Divine visitations, why do they happen and how do they happen? I said in a previous post that major revivals are always preceded by major repentance, not just tears, but lifestyle changes. Major corporate repentance is one of the initiators of an outpouring, but that degree of repentance is released through the conviction of the Holy Spirit upon His people.
The Spirit of God sometimes randomly initiates an outpouring but mostly, He responds to us. Like so many other things, God has placed them in our hands to initiate.
Since mankind was first created, God has visited through angels, prophets and an occasional theophany, that is an appearance of the pre-incarnate Jesus. Before He came to earth, he was present in the heavenlies, but sometimes visited to earth. Probably to Abraham and Sarah as well as others.
God chooses certain seasons to actively visit both Christians and sometimes non Christians as well.
Another time is when the cup of sin is full, for example in Joel 1:5, Israel was cut off by sin and rebellion and their joy had been taken from this by that sin.
The first chapter of Joel implores his people to repent and to mourn for the loss of their Gods’ presence, they were told by the prophet to wait in Gods’ house, to fast as a group and to cry out to God. Their healing would be based on their full repentance.
God also visits when there is a sovereign change of season. Especially to the humble with a heart that is open to him.
He sent His angels to the shepherds watching their sheep on the lonely mountains, did the angels only go to them, or could others have seen them if they were looking up at night? We don’t know for sure, but I feel that perhaps all who were looking at the sky that night, and had this attitude, may have seen them too.
He sent angels to the virgin Mary, the vessel chosen to birth the Messiah Jesus, also to Joseph her espoused husband, to her cousin Elizabeth, miraculously pregnant also with a baby who would baptise the Lord Jesus and hand his mantle on to Jesus, saying “I must decrease, but he must increase”. John helped change the season!
Angels also spoke to Elizabeths’ husband the priest Zaccharius, and struck him dumb for his unbelief.
We also see this in the book of Acts where the mourning disciples of Jesus waited obediently for the promised power of the Holy Spirit. As promised, God swept in, and tongues of powerful fire fell on them. They were filled to overflowing with his presence, spoke in heavenly tongues, and also earthly tongues which they did not know, and given His strength and power to share the gospel to the whole world.
Those who love Jesus are now waiting for His ultimate visitation, appearing in the clouds and standing with his feet upon Jerusalem.
Those who have not met Jesus but perhaps believe and hope for the first visit of their messaiah, not having recognised Him when He came to Jerusalem, can also feel the power of His Spirit preparing us all with conviction of our sin and also of the truth that Jesus the Christ is our messiah and will save all His people from their sins if they truly repent.
Those who have never had a religious faith also, at this time can feel the effects of His presence, and cry out to be saved. God will grant all the power to repent if they ask for it.
While we wait for this season to be finalised by God, He is outpouring His presence in places and ways that are sovereign, the whole earth WILL BE FILLED WITH HIS GLORY.