
A Religious Revival?
From floods to fires – throw in an earthquake or two – the world is shaken and reeling. The pace and severity of world shaping events are certainly looping upward. Watching the reactions of people when a major calamity hits is interesting. Once the initial shock and fight or flight response reaction wears off, the blame game begins. Fingers point in every direction.
Notice now a possible trend represented by three quotes taken from three different sources just this week:
* “Would the crisis of meaning in our society be alleviated if people turned back to religion?”
* “Calling all Texas readers! … we’re convening an all-star lineup to answer the question: “Does the West Need a Religious Revival?””
* “The West is poised at a momentous and fateful juncture.”
The reference to “… a momentous and fateful juncture” gives weight to the question, does the West need a religious revival? It is interesting to see where the thinking of some is going. It is tempting to simply say yes and leave the issue at that. However, it is more complicated than that.
In Leviticus chapter 26 we see an increasing scale of the things God said He will do to Israel if they, “… do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, and if you despise My statutes …” (Leviticus 26:14-15). After listing certain punishments God said, “And if by these things you are not reformed by Me … “ (verse 23), then God would take steps to institute judgements to force them into sincere repentance.
Those that will not be parted from their sins by the commands of God shall be parted from them by his judgments; since they would not destroy their high places, God would. “I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and cast your carcasses on the lifeless forms of your idols; and My soul shall abhor you” (Leviticus 26:30). Strong words… but God’s words.
Is this the God they have in mind when they suggest the need for a religious revival? Unfortunately not. The world does not need a revival of the false god of this world! And that is the only god they know. Without true knowledge of God, they can only turn to the familiar. And Satan created the familiar.
What we do know is that when the intensity of God’s hand has been laid on Israel, they do in fact repent. “If their uncircumcised hearts are humbled, and they accept their guilt – then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and My covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham I will remember; I will remember the land” (Verse 41-42).
However, we have a long way to go before we get to that point. So when we read or hear about the increase in the purchase of Bibles or increasing interest in religious activity, don’t be fooled. It is as false as the foundation this world’s religions stand on.
There is only one God and only one way to serve Him. You are standing on that foundation so make the most of it.
Brian Orchard