Spring of Revival
There has been so much talk of revival of late, that I am cautious to even
mention the subject. Many “messengers” in the body of Messiah have expressed jubilation at
what some are calling revival. Others are warning of false prophets and false messiahs. We
are in a season where believers are seeking healing but not the Healer. They want signs
and wonders without the preaching of the Word. How easily we can be deceived, even the
elect. However, we have experienced what I am calling “springs of revival” at Beit Tikvah.
I started teaching and preaching through the Book of Daniel in February 2007.
On March 29, 2008 I began an overview of chapter eleven, focusing on verses 29-31. Antiochus
IV is described in uncanny detail by the angel speaking to Daniel. As a type of anti-Messiah,
he will stop the daily sacrifices in the Temple and introduce the abomination of desolation
by slaughtering pigs on the altar. I challenged people to be sober and alert, for in these
last days the devil wants to entice us to cease our daily sacrifice, which is our spiritual
service of worship.
Toward the end of my message I turned to a man named John and asked him
if he had something to say. He immediately got up, came to the microphone and confessed
some personal sin to the entire congregation. It was a bit uncomfortable and some were
nervous and anxious at his brutal honesty. So I prayed quietly and asked the LORD what
direction I should take; what I should do. I called people up to pray. Some confessed
sin. Others repented of sin. We prayed for about an hour. John later told me he believed
the Holy Spirit was prompting him to confess publically, but he said he would not do
it unless I looked directly at him and said, “John, do you have something to say?”
Over the next couple of days I prayed again for direction. The next Shabbat
I preached on revival. After the message I called people up to pray. We prayed for about two
hours. The next week I showed a video documentary of the Asbury College Revival of 1970 in
Wilmore, Kentucky. I called people up and we prayed again for almost three hours. The next
week David Gurevich preached an excellent message on repentance. More prayer. The following
week I preached from the Torah portion, Kedushim, Holiness. When I finished my message, no
one got out of their seats. I mean, no one moved. I said, “I’m done. The service is over.
” Still no one moved. So I told everyone I was going to do some “carpet time” up front and
if anyone wanted to join me they were welcome. I opened my eyes about five minutes later
and there were bodies all over the front of the sanctuary.
During these weeks we saw a lot of people confessing sin and getting right with God.
We saw people on the carpet, some in prayer, some under the power of the Holy Spirit. Five men confessed
addiction to pornography. One woman publically confessed regret at how she left our community in an
unhealthy way. Tears and forgiveness were shared. People were becoming honest and transparent with one
another. Our worship times have been intimate, deep and meaningful as we learn to soak in His presence
where there is fullness of joy.
Many historic revivals started with confession and repentance; with prayer and worship;
with urgency and intimacy. They died out because leaders began to orchestrate instead of submit to the
leading of the Holy Spirit. They found a system that worked and systematically organized out the Spirit
of God. Help us, LORD, to hear Your voice, to obey You rather than men and to be sensitive to Your Holy
Spirit so that You have freedom to move in our lives.
Hylan Slobodkin
Messianic Rabbi
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