The Christian world is thrilled to see a revival happening at Asbury University, Kentucky from Feb 8, 2023, after the Great Awakening in 1904. Each revival brings forth great changes in the lives of people and has changed the social construct as well. It was a great time for most Christians to humble themselves and to reassure the fact that the Holy Spirit will awaken this generation to show His glory and to enable a generation to stand for the truth rather than going after emotionalism and the diluted gospels of this era. We have heard that they fortified the revival against the New Apostolic movement (NAR) encroachment and have defended the claims of such people via social media. This may not subside as we know that Satan uses different tactics to engulf/recede the growth of real Christianity. 

 

As I closely watched the recent videos and updates from Asbury University, many concerns came to my mind. 

  1. Many are attending just to report what’s going on inside. They are more concerned about showing the world what’s happening there, instead of involving themselves in it. They might be concerned about growing their social media page or getting more attention. I felt them being more self-centred rather than submitting to be a part of the great intervention of God. Social media exposure is essential, but the agenda by which people exploit social media in these scenarios matters.
  2. Self-centred people might utilize the opportunity of their attendance in Asbury to show up/teach/influence the community with ungodly thoughts to twist the truths within the church community. As they brand themselves as the ‘firebrands’ from the revival, they will try to subjugate the authorities of the church to propagate false teachings that they are directly or indirectly involved. The ‘firebrands’ will make themselves beyond correction as they make others believe that they are ‘anointed and appointed for such a time. This could tear apart the integrity and foundations of many churches.
  3. Many are attending the sessions to make themselves a part of the revival without a real desire to be touched by God. They just want the brand on them and to show themselves as different in the community. It’s just another social media hype. 
  4. Some churches will create longer ‘sessions’ and claim that they had the same encounter. These might be filled with emotionalism and doped with false doctrines. I agree that the awakening by the Holy Spirit will happen around the world, but we must not attempt to ‘manufacture’ them.
  5. Acceptance of queer community in the church as many will acclaim the love of Christ is open to all and they had a revelation for the same through the revival. This will in turn make the church conform to the standards and patterns of this world to accommodate these sins.
  6. Lack of long-term fruit of the Spirit. You could say this is purely personal, but my concern is people who had this experience should have long-lasting fruit of the Spirit in their lives. If not, the community must be very concerned in approaching them. 
  7. If the revival is not making us refrain from listening to or singing songs filled with false doctrines, we must be very concerned. The Holy Spirit will guide us through all truths. So, the community must be discerning before accepting all spirits.
  8. The people might eventually turn this place of revival into a shrine to receive the ‘power of the revival’ or ‘to receive the Holy Spirit’. (Have seen a person visit William Carey’s home and recorded a video inviting his followers/viewers to come and receive the anointing of this great missionary.) This might not be a widespread one, but many who have no scriptural foundation will eventually do this.

Yes, the revival is from God and our role is to be humble to be filled by the presence of the LORD. The concerns I raised might be seen in the near future, so we must be very careful. Turn to God, repent, and let revival begin from all of us.

God bless!