CLARIFYING THE GREAT AWAKENING
By W. G. Guy
Recently there have been many predictions and prophetic words given about a great revival, also called a great awakening, coming before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ for His church. It is necessary to give some clarification about this predicted awakening as it likely will not be a massive soul saving event as many have come to believe. Instead, the greatness of this coming event will not be the numbers, but in the quality of spiritual depth of those who already are the true children of God.
As I wrote in a recent article, Change is Coming, this next move of God is going to bring His church more in alignment with Him and His Word, separating His people more and more from this vile world. The greatness will be in the quality, not the quantity, of His church. Jesus is returning for a church that is prepared to meet Him because it will be more representative of Him. When Jesus returns the Body of Christ (His church) will be like Him:
1 John 3:22 – Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
This means that the church is going to go through a purging process to remove what is not properly representative of Him.
Ephesians 5:27 – that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
I suspect that this next move of God may actually reduce the numerical size of the church rather than increase it. Possibly by even half as Jesus describes it in a parable:
Matthew 25:1-13 – Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
The five foolish virgins represent 50% of the church who knows of Him and that He is coming, but didn’t have a personal relationship with him, not really knowing Him. Notice what distinguished the wise from the foolish; the foolish had no light – their light went out. Note also that the bridegroom said, “I know you not”.
Jesus called for His followers to be the light of the world, just as He was and is. Jesus also stated that only a small portion of mankind would find their way to, and through, Him.
Matthew 7:13-14 – Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
There is a big difference between “many”, and “few”. Thus we see that quality will be the condition of His church at the harvest, not quantity. This means that a truly righteous quality of the Lord will be evident in the true church that Christ is coming back for. He will not accept the corruption and fleshly form of church that exists today; and that condition will probably even grow worse as the days go on.
Numerous warnings were recorded in scripture about the way things will be in the last days as a result of deception, false preachers, teachers and prophets.
Matthew 24:4-5 – And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ (anointed); and shall deceive many.
Jesus tells us that the church will be subjected to great deception; therefore believers need to be very discerning about what they hear and who they listen to. The apostle Paul also addresses this condition due to the great deception that will be present in these last days.
1 Timothy 4:1 – Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Timothy 3:1-4 – This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
This passage addresses conditions that Paul saw coming to churches; and we have those conditions today. How can I say this? The answer is in the very next verse:
2 Timothy 3:5 – having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Where do you have a form of godliness? Certainly not in the world, but in the church! (This could also describe the Church of Laodicea in Revelation 3.) Paul describes a church that has denied the power of God which changes lives from the ways of the world to righteousness. That power of God also changes to include the love that God has commanded us to have – to be just like Jesus.
The coming great awakening will bring His church to the fullness of His character and nature, as written in my article, “Change Is Coming”. One of the things that is needed to bring about this maturing process is the acceptance of all five of the gift ministries: apostle, prophet, teacher, evangelist and pastor. The only gift ministry recognized and accepted in the main-line churches today is that of pastor.
Ephesians 4:11-13 – And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
When did Jesus give these five gift ministries to the church: after He ascended to His Heavenly Father. Why did He give these five gift ministries to the church: to build up (or mature) the believers to the full stature of Christ. Without these five gift ministries in operation today, the believers are lacking in their maturity.
This lack of spiritual maturity is addressed in the Book of Hebrews:
Hebrews 5:12-14 – For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
When believers lack full spiritual maturity in the Lord they lack spiritual discernment; they cannot recognize fully what is of God, and what is of the devil. They are then easily deceived! Just as Jesus warned would occur before His return.
Another thing to recognize is what the Bible calls the “latter rain” which refers to the rains that proceed the time of the harvest.
James 5:7 – Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
The following is copied from the internet site, BibleAsk on the topic “What does the Latter Rain mean?
Joel 2:23 – Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, for former rain, and the latter rain in the first month (the month of the harvest).
The “latter rain” in this verse is interpreted as an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit was first hared with the disciples on the day of Pentecost. We also see that the “latter rain” (the end-times outpouring) would be greater that the “former rain”.
What is the purpose of the Latter Rain? With farmers, after planting, a seasonal rain provided moisture for germination and initial growth. Ths was called the “early rain”. Later, near the time for harvest, another copious watering was referred to as the “latter rain”. So while the first rain was important for germination, the second rain provided nourishment that was important for the harvest.
Biblical writers used these terms to describe the visitation of the Holy Spirit upon the church in a dispensational sense. The “early rain” came at Pentecost to give power to the witness of the gospel. Another outpouring of rain, the “latter rain”, is coming at earth’s final soul harvest before the second coming of Christ. (End of copied material)
Therefore we see that the latter rain is used to fully mature and ripen the fruit for harvesting. This is identifying the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit equipping the church for Christ to come for it – the great awakening.
