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Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (II Thessalonians 2:1-2)

We have talked about the manner of His appearing, now let’s consider the time of His appearing.

Will He appear before or after the millennium? This is a disputed point, for there are three different viewpoints, pre-millennial, post-millennial and a-millennial. Pre-millennialists believe Christ will come before the millennium. Post-millennialists believe the world will get better and better , then He will come after the millennium and sit upon His throne. A-millennialism spiritualizes His coming so that it is not even a literal thousand years.

It will help us to discover the truth if we look at the condition of the world when He appears as described in Scripture.

1. WHAT DO THE PROPHETS SAY?
   

   And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1)

   1. At that time Michael, the great prince, will stand up for thy people (Israel).
   2. It is to be a time of trouble such as there never was before, called the Tribulation Period and it takes place just before to the millennium.
   3. The people are said to be in gross darkness when the Lord arises in His glory.
      

      That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, (Zephaniah 1:15)

      Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.(Isaiah 60:1-3)

   4. The Lord is seen as fighting against the nations, when His feet will stand upon the Mount of Olives.
      

      Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. (Zechariah 14:3-4)

   5. He will then become the king of all the earth.
      

      And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.  (Zechariah 14:9)

2. WHAT DO THE APOSTLES SAY?
   1. When the Lord of the vineyard comes He does not find righteousness prevailing, for “He will miserably destroy those wicked men.”
      

      But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. (Matthew 21:37-41)

   2. When the Bridegroom came five of the virgins were found unfit to enter and were shut out.
      

      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. (Matthew 25:10-12)

   3. It will be as it was in the days of Noah and of Lot.
      

      And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
      (Luke 17:26-30)

   4. The world was at its worst instead of at its best when the flood came.
   5. If things are to go on improving (spiritually) till Christ comes, what is the meaning of these words, “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth” in Luke 18:8?
   6. Before the Son of Man comes with power and great glory men hearts will be failing them for fear of the things that are coming on the earth.
      

      And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:25-28)

3. WHAT DO THE OTHER APOSTLES SAY?
   

   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; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;  (I Timothy 4:1-2)

   1. Is not this happening now?
   2. We are not to be deceived by doctors or professors.
      

      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; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (II Timothy 3:1-6)

   3. This falling away from the faith of the Gospel will be the result of the influence of the scoffers that are to come in the last days.
      

      Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, (II Peter 3:3)

   4. Why should we hope that in these last days peaceful times will come, when the Holy Spirit has expressly declared that in the last days perilous times will come?
   5. It is not a question of the failure of the Gospel or the power of the Holy Spirit, but of the fact that wickedness will increase and God will deal with it.
   6. Let us take care that we are well grounded in the Word of God.
      

      But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
      (Jude 17-18)

For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
(Proverbs 4:2)

Many times our sins are sins of attitude rather than sins of action. Even when they are sins of action, it is because of a wrong attitude. We can appear to others as a pillar of virtue, when our heart is steeped in sin.

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” (Proverbs 23:7a)

One of the hardest questions to answer honestly is, “Is thy heart right with God?”

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.  (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

There are many kinds of heart conditions one might have. There also are many ways an heart condition can affect us. Let’s compare physical conditions with spiritual conditions that affect the heart.

1. SPEECH PROBLEMS CAN BE CAUSED BY THE HEART.
   

   O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
   (Matthew 12:34-37)ILL. My aunt had an heart condition that evidently caused a stroke. Her speech was affected.

   1. Profanity and lewd speech is a common practice of so many.
   2. Some use words that have a double meaning that can be taken in different ways and if they are called on it, they plead innocence.
   3. And then there is the matter of not telling the truth.
      

      These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. (Proverbs 6:16-19)

   4. The way we talk reveals our heart’s condition.
2. ACTIVITIES ARE CONTROLLED BY THE HEART.
   

   For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (Matthew 15:19)

   1. The heart can dictate our physical activities.
   2. We do for God what we have the heart to do.
   3. Wicked actions are produced by an heart condition.
      

      An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,(Proverbs 6:18a)

3. RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS ARE AFFECTED BY THE HEART.
   

   But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. (James 3:14)

   1. Bitter feelings turn us into everything, except what we ought to be.
   2. Bitterness disrupts our relationship with others.
      

      Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; (Hebrews 12:15)

   3. It causes strife and bad behavior.
   4. God would have us to be controlled by love.
      

      Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
      (I Corinthians 13:4-8)

4. A HEART CONDITION CAN CAUSE SELFISHNESS.
   

   And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. (Luke 21:34)

   1. A person with a bad heart needs someone to do things for them they can no longer do.
   2. Christians whose hearts are not right with God become selfish.
   3. They become overly concerned with this life and fell sorry for themselves. (O, poor me, I am so mistreated.)
   4. Sometimes they even want God, or the church, to wait on them hand and foot.
5. STRESS PRODUCES HEART FAILURE.
   

   After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:9-15)

   1. Stress builds up because we do not properly deal with the issues of our lives.
   2. Spiritual stress is caused by wrong behavior toward God or our fellow man.
   3. Think about this, the first four commandments of the Law have to do with our attitude and behavior toward God and the last six have to do with our attitude and behavior toward our fellow man.
   4. God says to forgive, but we do our best to get even.
   5. In so doing we suffer that much more.
      

      Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
      (Matthew 18:32-35)And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  (Hebrews 12:5-7)

   6. All of the Law can be fulfilled by one thing and that is love.
      

      Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40)Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:10)

   7. When we have heart trouble, we need a specialist, there is none greater than the Lord Jesus Christ.
      

      Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13)

When He comes for His own they will be caught up to meet Him in the air. (I Thes. 4:17) But those on the earth will not see Him. When he appears with His saints, every eye will see Him. As He appeared to His disciples after His resurrection and showed Himself, so shall He appear the second time and manifest His glory. To put the truth in order, let us ask:

What will be the manner of His appearing? It will be:

I. CERTAIN.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:3)

(“If I go…I will come again.”)

1. His coming again, then, is as certain as His departure. (“If I go…I will come again.”)
2. This is not the coming of death, but of Himself.
   

   For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
   (I Thessalonians 4:16)

II. PERSONAL.

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11)

A spiritual coming or the coming of the Holy Spirit is not “this same Jesus”.

III. SUDDEN.

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. (Malachi 3:1-3)

1. The believer is to be ready at all times, for there will be some saved during the Tribulation Period.
   

   Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. (Mark 13:35-36)

2. His coming will be as quick as lightning.
   

   For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:27)

IV. VISIBLE.

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7)Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (Matthew 26:64)

1. What a sight for this pleasure-loving, Christ-rejecting age.
2. Men will wail because of Him.
   

   Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.(Revelation 1:7)

   And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. (Isaiah 2:19)

V. GLORIOUS.

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  (Titus 2:13)

1. When first He came, He made Himself of no reputation and became the “Man of Sorrows”, but when He appears the second time it will be in “great power and glory”.
   

   And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. (Mark 13:26)

2. His Name is above every name.
   

   Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
   (Philippians 2:9)

VI. WITH HIS SAINTS.

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (Jude 14)When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)

1. By that time we will have been made “like Him”.
   

   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. (I John 3:2)

2. This is the fruit of grace.
3. Bless the Lord Who has made us partakers of such an high and holy calling.
   

   The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,(Ephesians 1:18)

VII. TO ESTABLISH RIGHTEOUSNESS.

To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.  (Jude 15)

1. He will judge with righteousness.
   

   Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity. (Psalms 98:9)

2. He will bless the earth with prosperity and peace.
   

   In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.(Psalms 72:7)

To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease. Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation. I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps. (Psalms 85:1-13)

ILL. When the fire in the fireplace is just about out, sometimes it is difficult to get it going again. If you can get one log to burning, it is easier to get more to burn. And then there are times when the wood is wet and you are trying to start a fire. That is even harder. I wonder, what kind of wood are we?

When it comes to Revival, if we can get just one person to catch on fire for God, maybe more of the church will catch on fire and we will have a better chance of having a God sent, Holy Spirit inspired REVIVAL. Wouldn’t that be great!

We have seen that genuine Revival comes from God. We have also seen what will keep Revival from coming – SIN. We have seen the need to ask God for Revival. Now let us consider that God can and will Revive us again.

I. JUDGMENT REVEALS THE NEED FOR REVIVAL. vs. 4-5

1. Judgment calls for prayer.
   

   O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. (Habakkuk 3:2)

2. Judgment is limited.
   

   After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.(Hosea 6:2)

   To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. (Psalms 85:1-3)

   1. There seems to be a conflict between verses 1-3 and verses 4-6.
   2. But there is not, the judgment of captivity was over, they are back in the land, however, God was still dealing with them because they had not turned whole heartedly unto Him.
   3. God was withholding His blessings because they had not rebuilt the Temple, the city of Jerusalem was in shambles and they were not keeping God’s commandments.
      

      Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (II Corinthians 6:14-7:1)

II. WE NEED TO RESPOND CORRECTLY TO GOD’S JUDGMENT. vs. 6-7

1. I will hear. v. 8
2. I will fear. v. 9
3. God will send Revival when we respond correctly to Him.
   

   Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. (Hosea 6:1-3)

   If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (II Chronicles 7:14)

III. WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF REVIVAL? vs. 10-13

1. Mercy.
   

   Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:5-7)

   But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. (Psalms 13:5)

2. Truth.
   

   But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24)

   Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17)

3. Righteousness.
   

   Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (Romans 6:13)

4. Peace.
   

   Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1)

5. Let us commit ourselves unto God.
   

   I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11)

Christianity is under attack. It would appear we are living in the very last days and unless God intervenes we will see persecution in our land. I have heard many ideas about what will happen when the Lord comes for His own. Some so off the wall I could not believe what I was hearing. I have had people ask me about the coming of the Lord who had never heard anything about it in their Baptist Church.

I. THIS SAME JESUS.

1. We are not looking for a new messiah, we are looking for the same Jesus who walked the streets of Jerusalem some two thousand years ago.
2. Some are worshiping another Jesus.
   

   For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
   (II Corinthians 11:4)

3. Some are preaching another gospel.
   

   I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.(Galatians 1:6-9)

II. HE WAS TAKEN UP.

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. (Acts 1:9)

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:1-3)

1. He was taken up from the Mount of Olives when the glory of the Lord was removed to from the Temple in Ezekiel’s vision.
   

   Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD’S glory. Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. (Ezekiel 10:4,18)

   And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city. (Ezekiel 11:23)

2. He sits at the very right hand of the Father to intercede for us.
   

   Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)

   Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
   (Romans 8:34)

   My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (I John 2:1)

III. HE WILL COME AGAIN.

1. The angels told us He would come again in our text.
2. The Lord told us He would come again.
   

   Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
   (John 14:1-3)

3. We are to be looking for Him to come again.
   

   Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13)

4. Times will be bad at His coming.
   

   But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.(Matthew 24:37-39)

5. We are to be ready for His coming.
   

   Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 24:44)

IV. WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT HIS COMING?

1. The rapture.
   

   Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (I Corinthians 15:51-58)

   But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)

2. After the seven year Tribulation Period He will return in power and great glory to rule and reign for a thousand years.
   

   Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31)

   And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4-6)

Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? (Psalms 85:6)

We have seen that revival comes form God. We have also seen in part why God might not revive us. Remember that revival is a restoration to consciousness or life. I want to challenge you to ask God for revival.

I need revival. This church needs revival. This city and state needs revival. Our nation needs revival. Will it come? I don’t know. But I guarantee you it will not come unless God’s people get down to business with God.

I. THE PSALMIST HERE IS ASKING GOD FOR REVIVAL.

Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? (Psalms 85:6)

1. God desires for us to come to Him and make our requests known.
   

   Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6)

   But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:2)

2. We ask and don’t receive because we ask for the wrong reasons. 
   

   Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (James 4:3-10)

3. We do not need to be ashamed to ask.
   

   Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  (Hebrews 4:16)

   ILL> The story is told of John-John in president Kennedy’s office. He was under and around his father’s desk as the president was being interviewed. He had a right, he was a son.

4. You and I have a right, we are God’s children.
5. We need God’s grace to empower us to carry out His will.

II. HABAKKUK ASKED FOR REVIVAL.

O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. (Habakkuk 3:2)

1. This was before the Babylonian captivity.
2. Psa. 85 was after the Babylonian captivity, the need was still there.

III. SOLOMON ASKED GOD FOR REVIVAL BEFORE IT WAS NEEDED.

Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive. If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house; Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness. And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house; Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers. When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them; Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance. If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be: Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house: Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:) That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers. Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name’s sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house; Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name. If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name; Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause. If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near; Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly; If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name: Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee. (II Chronicles 6:21-39)

IV. GOD’S ANSWER TO SOLOMON’S PRAYER.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (II Chronicles 7:14)

We never stop to consider that the formula we use for revival was given in answer to Solomon’s prayer.

1. If God’s people will:
   1. Humble themselves.
   2. Pray.
   3. Seek God’s face – be acceptable to Him.
   4. Turn from their wicked ways.
   5. This is repentance.
2. God will respond:
   1. He will hear from heaven.
   2. He will forgive their sin.
      

      If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (I John 1:9)

   3. He will heal their land.
   4. This is forgiveness.
3. THIS IS REVIVAL.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 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. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (I John 3:1-3)

Most people are not ready for the Lord to return. When He comes it will be to late to get ready. His coming is in two stages. First He will come for His own prior to the Tribulation Period and at the end of the seven year Tribulation Period He will come in power and great glory to establish His millennial reign.

