REVIVAL
[p. 588] REVIVAL
Psalm 85: 6, 7; 2 Chronicles 30: 26, 27; 2 Chronicles 35: 18, 19; Nehemiah 8: 17
JT I thought the Lord would help us to consider the thought of revival. Psalm 85 says “Wilt thou not revive us again, that thy people may rejoice in thee?” Habakkuk asks for a revival of the work of God. Here it is “Revive us”, for evidently we cannot look for revival of the work of God before the revival of ourselves; God uses His people in a revived condition answering to the mind of God, and the assembly must take on a character of revival. I thought these three scriptures show this thought. One goes back to Solomon, the next to Samuel and the third to Joshua, so that there is increase towards the end. Malachi, it may be added, saw increase in quality in those that “feared the Lord” and “spake often one to another”, and Jehovah regarded them as in sonship. We come into the new dispensation and in Simeon and Anna we have this quality still further.
I thought it would be encouraging to look into the subject with a view that we might be set for increase in quality and quantity.
Rem It is suggested that there is some work of God there to revive.
JT Quite so. It is that which is latent and needs to be stimulated so that in Nehemiah. Josiah and Hezekiah we have conditions to revive, and what was revived was there, only dormant, and therefore the question is to feel all that is of God that He may get the best results from us.
Ques Is the thought that these things should be held in life?
JT That would be the idea. “Revive us again, that thy people may rejoice in thee” — something for [p. 589] God in revival and something for ourselves. In revival God rejoices in us and we rejoice in Him.
Ques Is the thought seen in the apostle’s prayer in Ephesians 3 where he prays that they might be strengthened by His Spirit in the inner man?
JT That would contemplate a somewhat advanced state. The epistle to the Ephesians contemplates more than revival, in fact it contemplates the work of God effective.
Rem You had something more in your mind in regard to the going back to Solomon.
JT The increase. Josiah goes further than Hezekiah. It says there was no passover like his from the days of Samuel, and Nehemiah says they had not dwelt in booths since the days of Joshua. Ephesians contemplates the normal result of the work of God, and yet it was not revival, but the Lord says in Revelation that revival was needed. They had left their first love.
Rem They felt the state of things.
JT Yes. It brings it home to us.
RSB Hezekiah says “Hear me, ye Levites”, 2 Chronicles 29: 5. Would that be to stimulate the state of revival in their hearts more for the house of God?
JT We should see what marked each of these revivalists; it is in that way we shall get help. The Psalm is said to be “of the sons of Korah”, referring to the sovereign mercy of God. His sovereign mercy can be reckoned upon. The sons of Korah had no rights at all, but they were spared, and can speak feelingly of the matter. They experienced God’s mercy.
“Wilt thou not revive us again ... ?” The next thing would be how does God effect this; it needs a suitable person.
Ques Would the thought be to secure more for the heart of God, because the scripture is suggestive of nearness and joy [p. 590] in singing?
JT That is what would come out in each case. The service of God comes out of it all. “Revive us again”, he felt the need of it. Do we really feel the need or are we satisfied with ourselves?
Rem That would correspond to our taking a lowly place before God.
JT We have to be thankful for what there is, and there is more than many of us are aware of. There is as much as there ever has been. In Ezra’s time they began to revive; the younger men were equal to what they saw because they had not seen the earlier things. It is a question of improving things; they can be much better than they are. One has been encouraged to refer to David as one who had the thought to improve divine circumstances down here. He had made them better already by bringing the ark back, but he was not satisfied. He thought his own circumstances were better than the ark’s, so that he would build a house.
Rem We are apt to think only of increase in numbers, but we ought to consider for the interests and joy of God.
JT That is what comes out in every case here. See how Hezekiah began. He began to reign at the age of 25 years. In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of Jehovah; then he brought in the priests and Levites, and told them that their fathers had shut the doors of the porch and had put out the lamps, and had not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings. So that we see what characterises a man whom God uses at such a time. He opened the doors of the house and removed all that is contrary, meaning that when we have the service of God in view what is contrary is removed. Then he goes on to say more: “Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with Jehovah the God of Israel” (verse 10). So he is calling for the greatest service. He is laying it upon us to [p. 591] go forward so that God should have the best from us.
