Month: June 2026

The BIBLE VIEW #1054 —Judgments

In This Issue:
History’s Most Frightening Event!
Good Works Will Not Spare Anyone
The Judge on the White Throne
Born Twice, Die Once!

Volume: 1054   June 29, 2026
Theme: The Judgments

History’s Most Frightening Event!
Bill Brinkworth

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death.  15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15

The most frightening event in human history, for too many, is foretold in Revelation 20.  It will be the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11).  The saved believers and Israel will have been previously judged, so this will not be for them.  This judgment is for the lost and unrighteous only!

All the unrighteous from the beginning of mankind until those that died before the rapture (I Thes. 4:16-17) will be there, standing and awaiting their time of judgment before the perfect, most righteous Judge ever — God Himself.

Both the unrighteous from the Old and New Testaments will nervously await their time before the One who saw and knows all they did.  Christian killers, God-haters, unbelievers, educated and uneducated, church-goers and those that never went to church, those “good” in their own eyes, and countless masses that thought they would go to Heaven, but did not,  will await their time before the Great Throne.  They will all be judged out of the record of their works from God’s own books (Rev. 20:12).

The seas, with the remains of many that were lost in their waters, will deliver up all the unsaved (Rev. 20:13) from their depths.  Those who have been dead for a long time and dwelt in Hell (Rev. 20:14), awaiting their judgment, will all have their opportunity before the throne of God.

All that are not found written in God’s Book of Life will be cast into the place where they will stay forever (Rev. 20:15)!  This group, without hope and with a grim future, will all be thrown into the Lake of Fire.  It is there that those cursed by God will spend their eternity.

This most grievous event should break the heart of every Christian on Earth.  Most families will have someone who will stand at that White Throne Judgment.  There will be mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, neighbors, friends, members of all races and religions, nations, and ages. 

The thought of all the hopeless souls cast into everlasting torment, their loneliness, and terror should be a life-changing image to every Christian.  The thought of those countless numbers should motivate every Christian to give the only message that can save anyone from that final judgment — the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus died so no one has to stand before God at that time.  Jesus did His part, now we must do our part.  We must tell all we can and warn them of this terrible future for all who reject Jesus’ work on the Cross.  Speak to them now, for the final days are one day closer than they were yesterday!  If we do not tell them, who will?

“A Christian’s responsibility is to take all they can to Heaven with them! Go and tell them now!”


Good Works Will Not Spare Anyone
Edited from J. Vernon McGee’s Thru the Bible

A man on his deathbed said to me, “Preacher, you just don’t need to talk to me about the future.  I’ll take my chances.  I believe God is going to be just and righteous and let me present my works.”

I told him, “You are right.  He is just and righteous, and He will let you present your works.  That is what He says He is going to do (Rev. 20:12).  But, I have news for you, at that judgment nobody will be saved because you cannot be saved by your works (Eph. 2:8-9).  When you stand in the white light of the righteous presence of God, your little works will seem so puny that they won’t amount to anything at all.”
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2:8

It reminds me of the other day when our little grandson brought his grandmother some flowers that he had picked.  They were a sad-looking bunch of flowers.  With great pride, he gave them to his grandmother, who patted him on the head and thanked him for the “lovely” flowers. 

As I looked at the two, I could not help but smile.  Still, I also immediately recognized how solemn it is going to be when a lot of those “good” boys stand with their little, bitty bouquets in the presence of Christ, whom they had rejected.  They expect that He will be like a grandmother who will pat them on the head and say, “What a smart boy you were!”

My friend, that will be a solemn time.  You need Him as your Saviour to stand in His presence.  You need to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ.  Don’t you know that without salvation through the finished work of Christ we are sinners, lost, and will stand at the White Throne Judgment?

“Our works will not save us from eternal flames.  Only accepting the work that Christ has done for us will save anyone.  Jesus paid the price for our sins.  Our ‘payments’ are unacceptable and insufficient!”

The Judge on the White Throne
Dr. Jack Van Impe in Revelation Revealed

How does one know that the tender, loving Jesus is the One who sits upon the throne as Judge?  The answer is found in John 5:22: “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:” Again, the Father “… hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.”  (John 5:27)

The One raised from the dead, the Lord Jesus Christ, is the Judge, according to Acts 17:31: “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.”

