Definition and Overview:
Revival, in a biblical context, refers to a period of renewed spiritual interest or awakening among believers, often characterized by a deepened sense of the presence of God, repentance from sin, and a return to a fervent pursuit of holiness and righteousness. It is a sovereign work of God that brings about a transformation in individuals, churches, and sometimes entire communities or nations.

Biblical Instances of Revival:

1. Old Testament Revivals:
· King Josiah's Reforms: One of the most notable revivals in the Old Testament occurred during the reign of King Josiah. Upon discovering the Book of the Law in the temple, Josiah initiated a series of reforms to restore true worship in Judah. The people renewed their covenant with God, removed idols, and celebrated the Passover. "The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD and to keep His commandments" (2 Kings 23:3).
· The Revival under Nehemiah and Ezra: After the return from Babylonian exile, Nehemiah and Ezra led a spiritual revival among the Israelites. The reading and explanation of the Law led to national repentance and a renewed commitment to God's commandments. "They read from the Book of the Law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read" (Nehemiah 8:8).

2. New Testament Revivals:
· Pentecost: The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost marked a significant revival in the early church. The apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, preached the gospel with boldness, resulting in the conversion of about three thousand souls. "And everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed by the apostles" (Acts 2:43).
· The Revival in Ephesus: The ministry of Paul in Ephesus led to a powerful revival. Many who practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly, demonstrating genuine repentance and a turning away from sin. "In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power" (Acts 19:20).

Characteristics of Revival:

· Repentance and Confession: A hallmark of revival is a deep conviction of sin, leading to repentance and confession. This is often accompanied by a desire to make restitution and to live in obedience to God's Word.
· Renewed Worship and Prayer: Revival brings about a renewed passion for worship and prayer. Believers seek God's presence with fervor and dedication, often resulting in extended times of communal and personal prayer.
· Bold Proclamation of the Gospel: Revivals are marked by a bold and effective proclamation of the gospel, leading to conversions and the growth of the church. The message of salvation through Jesus Christ is central to revival movements.
· Social Transformation: Genuine revival often leads to social change, as transformed individuals impact their communities. Issues such as injustice, immorality, and corruption are addressed as believers live out their faith in practical ways.

Theological Perspectives:

Revival is understood as a work of the Holy Spirit, initiated by God in response to the prayers and spiritual hunger of His people. It is not something that can be manufactured or manipulated by human effort, but rather a divine visitation that brings about spiritual renewal and vitality. The sovereignty of God in revival emphasizes His timing and purposes, while human responsibility highlights the need for prayer, repentance, and readiness to respond to God's call.

Historical Revivals:

Throughout church history, there have been numerous revivals that have significantly impacted the Christian faith. The Great Awakening in the 18th century, led by figures like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield, and the Welsh Revival of 1904-1905 are examples of powerful movements of God that brought widespread spiritual renewal.

Conclusion:

Revival remains a vital aspect of the Christian experience, reminding believers of the need for continual dependence on God for spiritual vitality and growth. It serves as a call to return to the foundational truths of the faith and to live out the gospel with renewed passion and commitment.Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; and then shall the end come.
Topicalbible.org

1. (n.) The act of reviving, or the state of being revived.

2. (n.) Renewed attention to something, as to letters or literature.

3. (n.) Renewed performance of, or interest in, something, as the drama and literature.

4. (n.) Renewed interest in religion, after indifference and decline; a period of religious awakening; special religious interest.

5. (n.) Reanimation from a state of languor or depression; -- applied to the health, spirits, and the like.

6. (n.) Renewed pursuit, or cultivation, or flourishing state of something, as of commerce, arts, agriculture.

7. (n.) Renewed prevalence of something, as a practice or a fashion.

8. (n.) Restoration of force, validity, or effect; renewal; as, the revival of a debt barred by limitation; the revival of a revoked will, etc.

9. (n.) Revivification, as of a metal. See Revivification, 2.

