Restoration, Revival and Renewal

In the prayer of Habakkuk the prophet (which we have all been praying), he asks the Lord to do again in our times the great things that He has done in the past (Hab.3:2). And for us, this request is being directed specifically at the signs and wonders experienced by the early church, as documented in the Book of Acts. We want God to restore the church to its former glory. Lamentations 5:21 says, “Restore us to Yourself, O Lord, that we may return; renew our days of old.”

I believe there is a clear and direct correlation between restoration, revival and renewal. According to the NT Greek words; “to renew” is “to make brand new” or “to make fresh (young);” “to revive” means “to regain life” to “flourish anew.” In these words we can immediately see the ministry of the Holy Spirit at work.

What about restoration?

Restoration in every dimension of human experience is at the heart of the gospel. It is woven through both OT and NT Scriptures and should be kept at the forefront of the things we teach. In Acts 3, Peter makes the most pointed reference to restoration and urges a return to God. He also adds that this returning would pave the way for a period of refreshing renewal that would result directly from the presence of the Lord with His people.

I’m convinced that the restoration prophesied in OT and NT Scriptures has already begun. God’s presence in the congregation of His people is on the increase. The restoration I am talking about is the return of the church (the bride of Christ), to the majesty and glory God intended for her. And to accomplish this, God has begun to release His awesome power without measure to and through His church. The rain has come and His Spirit is being poured out on all flesh!

Hosea 6:3 says, “Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth.” God is coming to us like the latter and former rain, and again this is the work of the blessed Holy Spirit. The prophet Joel foretold a day when God would pour out His Spirit on “all flesh” (Joel 2:28-29). For what purpose; so that His power may be shared with all His people and not limited to any chosen individual, denomination or dispensation.

This is why Jesus told his disciples that it was to their advantage for Him to leave the earth and go to the Father (John 16:6), because then the Spirit could be sent to indwell in all believers – to fill us and enable us to do the supernatural works that Jesus did, and even more. Remember, in Acts 1:8, Jesus tells the disciples to do nothing until the Holy Spirit has come. Then, He promises, they will be empowered for ministry! The early rain began on the Day of Pentecost, and the restoration of God’s people was started. Now, it’s the latter rain that’s begun to fall, and even greater things should be expected. Note rain is a symbol of God’s abundant blessings. Therefore, the abundant life that Jesus promised is being restored in His church.

According to the dictionary, “to restore” means “to bring back to former or original condition.” However, when something is restored according to Scripture, it is always increased, multiplied or improved so that its latter state is significantly better that its original state (ref. Joel 2:21-26).

God always does more (or up and above) when He restores. Therefore, in this fresh move of restoration, God is not simply restoring the church to the gory it displayed in New Testament times, He is seeking to restore it to a state more powerful, more majestic, and more glorious than anything the world has yet seen! God wants to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we may ask, think or imagine!

For today’s church restoration means more than merely becoming a reproduction of the early church. It means becoming all God originally intended it to be. Above all, the restoration of the church means that it will display the kind of love and compassion Jesus demonstrated during His ministry here on earth. And the consequence of this action is reaching more and more people.

However, restoration also means the release of God’s power in a measure never seen before. This release will come through His people, and in the church, as the gifts of the Holy Spirit operate without restraint or restriction under the direction of the Holy Spirit Himself. As He wills, significant signs and wonders will be seen and experienced and multitudes will get to know that Jesus is alive, and that He is Lord!

Through the full operation of the gifts and ministries that God appoints, and operating in the love essential to His own divine nature, the church will reach a new level – a level where it is inhabited by a holy priesthood, offering up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God, and having all men drawn to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Then, at last, the world will see the glory of the Lord in His church (His precious bride) – until the restoration of all things has taken place.

Peter said in Acts 3:21, “Heaven must receive (or retain) until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” The Message says, “For the time being He must remain out of sight in heaven until everything is restored to order again just the way God, through the preaching of his holy prophets of old, said it would be.”

In these last days, “everything” prophesied is being fulfilled, and restoration, revival and renewal are all taking place in the church. It is the most exciting time the church has ever known. Nothing can compare with this season of superabundance! And the Holy Spirit is both orchestrator and conductor of this extraordinary phenomenon.

Chris Demetriou, 18/05/2008