What Revival Is Not (part 1)

While speaking to a group of pastors recently, it dawned on me that even among Christian leaders, confusion abounds concerning revival. I am regularly asked to provide an assessment of a particular event that is taking place that is being labeled revival. This happened last week regarding a well publicized, extended gathering transpiring in central Florida. In most cases I have found it prudent to provide a list of biblical indicators regarding authentic revival and allow those who are concerned to judge for themselves. After three decades of trying to answer inquiries, I have also learned the most efficient way to bring a sense of understanding to the term revival is by sharing what it is not. There are four primary misconceptions concerning revival:

Misconception #1:  Revival Is Evangelism

The very construct of the word revive makes it clear that revival is a work of God among those who have life. “Re” means “again”; “vive” refers to “life.” Thus, “life again” is the purest definition of revival. Those with life (believers) are the only ones who can experience revival. All others need “vive” or life.“Revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You” (Ps. 85:6).“Revive Your work in the midst of the years” (Hab. 3:2).“If My people who are called by My name . . .” (2 Chr. 7:14).Five of the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 were urged by the Lord to repent. They needed revival . . . as a body of believers.Yet the most effective evangelism is a chief by-product of revival. When God meets with His people and pours forth His presence, a great work of evangelism always occurs. There is no better illustration of this truth than Pentecost. The presence of God in revival, via His Spirit, brought forth an explosion of evangelism. The power of God became the force by which conviction gripped men’s hearts.Rev. Bill McLeod will be here at Life Action ministering to our staff this summer. It was in his church that the Canadian revival of the 1970s began. He looked at me one day and said, “Byron, just remember this: In times of evangelism, evangelists seek sinners; but in times of revival, sinners seek the Lord.”Time and again, we have seen, as a ministry, a great harvest of souls whenever God has moved among His people. It always results in an intense presence of God. Conviction is heightened because God’s Spirit is free to move in power through the witness and testimony of broken and contrite believers. People are drawn to the Lord, sometimes unexplainably and extraordinarily.

Want evangelism? Seek revival.

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