Revival Defined

Revival Correctly Defined

Roy Hession: Missionary, Author, and a humble disciple of Jesus Christ

Revival Defined Linguistically

'To live' in Hebrew (chayah) only appears in the shortened form in the scripture, which in English is rendered revive. Revival is never used in scripture.

For the word life, in Hebrew, as in Leviticus 17:11, is the word Nephesh. "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement."

Nephesh in Hebrews occurs seven hundred fifty-four times, encompassing the whole range of human and creaturely life: the living being itself, the animating life-force, the inner self with its thoughts, emotions, and desires, and even the life that may be forfeited in death. Context, rather than a single English equivalent, determines whether translators render it as "soul," "life," "person," "creature," "appetite," or related ideas.

The word "life" is used over 750 times, and the word "revive" is used 19 times. The prefix re in the word revive means back, so that revive means back to life. What it means to be brought to life will be the main topic of this post.  

The condition of an unregenerate person, according to scripture, as found in Ephesians 2:1, for example, is dead. "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience."

The condition of a regenerate believer in Jesus Christ, not by intellectual understanding alone but by an identifying union with Him, through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, is an ongoing state of revival. As Roy Hession once wrote, "Revival is the life of the Lord Jesus Christ poured into human hearts."

With this statement of what it means to live in revival, let us look at what scripture has to say by its use of the word revive.

Revival Defined Scripturally

Time does not allow me to fully explain the writer's growth in his faith in God, His Word, separation from the world, and his awareness of sin and need for revival. The author of Psalm 119 uses the word revive nineteen times, much more than any other writer. Coupling a love for God's word with constant awareness of personal sin and a need to be revived is a powerful force to fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Psalm 119

When at first we come to Christ by faith, we come as a loathsome creature in our eyes with a deep and desperate need for reviving our souls. "My soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to Your word." (V.25)

Part of the conversion involves reevaluating our perspective on what was once considered of utmost importance to being worthless. To carry our view into practical application, revival is necessary. "Turn my eyes away from looking at what is worthless, and revive me in Your ways." (V.37)

Longing for God by faith is through His precepts, and revival empowers us to take hold of God's righteousness. "Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me through Your righteousness." (V.40)

Only as we continually recognize our sins and ask for revival will we desire to keep the commands of Christ. "Revive me according to Your faithfulness, so that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth." (V.88)

Afflicted can be rendered (bowed down), which is a state of humility and brokenness. In brokenness, we seek revival. "I am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word." (V.107)

Our voices that are all too often used to complain, but when we humble ourselves in our sins, we seek God's love. Then we seek revival. "Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your ordinances." (V.149)

When this writer penned these words, Christ's redemption was yet future. However, I am sure this writer experienced God's presence with power, like all the saints who lived before Christ. "Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word." (V. 154)

Mercy has a much deeper meaning for the one who is given the perspective of eternity. They also seek revival to keep God's statutes and ordinances out of gratitude. "Great are Your mercies, O LORD; Revive me according to Your ordinances." (V.156)

The writer concludes his repetition of his need for revival because of his love for God's precepts, and requests revival according to God's love.

"Consider how I love Your precepts; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness." (V.159)

Revival Correctly Defined

Revival is not about God blessing people with worldly possessions that are fleeting, such as importance, status, career, fame, good health, family, or an entertaining church. In Roy Hession's words, "Revival is not the top blowing off but the bottom falling out." When a believer recognizes their sin, coldness of heart, unseparation from the world, and unwillingness to be ill-treated, and in humility cries to God in repentance, that is the beginning of Revival. When in transparency, within a trusting and forbearing environment, Christian brothers share their sins after being cleansed by the blood and renewed in nearness to God, then fellowship happens.

Martin Luther understood brokenness leading to the victory of inner revival this way—number 5 in his 95 Thesis states. "The penalty of sin remains as long as the hatred of self (that is, true inner repentance), namely till our entrance into the kingdom of heaven."

Jesus said, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself (refuse to associate with the old self), and take up his cross and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24) Again in Luke 14:26-27, "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple."

Therein lies revival defined correctly.