Vision and Revival

Pastor E. Keith Hassell

Foundation Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

I. Vision and revival

A. Vision and revival are directly interconnected

1. Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

2. Proverbs 29:18 (NKJV) “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law.”

B. People backslide when they lose their vision and build their lives on other sources of revelation

C. Without a vision people “perish” (valley of dry bones)

II. Three levels of revelation (2 Corinthians 12:1-2)

A. First heaven revelation (Genesis 1:20)

This first heaven is the natural atmosphere that surrounds the earth. The type of revelation received in this earthly realm is “sense knowledge.” In the natural realm we gain knowledge of things around us based on our five physical senses --- what we see, taste, touch, smell, and hear. While this type of knowledge may be important, it can lead us into inaccurate assessments of our situation. We are not to make judgments about individuals or situations based on the outward appearance alone, for God knows the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). It is from the knowledge gained from this realm that we recognize the need for food, clothing, shelter, healing, provision, physical strength, peace, etc. But we will get little results if we pray solely on the basis of the need. Jesus was not moved simply by the need in people’s lives. He was moved by faith and by what He saw His Father doing.

1. Source: Physical world

2. Perspective: Five senses (touch, taste, sight, smell, hearing)

3. Revelation: Facts

B. Second heaven revelation (Ephesians 6:12)

The second heaven is the realm in which demonic spirits operate. The type of revelation received in this realm comes through the demonic realm. Because we are spiritual beings we have the ability to detect or discern demonic or evil influences at work around us. But just because we detect or discern this negative information does not mean we are to act or judge on the basis of that information. Anyone can see the negative and attack it with criticism and judgment. For instance James and John discerned the negative spiritual attitude in the Samaritans and concluded that they should respond by calling down fire out of heaven. Jesus revealed that they were operating in the wrong spirit. What they discerned was true, but their response was wrong. He proceeded to give them a higher revelation, that is, He did not come to destroy but to save. Many people have been hurt by Christians who have tried to minister to people on the basis of this type of revelation. If we respond to people based on what Satan is doing in their lives, we fail to remember the difference Jesus came to make. God sees sinners as hostages to these demonic “kidnappers”. We must not deal with kidnappers by blowing up both the kidnapper and the hostage. No, we must rescue hostages with a strategy that can loose them and set them free. Second heaven revelation, although it may have the appearance of wisdom and discernment, is not the wisdom of God at all. Rather it is earthly, sensual, and demonic and produces the negative results of self-seeking, confusion, strife and every type of evil work (James 3:13-18). Although this type of revelation may give us insight into what the enemy is doing, it must not become the basis of our response.

1. Source: Demonic

2. Perspective: Five principles of destruction (Ignorance, hopelessness, rejection, condemnation, judgment---opposites of Romans 8:29-30)

3. Revelation: Cursing and death

C. Third heaven revelation (2 Corinthians 12:2; Ephesians 1:22-23)

This is the heaven in which God lives. It is here that we can approach the throne of God. This realm is free from demonic influence. The revelation that we receive from this realm is given by the Holy Spirit. It is at this level that we can discover God’s eternal perspective and His perfect will. Our vision must always originate from this realm. In this realm God reveals His intended destiny and plan for an individual, church, or people. From this realm we see beyond the natural and the demonic and we see people as God sees people. From this realm it is clearly seen who is the enemy and who is the victim. From this realm we see the sacrifice of Jesus and the end from the beginning. This is the realm where vision is clear and love prevails. From this realm we can begin to love a Saul of Tarsus because we can see the plan of God for his life. From this realm God sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins while we were yet sinners. From this realm we can lay down our lives for those who seem to be our enemies because we can “see” their ultimate destiny in Christ. We enter this realm in an attitude of worship simply waiting upon God to reveal His heart for the sinner, for our family, for our city, for our nation, and for our world. This is the revelation upon which we base our prayers and our responses.

1. Realm: Holy Spirit

2. Perspective: Five principles of redemption (Foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, glorification---Romans 8:29-30)

3. Revelation: Blessing and life

III. Blessings and curses

A. Blessings: Spiritual empowerment to succeed. Blessings release faith.

B. Curses: Spiritual empowerment to fail. Curses release fear.

IV. Revival Question: “Can these bones live?” (What we see is revealed by what we speak); Ezekiel 37:11, 4

A. First heaven revelation: “Our bones are dry!”

B. Second heaven revelation: “Our hope is gone! We are cut off!”

C. Third heaven revelation: “O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!”

V. Receive the cup of blessing (1 Corinthians 10:14-21)

A. Flee idolatry. You cannot partake of the cup of blessing and the cup of idolatry.

B. Partake of the provision and reality of the blessing of God in Christ

VI. Prophesy to these bones!

A. See people from God’s perspective

B. Speak blessing over their lives

C. Speak life (wholeness, health, healing, salvation, renewal, refreshing, revival, restoration, awakening, victory, power, anointing, joy, peace, etc.)

D. What about those in sin?

1. 1 John 5:16“If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.”