Revival is predictablenot in the when of its coming, but in what generally happens in the course of a great movement of God. Recently the pattern of revival emerged for me from the pages of Lukes Gospel, in the beloved story of God blessing Zacharias and Elizabeth with the birth of John the Baptist.

Remember the setting: Zacharias and Elizabeth were a godly older couple, well past child-bearing ageand they were childless. While Zacharias was ministering before the Lord in the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and announced that Elizabeth would have a son whom they were to name John. This child would go as a forerunner before [Jesus] in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17, NASB). What an exciting, awesome promise!

As we pick up the story in verse 57, the time for Johns birth has come. Here we see the pattern of revival that has been repeated throughout church history. Do you recognize it?

GOD MOVES IN AN UNUSUAL WAY

The birth of John the Baptist is nothing short of miraculous. In fact, in this chapter there have been two miraculous conceptions. Elizabeth conceives with her husband Zacharias, a natural occurrence at an unnatural time. Mary then con-ceives the Messiah by the Holy Spirit, an unnatural occurrence in the fullness of time.

Clearly these births were sovereign acts of God invading the lives of His people. Likewise, revival always begins with God moving among His people in remarkable and miraculous ways. As Brian Edwards reminds us, Revival is remarkable, large, effective, and, above all, it is something that God brings about. . . . Though men may prepare and pray for it, revival is the work of the sovereign God, not primarily for the benefit of his people, but for his own honour and glory. (1)

GODS PEOPLE RESPOND WITH OBEDIENCE

Gods specific instruction to Zacharias was to name his son John. This was very unusual because the custom was that a male child should be given the name of his father or a prominent relative. However, in faithfulness to Gods word, Zacharias obeyed.

In real revival Gods people respond obediently to His Word. Often it means the removal of sin from their lives. Lives are changed, and the people are so filled with God and His glory that they are eager to follow His will in their lives. As Duncan Campbell described, Revival is a community saturated with God. (2)

The stories of changed lives because of conviction of sin are numerous in the various accounts of revivals. A favorite of mine is about the workers in the mines during the Welsh revivals. It seems their ponies would no longer obey thembecause they couldnt understand their commands. Vulgarity had vanished from their vernacular to such a degree that the ponies were now confused.

GODS NAME IS GLORIFIED

In verse 58, the people rejoice with Elizabeth that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her, and in verse 65, fear came on all those living around them. A holy reverence for God and His ways is a sure mark of revival.

GODS FAME IS SPREAD

As a result of Gods supernatural activity with Zacharias and Elizabeth , All these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea . All who heard them kept them in mind (vv. 65-66). As in every move of God in revival, there is no need for publicity. Word of mouth takes over, and the fame of revival spreads. Jonathan Edwards has beautifully described the effects of Gods moving in the town of Northampton, Massachusetts , in 1735.

This work of God, as it was carried on, and the number of true saints multiplied, soon made a glorious alteration in the town: so that in the spring and summer following . . . the town seemed to be full of the presence of God: it never was so full of love, nor of joy, and yet so full of distress, as it was then. There were remarkable tokens of Gods presence in almost every house. It was a time of joy in families on account of salvation being brought unto them; parents rejoicing over their children as new born, and husbands over their wives, and wives over their husbands. The goings of God were then seen in his sanctuary, Gods day was a delight, and his tabernacles were amiable. Our public assemblies were then beautiful: the congregation was alive in Gods service, every one earnestly intent on the public worship, every hearer eager to drink in the words of the minister as they came from his mouth; the assembly in general were, from time to time, in tears while the word was preached; some weeping with sorrow and distress, others with joy and love, others with pity and concern for the souls of their neighbours. (3)

Conclusion

As we consider the joyful story of Zacharias and Elizabeth , let us learn well this lesson of revival: What happens in revivals is not to be seen as something miraculously different from the regular experience of the church. The difference lies in degree, not in kind. God works in a persons(4) life, the believer responds in obedience, those who are touched by that believers life are touched by Gods greatness and grace, and the word gets out. A revived person cannot keep it quiet. Let us say with Zacharias, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel , for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people (v. 68).

1. Brian H. Edwards, Revival! A People Saturated With God ( Durham , England ; Evangelical Press, 1990) p.29.
2. Ibid.
3. Jonathan Edwards,Works (Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh, 1974) p. 348.
4. Iain H. Murray, Revival and Revivalism (Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh , 1994) p. 23.