Below is a list of themes that have been typical during revivals the Church has experienced during the last several hundred years.
1. Revivals have been stimulated by the personal commitment to God of a single influential individual (only 1 spark).
2. Revivals involved a purging of everything that competed for people’s religious allegiance.
3. Each revival featured the purification and restoration of worship.
4. Each revival was marked by a humble dependence on God to act.
5. Revival often takes root among the lower ranked and the laity before the professional clergy are moved (2 Chron. 29:34).
6. Revivals have always had leaders who were willing to step out and act before others had joined with them. They didn’t wait to act. Popular support only came after others had taken the lead.
7. Revivals have commenced due to a strong commitment to unity (Jn. 17:21-23).
8. Revivals have always had two distinct lines for preparation and spiritual effort. One was prayer, and the other was training in how to make disciples (evangelism & the training of new believers—discipleship).
9. Revival has often been stimulated by all night prayer, as well as prayer meetings of whole congregations.
10. Each revival is commenced by personal revival. Personal revival can take place once we:
- Confess and repent from all known sin.
- Stop all doubtful habits or practices (those things that you don’t know if it is a sin or not).
- Immediately obey the Holy Spirit’s promptings.
- Confess Christ publicly.
- Enroll in a firm but loving discipleship process for spiritual growth in holiness and in the development of personal spiritual gifts and ministry.
11. Revivals have had a reoccurring theme that centered on the Word of God. During revivals there has been an obvious hunger and thirst for the Word of God (…the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God—Lk. 5:1; 1 Pet. 2:2). Ezra’s revival demonstrated a great passion and love for the Word of God (Neh. 8:1-9).
12. He has promised revival to those who ask, to those who will pay the price (2 Chron. 7:14). We cannot expect post-Pentecost experiences if we are not willing to pay pre-Pentecost costs.
13. We never read in the New Testament, or in history, of God going forth on His own, but rather “They went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them” (Mk. 16:20). God acted when they acted. The Acts of the Apostles was written because the apostles acted!
14. In all of history, there has never been a revival without aggressive evangelism. The fields are ripe and are waiting to be harvested (Jn. 4:35).
15. Revivals always include a heart rending conviction of sins, among saints and sinners (Acts 2:37; 16:30-33).
