Only for one reason, namely "those others" for whom the Lord also died, that is, still six billion unsaved people.
Based on this, Jesus' Great Commission is our purpose for life on this earth. We can see in the rearview mirror of history that it is in the various revivals that great growth of saved has occurred. Such as the worldwide Pentecostal Revival. During the intervening periods, most apostasy from the faith occurs with increasingly lukewarm, worldly Christians. Often, the whole truth is found and carried in the simple and obvious from the word of God. We complicate everything in almost academic analyses when the word is not allowed to merge with our hearts. Jesus rejoiced when these simple things were hidden from the wise and learned but revealed to the little children (Luke 10:21).
So let's be simple and clear. What are the conditions for revival? What triggered these various revivals during the past two thousand years? Only two conditions, prerequisites. It is the first love for Jesus, that is, the surrender and devotion that we had when we were saved. This is what renounces everything else that prevents Jesus from being priority one in our hearts. Do you remember, or have the pleasures or worries of life blocked the heavenly stream of life? Jesus says in Rev. 2:4-5: "Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember, therefore, from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first deeds. Otherwise, unless you repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place." The lampstand here stands for the Holy Spirit, who, according to other Bible passages, is the very seal and testimony of our salvation (Eph. 4:30, Rom. 8:16). The seriousness and need for repentance cannot be greater.
The second prerequisite for revival is the word of God. In most revivals, a return to reading and following the Bible has been inevitable. It is as if Jesus himself walks in these Biblical pages and words. John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory." Following Jesus thus means following the Word. In following God's word/Jesus, there is obedience and sanctification. There is no revival where obedience and sanctification are not in the driver's seat. The Holy Spirit is precisely "holy" and works in and through sanctified vessels. Not perfect or flawless, but believers who live in repentance every day, who read their Bible and want to obey and follow their Lord. Repentance involves being examined and tested by the Word and the conviction of the Spirit. As well as confession of sin (1 John 1:9), and then to leave the sin every single day if necessary.
Revival efforts without the first love, the word, and sanctification in repentance become like a rusty car without oil or fuel. We should step out of our stagnant, broken-down cars and human projects. And in repentance, step into "heavenly cars" that, in every congregation, bear fruit in the revival of thousands of saved people who grow in discipleship, as well as the fruit and works of the Spirit in our own lives, which will be a reality.