What a solemn scene as unregenerate mankind comes face to face with God for the investigation of all their evil deeds.  Every transgressor will be present: presidents and paupers, high society snobs and skid row derelicts.  Yes, that group includes every Christ-rejecter of all ages, small and great, rich and poor, free and bond.
“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28-29

Make no mistake about it, “… there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” Acts 24:15

“You may juggle human laws, you may fool human courts, but there is a judgment to come, and from it there is no appeal.”  – Gifford

Born Twice, Die Once!
M. R. DeHaan in Revelation

Someone has said, “They that are born once will have to die twice, and they who have been born twice will die once.”  This statement is entirely true (John 3:3), excluding those who are alive at the time of the rapture (I Thes. 4:16-17). 

It is true that all who have been born of Adam’s seed will die twice: once in physical death, and the second time, in the Lake of Fire.  If, however, you have been born twice (John 3:5), once naturally and again spiritually (John 3:3), there will be no eternal death for you.

“Are you absolutely, 100% positive that if you were to die today that you would
go to Heaven?”
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9

The BIBLE VIEW #1053 — Service

In This Issue:
Do When You Are Able
Work While You Can
A Last Effort

Volume: 1053   June 22, 2026
Theme:  Service

Do When You Are Able
Bill Brinkworth

After hearing a missionary talk about his plans when he reaches his field of service, my heart was crushed.  He spoke of the ministries in which he was currently involved.  The list was long.  I thought, “I used to do those ministries.”  I never wanted to be “I-used-to-be” Christian, and now it seemed I was.

He mentioned that he had taught and preached in public schools in America.  I was excited for him.  I always wanted to expand my children’s ministry to the public schools, but there were no open doors for me.  

That man of God suggested that he could use more helpers in that area.  I wanted to hoist my hand up and sign on the dotted line right away, but at that time, it was not a possibility.

My wife had some serious health concerns for over 11 years.  During those years, she was not able to leave the house much and was very limited in what she could do.   Because of her condition, I was also housebound while looking after her.

After continuing to listen to the missionary expound on his plans, guilt for not being able to do the ministries I had been doing for several decades weighed heavily on my heart.  I could not get his summons to teach biblical principles in the public school out of my mind.  The more I thought about it, the sadder I became.  I could not do what I used to do.

After suffering for a while, the Holy Spirit intervened in my misery.  The thought of “You have a new ministry now taking care of your wife,” soon replaced the guilty feelings I had for not being able to do what I had done in the past.  I had no qualms about helping my wife and doing what needed to be done.  It is an honor, a privilege, and a keeping of the promise: “… in sickness and health.” However, I do miss what I was able to do for so long.

I loved doing all God allowed me to do in the past.  Every single opportunity was a blessing.  I never planned for those ministries to end.  I figured, as hard as it is to get some to serve the Lord,  the Lord would certainly allow me to serve Him in those capacities to my dying day.  However, my wife’s health problems came and caught us by surprise.  In a short time, most of those opportunities ended abruptly.

I still have two ministries that I have been able to maintain, for which I am so grateful.  Then I started contemplating, “What if I wasted all my early years, and never did anything for the Lord, and now I wanted to.”  That would be a terrible regret to endure.  Yet, so many people find themselves in that situation.  When they had health and opportunity, they did little or nothing for the Lord.  It was all about them, and little was done for the Lord and others.

Most, if they live long enough, will also find themselves in the situation I faced.  Do what you can while you can for the Lord, because one day you may not be able to do for Him what you can now.   Do not waste the time the Lord has given you.  Do something for Him.  Even if it is what you consider a small, insignificant ministry, do it for the Lord while you are able.
“For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.  I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Psalm 84:10

You may not be able to do as much as you could have in the past, but there must be something you can do for the Lord now!  Your time for doing something that will bless you for eternity may end sooner than you realize.
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Eccl. 9:10
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” I Cor. 10:31

“O Father, may it never be said of us that having come to an open door, we closed it; having come to a lighted candle, we quenched it; having heard the voice of a neighbor begging bread, we made denial, speaking of our own case.” — Mc Kenzie

Work While You Can
Bill Brinkworth

“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.  6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.  7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.” Ecclesiastes 9:5-7

Although I have never been to Hawaii, I understand it is one of the prettiest places in the world.  It has an ideal climate, beautiful scenery, and many fantastic sites to see.

Can you imagine winning a free, year-long vacation there?  With that prize, you would have free transportation, lavish hotel suites, and the finest meals.

