What is a revival? Is revival a concert? Is revival a church service that doesn’t stop? Is revival a time of signs, wonders, and miracles? In this blog, we’ll discover bible verses about revival, and answer questions about what God said would happen in the last days.
What Does Revival Mean in the Bible?
Contrary to popular belief, the word “revival” isn’t actually used in the Bible. However, the Bible does talk about things like salvation, repentance, signs, wonders, and miracles as things that will follow those who believe in Jesus Christ.
Have you received Jesus into your heart yet? If not, today is your day! Learn how to surrender your life to Jesus and receive the hope that He offers in our blog: This is For You!
Even though the Bible doesn’t mention the word “revival” directly, there are Bible verses that sound like revival and spiritual awakening throughout the scriptures. Revivals and spiritual awakenings have occurred from the book of Acts through modern times. Now that we’ve defined what revival means in the Bible, let’s look at some Bible verses for revival and why revival is generally tied to the concept of living in the last days.
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Bible Verses About Revival
Believe it or not, Bible verses about revival can be found throughout the scriptures. Even though the word “revival” isn’t explicitly said, prayers and petitions for God to revive a people, a place, or a nation are a consistent theme in the scriptures. So, let’s dive into these Bible verses for revival.
Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? - Psalm 85:6
This Bible verse about revival mentions the word “revive,” which means to regain life, consciousness, or strength. One of the reasons that the word “revival” is used interchangeably with the word “awakening” is that revive means to regain life or to wake up. Just like when a paramedic performs CPR, God revives us back to life and wakes us up so that we can live alive to God. (Romans 6:11)
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”- 2 Chronicles 7:14
This iconic Bible verse about revival is used in songs, worship services, and prayer meetings as Christians contend for revival and spiritual awakening. Humility, prayer, and repentance are essential to the Christian faith, and these spiritual attributes precede every revival.
Listen to a worship song that is based on this Bible verse on revival from 2 Chronicles 7:14: Jesus the Healer by Lindy Cofer & Elyssa Smith
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. - Psalm 51:10
Bible verses about revival are also verses about humility. Because our world is drawn to sin and selfishness, we must ask God for a pure heart. In addition, Bible verses about revival in the last days often talk about turning from darkness to light and from choosing the things of this world to choosing the things of God.
Learn more about how to choose God in a distracted world: How to Pursue God Despite Distractions
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord - Acts 3:19
Bible verses on revival talk often talk about the need to repent. Repentance is a word that means to turn from wrongdoing and turn to God. While repentance can involve Godly sorrow and remorse, revival Bible verses tend to focus on turning from evil and turning to God.
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I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws - Ezekiel 36:26-27
This revival Bible verse comes from the book of Ezekiel. In Ezekiel’s time, the Jewish people were in deep pain and spiritual crisis. God spoke to His people through the prophet Ezekiel in these Bible verses about revival. While God didn’t use the word revival, God did say that He would give His people a new heart and a new spirit – the Holy Spirit! Instead of a heart of stone, God offers us a heart of flesh. Most revivals and spiritual awakenings are marked by salvations, healings, and a renewed devotion to God, as this revival Bible verse says.
Learn more about the love of God and how the Holy Spirit gives us a new heart during spiritual awakening:
LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Repeat them in our day, in our time, make them known; in wrath remember mercy. - Habakkuk 3:2
Bible verses about revival are often Bible verses about prayer. As you grow in God and continue to study the Bible, you will come across stories of God’s power that brings healing, deliverance, and salvation to those who ask. Praying for God to repeat His awesome deeds and start a revival in your city, your state, and your country.
Discover more about the power of prayer in our FREE E-Book: Let’s Talk About Prayer: Simple Steps to Connect with God
Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” - Isaiah 40:4-5
Bible verses about revival in the last days are often prophecies written thousands of years ago. This revival Bible verse was written by Isaiah in the 8th century, around 700 B.C. This Bible verse on revival is also a Messianic prophecy about Jesus’ second coming.
Did you know that one day, Jesus will return to the earth to make the wrong things right and wipe every tear from our eyes? (Revelation 21:3-5) Discover more about the end of the age in our blog: What Does the Bible Say About Judgement?
For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. - Isaiah 57:15
This Bible verse for revival is also from the book of Isaiah. Revival Bible verses show us that God is drawn to the lowly, the meek, and the humble. When praying for revival or spiritual awakening, it’s important to be praying from a place of humility rather than entitlement.
Learn more about what it means to walk humbly with God in our blog: What Does it Mean to Walk in Humility?
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. - Psalm 19:7-8
Bible verses on revival tell us that the words in the Bible revive us and refresh our souls. In other places in the scriptures, we are told that the fear of the Lord is clean and that God's ways are always perfect. Following the commands of Jesus benefits us and helps us to experience revival in our own hearts, before our communities experience revival and spiritual awakening.
Learn more about following the commands of Jesus and how to live a cruciform life in our interview with John Velsor:
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. - Romans 12:11-13
Revival Bible verses instruct believers on how to bring revival and spiritual awakening to their community. Christians are to be spiritually awake, serving the Lord, and joyful at all times. Christians are also called to be patient in pain, faithful in prayer, and full of generosity and hospitality.
Discover how you can grow in these spiritual disciplines in our blog: What Are the Fruits of the Spirit in the Bible?
Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. - Acts 2:2-4
When it comes to Bible verses about revival, look no further than the book of Acts for a picture of what revival really looks like. After Jesus died and rose again, the disciples were instructed to wait for the Holy Spirit. 40 days after Jesus ascended to the Father, the Holy Spirit came and filled the disciples waiting in the Upper Room with the Holy Spirit and gave them the gift of speaking in tongues. Many modern revivals have been marked by people experiencing the baptism of the Holy Spirit, too.
Hear how one encounter with the Holy Spirit turned our friend from an agnostic to a Christian:
“ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. - Acts 2:17-18
Bible verses about revival promise us that God will pour out His Spirit on all people: men, women, and children alike. Through dreams, visions, and encounters with the Holy Spirit, people will be awakened from their spiritual slumber and experience the revival of the heart that only Jesus can offer. Testimony after testimony keeps pouring in throughout the world of people who encounter Jesus through dreams in the night!
Learn more about how to pray and partner with God’s heart for revival in your city: What Does the Bible Say About Praying for Others?
Conclusion
As you can see, God wants to bring revival and spiritual awakening to the earth. Jesus longs to open eyes and show people that He is the only way, the only truth, and the only life (John 14:6). The Bible is full of verses about revival in the last days and ways that Christians can partner with God’s heart for the world. Praying through Bible verses for revival and renewing your mind on revival Bible verses can change your heart, your family, your neighborhood, and your city. Who knows? Maybe your town will experience the next Great Awakening as you live out your everyday faith!
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