February 3: 2 Chronicles

SO, WHAT Does Revival Look Like?

I have taken these main points from Revive Us Again, by Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. I have added my own observations to them, but recommend that those who want to dive deeper should consult his work on the subject.

Revivals have often been preceded by a time of deep spiritual decline and despair.

• Think of the days of Elijah, when King Ahab, one of the most wicked kings and husband to Jezebel, led the people into idolatry and paganism. The drought that followed Elijah’s pronouncement to Ahab caused the people to rethink their allegiance at Mt. Carmel. 1 Kings 17-19 share the story of how Elijah called a nation back to the true God.
• Revival was spurred on in the days of Rehoboam (Solomon’s son—2 Chronicles 10-12), when the kingdom split into the northern and southern kingdoms, as a result of the disastrous policy decision of Rehoboam. The LORD also allowed Shishak, king of. Egypt, to challenge Judah because of their unfaithfulness.
• Uncharacteristically, it was prosperity that brought revival in the days of King Asa (2 Chronicles 14). Later, there were military challenges that came against Judah which further spurred on revival.
• Revival came in the days of Asa’s son, Jehoshaphat, as a result of a large military force coming against the kingdom (2 Chronicles 20).

Then the LORD appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:12-14, ESV, emphasis mine

Revivals often begin in the heart of one of God’s servants, who then becomes the instrument in God’s hands to stir up an apathetic people.

• Think of prophets like Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah, Haggai, Zechariah, etc.
• Think of kings like Rehoboam, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah and Josiah.
• Think of leaders like Ezra, Nehemiah, and Zerubbabel, etc.

Every revival in the Old Testament rested solidly on a new and powerful proclamation of the Word of God.

• Under Jehoshaphat’s reign, Levites went throughout Judah teaching the law of the Lord (2 Chronicles 17:9
• During the rule of Josiah, the Book of the Law was found, read, and obeyed (2 Chronicles 34).
• During the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, the Word of God was central to revival (Nehemiah 8).

Revivals are marked by a return to the genuine worship of Yahweh.

The responses of humility, prayer, seeking, and repentance for a strong foundation for worship.

Revival involves the destruction and renunciation of the idolatry that stands in the way of acknowledging and worshiping the true God.

Repentance and the destruction of idol worship is at the center of every reform in 2 Chronicles.

Revival is characterized by a deep sense of sin and an overwhelming desire to forsake it and all that causes it.

Revival in the Old Testament involved the restoration of the offering of blood sacrifices.

Atonement was tied to addressing the sin problem of the culture. In our day, revival should be marked by an emphasis on the sole sufficiency of the atonement (blood) of Christ.

Revival is marked by the experience of joy and gladness.

“for the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:9-10).

Revival is usually followed by a time of productivity and prosperity.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34, ESV)

APPLICATION

These are the characteristics we should expect and should be praying for. Revival is necessary, because spiritual relapse is inevitable.