October 31st is for Reformation and Revival!
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the Wittenberg Church door. This was a catalytic event that would reform all of Christianity. Religious cycles that created a dead faith for hundreds of years were broken. His 95 Theses were translated into German and quickly began to spread. Luther, originally wanted people to debate over these issues within the Catholic Church, rather than rebuke the pope. However, God moved through this, and from it came the Protestant Reformation.
Simply put, the Reformation was birthed out of the truth that salvation is in faith alone. Romans 1:17 says, ““For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.””.
Ephesians 2:8-9 reads, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
On what some deem as “the darkest day of the year,” God moved in such a way that everything was shaken! When God moves, nothing can stop Him.
Nearly 400 years later, also on October 31st, the Welsh Revival was started. On October 31, 1904, Evan Roberts followed the leading of the Holy Spirit. God took him back to his childhood town and asked him to lead a church meeting. In this meeting, 17 accepted Christ as Savior. In this meeting, Evan Roberts knew by faith that a revival had started!
Less than four months later, over 80,000 people were saved and the nation of Wales experienced a powerful revival. This move of God spread to cities in England, Scotland, and Ireland and eventually around the world.
Later, before the Azusa Street Revival, Frank Bartleman would ask Evan Roberts to pray that a revival similar to the Welsh Revival would happen in Los Angeles.
Our obedience to God can birth a revival unlike any the world has seen. October 31st is a day that the Lord has made, and we must remember that God is good and He is not limited by a number on a calendar. He longs to move in might and power this Halloween!
All throughout Church History, God has moved powerfully on October 31st. We should view this day as a great opportunity for God to establish a greater manifestation of His Kingdom! We have seen Him do it before, and we ask for Him to do it again!
The nations are in deep need for a mighty move of God! The divine moments where He breaks in not only can, but WILL, shift a nation. Psalm 85:6 further connects revival with rejoicing by reading, “Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?”
Life and joy are found when God’s people are revived. Matthew Henry writes that, “If God be the fountain of all our mercies, He must be the center of all our joys.” We can trust that joy will rise up in the coming revival that God is bringing!
When Psalm 85 was written, the Israelites were out of Babylonian captivity. The cry to be revived again wanted a fulfillment of the vision of Ezekiel 37 - dry bones coming to life and a great army arising. In the same way, we see that God has been moving throughout history across the generations. He has been bringing His people out of captivity to sin. God will bring about a deep fervent religious revival where people passionately rejoice in the freedom that He has brought!
Imagine how your obedience on October 31st, or any other day for that matter, can shift things to God’s glory. Ask Him how He wants you to step out in faith today!
