What Is Revival?

Have you heard about the revival? Everywhere you look, there’s a meme, a post, or a video about it. You can search for it on Tick-tock, Twitter, or Facebook. And can you believe it’s even reached the local news; The Asbury Revival.

The question is, does everyone hearing or reading about the latest revival even know what revival is? And, if you encounter someone who doesn’t know, how can you explain it to them so they can understand what it’s all about?

Twenty-plus years ago, there was a conversation between my friend Jan and me that went something like this, “Del”, she said, “You may experience things that might seem a bit weird to you in church today. You might hear people speaking in a strange language or even see people falling on the floor,” she said. “But don’t worry,” she added. “It’s all God.”

What? What did I get myself into? If I wasn’t in her car with Jan driving at the speed of light on our way to church, I’d grab the handle, open the door, and run.

Growing up in a traditional church, I had never heard of anything like this. I couldn’t imagine these kinds of things happening and, above all, in church.

I was used to an altar, stained glass windows, and a priest who performed a forty-five-minute service with a gospel, and a message, along with communion, and that was it.

It wasn’t until I attended her church I found out there was more. And that is what revival is all about.

You see, I also discovered that when you’ve experienced these things of the Lord and you are around others with the same interests and the same Christian jargon, it all makes sense to you. It’s a common language for you and your church-going friends who understand the move of the Spirit and to get excited and share about it so naturally.

But what if you have never even heard of the word, revival? What if you’re like I was years ago and only experienced the traditional way of worship? Will you get excited if you hear that revivals are breaking out all over? Probably not.

So that is why I am writing this to you. First things first. What is a Holy Spirit revival? It is the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of God moving in a supernatural way. He moves in and through the hearts not by words, not by condemning one of their sins, but gently nudging believers and unbelievers to turn from their ways and to become right with Him.

It’s a time that is not controlled by man. It is controlled by the Spirit of God. Scripture tells us that no one knows the heart of a man but God. Worship will set the tone in such a setting. When we sing songs about God and sing about how great He is, from our hearts, our inner spirit is moved, and we draw closer and closer to God.

Time is lost when we draw close to God and enter into His presence. That is another thing one might ask if they’ve never experienced a revival. “I hear people talk about God’s presence; how do I get there?” Entering His presence is a supernatural encounter. Once you have experienced it, it’s difficult to put it into words.

It’s a time when you seek God with all your heart, and suddenly, everything around you doesn’t seem to matter anymore. Your mind becomes so focused on who He is that your thoughts are eluded to the things of this world. You begin to feel His nearness. With that, you may feel a warmth throughout your body. Some people even begin to shake (and that is ok); it is a releasing of yourself, a total surrendering of your body, mind, soul, and spirit to the living God who created you.

Then there are other things you might hear that go along with revival. Speaking in other tongues/languages. These are words spoken by the Spirit of God. Many refer to it as a heavenly language. It is not strange but biblical. “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 14:2

There is so much more to discuss involving speaking in tongues but to keep it simple, when you are filled with the Spirit, what’s inside just bubbles out all over. I refer to it as a bottle of champagne. When someone shakes it up, the cork blows off, and the champagne oozes forth and possibly splatters on those around.

That, my friend, is like revival. Others are splashed with your infilling of the Spirit. With your enthusiasm. With your experience, and word of mouth begins to fan the flame of revival. And so it is with what is happening at Asbury University.

Thousands have been. Thousands have shared. Word of mouth, along with social media, is fanning the flame, and many are experiencing a mysterious move of the Spirit that will change their life forever.

So, if you’ve never heard of revival, I hope this will shed a bit of light on it for you. And if you know what it’s about, go if God says to go, pray if God tells you to pray, and be careful when speaking to those unaware and ask the Holy Spirit to help you to share the awe and wonder of the powerful movement of God to all who have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying.

And May God Receive the Glory. Amen.

The Day of the Lord “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Joel 2:28

 

Blessings to you

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