The Revival

By David Wilkerson

I have been receiving a number of letters asking my opinion about certain “revivals” in Canada and the USA. I have been told, “Brother Dave, your name is frequently used in the ——- revival. Times Square Church is named often. Does this mean you approve of that movement?”

I have never endorsed any so-called revival. First of all, I do not consider my opinion as being that important – and secondly, I can neither help nor hinder any true spiritual movement. I have not been to any of these meetings so I have no personal involvement. I have been so busy ministering to multitudes of hurting people here in New York — and shepherding a ten-year moving of the Holy Spirit in this great metropolis at Times Square Church.

Do I believe any of the “revivals” represent the last-days outpouring — the last great revival before Jesus comes? No! Not at all. We should rejoice in every work of the Spirit that results in true conversions — but any “revival” that purports itself to be “the great revival” and is promoted and “spread” by its leaders must be immediately discounted. When the last great outpouring comes, it is prophesied to come “upon all flesh.” It will not be isolated in just a few areas. No one will be counting numbers. Hungry seekers will not be falling backwards — but frontward, on their faces, humbled and broken. The preaching of the cross will be central. There will be no fundraising, no introducing of star visitors. The meetings will be times of wooing by the Holy Spirit, because He never drives people to altars — He woos them. No. one will have to defend such an outpouring. All manifestations will focus on Christ, not flesh. Weeping, brokenness, a lifting of holy hands in thankfulness for God’s mercy and grace will produce a true spirit of joy.

Local revivals usually have a life-span of five to six years, or less. Even the Azusa Street revival that gave birth to modem Pentecostalism lasted less than six years. People flock from around the world to see the “new thing.” Good reports and evil reports go throughout the land. Theologians and preachers either bless or curse it. Some who attend are blessed and changed; others leave wounded and confused. So it is today — nothing changes.

I have heard from some of our readers who visited a revival and were greatly touched. Others write telling us they left emotionally wounded and convinced it was mostly flesh. God be praised for all who have repented and are changed. For others, I grieve. Tides that come in must go out. The Toronto tide is fading fast — it’s tide going out. Soon it will be only a memory. So with all other localized revivals. The excitement ebbs — the crowds leave — and suddenly it is all over.

My recommendation? Get your own revival! You will find it in Isaiah 58:10-11. You need no airline ticket, no travel. I have found the springs of water that never fail!

“And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”