AD 33 Collective and Seeking Personal Revival

Welcome to our AD 33 Collective—designed to ignite a fire of revival within each of us. This collective is a call to awaken our hearts to the power of the Gospel.  Too often when we think about revival, we think about the world “out there”. That somehow the world needs revival and that is what will light up the darkness. But biblically and historically this is just not true. Revival doesn’t start in the world. Revival starts in the church. More specifically, revival starts with individuals like you and me.

Understanding Revival

When you hear the word "revival," what comes to mind? To truly understand revival, we must delve deeper into its biblical meaning.

Revival means restoration—bringing back to life what was once dead. It’s an awakening of spiritual holiness, vigor, and strength. Simply put, revival is a reawakening of interest in and care for our personal relationship with God. 

Revival Begins in the Church

Historically and biblically, revival has always started within the church. Just as the nation of Israel experienced cycles of spiritual decline and revival, so too must the modern church recognize its need for renewal. The church is called to be a beacon of light in a dark world, but too often, we find ourselves conforming to the world's standards rather than transforming it.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God promises, "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land". This verse underscores the conditions necessary for revival: humility, prayer, seeking God’s face, and repentance.

Our churches today must become places of genuine worship, prayer, and repentance. We need to turn back to God with all our hearts, recognizing that revival is not for the unsaved but for the church. When we, as God’s people, are walking in the power of the Spirit of the Living God, we become the light that dispels the darkness in the world.

Revival Starts with You and Me

While revival begins in the church, it really starts with individuals—people like you and me. It’s about seeking God with our whole hearts and yielding our lives to the Living God.

Consider the story of D.L. Moody, one of the most influential evangelists of the 19th century. Moody was a simple shoe salesman before he experienced a profound personal revival. One Sunday, his Sunday school teacher, Edward Kimball, visited him at his workplace and shared the Gospel with him. That encounter changed Moody's life forever. He later recalled, “I can’t describe it, I seldom refer to it; it is almost too sacred an experience to name. I can only say that God revealed Himself to me, and I had such an experience of His love that I had to ask Him to stay His hand.”

Moody’s transformation was further solidified by a challenge he received while in England, when he heard evangelist Henry Varley say, “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to Him.” Deeply moved, Moody resolved, “By the grace of God, I will be that man.” This declaration became the driving force behind his ministry.

Moody's personal revival ignited a passion for evangelism that led him to become one of the greatest preachers of his time. He founded the Moody Church and the Moody Bible Institute, both of which have had a profound impact on Christian education and evangelism. His revivals in America and England brought thousands to faith and had a lasting impact on the global church. His work in establishing educational institutions and mission agencies continues to influence the spread of the Gospel worldwide.

Biblical Examples of Revival: King Josiah- Israel’s Righteous Reformer

King Josiah ascended to the throne at a time when the nation was steeped in idolatry and wickedness, largely due to the actions of the previous wicked kings who had led the nation into deep spiritual decline. His father, King Amon, and grandfather, King Manasseh, allowed, and even promoted, the worship of idols and false gods. Josiah, however, was fully devoted to God. Josiah initiated reforms that aimed to restore true worship in Judah.

One of Josiah’s most notable acts was the cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem. During this process, the Book of the Law was discovered, a pivotal moment that deeply impacted the young king. Upon hearing the words of the Law, Josiah tore his clothes in distress, realizing the extent of Judah's disobedience to God.

Determined to lead his people back to righteousness, Josiah embarked on an extensive campaign to eradicate idolatry throughout his kingdom. He ordered the destruction of all idols, altars, and high places dedicated to false gods, not only in Judah but also in parts of Israel. He also removed the pagan priests and restored the proper worship of Yahweh in the Temple.

King Josiah’s reign is a powerful testament to the impact of how the revival of a single person can spark the revival of a nation. Through his unwavering commitment to purging idolatry and restoring true worship, Josiah brought spiritual revival to Judah, delaying the impending judgment and demonstrating the profound difference one faithful believer can make.

Experiencing Revival Today

Revival must happen in our personal lives before it can happen in our nation. Like Josiah we need to be sparked to purge idolatry from our lives and restore true worship in our hearts and minds. This begins with a deep desire for God and a commitment to seeking Him above all else. Ephesians 5:14 encourages us, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you". This call to wake up is a call to personal revival.

