"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)

 

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by Bill Bright 

 

I believe the power of fasting as it relates to prayer is the spiritual atomic bomb that our Lord has given us to destroy the strongholds of evil and usher in a great revival and spiritual harvest around the world.

 

Increasingly I have been gripped with a growing sense of urgency to call upon God to send revival to our beloved country. In the spring and summer of 1994, I had a growing conviction that God wanted me to fast and pray for forty days for revival in America and for the fulfillment of the Great Commission in obedience to our Lord's command.

 

At first I questioned, "Is this truly God's call for me?" Forty days was a long time to go without solid food. But with each passing day, His call grew stronger and more clear. Finally, I was convinced. God was calling me to fast, and He would not make such a call without a specific reason or purpose. With this conviction, I entered my fast with excitement and expectancy mounting in my heart, praying, "Lord, what do you want me to do?"

 

I believe such a long fast was a sovereign call of God because of the magnitude of the sins of America and of the Church. The Lord impressed that upon my heart, as well as the urgent need to help accelerate the fulfillment of the Great Commission in this generation.

 

As I began my fast, I was not sure I could continue for forty days. But my confidence was in the Lord to help me. Each day His presence encouraged me to continue. The longer I fasted, the more I sensed the presence of the Lord. The Holy Spirit refreshed my soul and spirit, and I experienced the joy of the Lord as seldom before. Biblical truths leaped at me from the pages of God's Word. My faith soared as I humbled myself and cried out to God and rejoiced in His presence.

 

This proved to be the most important forty days of my life. As I waited upon the Lord, the Holy Spirit gave me the assurance that America and much of the world will, before the end of the year 2000, experience a great spiritual awakening. This divine visit from heaven will kindle the greatest spiritual harvest in the history of the Church. But before God comes in revival power, the Holy Spirit will call millions of God's people to repent, fast, and pray in the spirit of 2 Chronicles 7:14:

 

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

 

The scope of this revival depends on how believers in America and the rest of the world respond to this call. I have spent fifty years studying God's Word and listening to His voice, and His message could not have been more clear.

by Daniel Whyte III

Jesus Christ made it perfectly clear that the "last days" would come. Repeatedly in the Gospels, and then later on in the Epistles, He shared with His disciples and the first believers that calamities and catastrophes would mark the last days. Frankly, my friend, I believe that this generation is seeing those days that the Lord spoke of; in other words, we are seeing the beginning of the end. 

 

Our world is increasingly being shaken up by wars, crimes, and violent activity -- the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, terrorist attacks, the recent bombings and massacre in Norway. Currently, the planet is in the throes of an economic disaster the likes of which have never been seen before -- skyrocketing unemployment, countries running out of money, repeated bailouts, and erratic stock market action. We have also seen an increase in the number and scope of natural disasters -- earthquakes, hurricanes, droughts, and floods have increased over the past decade. More people are without work, without food, and without hope. As I write, millions of people (and 29 thousand children under the age of five) have died from hunger in East Africa, and millions more don't know where they will get another meal from, or even if they will get another meal at all. Unfortunately, the Bible informs us that these are only "the beginning of sorrows." There is much more and much worse to come. 

 

Jesus Christ never told a lie, and thus, I believe according to the Word of God, that those "last days" which He spoke of are here. Make no mistake about it, friend, something is about to happen in this old sin-cursed world and that is, the Second Coming of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Please notice with me what Jesus Christ said about these "last days" in Matthew 24:1-14:

 

"And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because  iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

 

The Bible also has the following to say about the last days or the "latter times":

 

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth" (I Timothy 4: 1-3).

 

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God" (II Timothy 3: 1-4).

