News and Updates
April 1, 2016
David Copeland · April 1, 2016
Newsletter · Volume: 16 Issue: 4
One hundred ten years ago in a small stable near Los Angeles on a street named Azusa, a revival broke out that touched the entire world of that day. This month in Los Angeles, there will be a gathering of people who will spend an entire day crying out to God in repentance for sanctification and holiness to prevail in our land again. They will not be crying to God to try to recapture some old move of the Spirit, but they along with many others will be petitioning heaven for a visitation for our generation. While Los Angeles will host the main event, cities all across the United States are holding similar gatherings making an appeal to heaven for God to spare our nation and bring healing to our land.
I have spent the better part of the last 20 years studying accounts of past revivals, renewals and the men and women whom God used to lead those movements. My heart has been stirred again and again, with a hunger for God like I had when I was a teenager.
When the devil wants to destroy your life, he will send a person to do it. When God wants to bless your life, a church or ministry, or to realign a nation, He will raise up a man or woman to be the catalyst to do it.
The arguing and fighting in both political parties here in the United States on who the best presidential candidate is to take the next turn in leadership is creating a vacuum in which one of two things will happen: either a heaven sent Great Awakening, or the man of sin (also know as anti-christ) will be revealed.
I state repeatedly in this forum as well as the pulpit, that the United States DOES deserve to be severally punished for her sins and her rejection of God’s leadership. But the Scripture also says…
“…But where sin abounded, grace does much more abound.
Romans 5:20
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
When we think about revival, there is two simple characteristics to look for that would qualify and accelerate a genuine move of God:
1.Genuine revival will always be marked by a strong call to repentance.
Over the last several years we have heard much teaching that states once you are born again, repentance is no longer necessary. We have been told repentance is an Old Testament concept that holds no validity under the new covenant.
In the King James the word repent is used 45 times throughout the Bible; 22 times in the First Testament, 23 times in the New Testament. The word repentance is used 26 times in the Word; 1 time in the First Testament, 25 times in the New Testament. So technically, repentance is actually more of a New Testament teaching than Old Testament.
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.
2.Genuine revival will be marked by an intense hunger and thirst for God.
I am convinced God is raising up men and women, boys and girls who have an incredible hunger for God who will not rest until the Glory of the Lord covers the earth like the waters cover the seas.
God is not looking for a flashy dressed man or woman; He’s not looking for a spectacular charismatic personality. He is simply looking for sincere hearts that will stand in the gap for our nation and be honest before Him with a sincere hunger and thirst for His righteousness.
On April 9th in Los Angeles and in many other cities across our nation this hunger and passionate thirst for God will be put on display for heaven’s attention. May God see our hearts’ cry and begin the Acts 2:17 revival we are crying out for!
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.” Acts 2:17