Somehow, you did not read all the fine print regarding the vacation.  You failed to realize that anything extra, including snacks, sightseeing trips, and other extras would be at your own expense, and you did not bring any extra money.  For one year, you lived in a gorgeous place. 

However, you could not fully enjoy all it had to offer because you could only afford to sit in your luxurious room and watch the wise, prepared people enjoy one of the world’s most wonderful places.  You were there, but you were a pauper in paradise.

Sadly, for many saved people, their eternity with the Lord will be too much like that of the “pauper in paradise.” They did what God required to get them to Heaven; they got saved.  However, they did nothing with their salvation!  They did little of what the Bible commands a child of God to do, and they did little while on this Earth that would have eternal value.  They had no “portion for ever in anything ….” They did not invest their lives for the glory of God, and will certainly be lacking in a place where they will spend eternity.  Their eternal “IRA” had few deposits!

While we are alive, we are not just to sit around and soak up the goodness of God.  We are to do something for the Lord while we have breath!  Work for the Lord while there is still time! 

Do something while you can.  That is why God still has you here!  There is much work to be done for the Lord, and you are the workers God is counting on to complete His tasks! 

“The church is a workshop, not a dormitory, and every Christian man and woman is bound to help in the common cause.” — MacLaren

A Last Effort
Bill Brinkworth

“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.  2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.).” II Cor. 6:1-2

As fall approached, animal life was doing what God had programmed it to do as winter approached in the North Carolina mountains.  Squirrels were scurrying about with additions to their acorn caches.  Birds were stopping into my garden to ravish what they could before flying south.  Spiders were weaving their last webs to trap food; I suppose to lay that last egg that will bring in their next generation in the following spring.

After walking into many of the massive webs and almost having a huge spider land on me and possibly bite me, I started spraying them with spider poison.  One large spider did an unusual thing as the spray slowly took her life.

As she sat there dying, she spun one last silvery thread before her demise.  She must have known she was dying, but the spider did her best to do what she needed to do while there was still time.  Her priority was to finish that web before it was too late.

Many spend their last years as did that spider in her last moments.  For their whole life, they did as they wished; little was done for the Lord, but much was done to make life on Earth pleasurable and comfortable.  

Much effort was put into buying and building things for this life, but little, if anything, was done to prepare for the eternal next.  However, when death is seen as imminent, a sudden change is made in their lifestyle. 

They scurry about as that spider did in her last moments to do something for the Lord, finally.  Ignored righteous living, Bible reading, church-going, and prayer time get a higher priority before it is too late.  They want to prepare their life for eternity while they still have time.

It is good that they finally got their priorities right before it was too late!  Some, however few, get saved in their last years.  Many who were saved in their younger lives finally come to see obedience to God’s commandments as more important in their waning hours.

It is better now than never that they turn their lives around, but think of all the wasted time that could have been better served in living for the Lord.  Think of all the heartaches, problems, and mistakes that could have been avoided if they had lived their life His way and not their’s. 

Think of how different this world would have been if all who were saved at a younger age immediately lived for the Lord and by His standards while they had breath.  Their living example may have guided many others to live righteously as well!

Are you 100% sure that if you were to die today or tomorrow, you would go to Heaven?  Trust Christ’s death as the only payment for your sin now!  You may not have tomorrow.  Your heart may also get so hardened to the pleading of the Holy Spirit’s call for salvation that you may never get saved later.

Have you been saved in the past but are putting off doing what God has already laid on your heart to do — read your Bible, pray, attend church, get involved in a ministry …?  If so, serve Him now, as you have no promise of tomorrow, or the opportunity may be gone when you think you are ready!

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can and as long as you can.”  —   John Wesley

The BIBLE VIEW #1052 —Bad Decisions

In This Issue:
 Ruined!
If One Could Hear from Hell

Volume: 1052   June 15, 2026
Theme:  Wrong Decisions

Ruined!
Bill Brinkworth

While reading the daily news, I came across a sad story about a 19-year-old.  He had killed another teenager and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.  What a ruined life that young man is now facing, all because of a bad decision and reaction.

Because of incarceration, he will most likely not be able to experience a marriage with the love of his life, experience the joy of teaching a young son how to ride a bicycle, or have a career that he looked forward to expanding.  His life was drastically changed because of one terrible act.

