The 1830s Revival in Hawaii
- Keith Thomas
- 6d
- 3 min read
In our daily 3-minute meditations on groupbiblestudy.com, we explore how the Spirit of God has moved powerfully in revival throughout history, and we trust these meditations will stir us to cry out in prayer for Him to visit us in similar ways today.
In 1835, Titus Coan arrived in Hawaii to share the gospel with the islanders. During his first tour, crowds from miles around came to hear him. Many listened with tears and refused to leave. The people gathered around him so eagerly that he had no time to eat. The Holy Spirit drew and profoundly touched people's hearts. In the places where he spent his nights, the houses filled up, leaving many outside. Everyone wanted to hear about Jesus. On the Sabbath day, on route to his preaching location, there was a line of four villages less than half a mile apart. Each village begged for a sermon before he could reach his scheduled preaching spot. Starting at daylight, he preached in three villages before breakfast at 10 am. Many were moved deeply by the sermon and wanted to get their lives right with God.
Within a short time, he was ministering to 15,000 people. Unable to reach everyone, they came to him and settled down for a two-year camp meeting. There was not an hour, day, or night when an audience of 2,000 to 6,000 would not respond to the sound of the bell for the next gospel message. There was trembling, weeping, sobbing, and loud crying for mercy—sometimes so loud that the preacher couldn't be heard, and in hundreds of cases, his listeners collapsed into swoons. Some would cry out, "The two-edged sword is cutting me to pieces." The wicked scoffer who came to ridicule the preaching dropped like a dog and cried, "God has struck me!" Once, while preaching in the open field to 2,000 people, a man cried out, "What must I do to be saved?" and prayed for God's mercy. Immediately, the entire congregation joined in the cry, asking for God's mercy too. For half an hour, Mr. Coan could not get a chance to speak but had to stand still and watch God work powerfully in the lives of those who came.[1]
Today, many have become so resigned to the evil spreading through our society that they think there is no hope and that we should wait for Jesus to return because what can we do? We can pray and cry out to the Lord; that's what we can do! One cannot plan to have a revival. It is entirely something that God does. Churches might call a series of meetings a revival, but it is a conference until God shows up in power. Only when the Lord visits can it truly be a revival. God's power is displayed over the human heart—often, it is an outpouring of grace over a territory or a country. In response to prayer, God usually prepares a specific person He uses. The revival continues as long as the person maintains a humble heart before God. God has used revivals like these to change the spiritual environment of entire cities and countries, bringing many into the kingdom.
I believe a move of the Holy Spirit is necessary today. The church is currently fighting against a dangerous wave of evil that threatens to overrun the world: “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19 KJV). If there has ever been a time for Holy Spirit revival, it is now. Where are the intercessors who will pray and cry out to God for what is needed? God will do His part if the church prays: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Often, we overlook the conditions of the Scripture above, especially the word "if" that begins the promise. We are to humble ourselves, pray, and examine ourselves in the light of God's righteousness to turn from all unrighteousness (confess our sins to God). Then, God will act by forgiving our sins and healing the land. If we fail to do these things, guess what? – We will not receive the blessing. Keith Thomas
These writings on revival are part of a series on the Holy Spirit's work through His people. It is found on the All Studies page. Scroll down until you come to Be Filled With the Spirit. Click on Holy Spirit Revival.
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