Book Review: Holy Spirit Revelation & Revolution

I’ve just finished reading a fantastic book (for the second time) that I would highly recommend to anyone who has a hunger for the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives.  I read it straight through in two sittings and found it nearly impossible to stop.  Around the 11th or 12th chapter my spirit was so full, I felt like I would burst.  I just had to put the book down and open up the prayer valve to let off some steam.  It is more than intellect to intellect writing, but it felt to me like spirit to spirit impartation.  The book is “HOLY SPIRIT revelation & revolution“, by Reinhard Bonnke.  I have included a couple of excerpts below that I thought were especially poignant.  If you would like to get your own copy of the book I have included a link to the publishers webpage: CLICK HERE

“If we could make ourselves so good that we deserved the Holy Spirit, we would not need him.” (pg. 21)

“We are called to pick up the Elijah mantle, but our Elijah is Christ Jesus.” (pg.21)

“A Jesus who does not baptize in the Holy Spirit and fire is not truly the Bible Jesus” (pg. 40)

“It would be hard to find a line of Scripture on which to buld a doctrine of a silent God.  It is not at all the Bible picture.  People called on God because that is how they knew him – a God who can be heard.  A silent heaven is frightening: ‘If you remain silent, I will be like  those who have gone down to the pit,’ the Psalmist cried (Psalm 28:1)…In 1 Corinthians, Paul also contrasts ‘dumb idols’ (1 Corinthians 12:2) witht he vocal gifts of the Spirit, tongues, prophecy, and interpretation, the word of knowledge, and the word of wisdom.  These utterances are God’s gifts, typical of God who speaks.” (pg. 59)

“Human nature is not passionless.  Modern civilization tames us, cages us, and forbids us to roar.  It produces the urban man, mild, drab, and controlled:  Mr. Smith on the 8.20 to town.  The loss of true faith quells our temperment and dulls the sparkle.  The man full of the Holy Spirit has a charismatic glow about him.  We are made in God’s image and he is not an unmovable, unemotional being – at least, not as the Bible depicts him.  Alcohol, to be filled with spirits, is one way of removing the dullness, but to be filled with the Holy Spirit is a considerably better way.” (pg. 61)

“Calling that solemnity “reverence” is an abuse of the English language.  How “reverent” is it to be glum when remembering all God has done for us?  Our efforts not to be emotional when God is in view must come as a surprise to God.  Is he happy with switched-off worshipers, deadpan faces, as rigid as gravestone figures?  Would we ourselves want visitors who were like icebergs or Egyptian mummies?  God, the fountain of life, needs lifeless representatives like we need a pain in the neck.  Frigid worship is excused as ‘dignified.’  The nine-fold fruit of the Spirit does not include dignity.” (pg. 63)

“If we want to be like [Jesus], there is one all-important consideration that we cannot overlook.  Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (pg.88)

“Jesus showed us how he lived as the Son of Man so that we would know how to live as the children of God.” (pg. 89)

“Many shake or fall when [the Holy Spirit] comes, or are carried out of themselves with unspeakable emotions.  That is hardly surprising.  It would be odd if it did not affect human beings like that.  When God decended on Sinai the whole mountain mass ‘trembled violently’ (Exodus 19:18)” (pg. 105)

“The gospel is not words in a book sitting on a shelf, but it is power words in our mouth.  When it is articulated it carries God’s power.” (pg. 131)

“‘More’ of God can only mean God having ‘more’ of us, more of our lives, our will, and our love.” (pg. 137)

“If anybody does nothing, God does nothing with them.” (pg. 156)