Revival: What is Revival?

by Marilynn Chadwick

The dictionary defines “revival” as “coming back to life” or “increasing in strength or intensity.” An Emergency Room doctor might revive a patient whose heart has stopped. While the word “revival” doesn’t appear in Scripture, “revive” does.

Psalm 85:6 says, “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”

Isaiah 57:15b says, “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

Clearly there are moments where God’s people find themselves in need of restored hope, new life, fresh perspective.

Episodes in the Bible and throughout church history, where Christians are revived, reveal a pattern. These movements were characterized by fervent prayer, repentance of sin, a commitment to holiness, and boldness in proclaiming the gospel.

Unbelievers were saved in vast numbers and entire communities experienced the impact of God’s grace. This often led to dramatic societal changes. Taverns emptied, crime decreased, and marriages were restored. Children were often found at the forefront of historical revival movements.

These same marks of revival are present in the Gospel movements sweeping throughout the world today, especially in the Global South.

Over the next several days, we’ll explore these and other characteristics of revival – a timely discussion in light of what has now come to be known as the “Asbury Revival” on the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, KY in February of 2023. Other college campuses across the nation have since experienced their own revival movements as well.

We will be asking this question: If revival is real, then what does it mean for me?