Posts tagged Reformation Day
October 31st: A Catalytic day for Reformation and Revival
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by Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D.

The Shift is now

Did you know that October 31 is a day of Reformation, Revival, and Destiny? Contrary to popular views, October 31st is not the “day of the devil.” It is God’s day full of inheritance where He birthed two major Reformation and Revival movements that are still impacting us today, hundreds of years later. There is great momentum for us to step into on this significant day in revival history. October 31st is a time for revolutionary shifts to happen. It is a day pregnant with world-changing movements waiting to be catalyzed as we fiercely follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, even in unusual ways. It is a day of religious freedom and of freedom from the religious spirit. It is a day when God is waiting for His yielded lovers to pursue His heart with reckless abandonment.

Halloween Roots

It is interesting that even in secular tradition, many believe that October 31st is the time when the physical and spiritual worlds are the closest, when heaven invades earth in a greater measure than on other days. This was also a time of celebrating the end of harvest and the beginning of winter. In the year 609, Pope Gregory III introduced May 13 as a Catholic holiday to honor saints and martyrs who came before. This was called All Saints' or All Hallows Day. In 835, the date was changed to Nov. 1, the same day as the Samhain, which was an Ancient Celtic pagan festival initiating summer's end. The evening before “All Hallows Day” became known as All Hallows' Eve, which was later changed to Halloween. Even more importantly, this day was set apart from Heaven as the day God wanted to catalyze significant Reformation and Revival movements.

Reformation

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther (1483-1546) posted his 95 Theses on Wittenberg Church door which lit a flame that reformed the Christianity of his day, breaking people out of religious cycles that had entrapped them for hundreds of years.

His 95 Theses were then translated into German, printed on the newly invented Gutenberg printing press, and then quickly began to spread. Originally, this was simply an act of inviting people to debate over these issues within the Catholic Church, rather than a rebuke against the pope. However, God breathed on his declaration for justice and it served to be the catalyst to set things in motion for the Protestant Reformation.

Welsh Revival

Nearly 400 years later on this same date in history, a spark for the Welsh Revival was ignited. On October 31, 1904, Evan Roberts (1878-1951) followed the leading of the Holy Spirit back to his hometown to conduct a catalytic meeting where 17 confessed Christ. He realized at that time that the revival he had been praying his whole life for had arrived. Less than four months later, over 80,000 people were saved and the nation of Wales experienced a powerful revival. From Wales, the revival began to spread to cities in England, Scotland, and Ireland and then around the world.

The revival was also a precursor and believed to be a catalyst for future Holy Spirit movements like the Azusa Street Revival. Frank Bartleman, who participated in and scribed the happenings of the Azusa Street Revival, asked Roberts to pray that a revival fire similar to the Welsh Revival would break out in Los Angeles. The Azusa Street Revival exploded to the scene not long after this in 1906 contributing to the influence of Pentecostalism around the globe.

Momentum of the Ages

The Protestant Reformation transformed a religious system and freed people to worship God in spirit and in truth. The Welsh Revival ignited a flame that inspired and gave birth to future Holy Spirit movements. October 31 is pregnant with potential to once again be a powerful day of ignition for reformation and revival. There is an inheritance waiting to be tapped into for those who are brave enough to step out in faith to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit on this special date in history. There is a deep well of revival to be accessed on October 31st, filled with fresh flames waiting to be ignited and spread around the world.

The momentum has already begun. Martin Luther, the Moravians, John Wesley, Evan Roberts and many others have already paved the way for us to walk in great freedom today. This is not a new wave of revival but one that has been building for generations. There is great momentum toward a new billion-soul harvest, another great awakening, and new wave of revival on the horizon. And in fact, I believe it has already begun and is all around us for those who have eyes to see.

What are we going to do today with the ground already gained on our behalf? How will we position ourselves to build upon the momentum that has gone before us? What further ground needs to be taken to advance God’s Kingdom in our generation today so that it will set things in motion for the next 500 years ahead? We are in a historic shift. God is calling us to a new level of holiness, consecration, connection, surrender, and possession of the Holy Spirit. This is necessary so that this upcoming wave of revival will not crush us. It’s time to walk in purity, passion, and total obedience so that when the swell comes, we are positioned to ride the biggest wave of revival this world has ever seen!

