We are about to begin a new Devotional Series on the topic of Revival. In churches across America, it is Revival time. Most, including the church I attend, usually have a summer Revival. In fact, ours is coming up next month.

We use the term quite loosely sometimes, and may or not actually be thinking about what it actually means to have a revival in our churches. I heard a comment the other day on a comment thread that a commenter had always just thought of revival as something they attended. That really made me think. (By the way, brother commenter, if i could remember where it was, I would have given you proper credit!)

So, what then, is a Revival? One of the definitions of Revival, from the Merriam Webster online dictionary, read in part as follows:

Revival: restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength, etc.

I found the following definition in the online KJV Dictionary:

KJV Dictionary Definition: revival
revival
REVI’VAL, n. from revive.
1. Return, recall or recovery to life from death or apparent death; as the revival of a drowned person.
2. Return or recall to activity from a state of languor; as the revival of spirits.
3. Recall, return or recovery from a state of neglect, oblivion, obscurity or depression; as the revival of letters or learning.
4. Renewed and more active attention to religion; an awakening of men to their spiritual concerns.

Over the next little bit, and I don’t really know how long, we will explore the topic of revival. We will try to answer a few questions about it as we go, and this list may not include all of the topics which will come up.

What is revival and what is it not?

Who is revival for?

Why do we need revival?

What does a revival require?

What dampens revival?

Are there examples of revival in the Bible?

Are there consequences for no revival?

Today, we won’t be getting into any real thoughts on the matter, as this is just a warning so to speak of what is coming.

I’m going to be drawing from a lot of information over the course of this study, and much of it will come from, surprise, revival sermons I have heard or read over the last 8 years. So, if any pastors I know read any of this and think it might look vaguely familiar, that is because it probably is. I hope that constitutes proper attribution!