Definition and Concept:
Awakening, in a biblical context, refers to a spiritual revival or renewal, where individuals or communities experience a profound reawakening of faith, repentance, and commitment to God. This concept is often associated with a heightened awareness of God's presence, a deep conviction of sin, and a renewed zeal for righteousness and evangelism.

Biblical Instances and Themes:

1. Old Testament:
· Revival under King Josiah: One of the most notable awakenings in the Old Testament occurred during the reign of King Josiah. Upon discovering the Book of the Law in the temple, Josiah initiated a national reform, leading to a renewed covenant with God. "The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD—to follow the LORD and keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul" (2 Kings 23:3).
· Prophetic Calls to Awakening: The prophets frequently called Israel to awaken from spiritual slumber and return to God. Isaiah exhorted, "Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city" (Isaiah 52:1).

2. New Testament:
· The Ministry of John the Baptist: John the Baptist's call to repentance can be seen as an awakening, preparing the way for the Messiah. He urged the people, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matthew 3:2).
· Pentecost: The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost marked a significant awakening for the early church. The apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaimed the gospel, resulting in the conversion of about three thousand souls (Acts 2:41).
· Paul's Exhortations: The Apostle Paul frequently encouraged believers to awaken from spiritual lethargy. In his letter to the Romans, he wrote, "And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11).

Theological Significance:

· Spiritual Renewal: Awakening is often characterized by a return to foundational truths of the faith, a renewed love for Scripture, and a commitment to prayer and holiness.
· Conviction and Repentance: A key aspect of awakening is the deep conviction of sin, leading to genuine repentance and transformation. This aligns with the biblical call to "repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of repentance" (Acts 26:20).
· Empowerment for Mission: Awakenings often result in a renewed zeal for evangelism and mission, as believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to witness boldly for Christ.

Historical Context:

Throughout church history, there have been numerous periods of awakening, often referred to as revivals. These have been marked by widespread repentance, increased church attendance, and societal transformation. Notable examples include the First and Second Great Awakenings in America, which had profound impacts on both the church and society.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to seek personal and corporate awakening through prayer, repentance, and a return to biblical principles. The call to "wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you" (Ephesians 5:14) remains relevant for the church today, urging Christians to live in the light of Christ's truth and power.Isaiah 51:9
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Are you not it that has cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?
Topicalbible.org

John 11:11-14
These things said he: and after that he said to them, Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
Topicalbible.org

Judges 5:12
Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead your captivity captive, you son of Abinoam.
Topicalbible.org

1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Awaken.

2. (a.) Rousing from sleep, in a natural or a figurative sense; rousing into activity; exciting; as, the awakening city; an awakening discourse; the awakening dawn.

3. (n.) The act of awaking, or ceasing to sleep. Specifically: A revival of religion, or more general attention to religious matters than usual.

The Awakening of Zion
... THE AWAKENING OF ZION. 'Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake,
as in the ancient days, in the generations of old.'"Isaiah 51:9. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the awakening of zion.htm

"The Great Awakening. "
... THE DEVELOPMENT OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN CONNECTICUT CHAPTER IX "THE GREAT
AWAKENING.". Wake, awake, for night is flying: The watchmen ...
/.../chapter ix the great awakening.htm

The Second Awakening.
... A HISTORY OF AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY. CHAPTER XIV. THE SECOND AWAKENING. THE
closing years of the eighteenth century show the lowest ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xiv the second awakening.htm

The Great Awakening.
... A HISTORY OF AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY. CHAPTER XI. THE GREAT AWAKENING. IT was not
wholly dark in American Christendom before the dawn of the Great Awakening. ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xi the great awakening.htm

A Great Religious Awakening.
... 20. A GREAT RELIGIOUS AWAKENING. ... Its publication served to deepen the interest already
awakening in England in the subject of the second advent. ...
/.../20 a great religious awakening.htm

A Great Religious Awakening
... Chapter 20 A Great Religious Awakening. ... Its publication served to deepen the interest
already awakening in England in the subject of the second advent. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 20 a great religious.htm

The American Church on the Eve of the Great Awakening --A General ...
... A HISTORY OF AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY. CHAPTER X. THE AMERICAN CHURCH ON
THE EVE OF THE GREAT AWAKENING"A GENERAL VIEW. BY the end ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter x the american church.htm

Conclusion of the Subject. Pain of the Awakening. Light against ...
... Chapter XXI. Conclusion of the Subject. Pain of the Awakening. Light Against
Delusions. 1. To bring this matter to an end, I say ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xxi conclusion of the.htm

The Presence of God.
... capacity often do; for Jacob's recorded antecedents were not exactly such as to
lead us to expect the dream and the vision, and the awakening which are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/x the presence of god.htm

Modern Revivals, Concluded.
... It is generally known, and spoken of as "the great awakening." Its leading spirits
were such staunch and loyal Calvinists as Jonathan Edwards, the Tennents ...
/.../chapter xxvi modern revivals concluded.htm

Awakening (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Rousing from sleep, in a natural or a figurative sense; rousing into activity;
exciting; as, the awakening city; an awakening discourse; the awakening...
/a/awakening.htm - 7k

Awakened (12 Occurrences)

/a/awakened.htm - 9k

Hellenism
... Along with and following the colonial expansion of Hellenism there came the awakening
intellectual curiosity, or rather the shock of surprise necessary to ...
/h/hellenism.htm - 26k

Hellenist
... Along with and following the colonial expansion of Hellenism there came the awakening
intellectual curiosity, or rather the shock of surprise necessary to ...
/h/hellenist.htm - 26k

Faint (76 Occurrences)
... Isaiah also uses it to picture the disappointed and unsatisfied appetite of the
thirsty man awakening from his dream of refreshment (Isaiah 29:8). In 2 Samuel ...
/f/faint.htm - 38k

Revival (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (n.) Renewed interest in religion, after indifference and decline; a
period of religious awakening; special religious interest. ...
/r/revival.htm - 7k

Rama (2 Occurrences)
... This prophecy is illustrated and fulfilled in the re-awakening of Rachel's grief
at the slaughter of the infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:18). ...
/r/rama.htm - 9k

Ezra (28 Occurrences)
... There was a great religious awakening. For successive days they held solemn assemblies,
confessing their sins and offering up solemn sacrifices. ...
/e/ezra.htm - 29k

Enviable (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Fitted to excite envy; capable of awakening an ardent
desire to posses or to resemble. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/e/enviable.htm - 6k

Despisest (3 Occurrences)
... counsel of the wicked hast shone? (YLT). Psalms 73:20 As a dream from awakening,
O Lord, In awaking, their image Thou despisest. (YLT). ...
/d/despisest.htm - 7k

What is a spiritual awakening? | GotQuestions.org

What was the First Great Awakening? What was the Second Great Awakening? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Jonathan Edwards? | GotQuestions.org

Awakening: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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