Revival is not a series of scheduled meetings. Revival is not drummed up emotions. Manifestations are not revival, nor concrete proof of revival.
When we need revival, we must understand that God’s intent is to turn things right side up. Although in the world’s thinking, those whom God uses in revival will be accused of turning the world upside down (see Acts 17:6).
What is revival?
It is when God rips away all pretense. He confronts people with the reality of the condition of their souls as He did the Pharisees. In revival, God is not hesitant to call people what they are…“Brood of vipers!” (Matthew 3:7). Neither is He reluctant to challenge people with their eternal destiny. “Who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (Matthew 3:7).
In revival, the Holy Spirit does not shy away from the word ‘Repent!’ Nor is He hesitant to point out the necessity that true repentance bears a certain kind of fruit. As John the Baptist said to the Pharisees, “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance”. (Matthew 3:8).
In revival God does not hesitate to yank away all false securities upon which men are relying. He did so to the Pharisees through John the Baptist: “Do not think to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.” For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.”
Revival is holy chaos. To use the picture of the threshing floor; it is when God comes with “His winnowing fan in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:12).
In revival God does a sifting. He confronts men with their sin and rebellion against Him. He confronts men with the reality that their life is like a shadow that is fleeing away in the sun’s rays. He confronts the religious crowd with their smugness. In revival, God turns over the tables of the money changers. Revival in some senses is a miniature view of Judgment Day… (excerpt/ see more in Twilight, Book Two of Revival: The Consistency of God)