms 0.3% of the Quebec population and most of it is from Haiti. I remember growing up with adversity as christians, our community being looked at the same way christians our now seen as in america, probably worst. I pray one day we have something similar occur here.
My charismatic family is very excited about this, but I am slightly more skeptical. Thank you for this video though, it helped clear up some misunderstandings I had.
Glad it was helpful!
This was very helpful. Your videos usually are to me.
Glad to hear that!
I'm with you!
Marked by repentance and love
Amen, thank you Gavin!
Not a serious comment, but yellow really suits you Dr Ortlund! :D Thank you once again for all your videos
My church met tonight to pray for this movement. One of the things that I personally was stirred to pray for was unity in the church.
There are so many naysayers right now that are doing nothing except confusing people. We should be excited that these students are pursuing Christ. Instead we are tearing them down because they aren’t fulfilling our expectations.
We have to make sure that we are not so arrogant that we tell God how He is supposed to operate.
Sometimes people think I’m strange for being so theological/orthodox and so charismatic/ecumenical, too.
Thanks for the video and thank you for your ministry. It has truly helped me in my walk with Jesus. God Bless all that you do, Dr. Ortlund.
Thanks for sharing, so glad to hear that!
Ya, me using my God-given brain isn't "negativity"; and I can't stop God's plan even by putting my finger in His side.
In both this pod and the panel with Timothy Tennant your comments were so measured, careful, incisive and careful. The more you do on the topic of revival, in our day and here, in the West, the better it will be for all of us. And .... more video of your grandparents! :) Their ministries were so helpful. I had not known of their visit to Wheaton and their connection to Asbury in 1970.
I am with you.
This was a good discussion of prior revivals in American and British history. The Second Great Awakening truly made Christianity in America what it is today. I wish you gave some background on what's happening at Asbury University (I had to look it up afterwards), otherwise good video.
Charity - check
Irenic - check
Nuance - check
Randomly virtue signalling when quoting Jonathan Edwards - check
Heckin irenic, charitable, and nuanced as always Gavin!
In a major Welsh revival, the Holy Spirit changed hearts so much that, all of a sudden, the work shut down in the mines.
Why?
Because no one was cussing all of a sudden, and the mules had to be retrained in order to know commands without cussing.
Did the repentance happen before the Holy Spirit brought revival then?
Maybe.
Can we manufacture that?
Not sure.... But it occurs to me that all we can do is what we were commanded to do:
Love God with everything we have, and love our neighbor as ourselves.
Theology? It is just the study of.
Moving beyond that discussion of theology?
Walking in Him?
That is vital.
Theology is useful.
It helps us recognize the bumpers as we are learning to drive these bumper cars of life.....
May we find joy in figuring out how to respond to our life of bumper cars meet bumper cars.....the good, the bad, the ugly, and the miraculous.....
Very good
Very well done ❤
Gavin, I have been wondering for some time what the Scriptural precedent is for praying specifically for revival. I thought it might be covered here, but if it was, I missed it. Thanks
You know, in addition to Hab. 3:2, which I think I mentioned unless I forget, I have often wondered about Psalm 85:4-7:
4
Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
5
Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6
Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7
Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
there are other texts that are more oblique; this one seems to be specifically of "revival" (v. 6). does this help?
@Truth Unites yes thank you. It helps lots and will make a difference to my prayers.
I found a few other passages cross- referenced in my Bible too.
I think I'd always read these as reviving/re-energising/encouraging believers rather than bringing in Jon believers.
And I guess I'd hoped for NT examples, but they were in a state of revival st that time already, maybe.
*new NOT Jon
Gavin I've never heard someone pronounce Habakkuk the way you do!
I just have to keep your attention, any way I can!
@@TruthUnites thanks for the video, loved your take on this, and your Grandparent's testimony.
For those who express concern over the lack of proclamation of the word, I actually don’t think it was always powerful preaching that sparked previous awakenings. It seemed to be prayer and a completely sovereign move of God. Remember the prayer revival in New York City around 1857.
The powerful preaching of say, a Charles Spurgeon, or Martyn Lloyd Jones, never precipitated an awakening. Again, I can’t emphasize enough that these things are totally the sovereign decision of our Lord. We can pray against the devil schemes to derail it and also that preaching will take center stage. For now, I think it’s a little early to write it off.
