Repent or Else!

by Vance Havner

THE last word of our Lord to the church is not the Great Commission. The Great Commission is indeed our program to the end of the age, but our Lord’s last word to the church is “Repent.” That was his command to five out of seven of the churches in Asia, and that proportion still holds. Five out of seven Christians and churches today need first of all to repent.Today there is plenty of religious interest, a wave of mass evangelism, and all kinds of church activities. But none of these add up to real revival in the church. The messages in this book are meant to exhort both individual Christians and the church at large to take our Lord’s last call seriously.Havner closely examines our Lord’s words to each of the seven churches of Asia Minor, devoting a chapter to each church. The chapter titles are Lovelessness; Longsuffering; Laxity; Libertinism; Lifelessness; Loyalty; Lukewarmness. In the last chapter he talks about the Lordship of Jesus Christ and finishes with this statement followed by a “The heart of revival, of the deepest Christian life, of Christianity, is making Jesus Lord. Have you done it?”

108 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

Noted Christian Writer. Vance Havner began writing the very first of his more than 40 books shortly after the start of his 70 year ministry. Vance's best known book, Though I Walk Through The Valley, details the loss of his beloved wife, Sarah. He was a dedicated evangelist who spoke locally at churches and nationally at conventions to large crowds and appreciative audiences. Billy Graham called Havner, "The most quoted preacher of the twentieth century." Through reading his books, thousands were led to experience God in a new and exciting way.

(From findagrave.com)

Reviews

[David Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, stirring, challenging read!

[Michael Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Repent Or Else! Is another great title by Vance Havner and focuses on Revelation chapter 2 where God addresses the 7 churches - spiritual condition, what they need to do, etc.

Just over 100 pages, the book is a quick read and contains many great points, including:

- Real revival will arouse bitter opposition by evil.
- It's possible to be busy for Jesus without loving Him and people.
- Love for Jesus must be our main motive for serving.
- Christianity in our culture is often associated with success, popularity, and prosperity (quite frankly, many people need to read through the Bible to learn about real Christianity!).
- True believers are often pressured to conform to everyone and everything around them.
- Be careful of false tolerance - the church is most effective when it opposes the world.
- The danger of being busy in church activity while being spiritually dead.

Many other points are mentioned. As with other Havner title, the book is easy to read, convicting, and encouraging. Highly recommended.

[Pamala Mccarver · Rating 5 out of 5]

He preached this message sometime in the 1950’s.
It could have been preatoday to the postmodern Christian Church.
One wonders did they repent.