The Need of a Spiritual Revival by I. H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 11, 1909

The Need of a Spiritual Revival

By I. H. Evans

To some it may seem strange that any one should suggest the need of a spiritual revival among God's remnant people. Believing the great truths of the third angel's message, and being commissioned to give the gospel to the world in this generation, how could it be possible for us as a people to backslide? It would seem the most natural thing in the world that they would continually live in close communion with the Lord, and by their deep consecration and faith receive from God a preparation for continual service.

However, when we look at the past and read the history of God's people down through the ages, we find that backsliding and apostasy have been the continual hindering causes to the prosperity of the work of God. When God led Israel from Egypt, he made them his chosen people. By miracles, by great prosperity, by his glorious presence among them, the Lord endeavored to hold his people sacred to himself. Again and again this people lost their love for God, and he sent them great sorrow of heart, physical suffering, and even allowed them to be taken into captivity because of their backslidings from him.

The prophet Jeremiah continually appealed to Israel to repent of their backslidings. It was to this people the Lord said: “Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be ye horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. . . . Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forsaken me days without number. . . . Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.” This language not only shows how ancient Israel continually backslid from the Lord, but also expresses God's feeling toward his people.

In the New Testament we have many prophetic suggestions to the church concerning its condition. To the church of Pergamos the Spirit said, “I have a few things against thee, . . . repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” To the church of Thyatira the Lord said, “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee.” To the church of Sardis the Lord said, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” To the Laodicean church we read this message of warning and entreaty: “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”

Perhaps there never was a time when all the people of God were backslidden. There have generally been some, who, notwithstanding what others have done, were true to the cause of God, and walked obediently in the law of Jehovah. In his day, Elijah the prophet believed he only was true and loyal to God, yet the Lord told him, “I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal.” Those who are the most true to God, and the most earnest in their own spiritual lives are the ones who can feel most keenly the need of a reconsecration to the Lord. It is the backslider, the man who has lost his connection with God, who does not feel nor realize his danger.

Some one may say, “What are the signs of backsliding? How may we know when we are backslidden from the Lord?” One sign of a backslidden church is worldliness. The love of this world, the accumulation of wealth, the love of display, and constant absorption in business, to the neglect of Bible study, secret prayer, and an active part in missionary work, are certainly sure signs of backsliding from God. Sometimes men look upon worldly popularity, the accumulation of riches, and the possession of an abundance of the things of this life as a sign of power and a token of superiority over others,—as an evidence of the special favor and blessing of God. Paul wrote concerning the last days, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, . . . lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” Do we see these things among us to-day? Do God's professed people love worldly pleasure and riches? are they covetous? and while making a profession of religion, do they deny the power thereof? Is there any danger that these sins will separate this people from the Lord? They have separated other denominations from the Lord, and have brought to them the fateful words, “Fallen, fallen.” Does worldly prosperity mean to the Adventist Church success and a speedy triumph, when it has meant to all other churches in every age backsliding and soul ruin? Surely we should read the message to the Laodicean church very carefully: “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”

Alienation of the heart from the brethren is another sure sign of apostasy or backsliding from the Lord. I wonder if there are such things as heart estrangement, even bitterness and hatred, in the heart of any toward other members of the church. Can a church prosper and maintain a spiritual connection with the Lord when hatred, bitterness, and malice are dwelling in the hearts of its members; and when they are tearing one another down by back-biting and evil reports, and are trying to undermine the reputation and influence of their brethren and sisters in Christ? Wherever these conditions exist, surely there is backsliding from the Lord.

Again: when men and women withhold their tithe from God, and are negligent in making offerings for the advancement of his cause, they are undoubtedly backsliding from the Lord. It is not enough that Seventh-day Adventists pay something as tithe. They are to keep a strict account of all their income, and pay an honest tithe to the Lord. This is the only way they will satisfy the conscience and meet the requirements of God's Word; and yet many who profess to believe God's Word, and whose names are on the church book, have not for many years paid an honest tithe to the Lord's treasury. How can we expect the Lord's blessing upon the church when such conditions exist?

How little praying and soul agony we find among the remnant church at the present time! How strange that we are content to go on year after year with so little of the blessing and favor of God in our lives, with so little spiritual life and power, with the ministry bringing forth such little fruitage with so large an expenditure, with many servants of God plunging into worldly speculation, neglecting the service of God to serve tables. When we view these things candidly

and sincerely in the light of God's Word and the work he has given to this people, we ask, Is there not need of a great spiritual revival? Do we not see the danger-signal, and is it not time that those who are true and faithful, and who realize these sad conditions, cry to God mightily for deliverance from this bondage? Is it not time for the Israel of God to leave Babylon and return to Zion?” I. H. EVANS.