Growing up in California, I would attend my church’s family camp each summer.
We would travel to the mountains for a week and participate in twice-a-day meetings listening to out-of-town preachers inspiring us to renew our commitment to Jesus.
I never wanted to leave the mountain because it seemed my relationship with God always transcended to a deeper level. I didn’t realize it then, but I was experiencing a revival—a fresh infilling of power from the Holy Spirit to walk out my faith with a new level of commitment and boldness.
In the Bible, the term “revival” is not used explicitly. However, the concept of revival can be found throughout the Bible, and there are many reasons why revival is needed, according to the Scriptures:
1. To Return to God
Revival is needed when people have strayed from God. Second Chronicles 7:14 says, “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways. I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land” (TPT). Revival involves turning back to God and seeking Him with all our hearts.
2. To Restore Spiritual Passion
Revival is needed to ignite a new passion for God and His purposes. Revelation 2:4–5 says, “Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember, therefore, from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent” (TPT). Revival involves repenting of our spiritual dryness and pursuing God with new zeal.
3. To Bring Transformation
Revival might start as a personal renewal but can also transform churches and communities and spread nationwide. In Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples, it resulted in the conversion of thousands of people and the birth of the Early Church. Revivals have been a significant part of church history. Revival is needed because it brings us back to God and restores our spiritual passion. Over the past 300 years, we have heard about famous revivals such as the Great Awakening revivals, the Azusa Street revival, the Jesus Movement revival, and the most recent 2023 Asbury revival. As I watched a video of the Asbury revival—the humbled faces praying, outstretched arms surrendered to God—I thought, “I want a revival ignited in me, my community, or better yet, God; how about another Great Awakening revival worldwide.”
Revival on the Move
The timing of the revival on the Asbury campus and the release of the new Jesus Revolution movie is not a coincidence. After watching the movie, I wanted to go to a higher level in sharing my faith with non-believers. I believe God is sending a wake-up call to everyone.
“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT)
Revival starts when we humble ourselves, pray, and repent.
Why Do We Need Revival?
Our spiritual walks sometimes need a powerful jolt to help us fulfill the Great Commission that Jesus asked the disciples and us to do in Matthew 28. Before the disciples could move forward in their callings, they needed an upgrade from the Holy Spirit—a new surge of power to run and tell others about the benefits of salvation and serving Jesus. The disciples needed to be revived by the power of the Holy Spirit to become the first church builders and catalysts of the first church revival.
The pattern of the world promotes ungodly lifestyles, redefines the biblical definition of marriage, and accepts children’s disrespect for their parents. Media subtly convinces us to receive the world’s patterns as normal behavior. The underlying message is you don’t need to commit to a lifestyle pleasing to God. You are your own God.
Yes, we need a spiritual revival. The voices of Christians proclaiming Jesus Christ as the answer to discovering true love, hope, and satisfaction should be louder than any other voice promising fulfillment and a solution to life’s problems.
Our Call to Wake Up
In Revelations 3:1–6, Sardis was one of the seven churches that Jesus addressed. The Church of Sardis were Christians but denied God’s power in their lives (2 Timothy 3:5). Jesus had an issue with the Church of Sardis. He called them a dead church. He told them to “Wake up.” They needed a revival to bring them back to life and to serve God with the right motives.
I believe the clarion call to all blessed to be God’s scribes and speakers is to boldly share the good news of the gospel. So, let’s commit to using our books, speaking opportunities, and social media platforms like the disciples—a catalyst to build God’s Kingdom by igniting a new spiritual passion so that others are compelled to return to God.