Activating the Anointing in October 31st through Worship

Since 2012, the Destiny House tribe of worshippers has hosted an encounter night each year on Halloween to tap into the deep wells of revival, seek God for an even greater Reformation in our day, and worship Him with all of our strength. Last year there were celebrations in Redding, CA, in Australia, and in Maui, Hawaii where we gathered together to worship and proclaim the name of Jesus. We have seen people radically encountered by the presence and power of God in these meetings where they were marked for life in His presence. We will also be doing this together this year in 2020 around the world with the School of Revival family. Learn more on how to join us here.

Wherever you are in the world, I encourage you too, to gather with friends this October 31st to share Holy Ghost stories, pray and worship together on this significant day in revival history. Let’s gather together with one agenda, simply to worship Jesus and lift up His name on high. Together, we can tap into what God wants to do in our day by giving Him higher praise. Let's take back this significant day in history by releasing the fragrance of worship that pleases the heart of God, causing the darkness to tremble.

Send the Spirit Now

Evan Roberts sent on a prayer ahead of him to the children in the towns he was going to visit. When the children prayed this prayer, revival broke out before he even arrived to the scene. As you pray this catalytic prayer and take risks to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit into new territories, may you see the Holy Spirit move in greater ways than ever before.

Send the Spirit now, for Jesus Christ's sake.

Send the Spirit now powerfully, for Jesus Christ's sake.

Send the Spirit now more powerfully, for Jesus Christ's sake.

Send the Spirit now still more powerfully, for Jesus Christ's sake. 

Join us for one of our upcoming School of Revival modules

To go more in depth on significance of what happened on this day in history, see

*As a disclaimer, we also want to recognize and honor our Catholic brothers and sisters today and celebrate the whole Body of Christ as we move forward together, hand in hand to see God’s Kingdom come here on earth in our day.

Jennifer MiskovHalloween, October 31, Reformation Day, Welsh Revival, Evan Roberts, Martin Luther, Destiny House
How October 31st is a Catalytic Day for Reformation, Revival, and Destiny
How October 31st is a Catalytic Day for Reformation, Revival, and Destiny

By Jennifer A. Miskov, PhD

October 31st, A Day Pregnant with Destiny

October 31st is pregnant with world changing opportunities to be catalyzed as we fiercely decide to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit even in unusual ways.

In my personal research, I recently discovered that there is rich redemption hidden in this date in history that we can pull from. October 31st is a powerful date in revival history that was catalytic for Reformation and Revival movements.  On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther lit a flame that reformed the Christianity of his day, breaking people out of religious cycles that had entrapped them for hundreds of years. Nearly 200 years later in 1904, this date was an important spark for the Welsh Revival. The revival’s primary leader, Evan Roberts, followed the leading of the Holy Spirit back to his hometown to conduct a catalytic meeting this very day. This day was also significant in 1918 in the life of Aimee Semple McPherson. She was 28 years old at the time and on her journey to the land of her destiny when she got to meet healing evangelist Mariah Woodworth-Etter in Indianapolis.[1]

In light of the wells of revival that emerged, there is something about how we respond immediately to the leading of the Spirit on this day that has the potential to impact not only our generation but generations to come. There is freedom from religious bondage and the breaking of generational curses. Do not be afraid to face opposing spirits head on. There is victory as we walk through the fire and through our fears (Isaiah 43). October 31st is a day to step into brave communication with others, to confront injustices around us, to no longer partner with lies that once held us back, and to declare truth all around us.

It is a day of religious freedom and freedom from the religious spirit. It is also a day that is waiting to be set aflame with the fire of God. It is a day to hunger and seek after God with everything inside of us, to take risks, to step out of our comfort zones and to push the envelope just a little more. It is a day of stepping out in faith into the unknown, following even the smallest sign of the Holy Spirit wherever that might lead. It is a day of being led by the Spirit and by our hearts immediately. It is not a time to process and think over decisions and weigh them. It is a day to take action immediately and to act on the whispers of God in the moment as we align ourselves with Heaven’s best. It is a shift into a new season. It is a time where dreams come true, where significant life-giving connections for our destiny will be released. It is a day when one generation rises up in the midst of those who came before in order to run alongside them.

