Will there be a major revival during the end times?

Definition of Revival

Revival generally refers to a broad and profound move of the Spirit of God, spurring renewed faith, repentance, and transformation among individuals and communities. In various passages, Scripture testifies to times when people turned back to God en masse, as in the days of Josiah (2 Kings 22–23) or under Ezra and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 8–9). These historical accounts show a large-scale heart-change toward obedience to the LORD’s commands.

Biblical Foundations

Scripture describes specific moments when God acts in a dramatic way to restore genuine worship and commitment among His people. One key Old Testament reference that people associate with revival—particularly as an end-times event—is Joel 2:28–29:

“After this, I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. Even on My menservants and maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”

This prophecy found partial fulfillment in Acts 2:17–21 at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon Jewish believers, and later upon Gentile believers (Acts 10). Many believe Joel’s words have future connotations as well, suggesting an additional, larger outpouring that may occur near the culmination of human history.

Prophetic Context

Throughout the New Testament, there are references to both revival and apostasy in the last days. Second Thessalonians 2:3 indicates a “great apostasy” or “rebellion” will precede the return of the Messiah. On the other hand, Jesus instructs believers to watch for worldwide gospel proclamation, saying in Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” This global spread of the gospel has, in past ages, coincided with significant revivals.

Revelation 7:9–10 portrays a vast multitude from “every nation, tribe, people, and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb,” worshiping with loud voices. Such language suggests that at some point, countless individuals worldwide experience saving faith, potentially indicating a sweeping revival in earth’s final chapter. The timing and scope can be debated, but the plain reading of the text conveys an immense global gathering.

Historical Examples Foreshadowing End-Time Revival

Throughout church history, there have been episodes of large-scale renewal:

1. The Reformation (16th Century): Sparked by leaders like Martin Luther, this movement saw a rediscovery of biblical truth, fueled by an emphasis on scriptural authority. Many turned from nominal forms of faith to a transformative commitment.

2. First and Second Great Awakenings (18th–19th Centuries): In both Europe and North America, preachers such as Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield witnessed widespread conviction of sin and renewed interest in biblical literacy.

3. Modern Missions Movements: From the 19th century onward, missionary expansions to Africa, Asia, and South America have often been accompanied by revival incidents, including reports of mass conversions and community-wide transformations.

These events, grounded in the consistent message of Scripture, mirror God’s desire to draw people to Him. They have led many interpreters to anticipate that a final, even larger revival may take place before Christ’s return.

Possible End-Time Revival

Numerous end-time prophecies mention people coming to faith in great numbers (cf. Revelation 7:9), though exact timelines differ depending on interpretive frameworks. Some hold a view that the greatest revival in history will precede or accompany the final unfolding of events in the Book of Revelation. Others stress that although a global spiritual shake-up is possible, a falling away will also intensify.

A frequently cited passage of hope is Joel 2:31–32:

“The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved...”

This text, in conjunction with the events at Pentecost, suggests that in critical moments—particularly approaching the end of the age—God will once more move powerfully, leading many to call on His name.

Opposing Views and Interpretive Nuances

Some interpreters hold that the apostasy mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 undermines the idea of a major revival. They note that many passages emphasize darkness and deception in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1–5). Hence, they believe these times will be characterized primarily by moral and spiritual decline.

Others reconcile these elements by stating there may be simultaneous phenomena: as the world experiences intensifying unbelief and hostility, a corresponding revival could break out among those who hunger for truth. Scripture, they argue, holds both possibilities in tension—global hostility and global harvest.

Archaeological and Historical Corroboration

Artifacts like the Dead Sea Scrolls (discovered in the mid-20th century) reinforce the reliability and consistency of Old Testament prophetic books. These scrolls, dated to a period well before Christ’s ministry, testify that writings such as the Book of Isaiah and the Book of Joel accurately preserve words considered God-breathed by the believing community. By confirming that these texts have not been substantially altered over the centuries, we find confidence in their prophetic declarations about a coming outpouring of God’s Spirit.

Furthermore, various historical revivals show that when communities earnestly seek repentance, transformation often follows, offering a foretaste of what a larger-scale end-time revival might look like.

Behavioral and Philosophical Observations

On a behavioral level, revivals often stem from a profound convicting work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8) and a recognition of personal sin. Philosophically, it points to the need for moral restoration, rooted in humanity’s innate hunger for deeper meaning and reconciliation with the Creator. The broad sweep of Scripture affirms that genuine heart change is possible when divine truth is proclaimed and individuals repent in response to the Spirit’s prompting.

Practical Applications

1. Vigilance and Readiness: Jesus repeatedly exhorts His followers to be watchful, prepared, and faithful in spreading the gospel (Matthew 24:42–44). Regardless of the precise timetable, active engagement in evangelism and discipleship is vital.

2. Prayer for Global Awakening: Historically, seasons of revival have been preceded by fervent prayer. Believers are encouraged to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and intercede for those who have yet to believe.

3. Hope Amid Difficulty: Even if the last days include moral decay and opposition, Scripture reminds the faithful that the plan of God will ultimately prevail. Believers possess a firm hope that the gospel will reach all peoples and that God’s kingdom will be consummated at Christ’s return.

Conclusion

Whether one assumes a sweeping end-time revival or emphasizes a great apostasy, Scripture clearly speaks about a final gathering of believers from across the globe, standing before the throne of God (Revelation 7:9). Many passages, including Joel 2 and Acts 2, suggest that an outpouring of the Holy Spirit can recur on a significant scale. Moreover, the ongoing work of spreading the good news remains central, as Jesus declared in Matthew 28:19–20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.”

The weight of biblical precedent, supported by historical examples and the continued reliability of the ancient manuscripts, reinforces that such a revival is entirely within the realm of biblical prophecy and possibility. While believers may hold different views on timing and scope, the central unifying hope is that God’s sovereign purposes will draw multitudes to salvation, ultimately culminating in the everlasting worship of the risen Christ.