DESPITE A GROWING awareness as to the need for revival, it is perhaps ironic that in spite of the endless "solutions" designed to effect such end, the need not only continues but intensifies.
While in no way questioning the sincerity of many seeking answer to the present shortfall, we are nonethelss somewhat puzzled by those who, following personal disavowals of revitalization programs, then proceed to detail their own formulations for inducing revival. It is nothing new. Even the great Andrew Murray (d. 1917) "guaranteed" revival to any congregation willing to follow his instructions. Time, of course, becomes the defining criterion in relation to all such claims.
The following is not offered with the intent of either introducing some new technique or modifying some present "how to have revival" strategy. It is, however, to recognize a major biblical emphasis often lacking in such schemata.
In detailing the dedication of Solomon's Temple (II Chron. chs. 5-6), Scripture highlights the role of Levitical singers accompanied by 120 priests "blowing trumpets": "When the trumpeters and singers were in unison ('as with one voice,' NIV), making one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord...then the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud" (5: 11-13, Amp).
We like the country preacher's take on it all: "When, along with the choir, the Methodist trumpet player, the Baptist trumpet player, the Full Gospel trumpet player, and the Congregationalist trumpet player all got together on the same song and in the same key, things began to happen!"
In terms of addressing the present need for revival, might not one logically assume the importance of our Lord's charge relative to the oneness of believers in his last recorded prayer (John 17:21-22) or, again, Paul's defining of the initial criterion in preparing the Church for its role as Christ's Bride as a "unity of faith?" (Eph. 4:11-13; 5:27).
Does this then nullify the fact of peripheral differences, or suggest that we all pull the signs off the front of our churches so as to pursue a "nonsectarian sectarianism?" Of course not.
The key to the outpouring of divine favor attendant the Temple's dedication lay, first of all, in the musician's overarching objective of "praising and glorifying the Lord" (II Chron. 5:13). It becomes easy to confuse means and ends at this point. God's promise is that He will be found when He is sought with "all your heart and with all your soul" (Deut. 4:29).
Once our pursuit of God, His will and His purposes become the transcendent concern, the rest - unity and revival alike - will increasingly come into place.
Burl Ratzsch
