In several places in God's Word and also in the history of the church revivals are mentioned. What really is the meaning of this? The word "revival" in a religious sense means a period of renewed religious interest. Such periods can be clearly found in the Bible. We find a general reference to a religious awakening in the time of Elijah: "And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, the LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is the God" (1 Kings 18:39). This was a great change among Israel, but we know it was only a short-lived and superficial revival.

Often these revivals among Israel started in the days when a God-fearing king ruled over them or when they had a prophet who lived close to the Lord. A few well-known examples are Samuel, King Hezekiah, and Ezra.

Religious awakenings are recorded also in the New Testament: when Philip came to Samaria (Acts 8:5-8); the apostle Peter at Lydda (Acts 9:35); the coming of Paul to Ephesus (Acts 19:18-20). Several others could also be mentioned. Still the most well-known we have not yet named: the Day of Pentecost. Only a few months ago we have commemorated the ascension of the Lord Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. Three thousand were converted to the Lord on that day. The church at Jerusalem, and later in other locations, increased steadily. The Lord did great things.

When we come to the time after the apostles have died, then also there have been times of revivals. First of all we think of the Reformation, wherein the hand of the Lord has been clearly visible. In the Middle Ages darkness was great in the church. Preaching was nearly abolished. Everything was centered around the sacraments, especially the mass, of which the Catechism says: It is "an accursed idolatry." It was really dark! But then the Lord stood up in the Reformation and gave the light of His Word again on the pulpit. "Sola Scriptura" was the banner of the Reformation. This was a God-given revival.

The nature of the Methodist revival which started in England around 1735 was quite different. How did this come to pass? You may recall that in the eighteenth century the influence of Deism and Rationalism had made church life unfruitful. In connection with this we mention the brothers Charles and John Wesley, but also George Whitefield. It was their intention to stay in the Anglican Church, but when most pulpits were closed for the revival preachers, they formed the Methodist Church.

The Wesleys were Remonstrants. They denied predestination and one-sidedly emphasized the responsibility of man. They believed in the human freedom of the will and in universal redemption. This is enough to put a question mark behind their revival-preaching. Whitefield, however, was an outspoken Calvinist. He continued to dia­logue with the Wesleys, but strongly opposed their free will teaching.

Their influence has also been felt in North America. How? The chilling effect of formalism in the beginning of the eighteenth century in England had also penetrated the churches in America. Then a tremendous change came over the religious life of the colonies in America; this was also a result of the preaching of the above-mentioned men, as well as the God-fearing Jonathan Edwards. This revival is known as the "Great Awakening."

Later revivals were sometimes the fruit of passionate sermons, speeches, and addresses. The so-called "camp meetings" were highly appreciated. At those meetings thousands of people gathered in the open air under the leading of a few Methodist ministers. They prayed, sang and preached by day and night. With great seriousness death and eternity was explained. The people were urged to do confession of guilt (this was at a so-called "anxious bench"). After their confession they would accept Jesus, which led to songs of praise by others who were already saved.

We don't dare to say there were no true conversions among them, but does it not sound like free will? Therefore, it is so necessary to closely study the Bible – what it has to say to us because also today we find this tendency in some denominations. What is the nature of a religious revival? We will try to mention a few marks of the true work of God, and also what is of man.

Most of the time the first step in the path of a true revival of religion is an increasing zeal and devotion in God's people. They begin to realize they have neglected their obligations toward God and they seek a closer life again, as it has been in former days. And how does this come to pass? Is this the work of God's child himself? No, we cannot make a true change ourselves. It is the Spirit who begins to work in the heart of man and He must be the first, also by renewal.

Still this does not mean we can sit down in false passivity. The Lord wants to be asked for His presence. Think of the one hundred twenty disciples who were together after Christ's ascension, "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication" (Acts 1:14a). In those days, before a revival, the church would draw with increased seriousness to the Lord, confessing their shortcomings and also asking the Lord to remember them and to give His Spirit. The need is personal, but it is also for those who surround them and the church. You can hear that the conversation is more spiritual and edifying. The world is more in the back­ground and the service of the Lord comes in the foreground.

Is the message that they hear probably different? This should not be the case, although in the life of God's children there are ups and downs, which is also applicable for God's servants. Their messages should always be according to Scripture. It should be "the old truth." When we listen to Peter on the Day of Pentecost then what he testified that happened on that day was already foretold by the prophet Joel. Peter also mentioned David. The center of Peter's preaching was Jesus in His humiliation and exaltation.

When the Lord sends revival, it will be visible in its fruits. In the last part of Acts 2 we find clearly the fruit of the labor of the Holy Spirit. The people came to a true confession of guilt and needed the remission of sins. Not only the relation with God had changed, but you can also see that they prayed together, they were united and they took care of one another. What a clear change in the life of these people who a few weeks before cried out: "Crucify Him, crucify Him." By Word and Spirit the Lord performs miracles.

