Revival In Heaven's Kingdom Series

Is the hope of revival in this world's governments or a heavenly kingdom? Let's look at prophecies of revival in Ezekiel and Daniel.

1) Ezekiel’s Revival

Is the hope of spiritual revival prophesied even in the Old Testament?

Ezekiel wrote to a rebellious nation in captivity about a future spirit-filled revival, “I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 11:19 NKJV). Brought to its knees, the house of Israel is urged to turn back to God (Ezekiel 33:11). Hope is falsified by preachers all over the land, who speak nonsense and lies and shout, “Peace!” when there is no peace (Ezekiel 13:8-10) To God, Jerusalem has been like an adulterous wife who is abused by her lovers (Ezekiel 16:35-43), yet He will bring revival and establish an everlasting covenant with her (vs. 60-63) and like a once dry cedar tree that has been revived and set on high, she will flourish (Ezekiel 17:22-24). A righteous man who turns to sin will die, but a wicked man who turns from his sins will live (Ezekiel 18), and revival will come when, “you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight because of all the evils that you have committed” (Ezekiel 20:43 NKJV) and then “they will dwell safely there, build houses, and plant vineyards; yes, they will dwell securely” (Ezekiel 28:26). Captive to the ways of the world, some churches are filled with people who, “hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain” (Ezekiel 33:31 NKJV) but revival will come says the Lord, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27 NKJV) People will return the God, dry bones will live (Ezekiel 37), and a time of revival will come, “they shall be My people, and I will be their God” (vs. 23), there will be a New Jerusalem (Ezekiel 40; 48:35; Revelation 21) and God will dwell with men.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that Jesus will return and a final revival will bring joy to the whole world.

2) Daniel’s Revival

Is the hope of revival in rapacious worldly governments or an everlasting kingdom?

Among the captive Jews in Babylon are four men devoted to God, Daniel, and three companions. The king Nebucchadnezzar had a dream, and God revealed to Daniel that the dream prophesied successive kingdoms after Babylon. Captives were expected to worship a golden idol, but Daniel’s friends refused and were cast into a furnace, but they were unharmed as they walked inside with the Son of God. Daniel was given the interpretation of the king’s second dream, a period of Nebucchadnezzar’s temporary humiliation and restoration. Is there a meaning to the handwriting on a wall, “mene mene tekel upharsin,” (Daniel 5:25) then Daniel is the man through whom God will reveal it. Granted understanding, Daniel was promoted, but the king was deposed by Darius the Mede. Knowledge of Daniel’s God came to Darius as Daniel was saved from a den of lions. Visions continue. Of four beasts, now Daniel had a dream, a fitting symbol of rapacious worldly kingdoms, followed by an everlasting kingdom given to “the saints of the most high.” (Daniel 7:27) Final visions are in regard to “the time of the end” and “the end of days” (Daniel 12:4, 9). Revival will come as God’s eternal kingdom conquers all beast-like kingdoms of this world.

Rejoice, lovers of God, as corrupt governments of this world rage and oppress people, because a better government is coming.