In postscript of his book entitled, A Survey of 20th-Century Revival Movements in North America, Richard M. Riss makes following comments:

A resurgence of Evangelical Christianity has been coming about in America since late 1940s…If current resurgence continues, it will provide a milieu conducive to incidence of an awakening of far greater statistical significance and considerably more extensive societal impact than earlier revivals of this century…

Should God raise up sufficient intercessors for revival, there is a real possibility that a momentous ‘Third Great Awakening,’ not only in North America but throughout all Christendom, will explode on modern scene.

Many are alluding to a spiritual awakening in Christendom. I, for one, agree with Mr. Riss and believe that ministers who are calling for a spiritual awakening, especially in America, are right on with their prophetic insight.

I believe that coming spiritual awakening in America alone will surpass impact of American first and second Great Awakening(s) of 18th, 19th, and 20th century revivals. If God can intervene in affairs of man as He has done throughout recorded history, then He will have no problem bringing about greatest revival in history of man. I believe this.

In continuing my series entitled, “An Awakening is Coming,” I’d like to conclude series by documenting some of important features of American Holiness movement that began in middle 19th century, up to time when it separated from Pentecostal movement.

One of important features about American Holiness movement was foundation it served for revivals of 20th century. It was John Wesley’s teaching on “entire sanctification” that started American Holiness movement. In simple, Wesley’s doctrine spoke of a divine work of Holy Spirit in life of believer, subsequent to salvation. From this teaching came many seekers searching for a greater depth to their salvation experience. Because they came seeking, Lord blessed them with much more.

It was during this time that ministries of Divine Healing came into existence. Also at this time Phoebe Palmer, wife of a prominent physician in New York and a leading teacher in Holiness movement, labeled doctrine of ‘entire sanctification’ as ‘Baptism of Holy Ghost.’ It seems Holiness movement was okay with new Holy Spirit moniker as well as embracing other spin-off movements, which included healing ministries and Pentecostal “experiences,” but when issue of “tongues” was recognized by Pentecostals as initial evidence of being Baptized in Holy Ghost, Holiness movement went its own way.

The American Holiness movement that started in middle 1800s continues to this day but has fractured into various denominations that cover globe.

Another important feature of American Holiness movement was number of major revivals that branched from its teachings and continued into 20th century. For example, Healing revivals of 1940s were rooted in Holiness movement. The 1940s healing revivals brought to prominence men like Evangelists Oral Roberts and TL Osborn. Also decade spawned other movements like Latter Rain movement and Salvation crusades such as Billy Graham Crusades. It seems that God linked revival movements together, sustaining second Great Awakening in America to end of 20th century.

If you remember, second Great Awakening started in midnight hour of 1700s, and continued through 19th and 20th century with pocket revivals, Holiness movement, and many other works of grace right up to end of 20th century.

The 1960s and 1970s were years of Charismatic Renewal, Jesus Movement, and Word of Faith Movement. Dr. Bill Hamon said recently, while being interviewed on TBN, that decade of 1950s was decade of Evangelist. The decade of 60s was restoration of Pastor. The decade of 70s was restoration of Teacher. The decade of 80s belonged to Prophets and 1990s Apostle. Now that Five-fold ministry has been restored to its place in Body, new millennium will see ministry of Saints. The laity will be equipped to do work of ministry.

I believe that God is raising up a united front of believers (no names) and bypassing solo ministers who try to go at it alone, for “Third Great Awakening.” This unified front is laity who will minister in large teams as one, for one purpose.

I believe they are being positioned now by Holy Spirit. The baton is being passed to a new generation of people who will walk under great anointing to preach gospel in “Third Great Awakening.”

Could third Great Awakening come in beginning of new millennium? It certainly could. The spiritual environment of America is ripe for it. In past, Awakenings came about as result of widespread spiritual complacency in nation. It appeared that God brought these great movements of past to ready men’s hearts for coming national tragedies (Revolutionary war, War of 1812, Civil War, WWI, WWII, and etc.). The 20th century was a century of evil and blood shed. It has been said that it was century of devil. There were two world wars, many smaller wars, ethnic cleanings in European nations, death and property destruction by race riots in America, an attempt to exterminate an entire race of people by Hitler, and much, much more evil.

No doubt about it, century we just left was a nightmare. But one must remember that God was not asleep during 20th century. He raised up a standard against satanic onslaught of 20th century. During this time, God brought forth some of greatest movements in history of church. For example, Evan Roberts in early 1900s cried out for revival in his country of Wales, and God heard him and sent a worldwide explosion. The revival that turned Wales upside down spread to America and was forerunner to Azusa outpouring in Los Angeles, California. From Azusa outpouring, revival spilled over America and to uttermost with Baptism in Holy Spirit.