RSB The Levites seem to have a particular place in this service. David had some sense of that in preparing for the building of the house, showing that such a spirit would be required to maintain things for God.
JT David would govern all these revivals. When we come to Josiah, David is particularly alluded to. They were to do according to the writing of David and Solomon his son. They are aiming at the highest thoughts — David representing that in the service of God, and so it comes home to ourselves, as to what is our standard. What have we in mind in our service?
Ques What is the standard of service that we should look back to?
JT David. As regards the authority of God. Moses’ ministry would be the standard.
Ques Can you put that in the anti-type?
JT With regard to Moses the standard enters into the Lord’s supper, the authority of the Lord. Then we move further — we have partaken of the Lord’s supper, and the types would be David and Solomon and the singers.
It says “My sons, be not now negligent; for Jehovah has chosen you to stand before him, to do service unto him”, 2 Chronicles 29: 11. In the sweet savour offerings. God has chosen certain to do that, but it includes all of us now. The object in a revival is to get the people moving practically so as to afford what is needed. That is what Hezekiah presents.
JHT What are the specific features of the time of Solomon, Samuel and Joshua? I thought if we saw the specific features we might see the objectives better.
JT Solomon would be recent testimony. Samuel is more distant and Joshua still more distant, but [p. 592] nearer to the primary thought. Indeed he himself represents the great spiritual idea in the economy. Samuel would represent, I thought, faithfulness in the judicature as being a prophet and outstanding as the last of the judges. Solomon is the great end, which would be sonship. The fact that Hezekiah only goes back to Solomon, I thought, is to say that there was not as much in his passover as there was in the days of Samuel. Not that there is anything stated in the days of Samuel, but going back to Samuel covers a much longer period. Hezekiah’s passover was not equal to Josiah’s because it is the second month instead of the first. He takes advantage of the weak state of things. Josiah had it in the first month; there was more spiritual power and no need for a month’s grace. Nehemiah goes further back still, but it is the feast of tabernacles; it would be a question of love, brethren in nearness to one another. Nehemiah and Hezekiah reached it more on that line, which is maintained in Joshua, representing the spiritual side of the economy.
JHT It is recorded that 42,360 went back, and yet they went forward with what was spiritual.
JT That is it; it comes down to our own times. The suggestion is viewing men according to quality; large numbers are apt to divert us.
HG Would that feature mark the activities of the Spirit of God at the present time? In these revivals of recent years the tendency has been to go in for numbers, all kinds being brought in.
JT The Lord has been helping us into higher levels of service. It would seem that in Simeon and Anna these levels were reached. Attention was called to her remarkable life, unmarried, married and a widow, and how in her advanced years she served God night and day in the temple, speaking of Him to all that looked for redemption. These two seem to be outstanding as coming down from the Old Testament. The few in Malachi’s time are on that line too, the line of quality.
Ques Is a revival occasional or continuous? I was wondering whether there was the thought of continual revival with an ever-increasing portion for God.
JT The facts show that revivals were continuous because there was a lapsing after each one. A revival should be sustained.
Rem If we were in the good of things there would be a sustaining of God’s portion in an increasing volume.
JT If there have been revivals so often, we should not lose ground. Some localities suffer, for mark, the enemy is reducing them from what they used to be. The same would exist here.
Rem Instead of lapsing we should move from strength to strength.
JT If there is lapsing the question is whether there can be an improvement or a return to earlier conditions; for example, in Europe things are not what they used to be. The question is, can we make them better? Indeed, by the grace of God all responsibility attaches to us. These were models.
RSB Is the quality of a revival marked by the depth of exercise? Hezekiah writes that God had blessed the people; Josiah set his heart to seek the Lord; Nehemiah had many years of deep anguish of soul.
JT Hezekiah begins later, Josiah gains in his earlier days. The revival qualities came in more after he began to reign. His life is divided up after he begins to reign and there is increasing quality. He dies a young man but he began at the age of sixteen to seek the Lord, and at twenty to purge the house; at twenty-six he finds the book of the law. Hezekiah is twenty-five already, and he is not as keen, but God must have been preparing him beforehand [p. 594] without anyone noticing. We should keep this in mind and see who is likely. Ahaz, his father, was very unspiritual — he would not take a sign from Jehovah. Hezekiah is a sovereign provision and he began earlier, a word for all young men and young women. As soon as we begin to feel things God would work with us, and say ‘You are the man, or the woman’. He will not go past us. Elijah prayed and God gave him what he asked for. Hezekiah may be taken as a young brother who has had the experience secretly, so as soon as he is in the position he is equal to it, and has not to learn afterwards.
