Topical Encyclopedia
Reviving, in a biblical context, refers to the act of being restored to life, vigor, or consciousness, both physically and spiritually. It is a theme that runs throughout Scripture, illustrating God's power to renew and restore His people. The concept of reviving is closely associated with spiritual awakening, renewal, and the outpouring of God's Spirit.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, reviving often pertains to God's intervention in restoring His people from physical or spiritual decline.
Psalm 85:6 captures the plea for revival: "Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?" This verse reflects the desire for a renewed relationship with God, leading to joy and spiritual vitality.
The prophet Isaiah speaks of God's promise to revive His people, emphasizing renewal and restoration.
Isaiah 57:15 states, "For this is what the High and Exalted One says—He who lives forever, whose name is holy: 'I dwell in a high and holy place, but also with the contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.'"
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, reviving is often linked to the work of the Holy Spirit and the new life found in Christ. The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate act of reviving, demonstrating God's power over death and His ability to bring new life.
Romans 8:11 declares, "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who dwells within you."
The theme of spiritual revival is evident in the early church, as seen in the book of Acts. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2) marks a significant moment of spiritual awakening and empowerment for the believers, leading to the rapid spread of the Gospel.
Spiritual RevivalReviving is not only a historical or eschatological event but also a present reality for believers. It involves a personal and communal return to God, characterized by repentance, renewed faith, and a deepened relationship with Him.
James 4:8 encourages believers to "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you," highlighting the reciprocal nature of revival.
Throughout church history, periods of revival have been marked by a renewed emphasis on prayer, preaching, and a return to biblical truths. These movements often lead to significant spiritual and social transformation, as individuals and communities experience the life-giving power of God.
ConclusionReviving, as depicted in the Bible, is a multifaceted concept that encompasses God's ability to restore life, both physically and spiritually. It is a testament to His grace and power, inviting believers to seek renewal and transformation through His Spirit.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Revive.
2. (a. & n.) Returning or restoring to life or vigor; reanimating.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
REVIVE; REVIVINGre-viv', reviv'-ing: revive is the translation of chayah, "to live," "cause to live," used of restoration to life (Genesis 45:27Judges 15:19, etc.); of rebuilding (Nehemiah 4:2); of restoration to well-being (Psalm 85:6 (the Revised Version (British and American) "quicken");Psalm 138:7Isaiah 57:15Hosea 6:2;Hosea 14:7); of Yahweh's gracious work for His people (Habakkuk 3:2, "revive thy work in the midst of the years," etc.); "reviving" is the translation of michydh "preservation" or "means of life" (Ezra 9:8, 9). "Revive" occurs in the New Testament as the translation of anazao, "to live again" (Romans 7:9, 14:9, the King James Version "Christ both died, and rose, and revived," the Revised Version (British and American) (omitting "and rose") "Christ died and lived again" zao).
In 1 Maccabees 13:7 the Revised Version (British and American) we have "And the spirit of the people revived," anazopureo, "to stir or kindle up as a fire," the same word as in2 Timothy 1:6, the Revised Version (British and American) "stir up the gift of God, which is in thee," margin "Greek: `stir into flame.' "
In view of the frequent modern use of "revive" and "revival," it is worthy of notice that it is to Timothy himself the exhortation is addressed. We too often merely pray for "revivals," forgetting that it is for us to "stir into flame" the gift of the Spirit which we have already received of God. It is ours from Him, but we let it lie dormant, as a slumbering ember merely.
W. L. Walker
Greek
404. anapsucho -- to refresh... 404 (from 303 , "/completing a process" which intensifies 5594 , "cool by blowing") --
properly, bring cooling (
reviving, with fresh air); (figuratively) bring
...Strong's Hebrew
4241. michyah -- preservation of life, sustenance... 4240, 4241. michyah. 4242 . preservation of life, sustenance. Transliteration:
michyah Phonetic Spelling: (mikh-yaw') Short Definition:
reviving.
...Library
8Th Day.Reviving Grace.
... 8TH DAY.Reviving Grace. "He is Faithful that Promised."...Reviving Grace. "Wilt thou
not revive us, O Lord?" My soul! art thou conscious of thy declining state?...
Swooning andReviving Christ's Feet.
... SWOONING ANDREVIVING CHRIST'S FEET. AN ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE CLOSE OF ONE OF
THE PASTORS' COLLEGE CONFERENCES.... SWOONING ANDREVIVING AT CHRIST'S FEET....
True Revivals.
... Along with this individualreviving, let there be an earnest praying and striving
for areviving of the whole congregation, a life that may abide....
A Spiritual Revival
... Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in His holy
place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a littlereviving in our...
Take Ye Away the Stone.
... When three millions of Hebrews were put behind the Blood of the Slain Lamb,
that was nothing but Godreviving His work among them....
The Coming Revival
... miracle of His power. The restoring orreviving of the Divine life, in a soul
or a Church, is as much a supernatural work. To have the...
Heavenly Contemplation Exemplified, and the Whole Work Concluded.
... It is melody to my ears! It lies as areviving cordial to my heart, and from thence
sends forth lively spirits, which beat through all the pulses of my soul!...
"And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
... And many such things befall them, which make them look as dead, and to stand in
need of quickening,reviving and strengthening cordials from him who is the life...
The Life of Mr. David Dickson.
... principal Boyd of Trochridge, the worthy Mr. Blair, and other pious members of that
society, his pains were singularly blessed inreviving decayed serious...
The Fall of the Empire and of the Papacy
... Thus the papal plans forreviving the Crusades were nothing to him, but he desired
to obtain for himself the crown of Jerusalem; and since Constantinople had...
Thesaurus
Reviving (4 Occurrences)... reanimating. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. REVIVE;
REVIVING. re
... merely. WL
Walker. Multi-Version Concordance
Reviving (4 Occurrences). Ezra
...Revive (31 Occurrences)
... 8. (vi) To restore or reduce to its natural or metallic state; as, to revive a metal
after calcination. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. REVIVE;REVIVING....
Revoke (10 Occurrences)
Reviveth (8 Occurrences)
Grant (87 Occurrences)
... LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in His holy
place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a littlereviving in our...
Bondage (55 Occurrences)
... our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place,
that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a littlereviving in our...
Quicken (16 Occurrences)
... To quicken also means areviving, a refreshing, an increasing of life (Psalm
71:20; Psalm 85:6; Psalm 119:37, 40, 88 Isaiah 57:10)....
Quick (49 Occurrences)
... To quicken also means areviving, a refreshing, an increasing of life (Psalm
71:20; Psalm 85:6; Psalm 119:37, 40, 88 Isaiah 57:10)....
Othniel (7 Occurrences)
... rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, whom the children of Israel had served 8 years,
and thus not only saved the Israelites, but byreviving national sentiment...
Weren't (25 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 57:10 You were wearied with the length of your way; yet you didn't say,'It
is in vain.' You found areviving of your strength; therefore you weren't...
Resources
How can I know when God is telling me to do something? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Zerubbabel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was the Venerable Bede? | GotQuestions.orgReviving: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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