To state that there is no such thing as spiritual death for a regenerate man, is to deny the need for biblical revival. If one makes such a statement as this, it is clear that he does not know what revival is. It means, literally, “to make alive again”.
- Terminology for a Backslider’s Restoration
- Men of God from Extra-Biblical History
- A Metaphorical Representation of Revival
- Correlating Doctrinal Representations
- Salvation = Present-Continuous Revival
- Concluding Lessons
The chart, which was accumulated from the former chapter, contains synonymous terms and phrases to: “revival from spiritual death”. Understanding biblical synonyms of “revival”, and, those who stand in need of it (those who are “spiritually dead”), enlarges the vision of the burden of revival beyond what could be imagined. Please carefully consider the chart below as a rehearsal of the former chapter so that, hopefully, as we move forward, your mind will be prepared to reckon with staggering implications.
Terminology for a Backslider’s Restoration
|
|
For more details see Saints Who Recover – The Temporary Experience of the Deception of God (chapter 15, section 6). For a detailed explanation of spiritual light and spiritual darkness see Spiritual Darkness (chapter 16, section 2), Spiritual Drunkenness (chapter 16, section 4), & NT Darkness to Light: The Gospel of Regeneration (chapter 17, section 3).For more regarding the hiding of God’s face as an OT & NT reality see A Biblical Study of Spiritual Infancy (chapter 17).
|
|
|
|
For more details see “Put on Christ – The Gospel of Regeneration” (chapter 18, section 4) and “Crucified/ - The Gospel of Regeneration” (chapter 18, section 1)
|
|
Men of God from Extra-Biblical Church History
Affirmations that it is “to live again” according to Charles Spurgeon and Martin-Lloyd Jones:
|
"The word "revival" is as familiar in our
mouths as a household word. We are constantly speaking about and praying for a
"revival;" would it not be as well to know what we mean
by it? Of the Samaritans our Lord said, "Ye worship ye know not
what," let him not have to say to us, "Ye know not what ye ask."
The word "revive" wears its meaning upon its forehead; it is from the
Latin, and may be interpreted thus--to live again, to receive again a
life which has almost expired; to rekindle into a flame the vital spark which
was nearly extinguished. When a person has been dragged out of a pond nearly
drowned, the bystanders are afraid that he is dead, and are anxious to
ascertain if life still lingers. The proper means are used to restore
animation; the body is rubbed, stimulants are administered, and if by God's
providence life still tarries in the poor clay, the rescued man opens his
eyes, sits up, and speaks, and those around him rejoice that he has revived. A
young girl is in a fainting fit, but after a while she returns to
consciousness, and we say, "she revives." The flickering lamp of life
in dying men suddenly flames up with unusual brightness at intervals, and those
who are watching around the sick bed say of the patient, "he
revives." In these days, when the dead are not miraculously restored, we
do not expect to see the revival of a person who is totally dead, and we could
not speak of the re-vival of a thing which never lived before. It is clear that
the, term "revival" can only be applied to a living soul, or to that
which once lived. To be revived is a blessing which can only be enjoyed by
those who have some degree of life. Those who have no spiritual life are not,
and cannot be, in the strictest sense of the term, the subjects of a revival.
Many blessings may come to the unconverted in consequence of a revival among
Christians, but the revival itself has to do only with those who already
possess spiritual life. There must be vitality in some degree before there can
be a quickening of vitality, or, in other words, a revival. A true revival
is to be looked for in the church of God...” – C.H. Spurgeon
“We can define it as a period of unusual blessing and activity in the life of the Christian Church. Revival means awakening, stimulating the life, bringing it to the surface again. It happens primarily in the Church of God, and amongst believing people, and it is only secondly something that affects those that are outside also. Now this is a most important point, because this definition helps us to differentiate, once and for all, between a revival and an evangelistic campaign. An evangelistic campaign is the Church deciding to do something with respect to those who are outside. A revival is not the Church deciding to do something and doing it. It is something that is done to the Church, something that happens to the Church.” – Martin-Lloyd Jones |
To state that there is no such thing as spiritual death for a regenerate man, is to deny the need for biblical revival. If one makes such a statement as this, it is clear that he does not know what revival is. It means, literally, “to make alive again”. In the dictionary it means: “Return, recall or recovery to life from death or apparent death; as the revival of a drowned person” (Websters 1828). Revival’s closest biblical synonym is the word “quicken”, and according to the dictionary this word means: “make alive, give life” (Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary). The truth is settled then; we are agreed…I do not know how we could not be agreed. These things stand as overwhelming evidence, hands down. What may trouble you yet is confusion, specifically the question, “How does a man become ‘spiritually dead’ and then, upon revival he is ‘made alive again’”, and yet, he was indwelt by the Spirit of God the whole time… or did the Spirit of God leave the man and then return to him? My reader, John 15:1-7 expresses in metaphor what happens at revival.
