The Greatest Awakening
by G. Craig Lauterbach, February 2005
I believe the greatest revival this world has ever known is about to sweep all of the nations of the earth. It will not be like the revivals of past times, it will be an end time revival for the purpose of bringing in an end time harvest. Why will this move of God surpass all of the other moves? This outpouring will possess a revelation from God that was not fully revealed to other generations. Let’s reflect for a moment.
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was sent to the 12 in the upper room. They were indwelt by the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, empowered by the Spirit, and led by the Spirit. The primary reason for this was so the church could be established. This outpouring brought a new revelation of the Holy Spirit.
With the passing of time and after arriving on the other side of the Dark Ages, revivalists like Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, Charles Wesley, and Charles Finney came on the scene ushering in the Great Awakening. Entire cities were turned upside down from this move of God, which brought a fresh revelation of Jesus to the people.
As time progressed, we entered the early 1900’s with the birthing of the Pentecostal movement at Azusa Street. The Assemblies of God, Four Square, Church of God, and many other Spirit filled churches were founded by this spiritual outpouring. This revival like the day of Pentecost was centered around a revelation of the Holy Spirit.
Then in the early 60’s, the Jesus movement rose up, with hippies finding a new place and new life in God. Rock and Roll musicians now became Christian Rock ministers. Woodstock was replaced with the Jesus Festivals and worship as we knew it, would never be the same. Like the Great Awakening, this movement was founded on a revelation of Jesus.
In the 1970’s the Charismatic movement swept the world with yet another revelation of the Holy Spirit. Conferences were held interdenominationally, drawing thousands of people.
As time continued, we moved into the 80’s with the Word of Faith movement rising to the forefront with a renewed commitment to the Word and faith in His unchanging promises. This movement like the Great Awakening and Jesus Movement, was another revelation of Jesus.
Notice from the day of Pentecost on, there has never been a revival that was birthed resulting from a revelation of God the Father.
Day of Pentecost – Spirit
Great Awakening – Jesus
Pentecostals – Spirit
Jesus Movement – Jesus
Charismatics – Spirit
Word of Faith – Jesus
It wasn’t until the 90’s that the wind began to change, when in 1993 the Father’s Blessing hit Toronto. One year later on Father’s Day 1994, the Pensacola outpouring fell on Brownsville. From that point on, God was preparing us for what is about to be released from heaven.
The Spirit of God is setting the stage for a revival I choose to call, “The Greatest Awakening.” The final move that will bring the greatest harvest of souls is about to be released by the Father Himself. Many wonderful exploits have been accomplished in the past by the former moves of God, but not one of these revivals brought a revelation of the Father. We have now entered the next millennium and the theme churches, ministries, and conferences worldwide are emphasizing is, “The Father’s Heart.” As the Spirit of God continues to rise, so does this revelation of God the Father. Books are being released with titles like, “The Father’s Blessing,” “Understanding the Heart Of The Father,” “Embracing The Father’s Heart,” and now my book entitled, “The Father Revealed.”
Why all this concentration on the Father? Why is a revelation of the Father so important for an end time revival? Let me answer a question with a question. Who had the greatest ministry of anyone ever to walk the face of the earth? Jesus. Why was this so? Because His mission was to do the will of the One who sent Him. THE FATHER. Jesus was in complete submission to His Heavenly Father. He came to do the will of the one who sent Him. This final revival will be the greatest because it will be founded on the love and resurrection power of the Father. It was the love of the Father that sent His only Son to die, it was His glory that was revealed through Jesus’ earthly ministry, and it was the power of the Father that raised Jesus from the dead. When the final stage is set, The Wave will hit! The Father’s Heart is about to be fully revealed, and then His glory will fill the whole earth.