Rem Hezekiah was concerned as to the condition of the people.
JT He says “Our fathers have transgressed, and done evil in the sight of Jehovah”. He calls upon the Levites; that is everyone here today, we are all levites and priests. The question is whether we can make better circumstances for God, and incidentally better for ourselves.
Ques Each one of these revivals is governed by the law of Moses. Does this suggest that holding and following divine principles is an important feature?
JT We must go back to the beginning; Moses is the beginning of the economy. It is a question of authority which we get in the Lord’s supper. Thus we go on to David and Solomon to get the full result for God. It is a question of the whole truth. We must have a definite standard and as we have God would help us. Contend earnestly for the faith once delivered.
Ques Did you say the feature that marked Solomon was sonship?
JT Well, it was royalty based on sonship — the highest point reached externally. Solomon is regarded in sonship — son of the father’s love. As to our side Joshua represents Christ in us. So that [p. 595] Nehemiah goes back to Joshua. Solomon is more recent and there is less ground to be covered. There is more ground covered in regard to Samuel inclusive of Solomon, and Nehemiah goes back to Joshua inclusive of Solomon, Samuel and David, the further back the more praise and virtue.
Rem If any brother feels things are not right he should seek the Lord, to make a start himself.
JT That is the point; it is open to young brothers and sisters, all are brought into it. We should be concerned as to what is latent among us.
RSB The apostle wrote to Timothy as a young man about the house of God before recovery is taken up.
JT He says, “That thou mayest know how one ought to conduct oneself in God’s house”, 1 Timothy 3: 15. God speaks to this young man and tells him what is going to happen. The young people are the hope of Israel.
JHT Hezekiah would say that no one is at a disadvantage if the sovereignty of God is in operation. He is at a disadvantage in view of the circumstances into which he was born.
JT Hezekiah’s life is in Isaiah, who tells us how things were. It ought to encourage us; if we feel things God will use us. The Lord says “Whom shall I send” and Isaiah says, “Send me”.
Ques When the past history of a locality has been judged, can the revivalists afford to ignore it?
JT No.
Rem But it should not hinder them.
JT Go on with it. This man considers for God; Josiah is concerned and God takes account of that.
Rem Samuel opened the doors and Eli enquired as to what Jehovah had said.
JT Jehovah took him on in time, but he was being brought forward for use. In chapter 30 Hezekiah is on right lines. No question of sin or anything [p. 596] like that; he seeks to win all Israel. This revival is not equal to that in Josiah’s day, but the people come forward, showing there was power. Unless we have the universal outlook we are a sect. We should be living in the light of the whole assembly to the end (verse 21). The Spirit of God just delights to bring that before us and we should have in mind to make things better for God in our localities. There may be latent power and God would tax us as to it.
Ques Would you say a word as to the way Hezekiah skilfully secures the co-operation of his brethren?
JT The great point is to lead the saints along with you.
Rem There was great joy in Jerusalem, and the priests the Levites arise and bless the people.
Rem There is not enough feeling in these days.
JT Quite so.
Rem Timothy cares with genuine feeling.
JT That is why the apostle takes him up. Josiah begins young. In the eighth year of his reign he began to seek after God thus showing the thoughts he had. In the twelfth year he purged Israel; in the eighteenth year when he had purged the land he sent some to prepare the house of Jehovah his God.
Then the book is found and we find that “the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before Jehovah, to walk after Jehovah, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that are written in this book”, 2 Chronicles 34: 31. So that we should see he is influencing the people rightly. We find in the next chapter that things are ready for the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month; he is not needing a month’s grace. Josiah is in his place, also the Levites, singers and doorkeepers. There is no difficulty.
[p. 597] Josiah finds his place according to what he is fit for.
Rem No discrepancy as with Hezekiah.
