Belfast OutReach

Revival......another definition would be to recover, repair or restore. Hosea 10:12 says: "Sow to yourself in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord till He come and reign righteousness upon you." What is fallow ground? Fallow ground is ground that has been fruitful, and then it has been plowed over, and no seed has been sown in it, and therefore it has become unproductive. Notice, there is a human emphasis here -- it says that we are to break up -- you break up your fallow ground. Now take another aspect of it here in Psalm 85:6 "Would Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee." So, there is an absence of joy, of vitality -- there is an absence of ecstasy. The very word "revive" presupposes life. You can only revive what has already had vitality -- life that has become sick, weak, or apathetic. I think the nearest analogy I can give you is a recent case of a man who apparently drowned

The last and dreadful day has come (Acts 17:31), The trumpet loudly sounds (1 Corinthians 15:52)! The sleeping millions in the earth Rise from the quaking ground! O fearful sight! Where can I hide (Revelation 6:16)? What doleful wails I hear (Matthew 24:30)! The moon turns now to bloody red (Revelation 6:12), The stars fall from their sphere (Revelation 6:13; Mark 13:25)! The isles and mountains flee away (Revelation 16:20), The sun-it will not shine (Revelation 6:12). My eyes behold Christ Jesus come (Luke 21:27; Revelation 1:7), To judge the works of time (Revelation 20:12)! No place to hide! I care not now what people think Or if they hear my cries. My money and my pleasures, too, Have vanished with my pride. Down on my knees I fall, and then (Romans 14:11) Confessing Christ as "Lord of all" (Philippians 2:11) - I have no stubborn, proud heart now, O hear the Great Judge call! Too late to pray! My sins are trailing my poor soul (1 Timothy 5:24) Up to the throne of God. Why