My mind mused on a family member who also committed a terrible deed and how their life was also changed because of a wrong decision.  That person also missed out on a lot of joy and a more “normal” life because of the wrong act.

Then I continued to ponder on my own poor decisions and sinful deeds.  Except for traffic violations, I never committed a crime, but in God’s eye, I committed transgressions against Him.

Except for the enduring, patient grace of God, it could be me locked up and missing all the wonderful things that have happened in my life.  From those brief meditations, it was not a long stretch to think of the most likely trillions that found themselves in a tormenting Hell because they made many wrong choices.  Thank you, Lord, for keeping me from what I deserve.

As was the title of the article I read about the youth being sentenced to jail, there will be a “Judgment Day” for those who did not trust Christ as their Saviour from a tormenting eternity.  Their worst and damning decision was not to trust Christ’s death as payment for their sins and be saved.  Now, their hopeless screams resonate off Hell’s walls.  It will be a time that is much longer than 35 years. 

Hell, however, is a “temporary” holding cell for the damned dead who will one day face a judgment for their sins.  They will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment and later sentenced to eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire.  What a terrible day that will be for too many!
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death.  15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15

The saved will never face judgment for their sins; they are forgiven when they trusted Christ’s death as payment for their sin.  However, there will be a time when those folks will also face a time to answer for what they did or did not do for Christ after their salvation.  No one is saved just to sit and soak up God’s goodness.  We are to serve Him.“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” II Corinthians 5:10
“But why dost thou judge thy brother?  or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?  for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” Romans 14:10
“Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.” Colossians 3:24-25

The young murderer has ruined his life.  I am sure he has many regrets, but those emotions will not change his future.

Likewise, those who have not been born-again by trusting Christ’s payment for all their iniquities will one day have an eternity of regrets and sufferings.  Now, while you have breath and an opportunity, trust Christ as your Saviour, if you have not done so already.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14


If One Could Hear from Hell
Bill Brinkworth

“And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores … 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame … 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.  29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.  30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.  31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”  Luke 16:20-31

In Luke 16, Jesus tells of two men who died.   One found himself in Hell.  The other found himself in a comforting, rewarding place where Abraham and other Old Testament believers temporarily dwelt.

A rich man discovered that Hell was real, and the torment was unbearable.  Most likely, he had little concern for where he would go after his death, but then it was taken seriously.  He knew there was no hope for him and that he would be facing an eternity of torment, pain, and separation from God.

However, he wanted his five, still-living brothers, to be warned of the dangers of Hell-fire.  He pleaded for the opportunity to keep his family from also ending up in that terrifying place, but his request was denied.

All in Hell surely regret the wasted opportunities they had to keep from spending an eternity there.  It is too late for them.  However, they most likely want their remaining family to avoid Hell’s torment.  I am sure they all wish their loved ones had a chance to heed the Word of God and be saved, so they would never experience what they are.

Nowhere in God’s Word is there an account of the damned conversing with the living (although deceiving demons may have tricked some).  If Hell-imprisoned prisoners or one from the dead could communicate with the living, what would be their plea?

It may be a thirst-caused raspy voice, exhausted from endless terror and torment that would reach out to a loved one.  The plead would be personal; I am sure.  “Bruce, please listen to me.  Jesus is the only way out of this dark, lonely abyss of hopelessness.  Stop mocking Hell; it is real!  Run to that Baptist church on the corner.  Beg the preacher to tell you what the Bible says you must do to avoid this torment.  What he warned us of is true!  Go now!  Pleasssse, go now.  Don’t wait!”

Perhaps a barely audible whisper from Hell would plead, “It’s me, your father.  I failed to be saved from this terrifying torment.  Don’t waste your time on Earth, as I have.  Trusting Jesus as payment for all your sins is the only way to miss Hell.  Go to our Christian neighbor next door and beg him to show you what the Bible says one must do to avoid this place.  Don’t wait!  Go now, while you have the chance!”

A pained, frightened voice from the lonely bowels of the Earth would undoubtedly beg a grandson to flee the child’s sin and to read, believe, and obey all that is within the pages of God’s Word.  “Heed it, Bobby!  It’s all true!  Read it and do as God commands in the Bible.  It’s too late for me, but not for you!  Please, Bobby.  I beg you — go!”

Although logic may tell us that hearing a cautioning cry from Hell or beyond the grave would change our minds and encourage us to live as the Lord desires, God knows better.  He knew that, as people of the early church ignored what prophets, believers, and God’s Word warned people, they would most likely continue to take God’s promises and warnings lightly.  Pleadings from the dead will not permanently change hearts.

