A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On

You can find the original post of this over at world revival network written by J.D. King


I recently received a highly critical email asking me about the responses of people in our televised revival services. Let me excerpt this email in part:


“I’ve gone to church all my life - 50 years. I had the misfortune of seeing your church service on television. I have never seen such a spectacle in all my life… The rock band screams out something less than coherent while people have what looks like seizures. It seems very concerted. Every third or fourth person is doing this seizure-like thing. Others fall on the ground and are covered by a green blanket. Where is all this in the scriptures?”


What I shared with this individual, I would like to share with you.

While some of the things that are happening in our services might seem unusual, they have precedent in the Bible and in church history. In the revivals of the past, people trembled in the presence of God. You can read about this in the written accounts of the Great Awakenings, the Welsh Revival, Azusa Street and others.

Yet, rather than focusing on history I would like to take a moment and look at Scripture. Throughout the Bible we discover that when people truly encounter God, they have strong reactions. The Lord’s strength and power is so mighty that people are often overpowered.

Moreover, there are a number of Bible passages where a strong response to the presence of God is shown.


The glory of God overwhelmed the priests as they served in the temple. “The cloud filled the temple of the LORD. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple.” (1 Kings 8:10-11)
Later, Ezekiel was literally overcome. “This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown” (Ezekiel 1:28).
In a similar manner, Daniel was overwhelmed in the presence of God. “ I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground. A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees” (Daniel 10:8-11).
When the unbelieving Romans were trying to take Jesus, they were overcome with His glory. “When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground” (John 18:6).
The Apostle Paul was struck to the ground in the glory of God. “Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’” (Acts 9:3-4)
John the Revelator was significantly impacted, like others in the scriptures. “His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw Him, I fell at his feet as though dead” (Revelation 1:16-17)
I understand that what is happening in our midst is different than what you are used to. Yet, different does not mean unscriptural.

When Jesus touches a heart, there is great joy and passion. His power literally overwhelms. While this might look strange to others, it makes perfect sense to the one experiencing it.

If you are not comfortable with what is happening in our midst, that is okay. I would just ask you to let us go on walking and leaping and praising God as best as we can.

Again, thank you for your concerns. We trust the Lord will continue to bless you and enable you to grow in His grace!