REVIVAL AMONG GOD’S PEOPLE

Ezekiel 37:1–14 NKJV

The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ” So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ”

Main Idea: God desires to revive His people for His glory.

Key Question: Who are you expecting to bring revival?

Ezekiel’s Vision & Interpretation for the Children of Israel:

- The Israelites will be returning.

1. The Lord is the only one that can revive the dead. (v.3-4)

2. The Lord is the only one that can give breath to the bones. (v. 9-10)

3. The Lord is the only one that can establish a great army. (v.10)

Application for God’s Children today:

1. Sin leads us to the grave. (v.12)

Ezekiel 37:12 NKJV

Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

- They used the very punishment of God to further commit idolatry.

Romans 6:16 NKJV

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

Psalm 24:3–6 NKJV

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah

- Repent and Believe before you need to worry about revival!

2. Unity and Order was not enough. (v.8, 10, 14)

Ezekiel 37:8 NKJV

Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.

Ezekiel 37:10 NKJV

So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.

Ezekiel 37:14 NKJV

I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ”

- Coffins are full of flesh and bones BUT NO LIFE

Ecclesiastes 12:7 NKJV

Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

Zechariah 12:1 NKJV

The burden of the word of the Lord against Israel. Thus says the Lord, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him:

Ezekiel 36:26–27 NKJV

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

- Read, Pray, Witness, Attend, Serve, Give, Go!

3. He sends revival for His Glory. (v.6,13)

Ezekiel 37:6 NKJV

I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ”

Ezekiel 37:13 NKJV

Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves.

- It’s not for prominence, play or prestige.

- It’s not for emotion, history or comfort.

Psalm 72:17 NKJV

His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed.

Ezekiel 36:21 – concern for my holy name…

Ezekiel 36:22 – but for my holy name sake…

Ezekiel 36:23 – I will sanctify my great name…

4. He responded to their cry. (v.11)

Ezekiel 37:11 NKJV

Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’

- They didn’t try to pretty things up. They were desperate.

Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Joel 2:12 NKJV

“Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”

- How desperate are you?