Revival, corporate

The experience of God's people both in the OT and NT when prayer is answered and their growth and effectiveness are renewed.

The recurring pattern of apostasy and revival in the OT

Judges 2:10–19

God is petitioned to revive his people

Psalm 80:14–15 See also Psalm 85:4–7; Jeremiah 31:18; Lamentations 5:21; Habakkuk 3:2

Return, O God of Hosts, we pray! Look down from heaven and see! Attend to this vine— the root Your right hand has planted, the son You have raised up for Yourself.

Repentance is necessary for revival

God's people are urged to repent

2 Chronicles 30:6 Hezekiah's appeal to all Israel. See also Isaiah 55:1–3; Jeremiah 3:22; Lamentations 3:40; Hosea 12:6, Hosea 14:1–2; Zechariah 1:3; Malachi 3:7; Revelation 2:5, Revelation 2:16, Revelation 3:2–3

At the command of the king, the couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the king and his officials, which read: “Children of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so that He may return to those of you who remain, who have escaped the grasp of the kings of Assyria.

Wholehearted repentance is required

Joel 2:12–13 See also Deuteronomy 4:29, Deuteronomy 30:2–3; Jeremiah 24:7, Jeremiah 29:13–14; Acts 19:18–19 Repentance should be evidenced by deeds.

“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

Repentance prepares for revival

Isaiah 59:20 See also Judges 10:9–16; Ezra 10:1, Ezra 10:10–12; Nehemiah 1:9; Ezekiel 18:30–32

“The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the LORD.

Revival is God's work

Hosea 6:2 See also Psalm 80:3, Psalm 80:7, Psalm 80:17–19; Isaiah 32:14–17

After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence.

God promises revival

God promises to revive his people

Ezekiel 11:19 See also Jeremiah 31:33–34; Ezekiel 36:26; Zechariah 10:6

And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh,

The nations are included in the promise of revival

Isaiah 2:3 parallel Micah 4:2 See also Isaiah 19:22–25, Isaiah 45:22, Isaiah 56:6–8; Zechariah 8:20–22

And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

The revival of Israel

Under Hezekiah

2 Kings 18:4–6; 2 Chronicles 29:3–5, 2 Chronicles 30:1, 2 Chronicles 31:4, 2 Chronicles 31:9–10, 2 Chronicles 31:20–21

Under Josiah

2 Kings 23:1–4 parallel 2 Chronicles 34:29–33; 2 Chronicles 35:1–3

Revival in the NT

Crowds turn to the Lord

Mark 1:5; John 3:26, John 4:39; Acts 2:41, Acts 2:47, Acts 4:4, Acts 11:21

The Holy Spirit is active in the revival of believers

Acts 4:31 See also Acts 13:9; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 5:18

After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

The response of believers in revival

Romans 12:1–2 See also Ephesians 4:23–24; Philippians 3:13–14; Colossians 3:9–14

Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.