‘O LORD, revive Thy work in the midst of the years’  

MEMORY VERSE: ‘Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.’ 1 Timothy 4:8.

STUDY HELP: Selected Messages, book 1, pages 120-128.

LESSON SCRIPTURE: 2 Peter 1:2-8.

LESSON AIM: To study our need for a revival of true godliness, individually and as a church.  

Introduction  

‘God calls for a spiritual revival and a spiritual reformation. Unless this takes place, those who are lukewarm will continue to grow more abhorrent to the Lord, until He will refuse to acknowledge them as His children. A revival and a reformation must take place, under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganisation, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend.’ Selected Messages, book 1, page 128.

‘Wilt Thou not revive us again?’  

1.        How does Christ picture the spiritual state of His Church in the last days? Revelation 3:15-17.

NOTE: ‘There seemed to be a paralysis upon the cause of present truth. The work of God seemed stayed. Ministers and people are unprepared for the time in which they live, and nearly all who profess to believe present truth are unprepared to understand the work of preparation for this time. In their present state of worldly ambition, with their lack of consecration to God, their devotion to self, they are wholly unfitted to receive the latter rain and, having done all, to stand against the wrath of Satan, who by his inventions would cause them to make shipwreck of faith, fastening upon them some pleasing self-deception. They think they are all right when they are all wrong.’ Testimonies, volume 1, page 466.  

2.        What prayer should be offered by God’s people in these last days? Psalm 85:6.

NOTE: ‘A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work. There must be earnest effort to obtain the blessing of the Lord, not because God is not willing to bestow His blessing upon us, but because we are unprepared to receive it. Our heavenly Father is more willing to give His Holy Spirit to them that ask Him, than are earthly parents to give good gifts to their children. But it is our work, by confession, humiliation, repentance, and earnest prayer, to fulfil the conditions upon which God has promised to grant us His blessing. A revival need be expected only in answer to prayer.’ Last Day Events, page 189.