Do physical manifestations have to accompany revival?
- The best answer from the Bible (Ac. 2:1-13) and church history seems to be that there will usually be some manifestations of the Spirit accompanying revival.
- Caution: The key is not to assume that you can predict what God is going to do in the revival. God is the author of revival. He decides the type of manifestation.
“The more powerful a revival, the more scandalizing disfigurement we may expect to see. A work of God without stumbling blocks is never to be expected.” -J.I. Packer
Among churches in revival, some or all of the following manifestations have been present.
- Overwhelming sense of God’s holiness.
Isa. 6:5 Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips. And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”
2. Indescribable joy.
1 Pet.1:8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
Psa. 16:11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
Psalms 126:2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3. Falling to the ground
Rev. 1:17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “ Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,
4. Trembling or shaking
Dan. 10:8-10 So I was left alone and saw this great vision; yet no strength was left in me, for my natural color turned to a deathly pallor, and I retained no strength.
5. Silence and tears.
Nehemiah 8:9 Then Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “ This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law.
6. Drunkenness
Ac.2:15 For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day. For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day;
Jer.23:9 As for the prophets: My heart is broken within me, All my bones tremble; I have become like a drunken man, even like a man overcome with wine, Because of the Lord and because of His holy words.