The Moravian Revival was one event that changed the world, probably on a scale of that similar to the Protestant Reformation.  It started in 1727 in what is known today as the Czech Republic, which was then part of Germany.  It is interesting that Germany was the birthplace of the Reformation in the 1500’s under the leadership of Martin Luther against the corruption in the church. Then 200 years later, as mentioned, another burst of light came out of Germany, known in history as the Moravian Revival.  Bible-believing Christians were still suffering intense persecution from the effects of the Reformation.  The Catholic Church gave severe penalties and punishments to anyone leaving the mother church and joining the Reformation movement.  However, the masses were discovering this amazing truth the Lord Jesus Christ had expressed 1500 years before in John 8:32, setting them free from oppression: And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Jesus made this statement to people trapped in a corrupt Jewish religion called Judaism.  The worst and most violent enemies of true Christianity are usually religious systems.  I want to make it clear that all religions that stop following pure Biblical truth and Biblical practices become corrupt and worthless in one generation.  Every denomination is guilty of apostasy.  The main reason there are so many denominations is because there is a remnant in every generation who desire to get back to Biblical Christianity and separate from mainline religions and call themselves something different.  Often the group that splits off, if it doesn’t experience revival, doesn’t do much better than the group they left. Revival is the only cure for a contaminated Christian religion. Without revival the church is doomed to failure.   

The starting place of the Moravian Revival was Herrnhut, Germany, and the person who had the biggest influence in starting it and for leading it forward was Count Nicolaus Zinzendorf.  Every historic revival has had a leader who sees the need and is willing to pay the price for God to grant a fresh outpouring of grace. The book of Acts records that the church was born with this type of power and blessing that changed the world. Also recorded were the people associated with what was going on. Acts 4:33: And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.  Another scripture that gives a report or perspective on what was happening to cities and communities during that time is Acts 17:6: And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down  are come here also; Acts 19:20:  So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.  We for certain cannot say the church is turning the world upside down today.  And we cannot say the word of God is growing and prevailing.  

Count Zinzendorf was a wealthy man who was also a devoted servant of Christ. He really wanted to use his properties in Germany to help persecuted Christians fleeing the wrath of the Catholic Church to find refuge.  His vision was to have all persecuted Christians from various denominations like Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Moravians, and others to find refuge and freedom to worship together in his little village.  There were about 220 people living on his property and in the village at the time, about 87 of them being children.   However, he was crushed with discouragement when he continually heard of arguments and divisions among the different groups trying to defend their different tenants of denominational doctrine, and it grieved Zinzendorf deeply. He drew up a sort of peace treaty to be read and signed by all the refugees living on his property called the Brethren Agreement.  One of the tenants of the agreement was an effort to maintain unity and a renewed effort to pray together.  One fact of revival that I have learned through my studies is that revival is birthed in unity and that revival itself produces unity.  The only unity that works is revival-produced unity. The Holy Spirit does a heart melting work in the hearts of men, women and children that produces love, forgiveness and unity.   I have talked with people who have personally witnessed true revival and they say it is amazing.  One does not want to leave a revival service; they want it to continue.  And they will pay the price for it to happen.  

The 220 people of Herrnhut began to hold prayer meetings that were different from any prayer meetings they had experienced before.  God, you see, was in the process of birthing another great movement of revived Christianity that was going to change the world.  Could it be that God is now in our generation preparing people and a broken world for another outpouring of grace and power that will again change our world before he comes again?  I think it very likely is the case.  I know one thing: we have the multitude of people in our generation who could care less about God or their own soul and are headed to hell.  The only thing that will awaken them is a revival like the one that happened in Herrnhut in 1727.   

On July 16, 1727, the people of Herrnhut gathered for prayer. They had begun to understand that God wanted them to humble themselves in prayer more than arguing about who was more correct on a denominational doctrine.  Count Zinzendorf had spent significant time going from house to house teaching about prayer and praying together with the numerous families.  The spirit of prayer began to catch and spread throughout the community.  On August 5, Zinzendorf and about 15 others spent the entire night in prayer to God for an outpouring of his grace and power.  It was said there was much emotion expressed in tears and sobbing during the night as the small group prayed.  The formula they were following is explained in the book of James:

 James 4:6: But he gives more grace. Wherefore he says, God resists the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

 James 4:7: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 

James 4:8: Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 

James 4:9: Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.  

The above scripture describes what the 220 in Herrnhut were experiencing and putting into practice. Their efforts for the cause of revival were about to pay off in an exceedingly abundant way.  On August 6, an eleven year-old girl, Suzanne Kuhnel, who had spent three days in prayer, who had experienced a real touch of God, began to share with other youth how God was so real to her through the working of the Holy Spirit in her life.  These youth joined her in prayer and sought a Holy Spirit experience.   

In a large part the Moravian revival can be attributed to the prayers and involvement of the youth and Count Zinzendorf. The revival actually began on August 10 as the pastor of the church in the Herrnhut community, Pastor Rothe, shared his personal testimony: While Pastor Rothe was holding the meeting at Herrnhut, he felt himself overwhelmed by a wonderful and irresistible power of the Lord, and sank down into the dust before God, and with him sank down the whole assembled congregation, in an ecstasy of feeling. In this frame of mind, they continued till midnight engaged in prayer and singing, weeping and supplication. 

To be continued……..

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The content of this article is solely the personal opinions of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Prince Albert Shopper.