Scripture gives a constant call for individual and communal repentance
issuing in righteousness and justice.
Wilbur Smith notes seven revivals in the Old Testament in addition to the
one with Jonah. These revivals involved:
- Jacob's household (Genesis 35:1-15),
- Asa (2 Chronicles 15:1-15),
- Joash (2 Kings 11-12; 2 Chronicles 23-24),
- Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:18; 2 Chronicles 29-31),
- Josiah (2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34-35),
- Haggai and Zechariah with Zerubbabel (Ezra 5-6),
- Ezra with Nehemiah (Nehemiah 9:16; 12:44-47).
He noted nine characteristics of these revivals:
- They occurred in times of moral darkness and national depression;
- Each began in the heart of a consecrated servant of God who became
the energising power behind it;
- Each revival rested on the Word of God, and most were the result of
proclaiming God's Word with power;
- All resulted in a return to the worship of God;
- Each witnessed the destruction of idols where they existed;
- In each revival, there was a recorded separation from sin;
- In every revival the people returned to obeying God's laws;
- There was a restoration of great joy and gladness;
- Each revival was followed by a period of national prosperity.
The early church lived in continuous revival. It saw rapid growth in the
power of the Holy Spirit from the initial outburst at Pentecost. Multitudes
joined the church. At Pentecost 3,000 were won in one day (2:41). Soon after
that there were 5,000 involved (4:4). Then great multitudes (5:14; 6:7;
9:31; 11:21, 24; 12:24 and 16:5).
Those Christians were dynamic. Not faultless, as the epistles indicate,
but on fire. They were accused before the civil authorities as 'these people
who have been turning the world upside down' (Acts 17:6).
Revival makes that kind of an impact in the community.
Various renewal and revival movements stirred the church and the community
throughout history. The eighteenth century saw the first great awakening,
and powerful revivals have spread world wide since then until the astounding
developments now. |