Re. the Asbury "revival," one of the things that worries me is that I have not heard any mention of preaching. Historically, it is powerful preaching that sparks these things -- think of the preaching of Peter at Pentecost or Luther or Whitefield. It seems as though it is just a bunch of young people spontaneously getting together to "worship" (as they call it) and pray together arm in arm. Okay, wonderful. But where are the adults (preferably ordained ministers of the Word) who are preaching Christ and his gospel? And what exactly is the content of their preaching? I haven't heard a single thing about that. Since "revival" is a somewhat dubious biblical concept anyway, it is impossible to evaluate only the things that are happening, the revivalistic phenomena per se (the long hours of being together in chapel to worship, the praying, the emotions) to determine whether it is biblical or just mass hysteria. I'm not saying it is just mass hysteria, but we need criteria to determine that. And the only criteria we have in Scripture are related to preaching. All we can do is ask, "Is the Word being preached in a way that is faithful to Scripture and exalting of Christ? Are the people who are allegedly coming to faith or recommitting themselves to Christ doing so in response to this preaching? Do they have a credible profession of faith, that is, giving evidence of genuine conviction of sin and deeper trust in Christ and desire to follow him?" Perhaps powerful Christ-centered preaching is happening, but I haven't seen anyone explain that in their accounts. If such preaching were indeed the engine of this revival, surely it would have been mentioned by now.
Dr Lee Irons
Andre Murray’s Church had revival break out after a girl prayed at the small group gathering. Everyone was down on their knees praying and worshiping. This was during the 2nd great awakening. I recommend the book Humility by Andrew Murray.
@@rosehammer9482 thanks for the reply. I've read a lot of Murray and find his theology deeply troubling. The second great awakening is at the heart of many of the serious problems in American Evangelicalism. The emphasis shifted from what God has done in Christ to what is allegedly happening in me. Many errors of doctrine and practice were catalysed in this "movement".
I actually don’t think it was always powerful preaching that sparked previous awakenings. It seemed to be prayer and a completely sovereign move of God. Remember the prayer revival in New York City around 1857.
The powerful preaching of say, a Charles Spurgeon, or Martyn Lloyd Jones, never precipitated an awakening. Again, I can’t emphasize enough that these things are totally the sovereign decision of our Lord. We can pray against the devil schemes to derail it and also that preaching will take center stage. For now, I think it’s a little early to write it off.
Asbury University has a history of revivals, dating back in 1905, 1908, 1921, 1950, 1958, 1970, 1992, and 2006. The 1970 revival at Asbury had far-reaching cultural effects, and remains central to the construction of Asbury's spiritual identity. They always happen in February or March(Something that would concern me.) Test all things
I appreciate your thoughts on the subject of the Asbury Revival and am grateful for your historical understanding of revivals. However, one thing a I would like to point out is that the Gospel was not preached in the chapel sermon at Asbury University. I noticed that many times throughout the video, you mentioned the Gospel as being central. However, that wasn’t the case in this particular event at Asbury University.
Yes!!
Your mention about Jonathan Edwards had me wondering... There is one letter in the Bible where Paul writes to a person who had a slave. Paul didin't say to him repent of this, he didin't call it a sin at that time. So why do we call it a sin in Jonathan Edwards life? Can someone explain it to me? Maybe the situation was different in that century when Jonathan lived?
My understanding is that slavery in the ancient world was nothing like slavery in more "modern" times. It was thought of almost like holding a job, not being owned "body and soul" by another person. It was a way for people to pay off debts, to have food and shelter if they had no other way. People would offer themselves into slavery - they weren't being captured and taken from their home and sold to someone. I'm sure it wasn't like that for everyone and that there were exceptions, but *overall* I think that's what the difference is. I've heard very little teaching on this, I will admit, but what I heard really stood out to me because it was so eye-opening.
this might be of interest: www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-wrong-say-bible-pro-slavery/
@@GoodSchooling This is my understanding as well. Slave in the ancient world could mean forceful taking into an oppressive servitude (like with later African American slave trade), but it could also mean what we would think of as indentured servitude. You basically submit yourself into someone's employment for a set amount of time in exchange for basic necessities, housing, etc.
Gavin, I want to throw a few things out there, and I know that I'm probably going to be called a "legalist" or "Pharisee" by some, but having spent my youth in revivalistic confessions, I know of what I speak. Please hear me out.
First, may I suggest you watch both Joel Webbon (Right Response Ministries) and Chris Rosebrough's (Fighting for the Faith) videos in relation to Asbury? And when you do, please keep in mind that both of these gentlemen spent their younger years in revivalism.
Also, while I would not dismiss everything going on down there as being fake (Jonathan Edwards was right in that things like this are usually messier than people realize and that there is error with truth), I would point out a few things that both Rosebrough and Webbon refer to that I would encourage you to consider
1.) Todd Bentley was present at the revival. For those who don't know, Todd Bentley is a Word of Faith healer who holds to blatantly aberrant doctrines and practices, and who also was caught in some very inappropriate activity that I'm not going to detail here for sake of decency, things that he seriously downplayed and tried to sweep under the rug. He went there and claimed he "felt the Spirit" and had experiences. Yet there are no signs of him confessing sins, undertaking actual repentance, or anything suggesting a retraction of his seriously false doctrines. Now, in fairness, Asbury was not told that he would be there, and did not officially sanction his presence, for which I give them a nod of approval. However, if the Spirit is working down there as thoroughly as everybody says, why did Bentley not seem to be affected by it? Just food for thought.