A Metaphorical Representation of Revival A metaphorical representation of how a man can “live again”, and yet at the same time, when he was spiritually dead, he was never utterly void of the Spirit of God, which means that Christ, who indwelt him, never left him.
|
“I am the true vine, and my Father is
the husbandman. Every branch IN ME
that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth
fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean
through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As
the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more
can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that
abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me
ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and
cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words
abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” – John
15:1-7
|
After a careful read the question is answered here: Christianity in terms of “The Vine and the Branches”. A man standing in need of revival (or spiritual life), and yet, he is indwelt by Christ who is Life, how can this be? While such a man has already been connected to Christ in saving union (i.e. the branch has already been grafted into the Vine of Christ), the man is not abiding in the life-blood, the sap, of which his connection to the Vine freely provides. This means that the sap is not filling and giving life to the branch (like the circulation of a body-part on the human body can be cut off from the blood-flow which gives it life), therefore the branch is fruitless, withering, rotting, and dying. It is no strange thing for a man to look upon a Vineyard (or a Living Tree) to find out and discover all the branches which are now dead. Some attempts to revive the dying branches will be used, or, alas, he will break them off (Rom. 11:17, 22). Even so, looking upon the Living Tree of Christ’s Church there are branches which do wither and die! And as they are recognizable to the eye in physical circumstances, so that a man might break them off of the Living Tree, even so Christ warns us: men who are saved, regenerated, and mystically one with Christ by regeneration can, at present, stand in danger of being irrevocably broken off and cast away from Christ because the branches are not abiding in the salvific Life which has been made freely available by engraftment (James 1:18-25, Heb. 12:1-2, 15), and thus the branches in jeopardy are: branches which were at one time made alive, and they are still able to be made alive again (God knows –Heb.6:3, 2 Tim.2:25-26), but they are presently dead and in need of revival…or else they will become castaways (Rev. 3:1-6).
Correlating Doctrinal Representations
One may state that, it is not possible for a regenerate man to fall into a state of spiritual death, assuming that because he has been made alive at conversion he will always be alive, thus he never needs to be made alive again. However, this reality legitimately exists just as, at conversion, we have been given eyes to see, and yet we can become “blind” (Rev. 3:17); we were made righteous, and yet we can be “wretched” (Rev. 3:17); we have been made rich, and yet we can become “poor” (Rev. 3:17); we have been made to “rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Pet. 1:8), and yet we can become “miserable” (Rev. 3:17); we have been clothed with the garments of Christ’s righteousness, and yet we can become “naked” (Rev. 3:17), or as it is said in another place, we can become “defiled” in our “garments” (Rev. 3:4-5); we have been made the Lamb’s wife by spiritual betrothal and so, we had a white-“hot”, “first love” for God (Rev. 3:15, 2:4-5), and yet we can become “lukewarm” (Rev. 3:16), double minded (James 4:8), and thus having “left” our “first love” (Rev. 2:4), we become adulterers against Christ our Husband (James 4:4); we have been made the friends of God (James 2:23) which inextricably means, we are enemies of the world, and yet we can forfeit this friendship, and betray it; by a friendship with the world we can become the enemies of God (James 4:4).
At conversion we were given imputed righteousness, but this does not mean we cannot become wicked, for if we do not walk in the Person of that imputation, “The Lord Our Righteousness”, then we will not be righteous in thought, word, and deed. When we have been made righteous by nature, by walking contrary to that nature we become wicked. Even so, likewise, we have been made alive in Christ, but by walking contrary to that Life we become dead. Therefore present-continuous saving faith after conversion is identifiable by, the saints walking out their God-given nature which is a Person, who also is our salvation – thus we must walk in salvation to be saved! This introduction is, in a few terms, representative of the pastoral burden of revival in the New Testament, but it is undiscoverable by most people because they are unfamiliar with the framework and terms of biblical argumentation.
- Imputed Righteousness (Rom. 8:10, Eph. 2:8-9, 1 Cor. 6:11) & Righteousness in Works through Christ (Eph. 2:10, 1 Cor. 6:9-10, Gal. 5:19-24, Eph. 5:3-6, Rev. 21:7-8)
- Alive in Christ (John 15:1, Gal. 5:25, Eph. 5:8) & Walking in Christ (John 15:4-5 [abide], Gal. 5:25, Eph. 5:8, Rom. 8:1, Col. 2:6, 1 John 2:6, Eph. 4:17, 1 Cor. 3:3, James 1:22-25 [obedience]). [For more details on living and walking in Christ, see “Legalism: Law, Grace, and Works”.]
