What is Revival?

Many people pray for revival, but how many have taken the time to study the scripture to discover exactly what it is? Generally speaking, most consider revival to be like a forest fire: chaotic and uncontrollable by humanity, and yet, having its beginning and continual existence under the government of God. We would do well to know exactly what it is, so that, God willing, when such a fire burns among us, we might be able to identify it. Furthermore, we should search out if there are any means of grace whereby we could inflame and aggravate a revival's flames to greater vehemence! A burden so predominant on the heart of God as revival - should we not expect there would be scriptural instruction as to its beginning, continuance, and absence? 

Initial Acceptance

"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved." - Ephesians 1:5-6

Final Acceptance

"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences." - 2 Corinthians 5:8-11

According to scripture, it is one thing to be accepted by God at initial salvation, but it is another thing to seek after a final acceptance on Judgment Day, which is in other words, final salvation (all forms of salvation are accomplished by grace through faith, and evidenced by deeds). Likewise to this, it is one thing to be made ALIVE in God at initial salvation, but it is another thing to maintain present progressive LIFE in God so as to be found ALIVE in God on Judgment Day. Revival means to be made alive again, therefore it can only be done in those who were already made alive in Christ once, but at present, evidently, they need to be made alive again. It is, therefore, an operation of God which is done upon the regenerate believer in Christ who has backslidden into a damnable condition, and it is not an operation of God which is done upon the unconverted, false professor of the Christian faith. 

Revival = To Make Alive Again 

Initial Salvation = Made Alive

"Even when we were DEAD in sins, hath QUICKENED us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)" - Ephesians 2:5

Final Salvation = Finally Judged Alive

"And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou LIVEST, and art DEAD. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to DIE: for I have not found thy works perfect before God...He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." - Revelation 3:1-2, 5-6

"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the QUICK [LIVING] and the DEAD at His appearing and His kingdom" - 2 Timothy 4:1

"Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the QUICK [LIVING] and the DEAD."- 1 Peter 4:5

There scriptures do expound and amplify the meaning of revival through a host of of other terms which do all serve as synonyms. Each word does declare the same exact Divine operation in its initial experience and present progressive attainment. Some of these synonyms can be seen in the chart below. 

This chart is exhaustively addressed in The Condescension of God. As I close this blog post, please consider an excerpt from one of the chapters pasted below: 

“O LORD, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy” (Habakkuk 3:2).

Revival cannot be eternally insignificant, for it is directly related to the WRATH of God. I say again in another way, it has everything to do with the MERCY of God unto salvation. When you pray for revival, do you pray – “in wrath remember mercy” (Hab. 3:2)? The synonyms of revival are formerly listed in the four categories we are mapped to examine, including the five senses of the gospel we have already examined, and more specifically this category called “perfection” we are addressing now: falling from personal revival is also a falling from perfection as a Christian (Col. 1:28-29, Eph. 4:12, 2 Cor. 13:9, 11), which is falling from perfecting works in Christ (Rev. 3:2, Heb. 13:21, 2 Thess. 2:16-17), perfected holiness (2 Cor. 7:1), perfected faith (James 2:21-22, 1 Thess. 3:10), and as John addresses it, perfected love (1 John 2:5, 4:12, 17). Likewise as falling from personal or corporate revival, to fall from perfection is to, at present, incur the just penalties of reprobating and casting-away wrath (2 Cor. 13:5), though God will give a space of time for repentance that you may potentially but not certainly escape it. 

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me. The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of Thine own hands” (Ps. 138:7-8).

Revival is the reestablishing of perfection when, at the present time, the saint has sinfully fallen from it. Being found in the midst of the troublous conflict of imperfection, it is then that David cries out for revival, saying, “Thou wilt revive me”, and by this he pointedly means, “Thy right hand shall save me”. Salvation and revival are biblically synonymous! David clearly has his eyes of hope upon saving “mercy” and therefore prays for it, saying, “forsake not the works of Thine own hands”. By this he means himself. The supplication to God could be otherwise rendered, “O forsake me not utterly” (Ps. 119:8). This scenario of high crime, desperate need, present trouble, and eternal consequence is - let the reader understand - the hour of need for REVIVAL! Every biblical saint that ever strove for revival did so under the same emotional press and salvific aim. Revival is a reestablishment of salvation and mercy in the midst of salvation-interrupting wrath, a wrath which is, potentially, able to be infuriated until the man of God is forsaken; otherwise the wrath is pacified because salvific revival interrupts the conflict of wrath in however it was manifesting and pursuing the individual or corporate body. This wrath-interrupting, saving work of God is altogether understood as God perfecting the saints, or as David said, “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me” (Ps. 138:7-8).