The only action that will rescue anyone from that tormenting destination is to believe God’s saving words by faith!  Faith is what saved the poor beggar whom Christ used as an example.  He had no sign or heard no warning from a Hell-imprisoned soul.  He just believed what he had heard.

The beggar had the same conviction that billions of sinners since Jesus’ time have had.  That trusting, believing, and obeying faith is still sufficient to save a person today.  Visual or audible proof will not usually soften or change the heart of an unrighteous person.  Only believing God’s warnings and promises will allow a person to enjoy an eternity with Jesus!
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

“If you put-off sincerely seeking God’s will and way today when the Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart, tomorrow your heart may be too hard to hear Him!”

The BIBLE VIEW #1051 — Revival

In This Issue:
 What Is Revival?
Do You Love Your Country Enough to Pray for It?
Revival  The Moravian Revival
It Started by Prayer   If
Successful “Method”

Volume: 1051   June 8, 2026
Theme:  Revival

What Is Revival?
From an article by Charles Finney

Although many plead for revival today, their expectations of what one is come short of what a true revival is.  It is not just more people coming to church, getting more out to one’s Sunday school class, or more people being interested in the things of God.  

Charles Finney was a Presbyterian and Congregational minister of the Second Great Awakening.  He lived from 1792 to 1875.  Here are some excerpts of how Finney described what a true revival is:

  1. “The foundations of sin need to be broken up … In a true revival, Christians are always brought under conviction.  They see their sins in such a light that often they find it impossible to maintain a hope of their acceptance with God.
  2. “Revival is a new beginning of obedience with God.  The first step is a deep repentance: a breaking down of heart, a getting down into the dust before God, with humility and a forsaking of sin.
  3. “Backslidden Christians are brought to repentance … A revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God.
  4. “Christians will have their faith renewed.  While they are in their backslidden state, they are blind to the state of sinners.  Their hearts are as hard as marble.  The truths of the Bible appear like a dream … But, when they enter into a revival, they no longer see ‘men as trees, walking,’ but they see things in that strong light which will renew the love of God in their hearts.  This will lead them to labor zealously to bring others to Him.  They will feel grieved that others do not love God when they love Him so much.  And they will set themselves to persuade their neighbors to give Him their hearts.  Their love for men will be renewed and they will be filled with a tender and burning love for souls.  They will have a longing desire for the salvation of the others.…
  5. “A revival breaks the power of the world and sin over Christians … They have a new foretaste of Heaven, and new desires after union with God.  The charm of the world is broken, and the power of sin overcome.
  6. “When the churches are thus awakened and reformed, the reformation and salvation of sinners will follow.  Their hearts will be broken and changed.  Very often, the most abandoned profligates are among the subjects.  Harlots, drunkards, infidels, and all sorts of abandoned characters are awakened and converted to Christ.  The worst of human beings are softened and reclaimed, and made to appear as lovely specimens of the beauty of holiness.
  7. “When can a revival be expected?  A revival may be expected when Christians have a spirit of prayer for a revival.  That is, when they pray as if their hearts were set upon it; when they go about groaning out their heart’s desire; when they have real travail of soul.”

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14

Do You Love Your Country Enough to Pray for It?
Bill Brinkworth

Most would admit that America of today is not the same America that flourished and was blessed by God in the past.  There are those in government who are attempting frightening, unscriptural changes.  Others are trying to “improve” it without seeking God’s guidance and help.

Government is not the solution that will change America the right way.  Complaining amongst ourselves will not change anything either.  What has in the past, and what can change it today, is God’s help!

If Americans will humble themselves, seek God’s intervention and control of their future, America can once again be a proud, strong, moral nation.  In the past, when Americans joined each other in prayer, God has turned this nation around.  If you love this country, consistently pray for our nation.
“Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.” James 4:2

“If you put-off sincerely seeking God’s will and way today when the Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart, tomorrow your heart may be too hard to hear Him!”

Revival
Excerpts by C. H. Spurgeon from the 1866 Sword and Trowel

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 as, “to live again, to receive again a life which has almost expired; to rekindle a flame which was nearly extinguished.”

When a person has been dragged out of a pond and is 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 fainted, but after a while, she returns to consciousness, and we say, “She is revived.” 