At conversion we were given imputed righteousness, but this does not mean we cannot become wicked, for if we do not walk in the Person of that imputation, “The Lord Our Righteousness”, then we will not be righteous in thought, word, and deed. When we have been made righteous by nature, by walking contrary to that nature we become wicked. Even so, likewise, we have been made alive in Christ, but by walking contrary to that Life we become dead. Therefore present-continuous saving faith after conversion is identifiable by, the saints walking out their God-given nature which is a Person, who also is our salvation – thus we must walk in salvation to be saved! This introduction is, in a few terms, representative of the pastoral burden of revival in the New Testament, but it is undiscoverable by most people because they are unfamiliar with the framework and terms of biblical argumentation.
A Framework of Pastoral Argumentation Representative of the Burden of Revival
How you walk will determine if you will be God’s recognizable son: a man worthy of God’s name and familial identification. Do you not know that all heaven-born citizens will be of the same language (a spiritual one, Jn. 8:43, 1 Jn. 4:6), race (Gal. 3:29, Col. 3:11), and image (Rom. 8:29)… their Father’s? “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). If we do not walk out the salvific qualities invested within us, we are unworthy to be called by and possessors of the consummating reality which is to come. If we disdain the “first fruits” of heaven’s beginning, we will be unwelcomed for its consummating harvest of unending delight. [For more information on how saving faith is depicted by a walk of worthiness, biblically speaking, see “The NT Gospel Call to Worthiness” (chapter 22, see all sections), and the sermons titled “The Presentation”, “Worthiness”, and “Christian Perfection”.]
Salvation = Present-Continuous Revival
If men will not seek God for the desire of Him, or, if men will not seek revival for the enjoyment of it, the doorway of revival which stands before them is scarcely knocked upon. When revival appears to be a matter of opportunity, a mere choice to gain or lose as an expendable advantage, scarce will men whole-heartily seek it. But when men are awakened to see that they MUST have revival - that it is a matter of LIFE and DEATH! Men will seek after it because they know it is for their life! “What will a man give in exchange for his soul?” If men will not seek revival for the sheer desire of it, they will be compelled to seek it for their desire to live! But if we are deceived to think that “revival” is something else than what scripture affirms it to be, what will become of us? And how will revival ever be obtained? “For we shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ” (Rom. 14:10), Paul said, but what was his great concern?
Paul’s concern is, not for the saints at Rome only but for all saints. Paul’s burden is that we would be worthy to stand before the Son of Man – “the Life” (Jn.14:6) – and be accounted worthy to inherit eternal life, “Because He hath appointed a Day, in the which He will Judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31). Christ Jesus is the Man of Life, the Resurrected Life, and all those who walk in Him will not be condemned (Rom. 8:1 see KJV). His work on the cross is that He might live His life in us (Gal. 2:20), and if we are found to be walking in carnality which is death (Rom. 8:6), we will be accounted as lifestyle-apostates (Jude 1:4). God the Father has “committed all judgment unto the Son”, and the truth of the matter is that “the Son quickeneth whom He will” presently and continuously (John 5:21-23), and when we are gathered together before Him on Judgment Day we will be examined based upon this one question – are we ALIVE, QUICKENED, and REVIVED, biblically speaking? The Lord Jesus Christ is He “who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom” (2 Tim. 4:1), are we ready? All men “shall give account to Him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead” (1 Peter 4:5); are we prepared? The Church of Sardis wasn’t but we can be, if we learn from their example: “And unto the angel of the Church of Sardis write; These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead” (Rev. 3:1).
Paul’s concern is, not for the saints at Rome only but for all saints. Paul’s burden is that we would be worthy to stand before the Son of Man – “the Life” (Jn.14:6) – and be accounted worthy to inherit eternal life, “Because He hath appointed a Day, in the which He will Judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31). Christ Jesus is the Man of Life, the Resurrected Life, and all those who walk in Him will not be condemned (Rom. 8:1 see KJV). His work on the cross is that He might live His life in us (Gal. 2:20), and if we are found to be walking in carnality which is death (Rom. 8:6), we will be accounted as lifestyle-apostates (Jude 1:4). God the Father has “committed all judgment unto the Son”, and the truth of the matter is that “the Son quickeneth whom He will” presently and continuously (John 5:21-23), and when we are gathered together before Him on Judgment Day we will be examined based upon this one question – are we ALIVE, QUICKENED, and REVIVED, biblically speaking? The Lord Jesus Christ is He “who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom” (2 Tim. 4:1), are we ready? All men “shall give account to Him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead” (1 Peter 4:5); are we prepared? The Church of Sardis wasn’t but we can be, if we learn from their example: “And unto the angel of the Church of Sardis write; These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead” (Rev. 3:1).
