“And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd” (Mark 6:34)

A great multitude was precisely what was gathered at Washington DC on Sabbath (9-26-2020).

One hundred thousand people showed up at the Prayer March sponsored by Franklin Graham and the Return, an event focused on corporate revival and repentance.

Truly, it is not hard to understand why the Bible symbolizes people as waters when one is in the midst of such a crowd. There were persons from many different religious backgrounds and nationalities. Many were drawn by a sincere desire for a closer walk with God, and perhaps many more drawn by the excitement and emotional high accompanied by modern worship practices. However, one common sentiment seemed to pervade the entire scene—that this country has been going down a wrong track, and that much repentance and revival were needed if our country is to be saved from certain ruin.

Our Mission

In addition to drawing an enormous crowd, the events also drew much smaller ones, there for a very different purpose. Small bands of Seventh-Day Adventists, passionate about giving the last message of warning to a country where the wall between church and state is rapidly being eroded, were also gathered.

With weeks of strategic planning and large amounts of literature purchased and prepared, these Christian workers went to work. I personally traveled with fellow staff members at Red River Outpost to join a larger group that passed out a reprint of chapter 27 of the Great Controversy, “Modern Revivals”.

With a danger of false revival being mistaken for the true, the selection of this particular chapter seemed very timely. On Friday, the day before the event, we scouted out the area picking strategic points to distribute the booklets for maximum exposure.

As Sabbath neared, we gathered in a conference room at our hotel to sing, pray and train for the following morning. By 8:45, we had members of our group of a dozen or so stationed at each of the major thoroughfares for the Return traffic, such as bus drop offs and the metro station. Often, the only words we used as we approached people were, “Have you received your copy yet?”

I personally enjoyed presenting the booklets as “How to experience Biblical revival” or “How to tell true revival from the false.” We passed out the literature as fast as we could open our 25-count packs and grab more from our backpacks. Most of our group had each gone through an entire backpack full, around 400 booklets, in the first 15-20 minutes.

After an exhilarating, yet at times wearying pace for many hours, we were refreshed by some new help from the local area, just as the prayer march was well underway. At that point, we strategically shifted to adjust to the change of flow and the massive influx that the prayer march brought.

4 PM on Sabbath

By 4 pm, our group of little more than a dozen had distributed 25,000 Modern Revival pamphlets. Other groups present as well passed out more than 25,000 Great Controversies. I looked with great satisfaction at the crowds walking by with their little red or blue Great Controversy bag in their hands or holding one of the modern revival booklets, or both. I was amazed by the receptivity of the people. I asked one man if he had already gotten a MR booklet, and he said “yes”. He walked about 50 feet only to turn around, walk quickly back toward me and blurt out, “I realized it was something else I had gotten; I want one of those too.”

Stationed at a corner with two main-incoming directions where persons would come from the crosswalk when the light changed, my partner and I would prepare for groups of 20, 30 or 100 each time. Those at the Metro station experienced even higher traffic. I was so utterly amazed however, at how such a large number would walk out of their way to come over and make sure they got a MR, and how grateful they were to receive it.

Interactions With People

Occasionally, amidst the busy pace, I was able to visit with persons there for the March, in which I had some blessed as well as interesting experiences. I had multiple offers to receive prayer so that I would be able to speak in tongues and receive the gift of healing the sick, to which I tactfully declined.

As I mingled with three Christian men, who were convinced that God had sent me to them to share, a woman in her late fifties or so came up to us and stated, “I feel impressed that I should do a cartwheel in the spirit—don’t worry, you don’t have to do anything, just watch.” We watched as the lady did a very graceful cartwheel in front of us. The men I was speaking with seemed very open to the idea of cartwheels in the spirit. Once she went on to carry out her mission, with the men’s eyes seeking my approval for her heroic demonstration, I prayed for wisdom and merely stated that I was glad she was limber enough to do that at her age. Thus, in these happenings, I saw the battle between true and false revival taking place before my eyes.

While some other Christian groups were there and were passing out a small amount of literature, none came remotely close to the magnitude of the Seventh-Day Adventist groups represented. I personally was offered a Great Controversy some five times or so. There were some who remarked that they had been offered our pamphlet multiple times before (having passed by several of our stations) and said they hadn’t taken one as of yet, but now they would because it must be very important.

Though coming from different outreach groups, we made it a point to say to those who had received a Great Controversy that it was an excellent book and that they should read it. One of the young women in our group encountered two ladies, one of which had right before been sharing about a book she read in the past called The Great Controversy. Her friend really wanted one, but neither of them knew where to get one. The young lady in our group happily assisted them in each receiving a copy of the Great Controversy, grabbing a couple from the stock of a sister group.

With the cooperation of all the brethren working together, we accomplished much more. Along with this, the observation of how much effort was put in by our brethren compared to the other churches reinforced the pillar truth that we hold as a people—that this is God’s remnant church and that we have a distinct mission give to us that no other people can fulfill.

After the event, we all walked back to the hotel, spent some quiet time and then gathered together once again to share praises and testimonies as well as to pray for those who had received the literature. We had an enthusiastic and joyful time of sharing late into the evening.

Since then, we have been receiving responses from those who received the booklets via the website and contact information created specifically for this event.

Responses

“I received a booklet “Modern Revivals” during the Prayer March/The Return. I see CapitolRevival.org and believe you published it. I was wondering how I can order copies to share with others. I’m thinking about doing a small group ministry focusing on Revival and using the videos from Saturday with this booklet to focus on repentance and revival. Please let me know if I can order the booklets and the cost. Thank you”

After assuring her that we would be happy to send her more, she replied,

“FABULOUS” What is the cost? I’m happy to pay for them. I really appreciate the concise way this booklet is written, all truth, no tap dancing. I can’t wait to share it with others!!!

Another wrote,

“I received this mini book in Washington DC this weekend and passed it on, but wanted to see if I could get another one, Modern Revival.”

We may wonder at times if they people will really read and appreciate the literature we pass out, but these above experiences and the many more I, others, and perhaps you as well have witnessed testify that these truths and messages are not outdated, expired, or irrelevant, but more timely, living, and powerful than ever.

The enemy is on the move inciting false revival efforts. As observed during the weekend, he is persuading men that the only way to achieve that revival in Christianity is through the means of state and government.

The signs of the times are rapidly fulfilling before us. There are people out there that are looking for answers that may be lying dormant in our hearts and gathering dust on our bookshelves. The Bible tells us that “the children of Issachar… were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” 1 Chronicles 12:32.

Friend, have you sought the Lord to receive the understanding of the times so that you will know what you ought to do?