THE NEED FOR REVIVAL FIRE

We will start our discussion in this article by reading the book of Acts 28 vs. 1 – 2.

And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold (KJV, emphasis mine).

Paul and his companions had just survived a shipwreck. Their ship (with which they were sailing) had been wrecked by a terrible storm, but Paul and everyone in that ship survived, according as the Lord had promised. Now, when they arrived at the Island called Melita (or Malta), the people received them and ‘kindled’ a fire. Another word for ‘kindle’ is ‘sparked.’ They welcomed Paul and his companions, not with singing, dancing, food, etc., but with fire. Though these men had other needs, at that point in time, their greatest need was for fire. Nothing else mattered more in the hearts of these castaways than kindled fire. So, the men kindled or sparked a fire to receive Paul & his fellow travelers. In the same way today, in our world, if anyone would see through the eyes of the Spirit, he will see that the greatest need of today’s church is for fire—revival fire.

A careful look at verse 2 of the above text will show why the fire was kindled for these travelers. The Bible said, “…for they kindled a fire… because of the present rain and because of the cold.”

Let us look at these two matters that posed these travelers’ need for fire.

1. THE PRESENT RAIN: The word ‘rain’ describes abundance, a great outpouring. There was rain in abundance, which necessitated the need for fire. It is the rain that brought the cold, and it is only fire that can answer to coldness. Our Lord Jesus said in Matthew 24 vs. 12,

“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

You will see here that because of the rain (or abundance) of iniquity in the end-times, there will be coldness in the hearts of many towards God. If we look around our generation, there is a rain of iniquity everywhere. In fact, the rain is so great that you cannot pretend not to know it is there. There is a rain of bribery and corruption in our private and public sectors. Nowadays, one can hardly get anything beneficial, unless through bribery and corruption. A sister I know has been searching for a place to do her nursing internship for some time now, but she has not been able to get one. Most of her classmates paid huge sums of money to secure internship positions where they are serving currently, but she is waiting for God. Such things can become tiring and introduce coldness to the hearts of men.

The rain of sexual immorality, pornography, financial fraud, etc., is on the increase, and so, many people are drawing back from following the Lord; hence the need for revival fire. Not only in the area of sin; there is also a rain of hardship, suffering, killings, pain, etc. in the land today, and these things are introducing coldness in the hearts of many believers, and Satan seizes the opportunity to try to distract the brethren with these issues.

Note also that the rain was called ‘present,’ meaning that it was a current reality. It was not in the past or in the future but was present with the brethren right then; and even right now, through sin and the cares of this life, the devil is discouraging many from following the Lord.

2. THE COLD: The second matter was coldness. To be cold spiritually is to have no passion, zeal, or love for God. The love of many waxing cold simply means that they are becoming uncaring towards God and his kingdom. There are two things that help a man in his walk with God: a) The Fear of God—this will keep you from living a life of sin (doing what God says you should not do). Through the fear of God, we run from sexual immorality, stealing, murders, etc. b) The Love of God—this will make you do the things God wants you to do: preach the Gospel, pray, give, study God’s word, etc. It takes the love of God to seek after God. It is called zeal or passion.

The world today is without zeal; many are very cold. They may be keeping away from obvious sins, but because there is no fire of God’s love in their hearts, they cannot represent him well in this evil world. Many are burning for other things—fame, worldly possessions and desires, etc.; and you cannot love two things at the same time. The lack of love for God in our generation is so glaring. Many would rather spend their time, money, and energy on things that cannot give life than spend them on the Lord. They have become careless and carefree about the things of God. All they desire is what they will ‘gain’ from God.

So, what is the answer?

The rain is going on outside… you cannot stop it; neither did the people of Melita try to do so. However, you can do something about the cold that the present rain is producing in you, and that is what the people of Melita did—THEY KINDLED A FIRE. The answer is fire!
John was a burning and shining light (John 5:35). No wonder he was able to battle the coldness in his generation. To be a man of fire is to be a man who can do great things for God. Only a man of fire can revive the cold hearts in other people. Only a man of fire can withstand the present rain.

It is time to cry to the Lord. Ask him to ignite you afresh. Ask him to give you fire to handle the present rain. Let us lift up our hearts in true supplication and say to the Lord, “Above all else, Lord, GIVE ME FIRE.”