Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of biblical teachings, the term "revert" is not explicitly used in Scripture; however, the concept of returning or turning back to a previous state or belief is prevalent throughout the Bible. This idea is often associated with repentance, restoration, and the return to God after a period of sin or disobedience.
Repentance and Returning to GodThe concept of reverting in a spiritual sense is closely tied to repentance, which involves turning away from sin and returning to God. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "shuv" is frequently used to describe this action. For instance, in the book of Joel, the prophet calls the people to return to God: "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning" (
Joel 2:12). This call to return is a central theme in the prophetic literature, emphasizing God's desire for His people to revert to a state of faithfulness and obedience.
Restoration and RenewalThe idea of reverting also encompasses the theme of restoration. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of the restoration of all things, which includes the return to a right relationship with God. In
Acts 3:19-21, Peter urges the people to repent and turn back to God so that times of refreshing may come from the Lord: "Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you" . This passage highlights the transformative power of reverting to God, resulting in spiritual renewal and the promise of future restoration.
Warnings Against Falling AwayThe Bible also warns against reverting to a former state of unbelief or sin. In the book of Hebrews, believers are cautioned against falling away after having received the knowledge of the truth: "For if we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains" (
Hebrews 10:26). This warning underscores the seriousness of turning away from the faith and the importance of perseverance in the Christian walk.
The Prodigal Son: A Parable of ReversionOne of the most poignant illustrations of reverting in the Bible is the Parable of the Prodigal Son (
Luke 15:11-32). In this account, a wayward son squanders his inheritance in a distant land but eventually comes to his senses and decides to return to his father. Upon his return, the father welcomes him with open arms, symbolizing God's readiness to forgive and restore those who revert to Him. This parable beautifully captures the essence of reverting as a return to grace and the loving embrace of the Father.
ConclusionWhile the term "revert" may not be explicitly found in Scripture, the concept is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative. It encompasses themes of repentance, restoration, and the return to a right relationship with God. Through the teachings of the prophets, the apostles, and the parables of Jesus, believers are encouraged to continually turn back to God, experiencing His forgiveness and renewal.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To change back to a former condition; to reverse.
2. (v. t.) To throw back; to reflect; to reverberate.
3. (v. t.) To change back. See Revert.
4. (v. i.) To return; to come back.
5. (v. i.) To return to the proprietor after the termination of a particular estate granted by him.
6. (v. i.) To return, wholly or in part, towards some preexistent form; to take on the traits or characters of an ancestral type.
7. (v. i.) To change back, as from a soluble to an insoluble state or the reverse; thus, phosphoric acid in certain fertilizers reverts.
8. (n.) One who, or that which, reverts.
Greek
1994. epistrepho -- to turn, to return... come again, convert, return. From epi and strepho; to
revert (literally, figuratively
or morally) -- come (go) again, convert, (re-)turn (about, again).
...Strong's Hebrew
3318. yatsa -- to go or come out... 3), projecting (3), promised* (1), publicly (2), pull (1), pursuit (1), put away
(2), put forth (1), reach (1), released (1), reported (1),
revert (3), reverts
...Library
But Let usRevert to the Matter in Hand. ...
... Piece XXXI. But let usrevert to the matter in hand.? But let usrevert
to the matter in hand. When men have received the seal...
Letter ix. Meditation.
... be so habitually fixed on heavenly things, that, after having been necessarily employed
about our worldly affairs, our thoughts will voluntarilyrevert back to...
The Memories of Home. [A]
... They come over us like the "breath of the sweet south breathing over a bed of violets."
When werevert to the happy scenes of our childhood, we live amid them...
The Power of Meditation
... Let, therefore, the object of your meditation be above and not below, so that every
time yourevert to it in thought you will be lifted up; let it be pure and...
Argument. --But There was a Limit to the Use of These Shadows or...
... From these things it is plain that all those things are returned to their original
blessedness now that the law is finished, and that we must notrevert to the...
Continuation: Ignorance of Satan.
... Thou didstrevert to thy state of [wilful] ignorance, because all the circumstances
seemed to thee trifling; [1335] for thou didst deem the swaddling-bands...
Degeneration
... uglier bird. Or if we neglect almost any of the domestic animals, they
will rapidlyrevert to wild and worthless forms again. Now...
Letter xvii. Harmony of Christian Character.
... Irevert to the same subject again, for the purpose of showing the importance of
cultivating the several Christian graces in due proportion, so as to attain to...
Elucidations.
... And let us reflect that there is a growing licence in our age, which makes it important
torevert to first principles, and to renew the apostolic injunctions...
What Happened
... like little feeble shadows of some grim rock, like little feeble shadows of the
grasses growing on it, rather than of it, in its solidity; or, torevert to the...
Thesaurus
Revert (6 Occurrences)... 3. (vt) To change back. See
Revert. 4. (vi) To return; to come back.
... 8. (n.) One
who, or that which, reverts. Multi-Version Concordance
Revert (6 Occurrences).
...Year (4027 Occurrences)
... All real property should automaticallyrevert to its original owner (Leviticus
25:10; compare 25:13), and those who, compelled by poverty, had sold themselves...
Jubilee (25 Occurrences)
... All real property should automaticallyrevert to its original owner (Leviticus
25:10; compare 25:13), and those who, compelled by poverty, had sold themselves...
Reflect (6 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To throw back light, heat, or the like; to return rays or beams. 4. (vi)
To be sent back; to rebound as from a surface; torevert; to return....
Reverts (2 Occurrences)
Reversed (2 Occurrences)
Return (499 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To speak in answer; to reply; to respond. 4. (vi) Torevert; to pass back
into possession. 5. (vi) To go back in thought, narration, or argument....
Resort (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Active power or movement; spring. 2. (vi) To go;
to repair; to betake one's self. 3. (vi) To fall back; torevert....
Reverse (12 Occurrences)
... decree. 16. (vi) To return; torevert. 17. (vi) To become or be reversed.
Multi-Version Concordance Reverse (12 Occurrences). Numbers...
Accountability
... By some the apostle John has been supposed torevert to the Old Testament notion
of a judgment proceeding now in place of coming at the Last Day; but Weiss...
Resources
What is a prayer shawl? | GotQuestions.orgIs being holy even possible, since only God is holy? | GotQuestions.orgCould an EMP attack be a part of the end times? | GotQuestions.orgRevert: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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