What We Can Learn From the North Korean Revival of 1907, by Dr. Seong Park

Summary

Dr. Park shares the story of a transformative revival movement in early 20th-century Korea, emphasizing the importance of prayer, scripture, and confession in the process of spiritual awakening. Using the analogy of Israel’s rain cycles, he illustrates how seasons of waiting and enduring hardship are necessary for the fruit of revival to be truly sweet. He recounts how Korean missionaries, through perseverance and prayer, overcame persecution and experienced a powerful spiritual renewal. Dr. Park encourages listeners to trust in God’s perfect timing for revival, highlighting the enduring power of faith through trials.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dr. Park is introduced as a humble and knowledgeable man with a heart for the poor, a PhD in Old Testament studies, and fluency in multiple languages, including Spanish.
• 😀 Dr. Park shares his unique background, having grown up in Paraguay and being educated in Israel, now serving as the Dean at Gordon-Conwell's Center for Urban Ministerial Education in Boston.
• 😀 Dr. Park begins his message with a discussion of rainfall in Israel, explaining the importance of early and later rains for the fertility of the land, drawing a parallel to spiritual revival.
• 😀 He explains that in Israel, rain is essential for crop growth, with early rains in October preparing the soil and later rains before harvest keeping plants green.
• 😀 Dr. Park emphasizes that the true harvest of fruits, as described in the Bible, happens in September after the intense summer heat, symbolizing the growth of spiritual fruits through trials.
• 😀 He recounts the story of a revival movement in Korea in 1903, sparked by American and Canadian missionaries who, after struggling in their mission, sought the guidance of Dr. Robert Hardy on how to pray for the nation.
• 😀 Dr. Hardy’s personal spiritual transformation through deep prayer and meditation on Scripture led to the initiation of a revival among missionaries in Korea, marking the beginning of a larger movement.
• 😀 The Korean revival spread from missionary prayer gatherings to widespread repentance and evangelism among the Korean Christian community, especially in Pyongyang, North Korea.
• 😀 The revival continued even after Korea's annexation by Japan in 1910, with Christians undergoing severe persecution. Despite this, the faith grew stronger and spread across the nation.
• 😀 The script highlights how the revival in Korea was part of a larger global movement, including revivals in Wales and Azusa, which played a significant role in strengthening the church worldwide through challenging times like World War I and the Great Depression.

Q & A

What was the significance of Dr. Park's upbringing in North Korea for his understanding of revival?

Dr. Park's upbringing in North Korea is significant because it connects him to the roots of the early 20th-century Korean revival movement. North Korea, despite its current political climate, was once the epicenter of a powerful Christian revival, which forms a key part of Dr. Park's background and his understanding of spiritual awakenings.

Why does Dr. Park use the metaphor of rain to describe spiritual growth and revival?

Dr. Park uses the metaphor of rain because, in Israel, rain is essential for the growth of crops. Similarly, spiritual revival requires 'rain'—a divine intervention that prepares and nourishes the soul. The early and later rains represent different phases of spiritual renewal, with early rain preparing the ground and later rain sustaining the growth.

What is the relationship between the 'early rain' and the 'later rain' in the context of the Bible?

The early rain, which falls in October, is critical for breaking the hardened surface of the earth, making it receptive to further nourishment. The later rain, which falls just before the harvest, helps to keep the crops green and ensures they reach maturity. These rains symbolize different stages in the process of spiritual renewal and harvest.

How did Dr. Robert Hardy contribute to the Korean revival movement?

Dr. Robert Hardy contributed by teaching missionaries and Korean Christians how to pray effectively, particularly by using Scripture in their prayers. His personal spiritual transformation, which began with his study of John 15:7, inspired others to confess their sins and seek a deeper relationship with God, ultimately sparking a revival.

What role did confession of sins play in the 1907 Pyongyang revival?

Confession of sins was a central part of the revival in Pyongyang. Both missionaries and Korean Christians were encouraged to confess their wrongdoings publicly, which created an atmosphere of humility and repentance. This openness to confession allowed the revival to gain momentum and spread across the nation.

Why was the revival of 1907 in Korea considered crucial, despite the subsequent Japanese annexation?

The 1907 revival was crucial because it laid the spiritual foundation for the Korean church, which would endure severe persecution under Japanese rule. Despite the hardships and the forced suppression of Christian practices, the revival had already established a strong and resilient faith within the Christian community, allowing them to survive and grow under difficult conditions.

How does Dr. Park explain the idea of spiritual revival not occurring every year?

Dr. Park compares the rarity of spiritual revival to the seasonal nature of rain in Israel. Just as rain does not fall every month, spiritual renewal comes in its appointed season. There needs to be a period of preparation—symbolized by the 'severe summer'—before the 'fruit' of revival can be harvested. This process requires patience and trust in God's timing.

What impact did the church's growth have in Korea after the Japanese occupation ended?

After the Japanese occupation ended, the church in Korea experienced explosive growth, particularly from the 1960s onward. The church had been strengthened through its years of persecution, and with the return of American missionaries, the faith of the Korean Christians blossomed, contributing to the church's dramatic expansion in the post-war period.

What historical events contributed to the hardships faced by the Korean church in the early 20th century?

The Korean church faced significant hardships due to Japan's annexation of Korea, which resulted in the persecution of Christians, the suppression of Korean culture, and the forced conversion of Koreans to Japanese practices. Additionally, the Korean War and the rise of the Communist regime in the north further intensified the persecution faced by Christians.

What is the significance of Dr. Park's reflection on 'the sweet fruit' of revival?

Dr. Park reflects on 'the sweet fruit' of revival to emphasize that while revival may not come immediately, it brings a profound spiritual harvest after periods of trial and hardship. Just as the fruit of the land is sweetest after a long, hot summer, the spiritual fruit of revival is most rewarding after enduring spiritual challenges and waiting for God's perfect timing.