The flickering lamp of life in adying men suddenly flames up with unusual brightness at intervals, and those who are watching around the sick bed say of the patient, “He is reviving.”

We do not expect to see the revival of a person who is dead.  There also will be no revival of a thing that 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, the subjects of a revival. 

Many blessings may come to the unconverted from the consequence of a revival among Christians, but the revival itself has to do only with those who already possess spiritual life — those that are born again.  There must be vitality to some degree before there can be a quickening of vitality, or, in other words, a revival.

The Moravian Revival
Bill Brinkworth

One of the greatest revivals of God’s people occurred at the Saxony estate of Count Zinzendorf.  The young, Christian noblemen offered many Christians safety on his property.  Many at the time were fleeing imprisonment, death, banishment, and torture for their beliefs.  They fled to Zinzendorf’s and called their new home Herrnhut, ‘the Lord’s Watch’.

There, on August 13, 1727, a great revival began.  According to Oswald Smith, “They discovered that the Church could not save them, that there was no salvation in its creeds, doctrines or dogmas, good works, moral living, commandment keeping, praying, Bible reading, culture, character, or conduct. 

“They found that Christ alone could save, that He was willing and able to receive sinners at a moment’s notice, that justification, the forgiveness of sins, the new birth, etc. were instantaneous experiences received the very moment a sinner believed on Christ. It was believed that salvation was through grace and by faith, apart from the deeds of the law.  When a man is saved, he has peace with God, and he receives the assurance of salvation by the witness of the Holy Spirit in his heart.”

When these truths prevailed in their hearts, things changed!  The Moravian brethren had stopped judging each other and were convinced of their sinfulness in God’s eyes.  Divisions and discord were halted.  All were together in one accord.  Prayer groups started and spread.  Songs were written by the group and sung throughout the country.  Hearts were broken, and lives were changed.

Prayer groups started and got power from God.  A prayer chain that ensued from this revival lasted over 100 years!

People had burdens to reach others with the Good News.  The burden was so powerful that many went themselves to reach the world for Christ.  The West Indies, North America, Greenland, Africa, South America, and most countries in Europe and Asia were reached by those who were stirred.  The world was changed by God’s people when they got revived!

“A native of India, in the past, described the great revival they were experiencing as, ‘We are having a great re-Bible here’.  The church needs to be re-Bibled!” — C. E. World

It Started with Prayer
Gospel Herald

When Pastor Finney was conducting services in a certain place, a young woman came in from a neighboring town and asked him to go there and preach.  “Her utterance was choked with deep feeling.”  Mr. Finney told her he did not see how he could go, but he inquired of the place and found that it was a moral waste. 

The young woman came the next Sunday, and “appeared greatly affected; too much so to converse, for she could not control her feeling.”  The evangelist consented to go the next Sunday afternoon. After he arrived at her home, he heard her praying in a room above.  He remained in that home overnight and heard her praying and weeping nearly all night.  She pleaded with him to come again, and “at the third service the Spirit of God was poured out on the congregation.” 

A spirit of prayer spread, and the revival that followed was so powerful that “nearly all the principal inhabitants of the town were gathered into the church, and the town was morally renovated.”  That great spiritual movement began with that young woman’s prayers.

“Give me 100 men who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I will shake the world.” — John Wesley

If
Author Unknown

If all the sleeping folk will wake up,
And all the lukewarm folk will fire up,
And all the dishonest folk will confess up,
And all the disgruntled folk will sweeten up,
And all the discouraged folk will cheer up,
And all the depressed folk will look up,
And all the estranged folk will make up,
And all the gossipers will shut up,
And all the dry bones will shake up,
And all the true soldiers will stand up,
And all the church members will pray up,
Then you can have a revival.

“The monument I want after I am dead is a monument with two legs going around the world; a saved sinner telling about the salvation of Jesus Christ.” — D. L. Moody

Successful “Method”
C. A. Curry, “Western Recorder”

Following reports of successful revivals by Gypsy Smith, a certain preacher approached the noted evangelist to ascertain the secret of his success.  He was asked to explain the best method to start a revival.

The answer was, “Brother, go back home, and lock yourself up in a private room.  Take a piece of chalk and mark a circle on the floor; get down on your knees inside it; pray to God to start a revival in that circle.  When that prayer is answered, a revival will begin.”

“All it takes for nothing to change, is for good men and women to do nothing!”