 

We are now living in perilous and evil times. It's time to look up because our redemption draweth nigh! I tell folks all the time that we are living in days where only God can help us now. However, even though we are living in these difficult times, God wants us to stand even if we have to stand alone. The following are ten things that God wants us to do in light of these last days: 
  

 

First of all, if you are not already saved,  God wants you to be saved. If you desire to be saved, you will be glad to know that it is very simple. First, understand that you are a sinner. In other words, you have broken or transgressed the law of God and because of that you stand guilty before God. In Romans 6:23, the Bible states that "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." And due to our sin, regardless of how much or how little, we are headed to eternal punishment in a place called hell. God states in the Holy Bible, Revelation 21:8, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolators, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death."

 

That is the bad news. Here is the good news -- the gospel of Jesus Christ:

 

God did something wonderful for us poor sinners so that we would not have to go to that awful place called hell. What did He do for us? Well, He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to shed His Holy blood for our sins and die in our place. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Dear friend, all you have to do is believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died, was buried and rose again by the power of God, for you. And He will save you.

 

The Bible states clearly in Romans 10:9 and 13: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raise him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

 

Friend of mine, the first thing that God wants you to do in light of the second coming of Jesus Christ is to get saved if you are not already saved. Please do it today, for tomorrow is not promised to you.
  

 

After we are sure of our own salvation, the second thing that God wants us to do in light of the second coming of  Jesus Christ is confess our sins when we commit them. One of the main reasons why God wants us to do this is so that we can maintain that sweet fellowship between us. When we as Christians sin, it does not cause us to lose our salvation, but it does cause us to lose fellowship with God. The Apostle John speaking to Christians, wrote in I John 1:8-2:1: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

 

I know that you may think that you will not sin at all. But chances are you will, and probably more than once. Even though GOD DOES NOT WANT US TO SIN, sometimes, we, even as the people of God, sin. And when we do sin, let's not lie about it and try to cover it up. Let's confess our sins and ask God for His forgiveness. And God will abundantly forgive us of anything that we may have done wrong.

 

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy"  (Proverbs 28:13).
  

 

Third, God wants us, as His children,  to pray. "Jesus spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1). Most spiritual Christians agree that one of the biggest and most serious problems in the lives of individual Christians and in local churches is a lack of sincere prayer unto God. Churches are literally being ripped apart by prayerless people. Homes are breaking up left and right because Mom and Dad refuse to pray together. "Christian" children are going astray like never before. Sin is running rampant all around and even in the church because the church is playing instead of praying. God wants us to pray. And if there was ever a time to pray that time is now! 
  

 

 

Fourth, God wants us, as His people, to live a holy life while we wait for His second coming. God stated in His word in I Peter chapter 1: 15-16: "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye Holy; for I am Holy."

 

Now, sadly, none of us will be perfect on this side of "chilly Jordan," but God does want His people to strive, by His grace, to live a holy and godly life before Him. You may ask how can we live a holy life in this wicked world in which we are living? There is only one way, and that is through the power of the Holy Spirit of God. Friend, you and I cannot live a holy life in our own feeble strength, but we can if we allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives and not our flesh. Notice what God wrote through the Apostle Paul in Galatians chapter 5:16 and 22-23: "This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

 

Dear Christian friend, in light of the second coming of Christ, God wants us to live a holy life before Him, and the only way we can do that is to "walk in the Spirit." Notice what God stated in Zechariah 4:6: "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, this is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hosts." 
  

 

Fifth, to also help us live a holy life, God wants us to read and meditate on the Word of God every day. Notice what God stated in Joshua 1:8: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon, day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

 

Today, many people are speaking about success. But there is no real lasting success in a person's life without reading, meditating on and obeying the Word of God. 

 

To be successful--that is truly successful, God wants you to read and meditate on and obey His Word daily. By the grace of God, at least read one chapter in the Word of God a day, preferably more, but at  least one a day. And God will richly bless you for doing so. 
  