403. anapsuxis -- a recovery of breath, a refreshing
... revival. From anapsucho; properly, a recovery of breath, ie (figuratively) revival --
revival. see GREEK anapsucho. (anapsuxeos) -- 1 Occurrence. 402, 403. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/403.htm - 6k

Preparation for Revival
... Preparation for Revival. A Sermon (No.597). ... At this season we, as a Church, have
had our hearts set upon a revival of religion in our midst. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/preparation for revival.htm

The Great Revival
... The Great Revival. A Sermon ... My soul has been made exceedingly full of happiness,
by the tidings of a great revival of religion throughout the United States. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the great revival.htm

A Revival Sermon
... A Revival Sermon. A Sermon (No.296). Delivered on ... to Christ. I. First, I take
the text as being A GREAT PROMISE OF SPIRITUAL REVIVAL. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/a revival sermon.htm

A Prospect of Revival
... A Prospect of Revival. A Sermon (No.3514). ... The minister cannot. The Church
cannot, with all her efforts. Talk of getting up a revival! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/a prospect of revival.htm

The Recovery and Revival of the Blessed Hope Itself.
... Chapter Six The Signs of the Redeemer's Return 1. The Recovery and Revival
of the Blessed Hope itself. In Daniel 12:4, 9, 10 we ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/1 the recovery and revival.htm

The Revival
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CXIII THE REVIVAL. Unfold! unfold!
Take in His light, Who makes thy cares more short than night. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cxiii the revival.htm

When a Revival is to be Expected.
... LECTURE II. WHEN A REVIVAL IS TO BE EXPECTED. Text."Wilt thou not revive
us again; that thy people may rejoice in thee?"Psalm 85:6. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture ii when a revival.htm

What a Revival of Religion Is
... LECTURE I. WHAT A REVIVAL OF RELIGION IS. ... A "Revival of Religion" presupposes a
declension. Almost all the religion in the world has been produced by revivals. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture i what a revival.htm

The Coming Revival
... CHAPTER XV The Coming Revival. "Wilt ... He will revive us.""Hosea 6:1, 2.
The Coming Revival"one frequently hears the word. There ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter xv the coming revival.htm

Hoping for a Revival
... II. ORDINANCES. Hymn 52 Hoping for a revival. John Newton 8,8,8,8. Hoping for a
revival. My harp untuned, and laid aside,. (To cheerful hours the harp belongs). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 52 hoping for a.htm

Revival (1 Occurrence)
... 8. (n.) Restoration of force, validity, or effect; renewal; as, the revival of
a debt barred by limitation; the revival of a revoked will, etc. ...
/r/revival.htm - 7k

Revive (31 Occurrences)
... American) "stir up the gift of God, which is in thee," margin "Greek: `stir into
flame.' " In view of the frequent modern use of "revive" and "revival," it is ...
/r/revive.htm - 18k

Arabic
... and theological miscellany by the Coptic Christians Al-Makin, Abu Ishaq ibn Al-Assal,
Abu'l-Barakat and others, the leaders in a general revival of Egyptian ...
/a/arabic.htm - 17k

Joash (49 Occurrences)
... offerings, should be appropriated for this purpose (2 Kings 12:4), and from the
account in Chronicles would seem to have contemplated a revival of the half ...
/j/joash.htm - 41k

Lod (4 Occurrences)
... on these and similar caravan routes, Lydda suffered from diversion of traffic to
the sea; and it may be that for none of them is any great revival now possible ...
/l/lod.htm - 11k

Imagery (5 Occurrences)
... either Egyptian (Bertholet, Commentary on Ezekiel), or Babylonian (Redpath, Westminster
Commentary on Ezekiel); others that it was the revival of ancient ...
/i/imagery.htm - 10k

Testaments
... In the Ptolemaic Dynasty there was a faint revival of the old glory of the past,
but the star of empire had set for Egypt, and the mailed hand of Rome finally ...
/t/testaments.htm - 35k

Targum
... With the arrival of Ezra there was a revival of the study of the Law, and with that
the necessity for the interpretation of it in language which the people ...
/t/targum.htm - 38k

Reform (28 Occurrences)
... Acts 3:19 Repent, therefore, and reform your lives, so that the record of your sins
may be cancelled, and that there may come seasons of revival from the Lord ...
/r/reform.htm - 16k

Re-visiting (1 Occurrence)
Re-visiting. Revisit, Re-visiting. Revival . Multi-Version Concordance Re-visiting
(1 Occurrence). ... (WEY). Revisit, Re-visiting. Revival . Reference Bible
/r/re-visiting.htm - 6k

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