The AD 33 Collective is designed to rekindle in our hearts and minds the unparalleled power of Jesus over all things. He raises the dead, heals the sick, and gives sight to the blind. Moreover, He grants us the ability to see our own hearts and recognize our own sin, for “in His light we see light”. We need Christ's light to shine in our hearts to expose our waywardness. He shows us how to live lives of personal holiness, dedicated to an audience of One.

The Lost Ax Head: A Symbol of Life Without the Holy Spirit

The story of the lost ax head in 2 Kings 6:1-7 offers a powerful metaphor for the Christian life without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. In this passage, a group of prophets under the leadership of Elisha went to the Jordan River to cut down trees to build a new place for them to live. As one of the men was chopping down a tree, the iron ax head flew off the handle and fell into the Jordan. The man cried out to Elisha, saying, “Oh no, my lord! It was borrowed!” Elisha asked where it had fallen, and when shown the place, he cut a stick, threw it there, and made the iron float. The prophet then told the man to lift it out, and he did.

This account is rich with symbolism that applies to the Christian life:

• The Ax Head Represents Power: The iron ax head symbolizes the power and effectiveness in a believer's life. Just as an ax head is essential for chopping down trees, the Holy Spirit is essential for living a fruitful and empowered Christian life. Without the ax head, the handle is useless, no matter how vigorously it is swung.
• Losing the Ax Head Represents Powerlessness: When the ax head fell into the water, the man lost his ability to cut down trees. Similarly, when Christians attempt to live their lives without the Holy Spirit, they lose their effectiveness. They may be busy with religious activities, but without the Spirit’s power, their efforts are in vain.
• The Need for Divine Intervention: The man’s cry to Elisha for help reflects our need to call upon God when we recognize our own insufficiency. Elisha’s action of making the ax head float shows that it is only through God’s intervention that we can regain our power and effectiveness. This act symbolizes the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, who restores our ability to live a victorious Christian life.
• Restoration Through Obedience: Elisha instructed the man to pick up the floating ax head. This represents our responsibility to respond to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. We must reach out and take hold of the opportunity to obey that God offers through His Spirit.

Living the Christian life without the power of the Holy Spirit is like trying to chop down trees with a handle that has no ax head—it is futile and exhausting. The Holy Spirit is the divine force, quality, and influence of God over the universe and His creatures. Without Him, we are powerless. Jesus emphasized this truth when He said, "Apart from me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

The story of the lost ax head serves as a reminder that we must depend on the Holy Spirit for everything. He empowers us to live righteously, bear spiritual fruit, and fulfill God's purposes. Without the Spirit, our efforts are like swinging an ax without a head—ineffective and unproductive.

The Impact of Revival

Revival isn’t just about individual transformation; it has a profound impact on the church and the world. When sleepy Christians wake up the church becomes a shining light in a dark world.

During the Great Awakening, preachers like George Whitefield and John Wesley saw entire communities transformed by the power of the Gospel. Churches were filled with people experiencing genuine repentance and renewed passion for God. This kind of revival can happen today, starting with each of us committing to live fully for God.

Embrace the Call to Revival

Our AD 33 Collective features designs that celebrate the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus. These designs are a call to action. They remind us of the supremacy of Christ in all things and inspire us to live for His glory.

Each design in the AD 33 Collective is crafted to inspire and encourage you to seek Jesus more deeply and to share His love with those around you.

Revival starts with you and me. It’s a heart revival that begins when we seek to live a life pleasing to our Master. The AD 33 Collective is a powerful tool to remind us of this truth and to inspire us to live for an audience of one—Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

Our AD 33 Collective is a declaration of our commitment to personal revival. It’s a reminder that revival starts with me drawing near to God and living in the power of His Word and prayer. As we embrace this call, we can expect to see God do incredible things in our lives, our churches, and our world.

Purchase from the AD 33 Collective today and let it be a testament to the power of Jesus in your life. Wear it as a declaration of your commitment to personal revival and as a catalyst for revival in your church and community. Let’s embrace the call to revival and watch as God transforms our lives and our world.

May the words of Ephesians 5:14 resonate in our hearts: "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you". Let’s wake up, seek God with all our hearts, and experience the revival that starts with us.