July 1st, 2022
by Robert Presson
by Robert Presson
I love revival history, and I am also steeped in the theology of revival. It’s what I preach and what I’m about. So in addition to reading the Bible, I give myself to reading about revival — both its history and its substance. There have been books that have shook me to my core, and I want to share three of them with you today. One is a history book about the greatest revival since Pentecost, one is a book about the biblical theology of revival, and another is a pride-shattering prophetic call to the church to rise out of lukewarmness and compromise.
1. Azusa Street by Frank Bartleman
Frank Bartleman was a journalist who got an up-close look at the Azusa Street revival. This book is written not as a cold, detached narrative but as an exciting first-hand look at the beginnings of the modern Pentecostal movement and the electric, overwhelming presence of God that was found at those early meetings.
Bartleman, being Pentecostal himself, details the cloud of glory that rested at Azusa Street, the heavenly song of brand new Pentecostals singing in tongues, and he compared it to the breath of God blowing on harp strings — the harp strings of human hearts and human voices. Not only do you get the sense of what happened in the meetings, but you get a few more takeaways from this book. For example, you can almost feel the holiness of the people as you read. It wasn’t just about powerful services. It was about a people committed to holiness of heart and the presence of God in their lives. You can also sense how much we are lacking in our church culture and personal lives. This book will shake you. I put the book down and worshipped the Lord a few different times as I read it because I was in awe of His work in that day.
Quote from the book:
“A revival almost always begins among the laity. The ecclesiastical leaders seldom welcome reformation. History repeats itself. The present leaders are too comfortably situated as a rule to desire innovation that might require sacrifice on their part. And God's fire only falls on sacrifice. An empty altar receives no fire!”
Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/Azusa-Street-Eyewitness-Account-Pentecostal/dp/0883686384/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14VS0Q3A3BSS3&keywords=azusa+street+frank+bartleman&qid=1656654958&sprefix=azusa+st,aps,88&sr=8-1
2. In The Day of Thy Power by Arthur Wallis
This book lays out a theology of revival, but in a very passionate, devotional, and intriguing way. The title is based on Psalm 110:3, “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.” I love that, because on my own journey toward becoming a revivalist I had encounters with God where He would speak to me about Psalm 110:3 and give me visions of revival, and I had not read this book yet. When I read it and saw things the Lord had already showed me, I was floored. In fact, if you’re heard me preach more than once you’ve probably heard me at least mention Psalm 110. That preaching was birthed out of encounters with the Lord and confirmed with this book.
In the Day of Thy Power takes you on a journey of scriptures that come alive as you realize God’s intention behind revival (e.g., Old Testament pictures of outpouring and harvest as types of revival in the church). There are also practical and historical notes that make the book well worth reading.
A major point in this book is the concept that Pentecost is the model for revival. In other words, what happened on the day of Pentecost shows us what we are aiming for. It informs us as to what is available. It gives us something to long for and a lofty standard for which to cry out in prayer. Again, if you have heard me preach, I touch on this topic frequently, and my preaching along this like was likely fueled by this classic work.
Quote from the book:
“What awe must have come to the hearts of that waiting band as they listened to that “sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind”—what a sense of the irresistible power of God! But there was also the appearance of “tongues parting asunder, like as of fire.” Fire typifies the activity of God’s holiness in relation to sin; fire consumes and fire purifies. When the Spirit came upon Christ, it was not as the fire but “as a dove,” for there was no sin in Him, as the Father then declared, “Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). But here the tongues “like as of fire” sat upon each of them, bringing not only a sense of the infinite holiness of God but of the activity of that holiness in dealing with all that was unholy in themselves.”
Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/Day-Thy-Power-Arthur-Wallis/dp/193614302X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=294VMYZFQ972G&keywords=in+the+day+of+the+power+arthur+willis&qid=1656654757&sprefix=in+the+day+of+thy+,aps,89&sr=8-1
3. Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill
I read this book years ago—maybe a decade ago. I had heard of Leonard Ravenhill, and all I knew was that people I looked up to spiritually all loved him. I had no idea what I was getting into by picking this book up.
Let me be candid with you for a moment. The first time I attempted to read Why Revival Tarries, I couldn’t make it past the first paragraph on the second page. Not because I found it boring — quite to the contrary. I couldn’t continue Why Revival Tarries because I wasn’t ready! I closed the book, got on my knees, and told the Lord I didn’t know if I was ready to read this book. I didn’t know if I could handle it and I didn’t want to be responsible for reading it and not being willing or able to change my life based on what I read. I just didn’t think I was ready for it. I asked the Lord to remind me to read the book when I was ready and He did!
The truth is, I have read this book cover to cover, and skimmed it more than once, and I am still not ready for it! Nobody is! It will humble you. It will shake your foundation. It will make you question your progress and definitely make you feel uncomfortable with your current level of passion and prayerfulness. Leonard Ravenhill was a prophet of his generation, whose writing still speaks to this generation. You should read Ravenhill if your goal in life is to be on fire. But you should not read him if your goal is to be comfortable.
Quote from the book:
“Preacher brethren, this is the time to blush that we have no shame, the time to weep for our lack of tears, the time to bend low that we have lost the humble touch of servants, the time to groan that we have no burden, the time to be angry with ourselves that we have no anger over the devil’s monopoly in this ‘‘end time’’ hour, the time to chastise ourselves that the world can so easily get along with us and not attempt to chastise us.”
Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/Why-Revival-Tarries-Leonard-Ravenhill/dp/0764229052/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QU9SJ8OY2XXS&keywords=why+revival+tarries+by+leonard+ravenhill&qid=1656654933&sprefix=why+revival+,aps,82&sr=8-1
1. Azusa Street by Frank Bartleman
Frank Bartleman was a journalist who got an up-close look at the Azusa Street revival. This book is written not as a cold, detached narrative but as an exciting first-hand look at the beginnings of the modern Pentecostal movement and the electric, overwhelming presence of God that was found at those early meetings.
Bartleman, being Pentecostal himself, details the cloud of glory that rested at Azusa Street, the heavenly song of brand new Pentecostals singing in tongues, and he compared it to the breath of God blowing on harp strings — the harp strings of human hearts and human voices. Not only do you get the sense of what happened in the meetings, but you get a few more takeaways from this book. For example, you can almost feel the holiness of the people as you read. It wasn’t just about powerful services. It was about a people committed to holiness of heart and the presence of God in their lives. You can also sense how much we are lacking in our church culture and personal lives. This book will shake you. I put the book down and worshipped the Lord a few different times as I read it because I was in awe of His work in that day.
Quote from the book:
“A revival almost always begins among the laity. The ecclesiastical leaders seldom welcome reformation. History repeats itself. The present leaders are too comfortably situated as a rule to desire innovation that might require sacrifice on their part. And God's fire only falls on sacrifice. An empty altar receives no fire!”
Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/Azusa-Street-Eyewitness-Account-Pentecostal/dp/0883686384/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14VS0Q3A3BSS3&keywords=azusa+street+frank+bartleman&qid=1656654958&sprefix=azusa+st,aps,88&sr=8-1
2. In The Day of Thy Power by Arthur Wallis
This book lays out a theology of revival, but in a very passionate, devotional, and intriguing way. The title is based on Psalm 110:3, “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.” I love that, because on my own journey toward becoming a revivalist I had encounters with God where He would speak to me about Psalm 110:3 and give me visions of revival, and I had not read this book yet. When I read it and saw things the Lord had already showed me, I was floored. In fact, if you’re heard me preach more than once you’ve probably heard me at least mention Psalm 110. That preaching was birthed out of encounters with the Lord and confirmed with this book.
In the Day of Thy Power takes you on a journey of scriptures that come alive as you realize God’s intention behind revival (e.g., Old Testament pictures of outpouring and harvest as types of revival in the church). There are also practical and historical notes that make the book well worth reading.
A major point in this book is the concept that Pentecost is the model for revival. In other words, what happened on the day of Pentecost shows us what we are aiming for. It informs us as to what is available. It gives us something to long for and a lofty standard for which to cry out in prayer. Again, if you have heard me preach, I touch on this topic frequently, and my preaching along this like was likely fueled by this classic work.
Quote from the book:
“What awe must have come to the hearts of that waiting band as they listened to that “sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind”—what a sense of the irresistible power of God! But there was also the appearance of “tongues parting asunder, like as of fire.” Fire typifies the activity of God’s holiness in relation to sin; fire consumes and fire purifies. When the Spirit came upon Christ, it was not as the fire but “as a dove,” for there was no sin in Him, as the Father then declared, “Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). But here the tongues “like as of fire” sat upon each of them, bringing not only a sense of the infinite holiness of God but of the activity of that holiness in dealing with all that was unholy in themselves.”
Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/Day-Thy-Power-Arthur-Wallis/dp/193614302X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=294VMYZFQ972G&keywords=in+the+day+of+the+power+arthur+willis&qid=1656654757&sprefix=in+the+day+of+thy+,aps,89&sr=8-1
3. Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill
I read this book years ago—maybe a decade ago. I had heard of Leonard Ravenhill, and all I knew was that people I looked up to spiritually all loved him. I had no idea what I was getting into by picking this book up.
Let me be candid with you for a moment. The first time I attempted to read Why Revival Tarries, I couldn’t make it past the first paragraph on the second page. Not because I found it boring — quite to the contrary. I couldn’t continue Why Revival Tarries because I wasn’t ready! I closed the book, got on my knees, and told the Lord I didn’t know if I was ready to read this book. I didn’t know if I could handle it and I didn’t want to be responsible for reading it and not being willing or able to change my life based on what I read. I just didn’t think I was ready for it. I asked the Lord to remind me to read the book when I was ready and He did!
The truth is, I have read this book cover to cover, and skimmed it more than once, and I am still not ready for it! Nobody is! It will humble you. It will shake your foundation. It will make you question your progress and definitely make you feel uncomfortable with your current level of passion and prayerfulness. Leonard Ravenhill was a prophet of his generation, whose writing still speaks to this generation. You should read Ravenhill if your goal in life is to be on fire. But you should not read him if your goal is to be comfortable.
Quote from the book:
“Preacher brethren, this is the time to blush that we have no shame, the time to weep for our lack of tears, the time to bend low that we have lost the humble touch of servants, the time to groan that we have no burden, the time to be angry with ourselves that we have no anger over the devil’s monopoly in this ‘‘end time’’ hour, the time to chastise ourselves that the world can so easily get along with us and not attempt to chastise us.”
Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/Why-Revival-Tarries-Leonard-Ravenhill/dp/0764229052/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QU9SJ8OY2XXS&keywords=why+revival+tarries+by+leonard+ravenhill&qid=1656654933&sprefix=why+revival+,aps,82&sr=8-1
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