Can we understand the signs of the times?

Dearly Beloved Prayer Partners,
“On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter.
The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord and his name shall be the only name.”
(Zechariah 14:8-9)

Can we understand the signs of the times?
What is happening in the “divine history” around the world today; how should we look upon events as they unfold around us? Of course we must humbly admit that we “see only in part,” but surely the above Scripture should be our marker. There is no power in heaven or on earth that can put God off course. And the stories in this Bulletin give us cause for great confidence in what God is doing if we will only lift our eyes and see the marvels of His hand.
First of all, we must look to Asia, the continent that for centuries seemed to be almost impenetrable to the Gospel. Consider China – not only is it becoming the economic powerhouse of the planet but, more importantly, the explosive growth of the Gospel is reaching many of those who will be the Chinese leaders of the future: university students, businessmen, professionals, even politicians. Within a relatively short space of time China could simultaneously become the most powerful nation on earth and one that is run according to Christian principles and standards.
But China is not alone in waking up to the Gospel in Asia: former closed nations of North Korea, Vietnam, and Nepal are just 3 featured in this Bulletin that are beginning to see explosive Church growth from almost impossible beginnings. So, watch this space, as they say!
Then we need to consider what is happening in the Muslim world. For years the Middle East and North Africa were areas where the Gospel of Christ had little or nothing to celebrate. Today, we are beginning to see a turning of the tide: satellite TV and radio are powerful means that are saturating the whole area. People, who have known nothing but the controlling hand of the Imams and the guns of the West, are waking up to the new reality of the love of Jesus. Remember how fearful we were of Communism 30 years ago, and how fearful we are of Islam today? Well, the Muslim World could soon experience its own ‘Berlin Wall’. Keep an eye on Iran in particular!
Then look to the Latin American Church. When I grew up in South America 50 years ago, Chile and Brazil were the only nations with any meaningful Evangelical presence. Today there is a continentwide Gospel explosion. Central America is leading the way -some nations there have become 40% Bible believing! Our prayer should be that, in strength, they may be faithful to God and to the need of their fellow citizens.
Then there is Africa – particularly sub-Saharan Africa – where 60% of the population is “Christian”, and some nations are declaring themselves to be Christian Nations, dedicated to God. We can rejoice at the huge inroads made by the Gospel, but we must remain prayerfully vigilant. As someone who visits Africa regularly, I am concerned at the spread of a harmful “Prosperity gospel” that is leading many away from the Cross of Christ. I also ask the question: “If Africa is now so Christian, why is it still so enslaved to poverty, corruption and sickness?” There is potential, there are many goodly and Godly African Christians, totally dedicated to Christ. We must pray for the African Moses’, the Wesley’s, the Shaftesbury’s, to lead the Continent in the ways of God.
And, what about Europe, the UK, the USA, Australasia and the other former champions of the Gospel who have fallen prey to secular humanism and today’s curse of Political Correctness? True Christians are now a minority in these nations – often a confused, frustrated and beleaguered minority, frightened into inertia, not only by a hostile world around, but often by the enemy within!
Because we no longer set the national agenda and the Christian worldview is no longer the accepted standard, we concentrate our efforts on preserving our remaining flock and protesting – usually with no ultimate chance of success – at policies and legislation that undermine what little is left of our Christian heritage!
Thus sadly many Western Christians take the view that we are in a losing battle, and there is little we can do to stop the rot from spreading! What we fail to realize is that the Christian Church is in a unique historical position: we are now a minority group in Western society. We are in a position where we can (and must) cast off the cultural and historical shackles that are holding the Church back, and return again to our true roots based on Scripture, prayer, evangelism and the power of God!
We have a unique opportunity, to begin again from humble beginnings; to return to our roots in Christ and in service and mission to the lost. There is a growing hunger and dissatisfaction with the secular mindset among the people (Days 14, 15 & 16). We must seize the opportunity; face the opposition that will come, and boldly proclaim Christ!
Let us remember: The Lord will be king over the whole earth!

With loving greetings from all the Revival team,

Ian Milmine

A Generation in Desperate Need – What are we Doing?

Former Spice Girls’ pop singer, “Mel-B”, tells how she recently spent a week on a run-down Council Estate for an ITV programme. She had to live with a family of five headed by a single mum, on £264 weekly Benefits. The house and area were vermin-infested, but what most struck her was the lack of any hope that she observed among these people. The 18-year-old son was so uninterested that he didn’t want to get out of bed in the morning even to sign on at the Jobcentre. She called the place, Apathy city, and recalls the time when she grew up in an area close by:

“My younger sister Danielle and I were given chores, such as setting the table at meal-times, and we did them. There was also a real sense of community where we lived – we all looked out for each other… My father Martin went to work every day and, at one stage, my mother held down three jobs. Danielle and I learned from watching them that we could have better lives by earning our own money… When I was younger I was a Girl Guide and attended Sunday school. I looked forward to going every week…”

A strong work ethic, Guides, Scouts and Sunday School used to be a key component of growing-up in Britain. Today these are replaced, among vast swathes of our population, by the kind of apathy and indifference described by Mel-B. The tragic spiral of family break-down has added further fuel to this apathy, especially among young boys. As Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Grayling, put it: “Family breakdown and the devaluation of marriage produce a generation of children with no concept of right and wrong.”

What should we, as Christ’s Church, do about this tragic and shameful situation in our nation? Jesus commanded us to be “salt” and “light.” In the past our forbears created the Sunday School movement precisely to reach out to generations of children who had no hope in life – it became a part of the 19th-century transformation of our nation! How can we, the Ambassadors of Christ today, respond to the need of our generation?

With loving greetings from all the Revival team,

Ian Milmine

“There is surely a future hope for you, and your
hope will not be cut off. Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.”

(Proverbs 23:18-19)

“Let your light shine before men, that the may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”

(Matthew 5:16)