2.) Apparently Asbury has a contingency of LGBT students down there, and based on tweets that they have put out, they are all for this revival. Yet to my knowledge there have been no indications that these same students have expressed any repentance or contrition concerning their lifestyles. That may or may not be the fault of how things are being presented in these services (I don't know; obviously I'm not there). But again, as with Todd Bentley, that raises a red flag: if the Spirit of God is working down there as is being maintained, why are these students not coming forward in confession?
3.) Francis Chan, Rick Warren, and members of the International House of Prayer--all of which espouse doctrines that are serious red flags and run contrary to the Scriptures on several vital points--have all been invited to Asbury (Look up "Collegiate Day of Prayer-2023 Live from Asbury University"). That they are being invited to Asbury, and that nobody under this revival is standing up and saying "We should not have these people," is very troubling. Wouldn't you agree that a move of the Spirit of God would include a measure of discernment? Yes, I know that they rejected an appearance from Kenneth Copeland, but it would make me feel FAR better about things if that discernment (which is also a gift of the spirit) was applied more consistently.
Do you see the concern that some of us have? We're not "Pharisees" or "legalists;" we don't deny that God can and does convict to the point of evoking emotion in people. We simply want to make sure that what's happening is in agreement with the holy Scriptures. Chris Rosebrough pointed out that revival in the Bible was FAR LESS about whether or not emotionalism was involved, and far more about the preaching of the law in its sternness followed by the gospel in its sweetness. When bad doctrine is allowed to stand (such as Asbury's practice of women's ordination; which runs directly against St. Paul's words in I Cor.14 and II Tim 2), people get suspicious, and IMO rightly so.
Next, Mark Dever, I believe, once said that it's easier to produce outward emotion than it is inward repentance. He's got a point. Revival is judged, not in the moment it is believed to start, but weeks and months and years after it has ended. If this is actual revival, then do this: make today the last day of the extended chapel services. Have the seminary/college president stand up and say "Thank you for participating in this. Now it is time to go out and live in that faith in your everyday life." Then see how many people were actually directed toward biblical repentance vs. how many require the bolstering of an emotional service experience to prop up what they believe is actual faith.
Recall the parable of the soils that Jesus spoke of: there are people who have an immediate, probably emotionalized reaction to the Word of God, but as soon as trouble comes, as soon as that initial experience is gone, the Word within them withers away.
If this is really as much of a move of God as people maintain, then the constant chapel services with hours of singing is not necessary to bolster it up; The Spirit (through the Word of God) will continue His work in the lives of individuals when the mundaneness of the "real world" kicks in. Real spiritual work in the life of a Christian is seen AFTER the emotion and events die down. It's easy to claim spirituality when everybody's in church singing and praying; it's another thing to SEE spirituality in the person who leaves the church and has to serve his/her neighbor without the emotional high that accompanies revivalistic services.
Please consider what is said here. There are admittedly knee-jerk reactions on both sides of this issue that are most likely not providing clarity, but it is just as bad to blindly accept what is done in the name of Jesus as it is to blindly reject what is done in the name of Jesus
Thank you
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Just to interact with one point, you wrote: "However, if the Spirit is working down there as thoroughly as everybody says, why did Bentley not seem to be affected by it? Just food for thought."
Don't you think this argument could be used against Christ, since Judas was there from the beginning? It seems to me that the genuine work of the Spirit does not guarantee all will repent and reform accordingly. Some can resist. Thoughts?
Fair enough. Maybe my past of being in revivalistic movements is tainting me, as I would hear about (especially in charismaticism) how people would walk into an event and claim to be immediately overcome by conviction.
@@Outrider74 Thank you for recommending caution. You raise some excellent and biblically valid points. We are commanded to test all things, not immediately accept or reject. Another thing to consider is that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. I don't understand why God's children would feel compelled to travel long distances to a building to experience God. Are we not the temple of the Holy Spirit?
I recommend Mike from On Point Preparedness he has excellent discernment. Be blessed.
@@heathers4961. Yes, I agree we should be testing all things. We’ll see what fruit cones of it. But one thing we can say for certain- if this is genuine, there will be demonic counterfeits. I wish the crowds would stay away, and not turn this into a circus or politicize it, but with the nature of social media, that was bound to happen. I still think this is a genuine move of the Holy Spirit.
@@TruthUnites there are also apparently queer students leading worship songs.
I am a part of the pray, see and test the spirits group. I've lived in the bible belt for all my life and im just cautious of calling this a revival too early. Im just sick and tired of fake and false revivals I've seen it a dozen times. Not saying this is or isn't a revival. Im praying for it to be as i have been praying for Reformation. But even if the revival is falsified it would put many who weren't praying for revival before or who stopped to pray for it again. Im not a continualist but that doesn't mean we don't believe in revival. I just pray that false doctrine and heretical influence and influencers dont creep in.
A great resource is 'Evangelism - a Reformed Debate' February 17, 1997 by John Kennedy, Horatius Bonar.