This Is the “Lazarus Hour” for America:
A Generous Paraphrase of John 11:1-44
David Bryant
Hearing the reports of the intense political, moral, relational, and spiritual convulsions among God’s people in my country, I said, “Lord Jesus, the American Church seems to be nearing its demise.”
But he replied, “This current sickness will not end in the death of my reigning, redeeming purposes to and through my people in this nation. On the contrary, this moment is ordained for God’s glory so that as God’s Son, I may be glorified through their restoration and healing.”
Cautiously, I responded to him. “Frankly, much of it already looks dead for all intents and purposes.”
But Jesus said to me, “No, no, no. It’s true that generally the Church in America has fallen asleep, but I am getting ready to wake it up! I am glad I did not immediately step in to do so because when you see what I am about to do, you may believe in me and all that I am more than ever.”
“But now, let’s go. I am going forth to do what needs to be done.”
I, however, along with many of his other faithful followers who have been praying for an awakening to Christ for decades, responded: “If you had acted sooner, your people in this land would not be facing the frightful condition they find in themselves right now. Still, I know that even now, Lord Jesus, the Father will bring to pass whatever you ask from him that can raise the American Church from its spiritual coma.”
Others chimed in. “We know that in the Consummation—in the Final Revival—the entire Church of all the ages in heaven and on earth will be made wholly alive in you and to you forever. But what about now? Can we ever hope to experience even a taste of that now?”
Jesus responded, “I am the Final Revival—not far off but here and now. I am the ‘great awakening’ the Church in America needs, standing here before you—not far off but here and now!”
Then, he looked at me and said, “David, simply trust in me at this moment of the seeming demise of my Body in your nation, as so many Christians have been co-opted for other luminaries and causes. You will see me transform this tragedy into a day of resurrection and new life—life from the dead experienced throughout the churches in this land—everything from me, through me, in me, and for me. It will mean resurrection for the entire nation, as a result.”
Suddenly, a grand chorus went up from all who have been seeking God’s face over many years for the awakening and reclamation of the American Church.
“We know for sure that you are the Messiah! We know you are the one anointed by God to reign in heaven and earth, to fulfill all the promises of God, and to advance the Kingdom of God in our generation. We know you are the Son of God, who has come into the world for such a miracle as this. We know you are the answer to all our prayers for this nation and for the Church in this nation. We know that you and you alone are the one who can fix it!”
Next, Jesus took a hard look across the landscape at the multitude of Christians in our nation who are in a deadly sleep to him—to all he is as reigning Lord today and to his saving purposes for their nation at this hour.
As he pondered the depth of our deadness, he wept for us.
Aware of this, many of his followers said, “Look how much he loves the Church in America.”
But others, regarding the corpse-like nature of the Church’s impact for Christ upon our nation, despaired and said, “This situation has been like this for far too long to ever be reversed. The situation is hopeless!”
But Jesus said to all of us, “Get out of the way. Roll back all your fears and unbelief. Did I not tell you that if you trust me in this matter, you will see the glory and power of God manifested through me without delay?”
Then, I heard the Savior pray this most unusual prayer as he looked to the Throne of Heaven:
“Father, I thank you that you have been totally aware of all that has just transpired. As I now intercede for the resurrection of the American Church in order to fulfill its divine mission for a nation at the brink, I do so knowing that you always hear me. But I’m praying for this out loud in front of David and the others for their benefit.
“Father, I want them to know that the God-given moral and spiritual revolution that is about to unfold is all about this one thing: You are returning your people in America to embrace much wider and fuller implications of my supremacy in their lives and in their nation. Cause the Church across this land to recognize that the coming transformative awakening to me and all that I am is a part of how you are already actively summing up everything in heaven and on earth around me as Lord and Redeemer of all.”
When he had said this, Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
“Body of Christ in America,
awake to me! Arise to me!
Come forth to me! Come alive to me!”
awake to me! Arise to me!
Come forth to me! Come alive to me!”
Despite their deathly slumber, God’s people here awakened to an overwhelming flood of the light of Jesus’ glory and grace and greatness.
I watched as the whole Church in our nation became wholly alive to the whole vision of the whole Christ and to the whole extent of his Kingdom purposes. It was amazing! It was truly a “Christ Awakening.”
However, Jesus said, “The churches everywhere are still wrapped and restrained with the rags of a self-serving religion, with internal divisions, acrimonious polarizations, defiant politicizations, and their idolatrous trust in sinful, finite, fallible leaders and institutions instead of me alone.
“But I AM the Savior of the world, the Victor over death, the Head of God’s kingdom, the Ruler of the nations, the Lamb on the throne, the Heir of creation, the King of the Ages, and the Friend of sinners—the one and only Lord Jesus Christ!”
Then, Jesus said to me and to Christians from sea to sea, “The time has come for all of you who belong to me to help one another take off all those grave clothes you’ve worn so long! Then together, you can go forth and, by following me, become the force of spiritual reclamation America desperately needs before it is too late.”
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Hallelujah! I, for one, intend to give myself wholeheartedly to this holy endeavor for the glory of my Master for such a time as this.
Will you join me?
Hebrews 12:1-3
(AMPC, emphasis added)
[Let] us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,
Looking away [from all that will distract] to JESUS, who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection] …
Just think of Him ….
About the Author
Over the past 50 years, David Bryant has been defined by many as a “messenger of hope” and a “Christ proclaimer” to the Church throughout the world. Formerly a minister-at-large with the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, president of Concerts of Prayer International (COPI), and chairman of America’s National Prayer Committee, David now provides leadership to ChristNow.com and Proclaim Hope!, whose mission is to inspire, equip, and serve an “American CHRIST Awakening.” Download his widely read ebooks at ChristNow.com. Enjoy hundreds of his podcast episodes. Meet with David through Zoom or by in-person events through David Bryant LIVE! Learn much more about David and his mission here.
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