October 31st is a day of breakthrough and of revolution. It is a day of new paradigms being released, where old wine skins are challenged and abolished and where new wine skins are filled to overflowing with the wine from Heaven. Be sharply in tune with the Holy Spirit October 31st and don’t hesitate on responding to His impulses. There are significant parts of our destiny that will be catalyzed and released this day that have the potential to not only impact the rest of our lives but also impact those around us for generations to come.

Halloween Roots

Let me give you a little background on this special date in history. Halloween is an interesting holiday that I never thought much about until I recently discovered the significance of the date it falls on. Originating in the early Middle Ages with roots in an Ancient Celtic pagan festival of Samhain (summer’s end), some believe that this is the time when the physical and spiritual world’s are the closest. October 31st is also a celebration of the end of harvest and beginning of winter. In the year 609, Pope Gregory III introduced May 13 as a Catholic holiday to honor saints and martyrs. This was called All Saints’ or All Hallows Day. In 835, the date was changed to November 1, the same day as the Samhain. The evening before “All Hallows Day” became known as All Hallows’ Eve which was later changed to Halloween. I love that in tradition, this day is believed to be one where Heaven invades earth in a greater measure than other days. It is also a day to honor saints and those who have come before which is what we will now do.

Reformation (1517)

Even though he was mid-semester at law school in a nearby town, Martin Luther (1483-1546) decided to journey home to visit his family. It was on July 2, 1505 when he got caught in a thunder storm and nearly was hit by a bolt of lightning. Fearful of his life, he called out, “Help me, St. Anne. I will become a monk!”[2] His life was spared. Two weeks later, true to his word, he joined the Augustinian order. In November 1510 - April 1511, he journeyed to Rome and was disillusioned by the hypocrisy going on within the Catholic Church. This seed of discontent with the church would later grow. In 1512, Luther received his doctorate and then moved to Wittenberg to become a theology professor. In 1515 when he studied Romans 1:17, he understood that he was justified by faith. For the first time he began to realize his freedom and salvation in Christ in a whole new way. He gave lectures to his students on Romans from April 1515 - September 1516.

About a year later, Dominican priest Johann Tetzel came to his town to sell indulgences. Luther was outraged at his approach and disagreed with certain premises behind this in a similar way that Jesus was upset by the way the people were selling items in the temple courts of the Lord. The same night Fredrick the Wise was due to offer indulgences on All Saints Day on October 31, 1517, Luther posted his 95 Theses (also known as the Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences) written in Latin on Castle Church door. These were translated into German, printed on the newly invented Gutenberg printing press, then quickly spread. Originally, this was an act of inviting people to debate over these issues within the Catholic Church. Luther’s 95 Theses were not initially intended to be a refined amendment to the pope. However, God breathed on his declaration for justice and it served to be the catalyst to set things in motion for the Protestant Reformation which freed people from the religious spirit at the time.

Catalytic Fire in the Welsh Revival (1904)

On October 29, 1904, both Evan Roberts (1878-1951) and his friend Sidney Evans had a vision of an arm stretched out from the moon towards them. They believed this was a sign that revival was coming to Wales. Roberts was then stirred to believe God for 100,000 souls to be saved.[3] On October 30, 1904, Roberts got caught up in a vision when he heard a preacher speak on the text, “Father, the hour is come.” His body shook and all he could see was the people of his hometown sitting and waiting for someone to speak to them. He felt this was God calling him to go to them. When he finally yielded, he felt the light of the glory of God fill the whole chapel in a marvelous way.

The next day on Monday October 31, Roberts immediately responded to the leading of the Holy Spirit and left for Loughor by train. He originally only planned to be in his hometown for a week. While on the train, he also wrote a sermon and practiced preaching it to the other passengers. The same night he arrived home, he was able to arrange a small meeting following a main session. There were 17 people present (16 adults and 1 little girl) at this first meeting. After much encouragement from Roberts, the reserved Welsh all stood up and publicly confessed Christ. He continued to lead meetings in his hometown each night at nearby churches and saw a total of 65 conversions that week.

