Your ShelfYour Projects

Latter-day Revivals

6%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 22, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 34.

Read the full edition

Latter-day Revivals

By C. E. Holmes

C. E. HOLMES
To any one who is watching the signs of the times there appears an almost innumerable array of events which prove that we are nearing the end. Statements made years ago by the spirit of prophecy are being fulfilled daily. An exceptionally striking example of this may be seen in the revival which occurred in Wales a few years ago. It was said to have been one of the greatest Christian movements of modern times. The periodicals of the day gave a large amount of space describing it, and it was known to the people all over the world. But the real transformation of the life failed to appear permanently, and the desired effect was not secured. When such results follow a revival effort, the enemy of souls is the gainer.
The following from "Great Controversy," page 464, gives the real character of many latter-day revivals:—
“Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be, among the people of the Lord, such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. . . . The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it, by introducing a counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power, he will make it appear that God’s special blessingis poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian world.”
Compare this statement with the report of our director of the Welsh Mission field:—
“The Welsh revival has certainly left our field worse than before. Ministers of the other denominations are saying that this is so. Confusion and division, heavy debts as the result of building large chapels, prevail all around, and all kinds of schemes are planned to meet these difficulties.”
The United Presbyterian speaks thus of this revival:—
“History is repeating itself in Wales. The remarkable revival which occurred there in 1905-06 is being followed in many neighborhoods by lukewarmness and backsliding.”
A revival is to be judged by the character of its results. The spirit of prophecy says:—
“Whenever men neglect the testimony of the Bible, turning away from those plain, soul-testing truths which require self-denial and renunciation of the world, there we may be sure that God’s blessing is not bestowed.”—“Great Controversy,” page 464.
Brother Votaw, writing from India, says: “The Buddhists are looking for a reincarnation of the Buddha; the Mohammedans are expecting—some say Christ, some say Mohammed; the Hindus look for a god to come in the flesh.”
Lieutenant Totten in a lecture on the Wars of the Future, delivered at Yale a few years ago said: “We are hearing strange reports from almost every army post upon the western frontier relative to the anticipations of the Indians, and their preparations to welcome a great medicine man. . . . Far in the south the descendants of the Aztecs watch for the return of the Montezumas and Quetzalcohuatl at every sunset.”
The spirit of prophecy says that in the last days Satan will appear upon the earth in different places as an angel of light, with a glory surpassing anything that mortal eyes have ever yet beheld. He will heal the sick, and pronounce blessings upon the people. And, above all, he will say that he changed the Sabbath from the seventh day to the first day of the week.
What will be the result when Satan thus appears to men, who are looking with strange expectancy for the appearance of some being? John says: “And they worshiped the dragon [Satan] which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast. . . . And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life.” Rev. 13:4-8.
Such a manifestation of a supernatural being, combined with the previously working influence of spiritism, will constitute the final great deception that will cause all who are not rooted and grounded in the truth to rally around the standard of the great deceiver. Then shall we behold the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven.
It is such fulfilments day by day that confirm our belief in the spirit of prophecy.
Washington, D. C.