Did you know the word revival isn’t in the Bible? The word revive is 27 times depending on the translation you use. Most often found in the Psalms (10 times in Psalm 119 alone) its use describes a refreshing of the spirit of a person usually a single individual. Revival is a noun referring to the event if which something is revived. Revive in both the Greek and Hebrew is defined as follows – to recover life, to live again, to flourish again, to live, to breathe freely, to be refreshed.
Webster’s defines revival as – an act or instance of reviving: the state of being revived: as renewed attention to or interest in something, a new presentation or publication of something old, a period of renewed religious interest: an often highly emotional evangelistic meeting or series of meetings. A restoration of force, validity, or effect.
The most standard use of the word revive is to bring back to life or to restore life. This becomes very problematic when referring to the church as we so often do. First of all, what is the meaning of life in the church? There would be a myriad of definitions based on what church you are talking about or what part of what era or religious movement one refers, thus no common definition or understanding. Secondly, to be brought back to life, one first has to be alive which means that whatever we are trying to pray for would only apply to those who were already brought to life, which in the spiritual sense would mean to be saved, or born-again as Jesus shared with Nicodemus. Thus revival only applies to Christians, those born-again whether in the church or otherwise.
It is clear that the, term “revival” can only be applied to a living soul, or to that which once lived. To be revived is a blessing which can only be enjoyed by those who have some degree of life. Those who have no spiritual life are not, and cannot be, in the strictest sense of the term, the subjects of a revival. Many blessings may come to the unconverted in consequence of a revival among Christians, but the revival itself has to do only with those who already possess spiritual life. There must be vitality in some degree before there can be a quickening of vitality, or, in other words, a revival.
A true revival is to be looked for in the church of God. Only in the river of gracious life can the pearl of revival be found. It has been said that a revival must begin with God’s people; this is very true, but it is not all the truth, for the revival itself must end as well as begin there. The results of the revival will extend to the outside world, but the revival, strictly speaking, must be within the circle of life, and must therefore essentially be enjoyed by the possessors of vital godliness, and by them only. Is not this quite a different view of revival from that; which is common in society; but is it not manifestly the correct one?
C. H. Spurgeon What is Revival?, December 1866
What are we really seeking when we pray for revival? Typically what we mean is an outpouring of the Spirit of God with power. Many would equate what we desire over our churches, cities and the nations as equivalent to what was happening during the ministry of Jesus or the day of Pentecost. The power of God was evident, people were healed, set free, resources manifested supernaturally, signs and wonders were performed. Many of the people to whom these events happened, however, were not followers of Christ until later. In fact, as discussed in Why Repent, many were brought to faith in Christ because of such events including Peter.
Is it not true that what we are really looking for is the evidence of our faith lived out practically causing transformational change in our world? In short – fruit, the fruits that were evident in the ministry of Jesus and in the early church; healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out demons, etc.
Spurgeon continues in his article:
Who thinks of reviving the noonday sun, the ocean at its flood, or the year at its prime? The tree planted by the rivers of water loaded with fruit needs not excite our anxiety for its revival, for its fruitfulness and beauty charm every one. Such should be the constant condition of the sons of God. Feeding and lying down in green pastures and led by the still waters they ought not always to be crying, “my leanness, my leanness, woe unto me.”
The English origins of the word revival date back to 1645. It is not a term in our language that has been around long compared to the church. It was also not part of the language of either Jesus or the early church. One may argue that because the church in the New Testament was brand new it did not need to be revived. I would contend a different point though, simply that revival is the wrong word to use.
What we see described in the New Testament, throughout the Gospels and on into Acts was a culture that was established through the ministry of Jesus and continued by His disciples. This culture was one that demonstrated and taught the good news of the kingdom and thus could more accurately be described as kingdom culture. A culture that pulled down the perfection of heaven; healings, freedom from oppression, supernatural multiplication of resources, and gave access to and manifestation of it on earth resulting in widespread repentance and radical transformation.
This is why Jesus, when He taught us to pray in Matthew 6:10, said to pray like this:
“Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.”
Some may feel this is semantics, however, I believe it is critically important to be accurate in exactly what we are asking God for. If we are needing a refreshing of our spirits, let’s ask for that but not characterize it as the ultimate Christian pursuit. Jesus said we are to “…seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…” so let’s pray and ask for that exactly like He taught us to and like He did.
One final thought, revival, herein the act of reviving, is restoring of what once existed, or recovery of what once was. Since Jesus said, “…greater works than I have done, you will do also…” should we not expect this and not limit our future legacy to reviving what we have already seen and experienced in the church thus far? To bring back to life is to reach into the past and pull forward something that existed before. What if the best is yet to come? What if the church, by praying for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, creates a kingdom culture that has never been seen or experienced? The perfection of the kingdom of heaven awaits us, it is part of the destiny of the church, so let’s pray for it now, as Jesus taught us and let’s live it, truly, life to the fullest.
On earth as is it…
John, great points. I once heard Ed Silvoso say to those who are praying for revival that they’d be better off praying for a heart attack because their idea of revival is a praise and worship concert. He claimed, and I agree with him, that true revival (yes, I understand your point that “revival” might not be the appropriate word) would happen if believers would simply understand what it means to be a Christ-follower in their workplaces, in their homes and in their communities. In other words, if we could learn to live out our faith, even at work, we would more than likely experience God’s presence at a whole new level.
Jim, that is so right on to what I am feeling. God gave us the tools. He told us to “…go and I will be with you always…” I see so much happening when people step out. Like Peter and John at the gate beautiful. As they went the lame man was healed. They spoke healing over him.
What if we have all that we need for an awakening or outpouring to happen and just need to put it into practice?
