Revival summaries – Biblical Principles

—Psalm 85:6

—Will You not revive us again,
That Your people may rejoice in You?

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—Habakkuk 2:14

—For the earth will be filled
With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
As the waters cover the sea.

—Habakkuk 3:2

—O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid;
O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!
In the midst of the years make it known;
In wrath remember mercy.

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‘Revivals’ in the Old Testament
—1  Jacob’s household (Genesis 35:1‑15)
Jacob returns to Bethel – idols removed – God worshipped, covenant name Israel reaffirmed
—2  Asa (2 Chronicles 15:1‑15)
Prophet Azariah preaches – idols removed – temple restored, covenant reaffirmed – sacrifices
—3  Joash (2 Kings 11‑12; 2 Chronicles 23‑24)
Priest Jehoiada restores boy king Joash – Queen Athaliah killed, temple restored – faithful to covenant under Jehoiada
—4  Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:1‑8; 2 Chron 29‑31)
Destroyed idols (& bronze snake) – restored temple worship, saved from Sennacherib – Samaria fell
—5  Josiah (2 Kings 22‑23; 2 Chronicles 34‑35)
Ruled from 8 to 39 – cleaned up temple, Torah found and read – repented – saved from destruction
—6  Haggai and Zechariah with Zerubbabel (Ezra 5‑6)
Prophets challenged people – Leaders rebuilt temple – Temple rededicated – Passover restored
—7  Ezra with Nehemiah (Nehemiah 9:1‑6; 12:44‑47)
Repentance and confession worship restored, reforms established
—8  Jonah
Prophet preached for repentance – King and people repented, city was saved from destruction

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Characteristics of Old Testament ‘Revivals’
—1  They occurred in times of moral darkness and national depression;
—2  Each began in the heart of a consecrated servant of God who became the energizing power behind it;
—3  Each revival rested on the Word of God, and most were the result of proclaiming God’s Word with power;
—4  All resulted in a return to the worship of God;
—5  Each witnessed the destruction of idols where they existed;
—6  In each revival, there was a recorded separation from sin;
—7  In every revival the people returned to obeying God’s laws;
—8  There was a restoration of great joy and gladness;
9  Each revival was followed by a period of national prosperity.

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Characteristics of Revival in Acts 2 – Pentecost

—1. Sovereignty: Acts 2:1,2 – the day of Pentecost .

—God chose the time, place, people; & came suddenly.

—2. Prayer: Acts 1:14; 2:1 – constantly in prayer, in one place –

—They gathered together to pray and wait on God.

—3. Unity: Acts 2:1 – in one accord  – They met in unity with love and humility.

—4. Filled: Acts 2:4 – as the Spirit gave utterance –

—Filled with the Spirit, using gifts of the Spirit.

—5. Preaching: Acts 2:14 – heed my words – Peter preached with anointed boldness.

—6. Repentance: Acts 2:38 – repent and believe –

—Large numbers were convicted and repented.

—7. Evangelism: Acts 2:40-41 – three thousand –

—New believers were baptised and witnessed.

—8. Miracles: Acts 2:43 – many miracles and wonders –

—People were filled with awe at God’s great power

—9. Community: Acts 2:44-47 – close fellowship –

—Evangelism and commitment to one another continued.

—10. Growth: Acts 2:47 – the Lord added … daily – Daily witnessing, conversions.

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Church Growth in Acts

—Acts 2:41  ‑ 3,000  added

—Acts 4:4    ‑ 5,000  believed

—Acts 5:14   ‑ multitudes of both men and women

—Acts 6:7    ‑ disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem

—Acts 8:1    ‑ persecution arose ‑ all scattered

—Acts 9:31    ‑ churches were multiplied

—Acts 11:21    ‑ a great number believed

—Acts 11:24    ‑ a great many people were added to the Lord

—Acts 12:24    ‑ the word of God grew and multiplied

—Acts 16:5    ‑ the churches increased in number daily

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Hindrances to Revival

—(Adapted from How to Experience Revival by Charles Finney, Ch 8)

—1  PRIDE:  When Christians become proud of their ‘great revival’ it will stop.

—2  EXALTING SELF OVER GOD:  Some, under pretence of publishing things to the praise and glory of God, have in fact published things that seemed to exalt themselves.

—3  PREJUDICE:  A revival is likely to stop when Christians lose the spirit of brotherly love.

—4  BEING MECHANICAL: A revival will cease when Christians become mechanical in their attempt to promote it.

—5  EXHAUSTION:  A revival will stop when the church grows exhausted through its labour.

—6  SELF RELIANCE: When Christians do not feel their dependence on the Spirit revival stops.

—7  DECLINE:  A revival will decline and cease unless Christians are frequently revived.

—8  CONFLICT:  Revival can be put down by the continued opposition of the old school combined with a bad spirit in the new school.

—9  NEGLECTING MISSIONS: Another thing that hinders revival is neglecting the claims of missions.
10 NEGLECTING SABBATH: If the church wishes to promote revival it must sanctify the Sabbath.

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