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Jeremiah 3:15ff, marks of true revival

Jeremiah's first prophecy of the new covenant comes in chapter three:

"'And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. And when you have multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, declares the LORD, they shall no more say, "The ark of the covenant of the LORD." It shall not come to mind or be remembered or missed; it shall not be made again. At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the LORD, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart. In those days the house of Judah shall join the house of Israel, and together they shall come from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers for a heritage. (Jeremiah 3:15-18 ESV)

I think there will be a literal fulfillment of these conditions in the millennial reign of Christ, and it certainly foreshadows the new heavens and new earth. But it strikes me that these same characteristics are true of the revivals that God sends us in the church age:

  • A return to clear and powerful exposition of God's word which will truly feed his people. There will be a hunger for truth and understanding, and for godly leadership.
  • The presence of the Lord will be sensed in a way that is different from the old covenant or past ceremonial forms. The living Lord Jesus Christ is far better than a return to past forms of worship. (Interesting: Jeremiah notes that there will be a day when the ark of the covenant will be removed.)
  • The throne of God (his kingdom) will be established in the hearts of his people. There will be a true desire to follow the Lord rather than the evil bent of our hearts.
  • The nations (all people groups) will notice and be attracted when such a work goes on in the church. The presence of the Lord will be sensed and will attract all kinds of people to it. Evangelism will take place with power.
  • There will be a breaking down of old divisions. The walls which separate people will come down and we will recognize our true oneness in Christ.
The question here: is this true of our church today? Should we not pray for this?
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