Revival, nature of

Scripture indicates that a number of characteristics precede revival, including repentance, humility and obedience.

Characteristics which precede revival

God's people long for renewal of their lives

Psalm 80:18 See also Psalm 74:22, Psalm 80:1–17, Psalm 80:19, Psalm 85:6

Then we will not turn away from You; revive us, and we will call on Your name.

God's people must repent

2 Chronicles 7:14 See also 1 Kings 8:46–50 parallel 2 Chronicles 6:26–27; Isaiah 64:1–7; Hosea 5:15; Acts 3:19

and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

God's people experience a new awareness of sin

2 Kings 22:11 See also Psalm 32:3–5

When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes

God's people need to be humble

Isaiah 57:15 See also Psalm 149:4; Isaiah 66:2; Micah 6:6–8

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.

God's people are revived through God's initiative

Isaiah 59:16 See also Jeremiah 24:7, Jeremiah 33:6–9; Titus 3:5

He saw that there was no man; He was amazed that there was no one to intercede. So His own arm brought salvation, and His own righteousness sustained Him.

Characteristic results of revival

People experience inward change

Hebrews 8:10–12 See also Jeremiah 31:33–34; Ezekiel 11:19; Acts 2:42–47

For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their minds and inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. No longer will each one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”

People live obedient lives

Ezekiel 11:20 See also Ephesians 4:1–3; 1 Thessalonians 1:7–8

so that they may follow My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God.

People are zealous for God's work

Ezra 5:1–2 See also Haggai 1:12–15

Later, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak rose up and began to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, helping them.

People are generous in giving

Exodus 36:5 See also 1 Chronicles 29:6–9; 2 Chronicles 31:3–8; Acts 11:28–30

and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD has commanded us to do.”

People delight in worshipping God

Ezra 3:11 See also Isaiah 12:1–6

And they sang responsively with praise and thanksgiving to the LORD: “For He is good; for His loving devotion to Israel endures forever.” Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid.

People are joyful

Acts 13:49–52 See also Isaiah 35:1–10; Acts 8:5–8

And the word of the Lord spread throughout that region. The Jews, however, incited the religious women of prominence and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district. So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.