You might say to me how do you know He is coming again?
1. There are more references to Christ’s second coming that there are to His first coming in the Bible.
2. One out of every 38 verses refer to the second coming.
3. The only thing mentioned more than the second coming is the authority of God.
Therefore, we need to be ready.

We make ready:

I. BY BELIEVING THE GOSPEL.

And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
(Mark 13:10)

1. Christ’s program is not social reform, but Gospel preaching.
   

   And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)

   For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

   And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: (Acts 14:15)

II. BY ABIDING IN HIS WORD.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
(John 5:39)

1. The students of the Word are the ones who are looking for Him.
   

   But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
   (I Thessalonians 5:1-6)

   Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
   (John 14:1-3)

III. BY LIVING A HOLY LIFE.

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.  (I John 3:3)

1. Faith in His coming will lead to a life prepared to welcome Him.
   

   For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (I Thessalonians 1:9-10)

   For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:11-14)

IV. BY CONTINUING IN PRAYER.

In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: (Daniel 9:2-3)

1. It is the earnest seeker who will see the light in the darkness.
   

   Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (Matthew 7:7)

V. BY USE OF OUR SPECIAL TALENTS.

And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. (Matthew 25:15)

1. God gives everyone special gifts to use for Christ.
   

   And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. (Exodus 4:2)

2. Use what you have; be yourself.
   

   But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Ephesians 4:7-8)

VI. BY EXPECTING HIM.

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28)

1. If you are not expecting Him, you will not prepare.
   

   But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? (Luke 12:45-56)

   And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (II Peter 3:4)

Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease. Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation. I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. (Psalms 85:4-9)

We discovered that revival comes from God. Now we want to consider what would keep God from sending revival. Revival is a restoration of consciousness or life.

As already stated I want to see real revival in our church. It may not come all at once. It may be a gradual thing. Indeed, real revival will continue and grow.

Let me give you another illustration of revival. The lady, whose dog was the father of some of our puppies from the past, had a young female. Without her knowing it, the female came to be in a motherly way. She was not sure when they would be born, therefore, the puppies came when she was not there to assist in their birth. This being the first litter, the mother did not know what to do, besides she was busy. She was in a cage with another cage next to it, as well as, being on top of other cages. Three puppies were born by the time the she arrived. The weather was fairly cold. One pup had crawled into the next cage, one was trying to go out the back of the cage, but the wall kept it from falling and the other one was still partly in the birth sack, motionless. She began to work with the puppies, but the one in the birth sack did not seem to respond, so she put it in a plastic bag with some other items and placed it in a trash can. Later she needed to call a vet about another dog’s reaction to a shot. She was asked what she had used and it was necessary to look at the labels on the shot bottles. So she took the bag out of the trash, laid the puppy on the table and as she talked the puppy moved ever so slightly and she saw it. Her husband thought she just imagined it, but she began to work with it again. That was in the morning. I held it in my hands later that day as it moved about trying to find its mother. THAT’S REVIVAL!

I. WHAT WILL KEEP GOD FROM REVIVING US?

1. Sin.
   

   If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: (Psalms 66:18)

2. Regard means to pay close attention to.
3. Another word we might use is admire.
4. Sin will stand in the way of our prayers.
5. If God does not hear us, He will not send revival no matter how loud we cry.
6. Revival is a heart matter.
   

   For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. (Proverbs 23:7)

II. WE NEED GOD TO TURN US.

Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease. (Psalms 85:4)

1. We need the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin and draw us to God.
2. Sad to say, but sometimes it takes God’s judgment to get our attention.
   

   Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. (Hosea 6:1-3)

   O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. (Habakkuk 3:2)

3. We cannot live as we please and please God at the same time.
   

   For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

4. If God does not send revival it will not happen.
   

   A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. (Psalms 127:1)

III. WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?

1. We need to hear God.
   

   I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.(Psalms 85:8)

   While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. (Matthew 17:5)

   Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39)

   But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. (James 1:22-27)

2. The Bible is God’s Word, we need to read it, we need to heed it and we need to live it.
   

   Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)

   Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Matthew 23:23)

3. We need to fear God.
   

   Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. (Psalms 85:9)

   Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:28-29)

4. We need the grace of God to enable us to serve Him acceptably.
5. Habakkuk heard God’s Words and was afraid.
   

   O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. (Habakkuk 3:2)

6. Are you afraid? I am!