JT Whilst the principle of revival is not actually found in the epistles to the Corinthians we have the feature of Hezekiah in the apostle wishing to secure as many of the persons as possible. Yet when the apostle writes to the Ephesians he is at liberty with them immediately. There was the necessity of mentioning the Lord’s supper in the letter to the Corinthians; he needed to bring about what obtains in the whole assembly. The Lord’s supper is rightly set in the front. We are subject.
Ques Is the extent of one’s feelings seen in relating them before God?
JT That is it. The Psalms show deep feelings before God. It is all an outcome of right feelings. Now Josiah’s service as revivalist has everyone in his place; a quality according to the mind of God. God helped Hezekiah but things were not ready; hence it is a kind of passover. You might have jubilance but yet discrepancy. With Josiah, the ark is in its place, and so the service is according to the writing of David and Solomon.
RSB It is the result of his progressive exercises.
JT He began young; a great tribute to him. How the Spirit of God divides up his life! An angel of the Lord spoke of “all the words of this life”, Acts 5: 20. The words of the life open up what the life is according to God, so delightful under the eye of God; the more details the more wonderful the life is. So Josiah is in his place and he leads; authority attaches to him; he influences the people.
HG Would they be each one taking up his own specific kind of service?
JT Yes, and all are happy in it.
Ques Have you got that idea with Titus? He had to put things [p. 598] in order.
JT Yes. In Nehemiah and Ezra we have two men working very happily in this service. God would stress the importance of more than one being used. We are told it was the seventh month, the end of the spiritual year, that part of the year in which we reach higher levels. If there is no love there is nothing. The feast of tabernacles means I can move with my brethren happily. For love you need two, and we have Ezra and Nehemiah working together. In the seventh month the children of Israel were in their cities (Nehemiah 8: 1, 2). It was a good long reading but they were not tired of it. Love is active. It is a love matter and the leading men promote holy feelings of affection and jubilance. There is enough to make us happy; it is good to mourn, but let not the mourning overcome the happiness. It is the first day of the feast. In the second day (verses 13, 16), it is the service of God and the happy state of the brethren in relation to one another; without this there can be nothing for God. There must be love for one another.
Ques Would the booth idea cover Onesimus and Philemon?
JT Yes, a brother beloved and not a slave.
Ques Would the symptoms of a revival be a readiness to come together and a willingness to come joyfully? ‘Love will not be alone’.
JT Quite so. So we have special readings in our localities when we all come together; we also invite the brethren to our houses, the feast of tabernacles. The less distance there is, the better; distances are swallowed up in love. The quickness with which the spiritual truth is taken up is seen here. In the second day they found this and they put it into practice immediately, and there was very great gladness. In a place where there are three or four meetings we should get meetings together with the idea of love in our minds, “having fervent love among yourselves”, 1 Peter 4: 8.
[p. 599] Well, the houses of the saints are most conducive to this.
JHT The house of Nehemiah was not only a house where you would learn deep feelings, but a house where he entertained daily a hundred and fifty of the Jews besides those from the nations round about and made provision without being chargeable to the government, qualifying him to move amongst the saints.
JT Wonderful provision without taxing the saints.
RSB He would not only have food but provide priestly garments.
JT Such love in the leading man is very beautiful (see Nehemiah 5: 16, 17).
Rem The same spirit was found in Josiah (2 Chronicles 35: 7).
JT It is what marks the service in Israel from David onwards; it is princely, meaning that we are all to be that. We ought to use all our wealth. It is a question of what the thing is worth. Open your door to the brethren and find wealth inside; it is a question of the state of your heart, the spirit in which you do things, given to hospitality.
Ques What about those for whom nothing is prepared?
JT The secrets of the heart of anyone coming in are made manifest (1 Corinthians 14: 25). He would not be forgotten; the saints would do the best for him. You say you have not got any more room; this passage says there ought to be something for him, it involves the princely side of things.
Rem It seems to suggest our households in relation to the testimony.
JT Love will never fail. We should not have to exclude a brother from the meetings or our houses;
[p. 600] not that anyone should impose, but it is a question of the attitude of our hearts.
JHT This is seen in the house of Simon the tanner.
JT Sometimes I take the liberty of inviting a brother to where I am staying.