Concluding Lessons
Understanding the interrelationship of revival with “spiritual death” will teach us the following:
- A refusal to acknowledge the possibility for regenerated Christians to experience temporary or permanent detainment within “spiritual death” is of catastrophic and eternal consequence to saints and sinners alike: to the saints who stand in need of revival and to the sinner who would have benefited from the revival of the saints.
- In denying that spiritual death is a potential for the saints, one denies the need for revival, biblically speaking, and if one desires to live a lifestyle that obtains “revival” it would be outside of the scriptural guides which lead thereto. At such a circumstance, the burden of “revival” itself cannot be biblically comprehended, and if it cannot be comprehended it scarce will ever come. Burdened, broken-hearted, and desperate prayer is the means by which the revival fountain flows, according to Leonard Ravenhill (see “Why Revival Tarries”). Even though “The Dayspring from on high hath visited us”, without effectual and fervent prayer its rivers will not flow (Lk. 1:78).
- If we cannot understand biblical revival according to the scriptures, the means available by which men are compelled to be burdened for it is comparatively meager. Without understanding revival how can we be burdened for it, right? Well there is a way… but it is comparatively meager to the constraining power scripture provides. Most men have made their own heretical version of revival according to the traditions of man. Our scripture-nullifying doctrines have left for the saints mere morsels of food where there should be a coheirs feast. By interpretation I mean to say, the goodly portion of scriptural motivators that are well-able to compel us into revival have been robbed from us by lies, thus we hunger on as we ingest the mal-nourishing quantities that remain; a quantity which, after digestion, does not provide the energies necessary for revival. Without the entire counsel of God’s biblical argument for revival, how shall we be persuaded of our need of it? Therefore – woe to us! – apart from an extraordinary miracle performed by God… revival will not come.
|
The normal and ordinary way revival comes is through a scriptural concept of revival being preached to the people of God in the power of the Spirit (thus enabling revival-praying), but since this mode has been nullified… the saints exist in a position that is outside of the normal institutions provided by scripture. We, dwelling outside of the means of revival, seek after the experience without sure success. We cannot sincerely ask for what we do not understand as a need, biblically speaking. It is written, “let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord” (Jas. 1:7). Therefore if “revival” will be granted to us (as it has been granted in time past), it will be an extraordinary, scripturally-abnormal miracle performed by a sovereign God! Sadly, this is most people’s concept of what a revival is, and no wonder. In our ignorance, and because we have long consumed only meager crumbs of the meal which has been set before us by inspired scripture (the concept of what scripture calls “revival”), we are accustomed to the empty feeling we have – so, alas, we choose to be spiritual beggars, when we should be feasting at the table of princes. When will we fully inhale and live by the hallowed and invaluable concept called “revival”, as the scripture declares it? Instead we are shamefully poor when God is rich, weak when God is strong, in darkness when God is Light, and directionless when God is leading! False prophets have detained us to eat a babe’s portion of meal! Yes, and systems of theology have deceived true prophets to do the work of false prophets, on the matter of biblical revival! Because of the sovereign acts of Almighty God, revival has still visited us in centuries past, even with the saints who did not have a biblical concept of what revival was. In spite of our ways, revival came… this is extra-ordinary.
For revival to come in circumstances, the Spirit of God will impart the burden of revival to the soul by a series of mighty meetings with God. This does, in effect, write “the doctrine of revival” upon the heart of the people. They could not come to the birth of this burden by scriptural conviction because their convictions were confined within the institutes of their theological system, but God is able to quicken scripture with lightning force and undeniable visitations, and the people will obey God even against their doctrines and theological concepts without even realizing it. They cannot tell that they are behaving contrary to “the jot and tittle” of their theological system, nor do they care – revival is written on their heart! It has seized their affections! You see, God is able to go beyond the doctrines of man and arrest the heart! The Spirit of God imparts the burden of revival to the soul without the means of scriptural reasoning, even if it is contradictory to their systematized theological conviction. |
When the former situation transpires, the Spirit of God directs the people of God into a head-on confrontation with secondary matters of eternal magnitude which are fulfilled as an overflowing consequence of revival. The foremost attention-gripping principle of revival remains unknown, but the secondary’s are, and the Holy Ghost, using them, moves the people into a position of coming revival. I say again, the foremost consequence of eternal magnitude remains unknown, but the people are compelled to seek God for a revival on behalf of the secondary matters of eternal magnitude which they are aware of and burdened for, and according to God’s sovereignty and timing He condescends to this, in a measure… but never to biblical proportions of revival which is, New Testament Christianity!