Obviously what is presented here goes contrary to what many preachers and prophets have been saying regarding a great awaking as being a major evangelical event. However, I do not see such a great evangelical event identified in the Bible in the last days. I do see multiple warnings about great deception of the believers being the major issue described.
Matthew 24:24 – For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
I hope you understand what is ahead for the Body of Christ, and that you will be able to stand in the evil day of this present and even greater coming deception.
Ephesians 6:11-13 – Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
This great awakening will purge and prepare the Body of Christ for His return. It will allow the light of His glory to shine in and through His people. This light will be able to draw people into the church, but it will not likely be the huge evangelical movement many are predicting; even though that would be wonderful and very desirable. This awakening will restore the church and bring a move of God that will manifest in healing, deliverance and the power of God to change lives.
This awakening will probably draw the ire of the main-stream denominations, because it does not fit in with their man-made traditions, doctrines and efforts to maintain control of the church. Historically, they do not like it when the Holy Spirit is will that refuse the latter rain outpouring. They will likely oppose and persecute this move of moving and in control. In fact, they have always opposed the Holy Spirit, claiming it was the working of the devil. They will persecute those of us who embrace this great awakening. As stated, I do not see this as a massive evangelical event, but sinners will be brought into the fold and God will move mightily among His true believers.
However, we also need to recognize that persecution has never hurt the true church, but only made it stronger and more pure for Christ. Pray for the “latter rain” of the Holy Spirit to fall upon us to equip us and prepare us for His return! How do you recognize a true outpouring and move of the Holy Spirit? Where the Holy Spirit is poured out and operating there is repentance, conviction of sin, righteousness, and changes lives.
James 5:7 – Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Where the counterfeit, which is the spirit of antichrist (1 John 2:18-19), is moving there is only a show; though it can be sensational or spectacular, it draws crowds, but is still just a show. As the Holy Spirit is poured out to do the final equipping of the true church we will likely see the enemy make his counter move to draw people away from the truth of Christ and His Word.
We will have a true “great awakening”; in the Bible it is called the “latter rain”! However we must be discerning and able to recognize what is of God and what is of the enemy, because these last days will be full of Satan’s deception to destroy what he can. Don’t fooled or tricked but be alert and awakened by His Spirit, and prepared for His return!
By W. G. Guy
Recently there have been many predictions and prophetic words given about a great revival, also called a great awakening, coming before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ for His church. It is necessary to give some clarification about this predicted awakening as it likely will not be a massive soul saving event as many have come to believe. Instead, the greatness of this coming event will not be the numbers, but in the quality of spiritual depth of those who already are the true children of God.
As I wrote in a recent article, Change is Coming, this next move of God is going to bring His church more in alignment with Him and His Word, separating His people more and more from this vile world. The greatness will be in the quality, not the quantity, of His church. Jesus is returning for a church that is prepared to meet Him because it will be more representative of Him. When Jesus returns the Body of Christ (His church) will be like Him:
1 John 3:22 – Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
This means that the church is going to go through a purging process to remove what is not properly representative of Him.
Ephesians 5:27 – that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
I suspect that this next move of God may actually reduce the numerical size of the church rather than increase it. Possibly by even half as Jesus describes it in a parable:
Matthew 25:1-13 – Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
The five foolish virgins represent 50% of the church who knows of Him and that He is coming, but didn’t have a personal relationship with him, not really knowing Him. Notice what distinguished the wise from the foolish; the foolish had no light – their light went out. Note also that the bridegroom said, “I know you not”.
Jesus called for His followers to be the light of the world, just as He was and is. Jesus also stated that only a small portion of mankind would find their way to, and through, Him.
Matthew 7:13-14 – Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
There is a big difference between “many”, and “few”. Thus we see that quality will be the condition of His church at the harvest, not quantity. This means that a truly righteous quality of the Lord will be evident in the true church that Christ is coming back for. He will not accept the corruption and fleshly form of church that exists today; and that condition will probably even grow worse as the days go on.
Numerous warnings were recorded in scripture about the way things will be in the last days as a result of deception, false preachers, teachers and prophets.
Matthew 24:4-5 – And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ (anointed); and shall deceive many.
Jesus tells us that the church will be subjected to great deception; therefore believers need to be very discerning about what they hear and who they listen to. The apostle Paul also addresses this condition due to the great deception that will be present in these last days.
