II Chronicles 30:24 says, “For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.”
As a boy I was riding with my grandpa on a backroad in British Columbia, Canada. We came upon a huge herd of elk—I guessed there must have been over 100. Old Pop said it was closer to 700. Years later I saw a band of sheep that covered a hillside. I learned that there were over 2.000. It is hard to imagine 17,000 sheep and 2,000 bullocks. Think of the noise they made—especially when hungry—let alone the smell and confusion. Not to take away from this great sacrifice, King Solomon offered up to God 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep when the ark was brought into the temple he had built (II Chronicles 7:5).
What does this have to do with the power of revival?
I remember when our church held revival meetings for two weeks in the spring and in the fall. As a result, the church grew in number and spiritual strength. In these healthy days for the church, hearts were opened to God. Many people laid their all on the altar. Financial giving grew naturally. As God’s power swept over our church (and over Israel in the Hezekiah revival time), giving back to God was on hearts.
In Acts 4:32-37 great power was upon the apostles to speak boldly. “…great grace was upon them all” (V. 33). This grace was a spirit of grace that they had toward each other. No one lacked anything because people were selling land and giving money so that everyone was taken care of. The devil soon got involved using Ananias and Sapphira. Later we see the church at Jerusalem is in financial trouble. It is never the point of revival to raise money, sheep, or bullocks. The beauty of revival is that hearts are changed.
Many have testified that they were saved or sanctified during a revival meeting. Where the Holy Spirit, in power, sweeps across a congregation, new life is bound to break forth. Genesis 1:2 states, “And the earth was without form, and void: and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”
The same Holy Spirit is ready and waiting today to move on dark and wasted situations. Don’t be afraid when He comes with power. Power is His hallmark. Jesus said, “And behold I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). This power was needed for them to be able to witness. Luke quoted Jesus again in Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me…”
The true church was born at the Feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem. Yes, there was fire, wind, and tongues. Today we might be afraid if such a thing happened. Maybe they were too. The result of this power was their boldness to witness. The disciples fled the cross because they didn’t have this power. With this power they went forth and laid down their lives in service, and even physical death.
Some believe today that waiting for ten days to two weeks for the Lord to pour out His Holy Spirit is old-fashioned and not needed. Don’t be fooled. Today we desperately need the Power of Revival!
