Nature of revival

Characteristics which precede revival

God’s people long for renewal of their lives

Psalm 80:18 KJV 1900

So will not we go back from thee: Quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.

See also Ps 74:22; Ps 80:1–17; Ps 80:19; Ps 85:6

God’s people must repent

2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV 1900

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

See also 1 Ki 8:46–50; Is 64:1–7; Ho 5:15; Ac 3:19

God’s people experience a new awareness of sin

2 Kings 22:11 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.

See also Ps 32:3–5

God’s people need to be humble

Isaiah 57:15 KJV 1900

For thus saith the high and lofty One That inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, With him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

See also Ps 149:4; Is 66:2; Mic 6:6–8

God’s people are revived through God’s initiative

Isaiah 59:16 KJV 1900

And he saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor: Therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; And his righteousness, it sustained him.

See also Je 24:7; Je 33:6–9; Tt 3:5

Characteristic results of revival

People experience inward change

Hebrews 8:10–12 KJV 1900

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

See also Je 31:33–34; Eze 11:19; Ac 2:42–47

People live obedient lives

Ezekiel 11:20 KJV 1900

That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

See also Eph 4:1–3; 1 Th 1:7–8

People are zealous for God’s work

Ezra 5:1–2 KJV 1900

Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.

See also Hag 1:12–15

People are generous in giving

Exodus 36:5 KJV 1900

And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make.

See also 1 Ch 29:6–9; 2 Ch 31:3–8; Ac 11:28–30

People delight in worshipping God

Ezra 3:11 KJV 1900

And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

See also Is 12:1–6

People are joyful

Acts 13:49–52 KJV 1900

And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

See also Is 35:1–10; Ac 8:5–8