These wonders of free grace in a revival often bring an alarm to the unconverted, to people who have lived carelessly until this time. Such changes often come gradually. Such a people are given a listening ear and a more serious interest for preaching. It is also possible a sudden change takes place, as it happened on the Day of Pentecost and also in other cities where the apostles preached.

We all know that where the Lord begins to build His Church, Satan will try to destroy it. As long as it remains dead in the church, there are no problems. When the Lord begins to break down the realm of Satan, then he becomes furious. At the descending of the Holy Spirit some said that the apostles were drunk. The history of the apostles before the Sanhedrin is clear: They forbade them to speak in the name of Jesus anymore. For Peter it was not hard to find an answer: "Should we not obey God more than men?"

More serious were the attacks of Satan through Ananias and Saphira: they were in the church. Then the Lord showed He would care for His church as He promised, "I am with Thee always." Later on Satan came with persecutions which had stopped for a while after the conversion of Saul of Tarsus.

What is now so special in these revivals? Of course, when we may see the hand of the Lord in it, then it is a wonder. But we know that Satan is subtle and imitates the Lord in many ways in the way of conversion. He also can do this in revivals. Sometimes, in what is written or spoken concerning a revival, many outward signs are mentioned. In this way we can be influenced to believe it is genuine. We will mention a few marks which can be but are not necessarily marks of a true revival given by God.

First, great excitement is not a sure indication it is a true work of God. It can be, but is not necessarily so. This excitement can be induced by artificial influences which work on our imagination and passion. Among the heathen there is dancing around the campfire; and they become very excited. We think also of the Quakers. They do not believe in having a theological school, in formal training for the ministry, or in engaging professional ministers. They come to church and wait until someone is moved by the Spirit to speak. This occurs together with trembling and shaking as a sign of inner emotions. They wait for the immediate revelation by God; they want to hear the voice of God in their heart. Then they will speak. Once in a while you will meet persons who believe it should be this way. The lead­ing of the Holy Spirit is indispensable for God's servants, but God is a God of order, which is not the way of the Quakers.

It is not a sure sign that we have a genuine revival simply if a great number of people profess to be converted to the Lord. Not always is a great number of people involved in a revival. It has happened that a local church experienced this. The fact that many say they have been changed does not necessarily mean it is the true work of the Lord. For example, when Billy Graham preaches, many people go to the front and accept Jesus. Later it is found that the great number of converts in such a campaign has diminished to nearly zero.

Thirdly, strong opposition is not always evidence of a true revival. The carnal mind is enmity against God and this will be experienced in the life of all God's children, but it does not mean it will lead to persecution. Think of the Jehovah Witnesses who say they are persecuted for Jehovah's sake. This is not true. They twist God's Word and persevere in their errors, while God's Word tells it so differently.

We have shown the marks of a true revival, as well as certain things which can accompany a false revival. Probably there are some readers who will ask: What must we do to have another revival in the church? Now I think of good and anxious people who mean well and are depressed over the spiritual and moral decay we find not only in society and in the church, but also in the personal life of God's people. They are seeking the means to get a revival started. This is good that they are concerned, but what are the means which should be used? Are we not convinced by now that revival is the work of the Holy Ghost? Some, as Abraham when he took Hagar for his wife, are trying to help the Lord a little.

We all agree we are living in dark times, but can we say that it drives us out to the Lord? Do not forget that only the Holy Spirit can bring new life to the valley of dead men's bones. This is the condition of the church of today. Of course, we would be thankful if the Lord would give a revival among us, and it should be our daily prayer that the Lord would reveal Himself more among us as it has been in former days. No, we don't want to cut off everything, but we must be very careful as the history of the church teaches us. Why are we so concerned about imitation? We have only one soul for a never-ending eternity and in our days the prince of darkness is working so hard, through wickedness or false religion, to get all power on earth. The Lord says in His Word: "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the LORD of Hosts" (Zech. 4:6b). We do not feel at home with the Pentecostalists of our day who show much enthusiasm in revival meetings, but where the life of a poor sinner is missing. Man has to do it himself and that means free will and nothing of the Lord.

As we have said before, we must emphasize the necessity of prayer. The reason that little is heard and seen of God's work is because our inner rooms are so empty. Not for, but upon, prayer the Lord does great things. It is true we don't know how to pray, but we should ask the Lord to instruct us in this. If it truly becomes a need in our life, then the Lord will send His Spirit for the first time or by renewal.

In regeneration a dead sinner is called to life. Then a revival comes in the life of such a person. In the valley of dead men's bones a noise will be heard – a noise of weeping and sup­plication before the Lord, not only to confess our sins, but also to ask for the continual leading of the Lord in our life.

From the vision of Ezekiel we can learn it is not sufficient to have the Word only, the Spirit must be added to it.

The condition of the church in general today can be compared to a valley of dead men's bones, which is not such a nice picture, but I am afraid it is the truth. May it become our prayer, people of God, that a real revival in our personal life, in our families, but also in the church and society, may take place. This would mean great joy for our soul but, above all, it would lead to the glory of God.