Revival by Martyn Lloyd-Jones is a classic work that seeks to explain what revival is, why it is needed, and what characteristics it possesses in the context of the Christian church. Lloyd-Jones, using the scriptures and historical references, defines revival as a sovereign act of God that results in the Holy Spirit’s intervention that transforms the church and society. He stresses that revival is not a series of meetings but a powerful and lasting move of God that brings the church back to its biblical glory. The book is a plea for serious prayer, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and commitment to expository preaching as the ways in which God might be pleased to send revival.

In this book, Lloyd-Jones looks at the history of revivals and the biblical basis for them as well as the implications of revivals. He also points out the major revivals in the history of the church like the Great Awakening, the Welsh Revival and others to show how God has been working in the past and what the present day church should learn from it. His is a historical and theological study, proving that true revival is always characterized by the affirmation of the Word of God, the consciousness of sin, and the desire for sanctity. He also cautions against the ‘spurious’ revivals that may stir the people for a while but do not bring forth the fruits of genuine revival.

The last major theme of the book is the preaching of the word in revival. Lloyd-Jones, a preacher himself, affirms that God has decided to use preaching as the main tool in revival. He emphatically states that true revival preaching is marked by the proclamation of the truth, the exaltation of the glory of God, and the call to sinners to repent and believe the gospel. He condemns modern trends to dilute the message in order to reach more people, and calls for the revival of the anointed preaching that has characterized the great awakenings.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a well-known Welsh minister and a medical doctor who was the pastor of Westminster Chapel in London for almost three decades. He was a man of strong Reformed beliefs, an eloquent speaker, and a man who was very concerned about the spiritual state of the church. Lloyd-Jones was an important figure in the Reformed movement of the twentieth century and continues to be so through his books and tapes. He is a pastor and a theologian, and his ideas about revival are based on his research and his practice as a minister.

In contrast to other books on revival, which include Jonathan Edwards’ A Narrative of Surprising Conversions or Richard Owen Roberts’ Revival, Lloyd-Jones’ Revival is unique in its focus on the need for biblical preaching and the role of the Holy Spirit. Edwards gives a more elaborate description of the various revivals and their impact while Roberts gives a historical background of revival, Lloyd-Jones on the other hand dwells more on the theological and practical aspects of revival which makes it more suitable for practitioners.

In Revival, Lloyd-Jones does not make any new arguments but supports his points with the Bible, which makes the content of the book scriptural. He often uses Old and New Testament verses to show that revival is a continuous process in the history of redemption. His exposition of Scripture is comprehensive and reflective, offering the reader a solid biblical foundation for the concept of revival. This solid biblical basis makes the book useful not only as a theological work but also as a practical guide for individual reading.

To pastors, Revival is a word of comfort and a word of admonition. Lloyd-Jones challenges ministers to preach at a higher level, and to depend more on the Spirit than on techniques. He also gives advice on how to create the spirit of revival in the church and the ways that include prayer, repentance, and the word of God. This book will be a source of inspiration for pastors to see what the church can become when it is awake to God.

The laymen will also benefit from Revival because the book explains what true revival is all about in simple language. Lloyd-Jones’ writing is clear and free from complex theological jargon and the examples he uses are easy to understand and apply to everyday life. The focus on personal sanctification, prayer, and love for the Word of God will be appreciated by those who long for the true revival in their own hearts and churches.

The material of the book and its cover and binding are also of good quality, which is appropriate for the subject matter of the book. The book is well organized with headings and subheadings that help the reader follow along easily. The binding is strong and this means that the book will be able to handle frequent use in individual or group study.

Revival can be used in conjunction with other works on the subject such as Edwards or Roberts. Its concentration on the theological and pastoral aspects of revival is a good addition to the historical and experiential approaches of other authors. Altogether, these works offer a clear and complete vision of revival that is both academically sound and spiritually enriching.

In conclusion, Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ Revival is a must-read for anyone who wants to gain insight into the nature of revival. Due to its historical analysis, scriptural interpretation, and application, this book should be on the shelves of pastors, theologians, and ordinary believers.

“I got Revival by Crossway for free to review and I am not paid to give a positive review. This is my honest opinion of the book.”

Book Details:

Title: Revival

Author: Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Publisher: Crossway