Characteristics of Revival
The word “revival” is defined as a renewed zeal to worship and obey God. I want you to notice that the word “revival” applies to your personal walk as a Christian. In other words, revival begins in your heart. Though the core meaning of revival is in reference to your personal walk with the Lord Jesus Christ, I want to share with you some characteristics of revival in a corporate sense, meaning in a local church, a city, a region, etc.
The first characteristic is that there will be an overwhelming desire to win the lost. Rather than one person getting saved this Sunday and another one next month, there will be people getting saved and receiving the Holy Spirit baptism daily on a much larger scale. In Matthew 11:37-38, Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” I want you to notice that the problem is not with the harvest, but it is with the laborers. This is why we need a revival. Many in the Body of Christ have lost the desire to evangelize.
The next characteristic of revival is that there will be a supernatural unity among believers. Acts 2:42 says, “And they (believers) continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” You must understand true spiritual unity is based upon the written Word of God. When a revival hits, man made traditions and beliefs are replaced with the pure Word of God. There will be a longing for closer fellowship with other believers. Christians will be vulnerable to each other. Gossip and backbiting will stop. Acts 4:32 says, “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul…” This is one sign of true revival.
Another characteristic of a revival is that there will be great manifestations of miracles, signs, and wonders. Manifestations of healing and creative miracles will seem to come easy and effortlessly. Prayers will be answered very quickly. The gifts of the Spirit will be very active on a regular basis. There will be an increase of angelic activity. The manifest Glory of God will be seen and felt tangibly. You may see some strange things that will take you out of your comfort zones, but I can assure you, it will be the work of the Holy Spirit among us.
In a revival there is literally a head on confrontation between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. Because of this fact, there will be great persecution in a revival. Not everyone will embrace revival or the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Satan and evil spirits will not let a move of God go uncontested. We see this in the Book of Acts on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out. Acts 2:12-13 says, “They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.” The Pharisees even accused Jesus of doing miracles by the power of the devil (Matthew 12:24). Some persecution will come from unbelievers, as well as those within the church. In the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, multitudes were getting saved, healed, and delivered, yet many pastors were warning their congregations to stay away from it because they said it was of the devil. If people are making Jesus Christ the Lord of their life, being delivered from sickness, disease, and demonic bondage, and being filled with joy and peace, that is not the work of the devil. So just be prepared for great persecution when revival breaks out.
Another characteristic of a revival is that there is greater judgment and responsibility toward believers. The Glory of God and the judgment of God always come together. This is proven in Acts chapter 5 with Ananias and Sapphira. They lied to the Apostles and ultimately to the Holy Spirit about their offering. Greed crept into their hearts, and they both were struck dead. This happened in the time of revival after Pentecost. I believe Ananias and Sapphira had space to repent, but they willingly and rebelliously refused to heed the voice and promptings of the Holy Spirit. And then judgment came. When you see and experience the awesome power of God like Ananias and Sapphira did, and yet still choose to willingly rebel against God, there are no more options except for judgment to come. I want to encourage each one of you to examine your heart and prepare yourself for this mighty outpouring of God’s Spirit. Step out of your comfort zones. This region will never be the same when the Glory, power, and judgment of God begin to manifest. Revival is coming soon!
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