What is Revival?

There is a simple definition in the Word of God that defines revival. It is one that the church seems to ignored.

Ezr 9:8-9 KJV  And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.  (9)  For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.

Putting all of this together gives a definition of revival that is outside the current religious definition of the church. In order that we might fully understand it let me put it in language that brings all the factors together.


Revival is God extending grace to a remnant of the current church which is currently in bondage allowing them to escape, and to establish us securely in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, or give revelation.This is expressed through the Mercy of God. It is manifest in favor from leadership, giving freedom to rebuild what has been broken or lost, It also sets up boundaries and restrictions and limitations on the enemy.


It cannot be earned it is something God does sovereignly. It is His timing, and what is restored is His choice.


Revival brings a people back to the presence and dwelling place of the Lord. It first takes us on a journey out of bondage then brings us to the place of restoration.


In this case things were restored in the following order

1. the altar of the Lord.  
2. the foundation of the Temple of the Lord or Dwelling place of God
3. Then the rest of the Temple was built.
4. Then the walls of the city producing protection for all those that dwelt around and within the city. This speaks of the walls of salvation being restored and the gates of praise. 

In every true revival these factors have been present.


What many have done is confuse "times of refreshing from the hand of the Lord" with revival. After each true revival there have been numerous "refreshings" mistaken for revival.


Acts speaks of times of refreshing.

Act 3:19 KJV  Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

This means that the following are indicators of times of refreshing.

1. Repentance
2. Conversion which is beyond repentance. It is related to what Jesus said to Peter. Peter "when thou are converted" strengthen the brethren. He already believed that Jesus was the Christ. He had received revelation concerning Jesus from the Father, but, he had a process to go through that would accomplish conversion's work within him.
3. The emphasis during refreshing is the removal of sin and the restoration of the focus on refreshing from the Lord. 

Think on these things.