1 Timothy 4:1 – Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Timothy 3:1-4 – This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
This passage addresses conditions that Paul saw coming to churches; and we have those conditions today. How can I say this? The answer is in the very next verse:
2 Timothy 3:5 – having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Where do you have a form of godliness? Certainly not in the world, but in the church! (This could also describe the Church of Laodicea in Revelation 3.) Paul describes a church that has denied the power of God which changes lives from the ways of the world to righteousness. That power of God also changes to include the love that God has commanded us to have – to be just like Jesus.
The coming great awakening will bring His church to the fullness of His character and nature, as written in my article, “Change Is Coming”. One of the things that is needed to bring about this maturing process is the acceptance of all five of the gift ministries: apostle, prophet, teacher, evangelist and pastor. The only gift ministry recognized and accepted in the main-line churches today is that of pastor.
Ephesians 4:11-13 – And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
When did Jesus give these five gift ministries to the church: after He ascended to His Heavenly Father. Why did He give these five gift ministries to the church: to build up (or mature) the believers to the full stature of Christ. Without these five gift ministries in operation today, the believers are lacking in their maturity.
This lack of spiritual maturity is addressed in the Book of Hebrews:
Hebrews 5:12-14 – For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
When believers lack full spiritual maturity in the Lord they lack spiritual discernment; they cannot recognize fully what is of God, and what is of the devil. They are then easily deceived! Just as Jesus warned would occur before His return.
Another thing to recognize is what the Bible calls the “latter rain” which refers to the rains that proceed the time of the harvest.
James 5:7 – Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
The following is copied from the internet site, BibleAsk on the topic “What does the Latter Rain mean?
Joel 2:23 – Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, for former rain, and the latter rain in the first month (the month of the harvest).
The “latter rain” in this verse is interpreted as an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit was first hared with the disciples on the day of Pentecost. We also see that the “latter rain” (the end-times outpouring) would be greater that the “former rain”.
What is the purpose of the Latter Rain? With farmers, after planting, a seasonal rain provided moisture for germination and initial growth. Ths was called the “early rain”. Later, near the time for harvest, another copious watering was referred to as the “latter rain”. So while the first rain was important for germination, the second rain provided nourishment that was important for the harvest.
Biblical writers used these terms to describe the visitation of the Holy Spirit upon the church in a dispensational sense. The “early rain” came at Pentecost to give power to the witness of the gospel. Another outpouring of rain, the “latter rain”, is coming at earth’s final soul harvest before the second coming of Christ. (End of copied material)
Therefore we see that the latter rain is used to fully mature and ripen the fruit for harvesting. This is identifying the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit equipping the church for Christ to come for it – the great awakening.
Obviously what is presented here goes contrary to what many preachers and prophets have been saying regarding a great awaking as being a major evangelical event. However, I do not see such a great evangelical event identified in the Bible in the last days. I do see multiple warnings about great deception of the believers being the major issue described.
Matthew 24:24 – For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
I hope you understand what is ahead for the Body of Christ, and that you will be able to stand in the evil day of this present and even greater coming deception.
Ephesians 6:11-13 – Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
This great awakening will purge and prepare the Body of Christ for His return. It will allow the light of His glory to shine in and through His people. This light will be able to draw people into the church, but it will not likely be the huge evangelical movement many are predicting; even though that would be wonderful and very desirable. This awakening will restore the church and bring a move of God that will manifest in healing, deliverance and the power of God to change lives.
This awakening will probably draw the ire of the main-stream denominations, because it does not fit in with their man-made traditions, doctrines and efforts to maintain control of the church. Historically, they do not like it when the Holy Spirit is will that refuse the latter rain outpouring. They will likely oppose and persecute this move of moving and in control. In fact, they have always opposed the Holy Spirit, claiming it was the working of the devil. They will persecute those of us who embrace this great awakening. As stated, I do not see this as a massive evangelical event, but sinners will be brought into the fold and God will move mightily among His true believers.
However, we also need to recognize that persecution has never hurt the true church, but only made it stronger and more pure for Christ. Pray for the “latter rain” of the Holy Spirit to fall upon us to equip us and prepare us for His return! How do you recognize a true outpouring and move of the Holy Spirit? Where the Holy Spirit is poured out and operating there is repentance, conviction of sin, righteousness, and changes lives.
James 5:7 – Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Where the counterfeit, which is the spirit of antichrist (1 John 2:18-19), is moving there is only a show; though it can be sensational or spectacular, it draws crowds, but is still just a show. As the Holy Spirit is poured out to do the final equipping of the true church we will likely see the enemy make his counter move to draw people away from the truth of Christ and His Word.
We will have a true “great awakening”; in the Bible it is called the “latter rain”! However we must be discerning and able to recognize what is of God and what is of the enemy, because these last days will be full of Satan’s deception to destroy what he can. Don’t fooled or tricked but be alert and awakened by His Spirit, and prepared for His return!