You’ve heard saying that truth is stranger than fiction, but have you ever heard that all things are possible to God? I’m sure you have. And I’m sure that you believe it’s a true statement although it might sound like hyperbole. God does impossible to affirm that He is Sovereign. And because He is Omnipotent, America’s history is sometimes stranger than fiction.

How could a crew of English settlers who had no political ambitions and while living aboard a small ship called Mayflower write a document that would later seed a national democracy? How could a Native American by name of Squanto, who just happened to speak English, one-day show up and offer his assistance in teaching Pilgrims how to survive new world wilderness? These anomalies speak louder than mere coincidences because of national impact they had.

Yes, a greater Authority guided America in becoming a world power that has fed, ministered, and helped protect entire world at one time or another in its history. This invisible hand over America, which has led men to most unlikely places, is what I wish to speak to you about today.

The Westward Shift

America, America, truly God has poured His grace on you. Although colony of Jamestown, Virginia, was first English settlement in New World, it certainly didn’t have spiritual impact on nation that Pilgrims and Puritans had. Why? Jamestown was established with commerce in mind. They wanted wealth first and religion second. Not so with Pilgrims and Puritans, they wanted a new Israel, a new Jerusalem where faith in Jesus Christ and His eternal Word would rule throughout their land.

They struggled for this dream and many died, but their blood became seed that grew to become one nation under God. The Pilgrims actually made a covenant with God to establish His Kingdom in New World. Throughout America’s history in times of its darkest despair, God has remembered that covenant and pulled her up to live again. This is amazing and happened in some very unusual ways.

Up to time of Revolutionary War, Appalachian Mountains served as natural western boundary of colonial America, but with signing of Treaty of Paris in 1783 British ceded land north and west of Appalachians to America. It was rich and fertile land and enticed especially New England farmers who had worn out soil of their ancestors.

When Congress adopted Northwest Ordinance in 1787 which established government of Northwest Territory, states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota were soon to follow. Also some years earlier, Daniel Boone had crossed Cumberland Gap into Kentucky, and stories soon flowed east about virgin land with blue grass.

These land opportunities were just too good to pass up, and Americans caught westward fever. Many historians credit western expansion as most important thing in American history for shaping culture, society, and America’s fierce sense of rugged individualism. You either made it by sweat of your brow, toil of your hands, or you simply died out west.

What Kind of Religion

With America moving west, concern among eastern clergy was what would become of Christian heritage of America. Would American settlers scatter in vast wilderness, cutting themselves off from civilization, and become as heathen as savages whose land they were invading? This was a genuine concern, considering America had been built on Judeo-Christian beliefs. But that was not God’s fear. He had a plan and purpose for western movement, and it soon became apparent. An awakening was coming. It was coming in force and fury, and when it ended (if ever it did end), America would be stronger than ever in its faith in Jesus Christ. This is amazing in how it happened. It started in most unlikely place on face of earth. It started in Logan County Kentucky.

One of roughest counties in all Kentucky was Logan County, out in southwest corner. Technically, it was under United States law, even before Kentucky was admitted to Union in 1796. The trouble was that no one on frontier was designated to enforce law, with result that, as Congress would state, ‘the immunity which offenders experience attracts as to an asylum, most vile and abandoned criminals, and at same time deters useful and virtuous persons from making settlements in such society.’ If you were a horse thief, a robber, a murderer, or just real bad, you were probably in Logan County at this time. And from this very lot of bad bloods, God would later raise up a preacher, saved but just as fearless, to first fight them (literally fight them with his fists) and then win them to Jesus. Truly God works in mysterious ways.

In 1798 Reverend James McGready, a Scotch-Irish Presbyterian rode in to Logan County. With buckskin pants and plainspoken sermons, he was soon accepted by frontiersmen as one of one their own. God had raised up three small congregations located on three of rivers in Logan County, Muddy, Red, and Gasper. McGready asked his parishioners to sign a covenant, agreeing to pray every Saturday night and Sunday morning, devoting third Saturday evening and Sunday morning of each month to fasting and prayer.

Things seemed to get worse instead of better, but McGready encouraged saints to keep praying. Within a year revival began to break out. The records report that hardest and most vile sinners in community ‘covered their faces and wept bitterly.’ In June of 1800 at quarterly communion services at Red River church, more than 500 hundred people showed up having heard of earlier conversions. Some of these people had come from as far as 100 miles away from Logan County.