Understanding Revival: A Deeper Look at the Meaning and Origin
Exploring the concept of revival beyond the common call for its need, this content delves into the difference between 'revive' and 'revival,' the absence of the word in the Bible, and the active pursuit required for experiencing true revival. It also provides insights from the Greek origin of the term and challenges the passive approach to seeking revival.
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We Need Revival! For years churches in America have been declaring that we need revival. I don t know of a single Christian who thinks we don t. Pastors all over this nation are pounding their pulpits and pleading for believers to pray for revival. I hear it over and over again, We need a revival!
Question Has anyone every really considered the question: What is revival? Note, I did not ask, what is a revival? What is revival itself? What does it mean to be revived?
The Word Revival Is Not In The Bible The word revival does not exist in the Bible. The closest we come is in Romans 7:9 where the word revived is mentioned. Interestingly, it is written in the context of our sinful nature. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died. The word alive is translated in some Bibles as revived.
The Word Revival Is Not In The Bible This word appears one other time in the New Testament. In Luke 15:24 (Prodigal son) for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate.
So Whats the Difference? What is the difference between revive and revival? Revival is a noun. A noun is a person place or thing. If revival is a thing, then revival would be something we attend. It would be a place we go. Revive is a verb. A verb denotes action. Since revive is a verb, it is something we accomplish. It is something we do. Also, in both Romans 7:9 and Luke 15:24 the verb revive is an active tense. This means the word revive is not a passive experience, but an active pursuit.
Revival does not occur by passively asking God to do something. Revival occurs when God s children actively pursue Him on His terms!
Definition from the Greek The Greek word for revived is transliterated anazao. It is a compound from two words. The first is the preposition ana denoting motion from a lower place to a higher. When prefixed to a verb it denotes repetition or renewal. The second is the word zoe which is the Greek word for life.
Understanding Life Then and Now The ancient Greek world did not understand life as we do. One English dictionary defined life as the property that distinguishes living from dead organisms. In other words, to have life means you are not dead. The Greek world would define that concept not as life, but as existence. In the Greek sense, the word life does not define being, but nature. Life is not understood as a thing, but as a vitality. To be alive means you exist. But to have life means you have distinctiveness and purpose.
Putting It All Together So, when you put the two Greek words together and combine the definitions what do you get? preposition ana denotes upward movement or renewal The Greek word zoe (life) is to have vitality and distinctness with purpose The simplest definition I can offer that most closely fits the Greek understanding is this: Revival is to rediscover your purpose for existence and to fulfil that purpose. Therefore, only a saved person can be revived!
What is Our Purpose? Matthew 22:36-40 Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And He said to him, YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.
What Does It Mean To Be Revived? Revival is not an event. It is a way of life. It starts with the re-discovery of our purpose. That re-discovery must be followed through with activity that enforces and fulfils our purpose. To be revived is to rediscover our purpose. It is to fall in love with Jesus again. It is to realign and base our lives and daily decisions on the will of God.
Why we never seem to experience revival Revival is both personal and corporate Revival is not an event we experience Revival is not a movement that we can track. Revival is not an attitude that we can conjure. Revival is not determined by environment. Revival cannot be undermined by government. Revival is to rediscover your purpose for existence and to fulfil that purpose. Revival is not something we passively receive, it is something we actively pursue. Revival is not a destination, it is a way of life
Why we never seem to experience revival We seek to be passive recipients, when God s Word tells us to be active participants. We sing: Revive us again; fill each heart with thy love; may each soul be rekindled with fire from above God s Word declares: For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. II Timothy 1:6-7
Instead of asking God to send a revival ask God to clarify His purpose in your life. Then fulfil that purpose!
