"Jumala Tulelaev (God's Fireship)"

The song mourns Estonia's current spiritual slumber but carries a burning hope: just as the revival fire once came unexpectedly through Jerusalem to Tallinn, a new awakening is on the horizon. It challenges Estonia's Protestant heritage to prepare the way for God's approaching fireship.

This isn't just a historical remembrance - it's an urgent call to spiritual awakening. As eternal moments knock at Estonia's door, will the nation recognize the approaching flames of revival?

The story of the Estonian Revival is one of spiritual awakening that cut through the shadows of the Soviet era, shining a light that would draw thousands to the heart of Tallinn. At the center of this incredible movement stood Oleviste Church, a historic place of worship that became a beacon of hope and healing during a time of political oppression and atheistic rule. The story continues to resonate today, as new visions and prophecies emerge, signaling a fresh outpouring of God’s spirit on the Baltic state.

The Prophecy of the White Ship
One of the most enduring symbols associated with the Estonian Revival is the vision of a white ship sailing toward Estonia. Many believers and leaders received dreams and prophetic words describing this ship, which was seen as a vessel of God’s presence, carrying a new wave of spiritual fire. Viktor Belykh, a key figure in the revival movement, described the fire of service that flowed from Catherine Kuhlman’s ministry through Jerusalem, into Finland, and finally to Estonia. It was as though a heavenly flame had been passed from one nation to another, igniting a holy hunger in the people's hearts.

Belykh shared how the church leaders sought the Lord’s understanding of this movement. The response they received was clear: “The ship from the north with fire is coming; our ship has docked with it. Take the fire, but not the human elements.” This message emphasized the divine nature of the revival, warning against relying on human strategies. Instead, it was a call to embrace the raw power of the Holy Spirit, which was kindling faith in many hearts.

A Revival Interrupted and the Vision for Youth
The early stages of the revival were marked by an outpouring of the Holy Spirit among the youth. It was prophesied that a great revival would sweep through the younger generation but would face opposition. The prophecy warned that "firefighters" would come and attempt to extinguish the flames of revival. Despite this, the prophecy continued, stating that a second wave of revival would follow—unlike before, marking the final outpouring before the end of days. Many believers continue to pray and watch, awaiting this promised awakening with anticipation.

The Revival at Oleviste Church
As the Soviet Union prepared for the 1980 Moscow Olympics, efforts were made to present an image of prosperity and happiness within the atheist state. As one of the host cities, Tallinn underwent extensive preparations, with new hotels, stadiums, and roads constructed to accommodate foreign visitors. Yet, just as the authorities sought to impress the world, a remarkable spiritual awakening began to unfold right under the nose of the KGB, starkly contrasting the government’s narrative.

The Oleviste Church, or St. Olaf’s Church, had a unique history. Built in the 13th century and once the tallest structure in the world, it stood in the very center of Tallinn, near the KGB headquarters. By 1950, under Stalin’s regime, many church buildings had been confiscated, and believers were forced to gather in a dilapidated Lutheran church—Oleviste. Christians from various denominations were pressured to unite under one roof, and the authorities expected doctrinal differences to lead to internal conflict and self-destruction.

Instead, the believers found a way to overcome their differences. The church leaders chose unity over division, focusing on their shared faith in Christ rather than secondary doctrines. By 1967, a member of the congregation, Rein Uuemis, began to experience what he called a "holy dissatisfaction." He initiated regular Saturday prayers with a small group, seeking God for a revival in Estonia.

During one of these gatherings, a vision was shared: the glory of God covering the Oleviste Church, with hundreds of unknown people filling the sanctuary and falling under the power of the Holy Spirit. This vision fueled the prayers of the youth, who began to cry out for God’s intervention with even greater enthusiasm.

The Finnish Connection
In 1977, a Finnish electrician named Pauli Järviläinen, who had been working on constructing a new hotel in Tallinn, joined one of the youth prayer meetings. Järviläinen, a former criminal who had found Christ and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit in a Finnish prison, shared his testimony and prayed for the youth. The Holy Spirit descended powerfully, and everyone present experienced the baptism of the Spirit, speaking in new tongues. This was a pivotal moment, especially for those from a Baptist background, as they had not previously encountered such manifestations of the Holy Spirit.
Shortly thereafter, another Finnish evangelist, Toivo Rinkinen, visited the church. During his ministry, people began to weep and fall to the ground, and others experienced miraculous healings. It felt as though a breakthrough had occurred in the spiritual realm.

The Miracle of the Masses
One Saturday afternoon, the KGB called the church leaders to report an unusual scene: a large crowd had gathered outside Oleviste Church, demanding entry. The prayer team rushed to the site and found about 150 people who had traveled from all over the Soviet Union. Many needed help to answer clearly when asked why they had come. Some had seen a vision of a white ship sailing from Tallinn, others had dreamed of the church, and others had received prophetic words directing them to come.

That evening, as the service began, the Holy Spirit moved powerfully. People fell to the ground, weeping, repenting, and receiving healing and the baptism of the Spirit. The phenomenon of dropping in the Spirit became a hallmark of the Tallinn Revival, though it also attracted criticism from some quarters.

The Legacy and the Waiting
The Tallinn Revival drew thousands from across the Soviet Union. The church was soon filled beyond capacity, and entry was granted only to those who brought an unbeliever with them as a "ticket." The revival even attracted international attention, with a film crew from Oral Roberts University visiting to document the events. During one service, astronaut Jim Irwin, who had walked on the moon, famously remarked: “God on earth is more important than man on the moon.”

Despite the extraordinary growth, the revival faced challenges. After the Olympics, the KGB pressured the church leaders to cease translating the services into Russian, threatening to shut down the church. Reluctantly, the leaders complied, fearing the loss of their place of worship. The following Sunday, something was different. The usual sense of God’s presence was gone; it felt like the Holy Spirit had departed.

Today, many believe that Estonia is on the brink of a new revival, even greater than before. The vision of the white ship has not faded—it remains a symbol of hope and divine promise. As Estonia slumbers spiritually, a new awakening approaches. The question remains: Will the people recognize God’s Fireship when it comes again?

The fire that once spread from Jerusalem to Finland onto Estonia is still burning. From Tallinn to the nations, the call goes out: Prepare for the new outpouring of God's power. The white ship is on the horizon.