454. New Year’s Conference in Oslo and Revivalin Drøbak 1931/32

Once again we had a rich and blessed conference which lasted for five days. A large number of friends came even though it was midwinter. This time brother Sigurd Bratlie from Copenhagen was with us and brother Løken came with several friends from Hallingdal. Friends also came from all the nearby towns. God sends us plenty of music. In addition to the Skogsrud quartet, Rudolf Schwaiger was there, a young German brother from Sandefjord, who is a pianist. Although he is an excellent musician, it was his clear testimony that really made us rejoice.

In between the meetings, brother E. Aslaksen held written Bible studies about the 38 questions mentioned elsewhere in this issue of the paper. Mostly young people answered the questions, and we were amazed at the number of good answers to the more difficult questions. This testifies to insight in the knowledge of God. Yes, we have received the “Teacher of all truth” among us, so we give God the honor for everything. We would never have discovered all this ourselves.

Several of the new converts from Drøbak took part in the conference. The revival is continuing there. Brother F. Pettersen has plenty to do in Oslo and in Drøbak. Several younger brothers are active in the meetings in Drøbak. I have attended and taken part in many of these meetings, and I must say it is blessed to see young people who surrender themselves to God. We must hope and believe that this will be a long-lasting, deep revival. The need to count the cost is constantly being stressed, because after being converted, there is a way to go toward sanctification and redemption.

Several of the young brothers who now participate in the revival have, by God’s grace and leading, received a thorough preliminary education in the knowledge of God. We must hope and believe that they will now take heed to themselves and the doctrine so God’s reviving Spirit, within and through His co-workers, can continue His work far into the future. Then it will become evident that it is God’s hand which is stretched out to salvation.

I think the most difficult thing is to teach people righteousness. Ingrained apathy in financial matters clings closely, and there is a tendency to be indifferent about keeping promises. I would therefore request the brothers who are involved in this revival to immediately impress on each one’s heart that they must be righteous in all things, and also repay all past debts as soon as possible. If people don’t make an effort to improve their lives immediately, I am afraid about fifty percent will fall away, as happens in so many other places. All unrighteousness is sin. 1 John 5:17. And sin is lawlessness. But we know that Jesus Christ was manifested to destroy the works of the devil. Thus, to be converted means to turn from unrighteousness to righteousness, from darkness to light, from Satan’s power to God. So it is vital that the men God uses are an example in all things. Newly converted people can see as well as hear, because they have a conscience which tells them how everything ought to be. I believe it is also time for revival in other places. Many believers need to be awakened. It is apparent many of them are in a very deep sleep and that a revival for sinners is also necessary for them. They wake up from their slumbering and smile and say, “Yes, this is from God.” For this same reason, I believe that most Christians are only awake during times of revival, and when there is no revival, they sleep and wait for the next one. But this is not how it ought to be. A result of all this sleeping is that those who stay awake are seen as troublemakers in the eyes of the sleepers. Parties or factions, which are of the devil, are good sleeping quarters. Let us beware of the rest which is found in the assembly of the dead. Proverbs 21:16.

Awake thou that sleepest,
for nigh draws the day.
Be cleansed and be clothed now
in snow white array.