Before you read any further, I want to ask for your help in filling in the blank “Revival is_________.” Please leave your definition of revival by leaving a comment on this post. Here are 25 definitions I’ve gathered thus far and the authors of those who defined it:
Revival is ___________ .
- A transforming move of God. – Francis Anfuso
- An act of mercy in the sovereignty of God. – Leonard Ravenhill
- Is a season of unusual divine visitation resulting in deep repentance, supernatural renewal, and sweeping reformation in the Church, along with the radical conversion of sinners in the world, often producing moral, social, and even economic change in the local or national communities. – Dr. Michael Brown
- When the love of God and needy men intersect, all heaven breaks loose. Winkey Pratney
- Is a highly consecrated dose of the presence of God over a person or community. – Sean Smith
- An acute awareness of His divine presence springing a convicting surprise on His creation. – Francis Anfuso
- When God draws near to His people and there is a “special” tangible sense of His working in the midst of men. – Greg Gordon
- A divine military strategy first to counteract spiritual decline and then to create spiritual momentum. – Francis Anfuso
- Is an extraordinary work of God the Holy Ghost reinvigorating and propagating Christian piety in a community. – Jonathan Edwards
- The overwhelming sense of God bringing deep conviction of sin. – Francis Anfuso
- Marks the abrupt reversal of an established trend and state of things among those who profess to be God’s people. – Jonathan Edwards
- Christ showing up in an extraordinarily powerful new way, to significantly overthrow the status quo and establish the claims of His kingdom afresh – Steve Hawthorne
- A holy fearful thing. – Francis Anfuso
- Is war between the Spirit and the Devil – Dr. J. Edwin Orr
- The church being awakened. – Francis Anfuso
- God’s quickening visitation of his people, touching their hearts and deepening his work of grace in their lives. – J. I. Packer
- An extraordinary season of religious interest.- Robert Baird
- The sovereign act of God, in which He restores His own backsliding people to repentance, faith and obedience. Stephen Olford
- Times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19) – J. Edwin Orr
- The awakening or quickening of God’s people to their true nature and purpose. – Robert Coleman
- The return of the Church from her backslidings, and the conversion of sinners. – Charles Finney
- An extraordinary movement of the Holy Spirit producing extraordinary results. – Richard Owen Roberts
- A community saturated with God. – Duncan Campbell
- The of the Holy Spirit in restoring the people of God to a more vital spiritual life, witness, and work by prayer and the Word after repentance in crisis for their spiritual decline. – Earle Cairns
- Is the sudden manifestation that brings miraculous transformation to all who come in contact with it. – Sean Smith
Again, thank you for your contribution to the definition of revival. May our hearts continue to be stirred for a move of God in our neighborhoods, cities, nation and world!
A real/tangible visit by God resulting in a supernatural transformation of the people.
Like it! Thanks for taking time to leave a comment Suz.
A profound and sometimes overwhelming revelation of Truth, provided by God’s Holy Spirit, revealing previously forgotten, overlooked and/or ignored vision/need/direction, that leads individuals and groups of His people to radical action and change.
This is an incredible definition! Whoever this is did you come up with this definition on your own? Absolutely love this!
It was me, Lori Cotton. And yes, thank you, I did. I saw your post and that popped into my mind so fast I almost didn’t get it written down.
There’s a reason why you’re ALWAYS “Teachers Pet”!!!! Lol
Always working to maintain that status, P. SUZ =-)
God’s people finally listening to His voice and answering in obedience.
Now that’s what I call getting to the bottom line! Thanks for your definition.
Great revival quotes here Dean! Revival is an awakening to me. It is life from the dead. “Revive us, and we will call upon Your name!” -Ps 80:18
With scripture to back it up! Thanks Mason. Are you signing up for Platform University?
Strongly considering. The price is lookin right too! I’m guessing you are?
Hey Dean, there is so much to be said about revival. So many definitions. I really try to keep it simple though I realize that it’s depth exceeds simple definitions.
I don’t think revival is ever meant to be a temporary break-in from God but a life lived from fulness and obedience to the Holy Spiriti in people/community which results in God’s manifest presence filling the earth.
I too have the perspective that revival is not a temporary break in (love that). I think it can begin with a suddenly but must be sustained by creating a culture. Thanks PG!
a genuine and sincere love for Jesus that first takes place in an individual and spreads to the masses.
This made me think of Keith Green’s song…”Lord, please light the fire that one burned bright and clear. Renew the lamp of my first love that burns with holy fear.” Sincerity…like it!
Dead hearts coming to life due to a tangible and lasting sense of God’s presence.
God’s presence is a “game changer!”
Or you could just say Jesus. Jesus is perfect revival. Revival is everywhere He is!
Jesus revives…
God’s manifest presence being communicated to His people due to true repentance and worship that permeates individual and corporate bodies, inevitably resulting in personal and corporate transformation in the form of salvation through Jesus, healing, deliverance, and empowerment to continue to carry the revival and fulfill the Great Commission.
True repentance…definitely a reoccurring theme in defining revival. Thanks for taking time to leave a comment.
Revival is the lingering manifest presence of a holy God.
Thanks Mike! I love to linger in His presence too!