 

 

Sixth, God wants you to faithfully attend and participate in your local Bible believing church. Listen to what God has to say about this important subject in Hebrews 10: 23-26: "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner  of some is; but exhorting one  another  and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

 

Strangely, there are many dear people who feel that they can miss church or be irregular to the House of God, and still be fully blessed of the Lord. Folks, the simple fact of the matter is that we cannot be blessed of the Lord if we choose to disobey the Lord. Sadly, many people make up all kinds of excuses to miss church, not realizing that it is no one but the devil trying to keep them from the House of God. Friend, don't let the "green-eyed monster" fool you. The House of God is the place of blessing and power. You can rest assured that God wants you in church every time the church doors are open in obedience to His Word for your benefit. 
 

 

Seventh, God wants us to tithe and give to Him through our local church until He comes. Tithing and giving is always a touchy subject, but it is still in the Word of God, and we should take heed to this part as well.  Notice what God  says about  it in Malachi 3:8-10: "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and  prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

 

Also, notice with me the words of Jesus Christ in Luke 6:38: "Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

 

There you have it, dear friend, in black and white. If you want to be right with God you need to tithe and give to God through your local church. If you want to receive a joy that is quite unusual, then you need to give back to God. And if you want to be blessed financially of the  Lord, then you need to tithe and give to God through His local church.

As the old song goes, "You can't beat God giving no matter how hard you try." So true.
   

 

Eighth, in light of the second coming of the Lord, He also wants us to love one another. I know this may sound corny to some, but it is vitally important. Jesus said in John 15:12: "This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you."

 

We may not like the ways of a person, but God commands us to love that person regardless of his ways. You say, but I can't love that person now knowing what he has done to me. Yes, you can. Because, first of all, love is a choice that we make.  Second, after we  make  that  choice to love someone, God can and will give you the grace and the power of His Holy Spirit to carry it out, if you will allow Him. Let God love people through you by the power of His Holy Spirit.
   

 

 

In these last days, the ninth thing that God wants us to do is witness to those who do not already know Him. In Matthew 29:19, Jesus commanded us, His disciples, to: "Go ye into all the world, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Many of us as Christians complain about the rising crime rate, teenage pregnancy and the outrageous violence and drug problems in our communities, yet many of us as Christians who possess the solution don't get out there in the streets with the life-changing message: JESUS SAVES!

 

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9).

 

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).

 

This may sound like a worn out cliché, but the simple fact of the matter is: JESUS CHRIST IS STILL THE ANSWER TO ALL OF OUR PROBLEMS! Let's get busy for Jesus Christ as we see His coming drawing nigh.

 

Think about it, what if every born-again, blood-bought child of God in America witnessed to just one person each day, I believe that we would see a dramatic change in the complexion of our country.

 

Let's witness for Jesus Christ in the last days! For as the song goes: "PEOPLE NEED THE LORD."
   

 

 

The tenth thing that God wants us as Christians to do in the last days is to put on the whole armor of God. You may be asking the question, What is the whole armour of God? Well, here it is as it is described in the book of Ephesians chapter 6: 10-18: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not  against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, and supplication for all saints."

 

Friend, has the devil been shooting at you? Has he been trying to scare you? Has he tried to discourage you, yea, even destroy you? Well, guess what? Your adversary, the devil, is going to keep on trying to knock your block off. You know why? Because since you are still standing, he evidently was not successful in doing so in the past. And the devil does not give up easily. Yes, dear friend, if you are a true Christian, and you mean business for God, the devil will be on you like white on rice and black on me. With that in mind, arm yourself. "Put on the whole armor of God."  Leave nothing off because the devil will be sure to find your unarmored spot. Therefore, put on the armor of truth. Put on the breastplate of righteousness. Have your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Then don't forget to put on the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. And don't forget the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God, and the secret weapon of prayer. Put on the whole armor of God and stand, and do all to stand for the Lord in these last days.

 

There is no doubt about it, we are living in the last days. These are indeed difficult and perilous times. But, we as God's children can still live vibrantly, victoriously and powerfully in  the last days, if we would do the aforementioned things which is really basic Christianity.  Friend, do what God instructs and be blessed even in the last days!