PART 1
Following the previous article where we examined particular segments of Genesis 5 and their relation to various cycles of human civilization, culminating in the revival that occurred under the Enoch generation, we found it only fitting to continue this journey by looking back at some later revivals that can prepare us for others that we believe are imminent. In this way, we open our spirits to receive what God can do today and tomorrow, by building our faith based on what He did yesterday. Let us commence with several characteristics of revival as compiled by Bill Johnson in his book, “Open Heavens”:
- Revivals occurred in times of moral darkness and national depression – would we be wrong in stating that Jamaica is sadly characterised in this regard?
- Each revival began in the heart of a consecrated servant of God who became the energizing power behind the move of God
- Each revival rested on the Word of God and most were the result of proclaiming same with power
- All revivals resulted in a return to the worship of God
- Each revival witnessed a destruction of idols
- In each revival, there was a “recorded separation from sin”
- Every revival witnessed a return of the people to obeying God’s law
- A restoration of great joy and gladness was seen
- Each revival was followed by a period of national prosperity
THE WELSH REVIVAL
Early Years
Beginning early in the 20th century, a mighty move of God occurred in Wales which served as a forerunner to several other miraculous acts by Him, including the Azusa Street revival. History accords a special place to Mr. Evan John Roberts, recognized by many to be the leader in the Welsh Revival. Evan Roberts was born June 8, 1878 to Henry and Hannah Roberts.
Raised in a staunch Calvinist-Methodist home, from an early age, Evan’s spiritual development was led by his parents who ensured that each family member owned a Bible.
Every miner got a daily Scripture
When his father suffered a mining injury, young Evan was removed from school and sent to work in the coal mines to help support the family. Committed to the task, the lad began memorizing scripture (as was the family’s custom). This was greatly assisted by the fact that he took his Bible everywhere with him! Each morning at work, he would stand at the mine’s entrance and share a scripture with every worker that passed him. In the evenings, he would ask each miner to tell him what they had individually gleaned from their verse.
It was also reported that it was not uncommon to see young Evan on his knees in the dust and dirt of the mine, seeking God and reading the Bible: events which were antecedents for the mighty, nationwide ministry about to be born.
Prayer irrespective of the weather
Another of his key traits was his devotion to fervent prayer and intercession which had some labelling him a “mystical lunatic”. Supporting this (in their estimation), was his strict regime of attending various prayer meetings, such as at the Moriah and Pisgah Chapels, irrespective of the weather conditions and any other difficulties confronting him. This was due to the attitude that he honed in his heart and constantly reminded himself: “Remember your resolve to be faithful.” He would spend hours in communion with God, praying for revival in Wales, and would read associated material; staying up for hours at night in discussion with his friend, Sidney Evans – a practice he would continue for many years as he sought to see God’s outpouring in his country.
Such actions would foster numerous conversations about him as many thought his behaviour odd, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor 2:14 KJV) Regardless of his critics’ inability to understand him, the intensity of Evan John Roberts’ anointing was remarkably evident for all to see. Consequently, as he visited various prayer meetings and was asked to intercede, the power of his prayer unto the LORD would melt the hearts of hearers. It was on one such occasion at Builith Wells that having witnessed the impact of his prayer on the congregants, someone advised him to consider full-time ministry, which he eventually did.
TURNING AND TEACHING POINT
A critical turning point for Evan’s ministry came in December 1903, when he felt in his heart that God had planned a great revival for Wales. Being so convinced, he made the following declaration at a meeting, “I have reached out my hand and touched the flame. I am burning and waiting for a sign.” The Holy Spirit also convicted others that a revival was coming and this led every denomination in Wales to start praying for it.
Note that this underscores the importance of church unity and moving in one accord to release the showers of heaven upon the Earth.
BEND US
Over the course of 1904, Evan felt torn between what he believed was expected of him by many and that which he felt the Spirit of the Lord wanted him to do. He had several friends around him, including Sidney Evans, who encouraged him to attend the meetings of the powerful Presbyterian minister, Seth Joshua in September 1904. Unknown to Evan, Reverend Joshua had prayed for years that God would raise up another “Elisha” from the ordinary folk of the land and “mantle him with power”!
It was at a Seth Joshua evangelistic meeting in September 1904, that Evan was jolted by four, soul-stirring words uttered by the Evangelist: “Oh LORD, bend us!” When Evan heard the Holy Spirit instructing him, “That’s what you need!”, he became convinced that he had to consecrate himself to God before the Holy Spirit would come
Join us next time in Part 2 of this Welsh account as we take you on a journey of what a God-led revival looks like. My generation has seen firsthand the horrors of a pandemic. We have witnessed an invasion that is predicted to be precursor to the next world war. Some seem unaware, but there is a famine gaining global momentum; why then shouldn’t we expect that God would step into the midst of all these first-time experiences for many of us and provoke a world-wide revival? With so many more lives likely to be lost through impending and ongoing disasters, we are reminded that it is never God’s will for any to perish without first laying claim to everlasting life. Knowing that disasters are waiting on our door step, we pray for mass global revival that will accelerate saving the souls of millions that would otherwise be lost; for what does it profit a man to gain the whole world (or nothing at all), and lose his soul?
References:
- https://www.revival library.org/revival_histories/evangelical/1900/welsh_revival_1904.shtml
- God’s Generals: Why Some succeeded and others Didn’t by Robert Liardon
Contact Gordon M. Swaby (Engineer by profession and a Kingdom Visionary) at [email protected]