There are many Christians praying for rveival in America and around the world. I believe God will send the wind and fire of His Holy Spirit into the hearts of those who seek Him. Thank you for sharing…
I too would like to see the personal, regional, and global expansion of God’s kingdom through His manifest presence. Thank you for your thoughts Priscila.
The word church comes from the Greek belief in the goddess Circe. ? Circe would invite people into her home and brainwash them and turn them into helpless animals. Today we see the very same thing happening to the people who go to church today, they get brainwashed by the church, give over their money their whole selves, just like the goddess Circe cult back in Greece 1000 s of years ago. So I guess nothing has change with the church it will always be there to rob your mind, wallet and soul.
Enazzi I am sorry that you feel this way. My experience has been quite the opposite! The church is the agent of the kingdom of heaven on earth. Though the people in the church are flawed, the purpose of church is to bring the manifest presence of God to the earth through love, grace, empowerment, discipleship and caring for those in need. If anything it is to enrich your mind, body and soul. Thanks for your thoughts…
I’ve been really excited to see PV’s mentality change just in the past year from bringing people INTO the church, to encouraging the church to go OUT. This year for Christmas, rather than doing the same Christmas program its done for over a decade, we’ve themed this Christmas Christmas to GO (picture a chinese to-go box as the image). Everyone in the Northland who has ever wanted to see The Singing Christmas Tree has come to PV to see it EXCEPT those who are homeless or in prison. So where are we taking the message of Christ? To the homeless and to prisons. I’m pretty excited about this I think this is one small way we see the Kingdom of God expanding in a real, and practical way.
Della, that is AWESOME!!! I agree that we must GO, it is our calling to seek out the lost just like Jesus did and not just build a building and wait for them to come to us. So encouraging to hear what you are doing and how you are being an example to the rest of us.
This blog had me reminiscing about the mustard seed
The mustard seed is buried/dies. It needs the living water to bring it to life, and it will continually be in need of the living water (the Word) in order for it to grow. This mustard seed, if it’s given what’s needed, it will grow to be an enormous tree.
Moving forward, not focusing on what’s behind…
Love it New Lewi!
Jesus explained in Matthew 13:31 that the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. I believe that the watering is the ongoing flow from the Father. Jesus would go to be alone and spend time with His Father and this was His time of refreshing. As we spend time with the Father, seek His face personally, He will refresh us (revive us) in our lives to go out and do what He has called us to do; disciple nations, heal the sick, etc.
The Jazz guy and Kyle are both right spot on! I think the reason so many people see church as a negative thing is that there are these negative Christian stereotypes that are floating around. People are led to believe that church is a place where snooty people go to make themselves feel better and other stuff like that. If we could just get rid of these beliefs about Christians and church, think how many people would at least give Jesus a chance, if we did stuff the way he meant for it to be!
Have you heard of the Florida outpouring revival!?!? It took place in lakeland florida, not sure when it started, sometime last year in march? But it lasted until JULY!! I miss the revival, but lakeland, fl will never be the same again. The church it all came out from is Ignited church, and I just recently visited Ignited over christmas break, they are still going strong!! Healings and peeople being saved and set free.. it’s truly amazing!
Okay here is my thoughts on the original question of ” Should we quit praying for Revival” As I have read through the comments that everyone has left, I believe that I am seeing the very thing that the question addresses. When I think about what I am seeing and hearing people say when their asking, fasting, and lamenting for God to send revival, they are assuming a third person position in the “God Event” that they are petitioning for. There hearts are moved by what they see or have experienced in their environment, locally, or globally, and they believe that the appropriate response is to go to God and petition Him to act on the witnessed injustice. To give a word picture of what I am saying, you are walking down the street and come upon a house that is on fire! your response is to pull out your phone and dial 911, and then most likely continue on your way. In a rare case, you may hang around and observe, and even in a rarest case still, you may decide that there is something that you can do until help arrives. From my study’s of the scripture I believe that Jesus made it very clear that there was nothing more to be done. His words were that it was “finished”. What was “finished”? First: He had established the kingdom of heaven on earth. Second: He had established a core group of followers that He had transferred His commissioning to. Thirdly: He commissioned them to go forth and teach the Gospel of the Kingdom, Fourth: They went forth and ministered in power, Fifth: He sealed all that He had been sent to do with the sacrifice of himself for the purpose of releasing all that had been sealed up in the heavenly’s that was intended for our accessibility. Because of Him there was nothing that needed to be done that would add to anything that our Father now gave us freely without restraint, and without conditions. So then how does this all pertain to the question? Why do we continue to ask God to do more than He has already done? We are not God’s little minions! We are His Prince’s and Princesses! Heirs to the throne. There is nothing more that needs to be done! Here is the point that I am seeing. Those men and women of the great revivals did not start out on a mission of having great revivals. They came across a society that was engulfed in flames and instead of calling for someone else to do something about it, they committed to God to be used to do something about it. It was because of their willingness to be used up completely for His service, that released the anointing and the power of God and signs and wonders followed. These men and women were not any different than you and I. Except… that the Kingdom was all that they were about. How many of us can make that same claim? Should we pray for Revival? I believe the answer and the right behavior for us is to be Revival!
I’m so glad that Jesus is not frustrated thuogh! Sometimes with the darkening world I get so frustrated. But He isn’t!!! He has a plan and He is in control even the darkness will glorify His perfect name. 2 Thes. 2:7-8 says this: For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming. It’s not even a fight with Jesus. The simple power in His mouth will slay the darkness. The world will only get darker so that His light might shine brighter!!! Praise Jesus!
Mohamed, I love how His light shines brighter in the darkest hours. Our lives should be so!
I’m praising God for the gift of music and for giving that gift to Pastor Ben and so many others. I am so grateful that music can bring me to a place where I can praise God in a different way, and be mindful of Him as I get to sing songs to, for, and about Him throughout my day