The Four Winds in Revival History Part 1
Welcome to a weekly blog from Dan Slade. The first one is on revival history. In this blog, we will take a deeper dive into the moves of God in the past and present and touch on the impact international leaders have had on these moves of God.
As believers, we are constantly exposed to the word or concept of revival. My purpose today is to introduce a concept that most revivals would somewhat fit into one of the "Four Winds" of God's ways in bringing awakening or revival to His people. Each of these four winds has a unique and distinct "Heavenly Revival personality" that can be measured and recognized as we look at characteristics of historical revivals.
The phrase "Four Winds" is taken from a conversation God initiated with the prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel 37:1-10. After Ezekiel's initial prophesying and assembling the dry bones together, God called for Ezekiel to take another step.
Ezekiel 37:8 says, “And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them.” The reality that the bones were assembled together bone to bone, including sinews and flesh, was not enough. There had to be breath in the assembly. So, Ezekiel was commanded to prophesy to the four winds and breathe on the slain so they could live (See Ez. 37:9). The four winds came, and the dead assembly became a mighty army (See Ez. 37:10).
What are these four winds? Briefly, to introduce them, in my understanding, they are:
East Wind (Exodus 10:12-17)
When the Lord wanted to confront Pharaoh and Egypt, He brought the east wind of redemptive correction, discipline, and conviction to them. The practical circumstances that resulted from this east wind turned Pharaoh's heart temporarily.
Isaiah 27:7-8 says, "Has He struck Israel as He struck those who struck him?... In measure by sending it away, You contended with it. He removes it by His rough wind in the DAY OF THE EAST WIND." An east wind is to uncover sin. It's a rough wind to remove carnality.
West Wind (Exodus 10:17-19)
A west wind is a comforting wind that removes the harshness and sting of the east wind. The west wind is a wind of grace, acceptance, the Father's love, and restoration. As Pharaoh repented from the stinging effects of the east wind, God, in His grace and mercy, sent a soothing west wind (See Exodus 10:19).
North Wind (Ezekiel 1:4-6.)
The North Wind is the atmosphere of heaven displayed and encountered in the human experience on the earth. This wind brings heavenly glory encounters, measured angelic activity, and unusual experiences to people touched by it. In Acts 2, there was an audible wind from heaven, and tongues of fire appeared on the disciples. There were manifestations of heavenly new wine drunkenness, which caused people to be either amazed, questioning, or mocking (See Acts 2:12-13). The north wind is often experienced in one of the five physical senses.
South Wind: Song of Solomon 4:16
When the north wind and south wind blew together, it produced fruit pleasant to the Bridegroom. This combination of winds speaks of the prepared harvest for the Lord of the harvest. This is a season of effective and measurable evangelism where the Spirit of God has prepared souls to be saved. There is a response of laborers to labor in the prepared harvest, and numbers of souls are added to the church.
This is a brief introduction to the ways of God in the four winds. Many of us as Christians are used to one of these particular winds and, at times, we have negative reactions when another wind of the personality of God blows. As stated at the beginning of this blog, most revivals have a degree of the distinctions of one of these winds.
In our next blog, we will look more specifically at the east wind, and try to identify historical revivals connected to it. In following blogs, we will then go through each wind and try to find the marks of those winds in revival history and why God chose that specific wind for that specific time.
Please join us for the journey!
Dan Slade
