A couple of weeks ago I passed a church with a sign out front promoting its upcoming revival. Since then, I have listened to audio recordings of the famous preacher, Duncan Campbell, talking about the revivals that broke out in the 1950s in small islands off the Scottish coast. What was the pattern? How do we know revival when we see it?
While we don't find the word "revival" in the Bible, we do see it occurring in both the Old and New Testaments as people came back to God and repented from sin. Revival happened in wicked places such as Nineveh. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 led to revival. Thousands of Jews accepted Jesus as the Messiah and became part of the early Church. There are prophecies about massive revivals in the end times as God gathers His elect from the corners of the Earth.
I don't believe that revival is a particular meeting or crusade. You can't plan revival. Like wildfire, it springs up suddenly and sets everything around it ablaze. While it may be characterized by supernatural signs, it might not. Revival may involve a number of high profile evangelists or preachers. But then again, it may be led by no-name individuals who decrease that Christ may increase. Revival starts with the individual and overflows into the community. Revival is a way of life. Revival is contagious and powerful.
Some people think of revival as bunch of people lying on the ground overcome by the power of God. Others think it comes when massive numbers of people are added to the Church. Others believe revival is characterized by many people weeping at the altar. Some even look for prosperity and material blessing as a sign of revival.
What do you think of when you hear the word "revival?" That is an important question to answer if you ever want to experience real revival in your life. Revival may look different for various people or regions. Just as Jesus moved in different ways among the people, God manifests His power and life to us in various ways. There is no one sign of revival. But there is only way to get it. You have to go to the source, and His name is Jesus.
Revival produces a lasting change. The Holy Spirit quickens people and brings spiritual life to them as revival breaks out in a region. Repentance from sin and dead works accompanies real revival. A desire to live as Jesus did flows out of revival. A passion to share the Gospel and advance the kingdom of God results from revival. Great awakenings and revivals start in the Church and pours out into the community. Prayer is a necessary foundation for revival. And surrender to the lordship of Jesus is a prerequisite for all who would experience the fullness of deep revival.
Although I could write volumes about revival, the only way for you to experience it yourself is to seek it. Do you hunger for revival? Do you want to see God do something incredible in your life? Good! That is where revival starts. It begins with you right now as you seek the face of God.
Duncan Campbell Sermon on Revival http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=1319