Some of the meetings in the early weeks of the revival started at 7:00 p.m. and continued on without any breaks until 4:30 a.m. the next morning. As these meetings continued and testimonies were released, increasing numbers of people began to confess Christ. While there were already a few pockets of revival breaking out in Wales, especially in New Quay, after Roberts released the Holy Spirit flame in Loughor, in just two months (from November 8 to December 31, 1904), there were over 34,000 conversions recorded. Two months after that, by February 28, 1905, there were over 84,000 conversions recorded. That is an average of over 5,000 conversions a week! From Wales, the revival began to spread to scattered cities in England, Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man. It also spread as far as New Zealand, Madagascar, India, North America, Mexico, Australia, and several countries within Europe, Asia, and Africa. The revival was also a pre-cursor and believed to be a catalyst for future Holy Spirit movements like the Azusa Street Revival.

There was great cultural transformation as the revival spread. Shops closed down early so the workers could get a seat at the revival meetings. Bibles flew off the shelves in bookstores. Longstanding debts were paid off, drunkenness and crime drastically declined, and relationships were reconciled. Some people characterized the movement “by the most remarkable confession of sin, confessions that must be costly.” The mining workhorses did not know how to respond to the absence of profanity and abuse they were so accustomed to. The revival even spilled into places of leisure. One night at a football game, the whole crowd broke out singing one of the revival worship songs.

This was truly a revival founded on cultivating God’s presence. Transformation was released as a result of people worshipping God. The spontaneous flow of the Holy Spirit in worship, testimony, and prayer was the rhythm of the Welsh Revival. It was a revival led by the Holy Spirit, the conductor to a symphony of surrendered hearts.

Redemption

The Protestant Reformation transformed a religious system and freed people to worship God in spirit and in truth. The Welsh Revival ignited a flame that inspired and gave birth to future Holy Spirit movements. October 31st is pregnant with potential to once again be a powerful day of ignition for reformation and revival movements. There is an inheritance waiting to be tapped into for those who are brave enough to step out in faith to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit on this special date in history. October 31st is an anointed day, filled with opportunities for new revival flames to be ignited and spread around the world.

Evan Roberts asked that the children in the towns he was going to visit would learn and pray the following prayer to prepare for the revival.

I encourage you to pray this out loud as a declaration over your life today. As you pray this catalytic prayer again today and take risks to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit into new territories, may you see the Holy Spirit move in greater power than ever before.

Send the Spirit now, for Jesus Christ's sake

Send the Spirit now powerfully, for Jesus Christ's sake

Send the Spirit now more powerfully for Jesus Christ's sake

Send the Spirit now still more powerfully for Jesus Christ's sake

-Evan Roberts 1904

To Learn More

Watch Jen share about the Welsh Revival.

Listen to Jen share about the significance of this day at a Destiny House meeting on October 31, 2013.

Read Jen's article on Charisma Magazine

*Destiny House community does a worship night each year on or around this day, releasing further testimonies to shift and redeem this day back into the kingdom. Wherever you are, feel free to join together in the same spirit by doing a meeting in your city with friends and family to share Holy Ghost stories, pray, and worship on this significant day in revival history. Please send us any testimonies from what happens this day or as a result of reading this article to info@silvertogold.com.

The following artwork was released by Jenny Schoensiegel October 31st, 2013 at one of our Reformation Day events at Destiny House.

On October 31, 2015, we launched Jen's book Writing in the Glory: Living from Your Heart to Release a Book that will Impact the World so that we could pull from the wells of Reformation and Welsh Revival glory and sow that revival fire into this catalytic project as we launched revivalist writers around the world. We had a great time October 31st together at Destiny House worshipping and tapping into such deep wells together as we sought God for an even greater Reformation and Love Revolution to arise in our day.

On October 31, 2018, our Destiny House family around the world hosted a worship night in Redding, CA, in Maui, and one in Australia.

Footnotes

[1] Wayne Warner, Maria Woodworth-Etter: For Such a Time as This (Gainsville, FL: Bridge-Logos, 2004), 316-317 and Edith L. Blumhofer, Aimee Semple McPherson: Everybody's Sister (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1993. reprinted 1998), 140. [2] Roberts Liardon, God’s Generals: The Roaring Reformers (New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 2003), 122. [3] Much of the section on Evan Roberts comes from Defining Moments by Bill Johnson and Jennifer A. Miskov (New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 2016).

Jennifer MiskovDestiny House, Silver to Gold, Welsh Revival, Evan Roberts, Halloween, October 31, Reformation Day, Martin Luther Comments