Times of Refreshing: What In The World Is Going On? Part 2

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets” –Acts 3:19-21, NIV

The Passion Translation renders it this way: “And now you must repent and turn back to God so that your sins will be removed, and so that times of refreshing will stream from the Lord’s presence. And he will send you Jesus, the Messiah, the chosen one for you. For he must remain in heaven until the restoration of all things has taken place, fulfilling everything that God said long ago through his holy prophets.”

Some would say this is a new normal because we are having to adjust our way of life. Albeit, we have to make the necessary adjustments in light of the health risks bought on by the pandemic, I would disagree because what is taking place is not normal. Look at any news headline and you will see stories about the effects of the coronavirus epidemic sweeping around the globe.

It’s not normal for thousands of people to die and millions to lose their jobs within the span of a few months. It’s not normal for states to have to issue stay-at-home orders or businesses to have to close indefinitely. Nothing about this is normal. It may be a mechanism to cope until things get better, yet I believe God has a better answer. FEAR NOT! Fear can unravel the social fabric which holds a society together, bringing further disruptions to the stability of volatile nations.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)

In Matthew 24, Jesus warned of a time when deception will run rampant. So beware that you are not fooled! He also said you will hear of wars nearby and revolutions on every side, with more rumors of wars to come. He encourages us not to panic or give in to our fears, for the breaking apart of the world’s systems is destined to happen. But it won’t yet be the end; it will still be unfolding, meaning its not the end of the world. The wording implies an expected increase in conflicts due to the stresses of the time leading up to the end.

Jesus goes on to warn in v. 7 that “Nations will go to war against each other and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be terrible earthquakes—seismic events of epic proportion, horrible epidemics and famines in place after place. Letting us know that deception, violence, scarcity, and disease are only preludes to the catastrophic events of the last days.

Our Savior is showing us that these sorrows trace their roots back to disobedience and rejection of Him. We can clearly see today that America has lost it’s spiritual moorings. It’s stabilizing influence over this nation. We have turned from the truth found in Scriptures and went ‘whoring’ after other Gods. The children of Israel would not listen to their judges, “but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the Lord; but they did not so.” –Judges 2:17 KJV After Joshua died another generation arose that did not know the Lord so they prostituted themselves by worshiping other gods. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim (idols; masters; false gods).

In 1986, Pastor David Wilkerson (May 19, 1931 – April 27, 2011), an American Christian evangelist, best known for his book The Cross and the Switchblade gave a prophetic warning that will usher in the third Great Awakening.

I see a plague coming on the world, and the bars, churches and government will shut down. The plague will hit New York City and shake it like it has never been shaken. The plague is going to force prayerless believers into radical prayer and into their Bibles, and repentance will be the cry from the man of God in the pulpit. And out of it will come a third Great Awakening that will sweep America and the world.”

In October 2019, a Pew Research Center article said the “religious landscape of the United States continues to change at a rapid clip.” The church has been in decline for sometime. We based our calculations on membership and those who claim the label of Christian when a pollster calls or social media, in reality church attendance does not guarantee that someone is a Christian.

A Spiritual Awakening is coming to America! This is a call for the American Church to come out of religion, tradition and complacency and realize the urgency of the hour. “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. –Romans 13:12 NIV

“This is why the Scripture says, “Arise, you sleeper! Rise up from the dead and the Anointed One will shine his light into you!” Ephesians 5:14 TPT

I have a passion to see God’s Church fulfill God’s purposes in the earth. The Kingdom of God is advancing. Feel free to read previous posts on this site related to the coming spiritual awakening It’s Time for An Awakening!, Preparing The Church For A Mighty Awakening, and The Coming Spiritual Awakening

I pray that this series of posts will stir, awaken you, and put a fire and hunger in you for the next great Spiritual Awakening.

Blessings!

Dr. A