Spiritual revival is one of the promises the Lord has made to His Church for the end times. It is even a prophetic sign that announces the coming of the Lord, for before His return, a great awakening will occur among the nations.
« And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. » Yoel (Joel) 3:1-2
« At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. » Mattithyah (Matthew) 25:6-7
We can indeed affirm that a revival is underway: an awakening of awareness and a renewed interest in the things of the Kingdom of Heaven is emerging. Across the nations, we witness conversions, miracles, outpourings of the Spirit, prophecies, and visions—just as the prophets foretold…
Two Revivals: The True and the False
However, when we speak of revival, it is important to note that the Bible describes two types of revival. When we take a closer look at the parable of the ten virgins in Mattithyah (Matthew) 25:1–13, we uncover a prophetic message from the Lord that reveals two distinct revivals:
On one hand, the revival of the true Church—the disciples of Yéhoshoua—represented by the wise virgins.
On the other hand, the revival of the Babylonian Church—that is, the revival of false disciples—represented by the foolish virgins.
It is therefore essential to discern between these two realities in order to know which revival we are part of.
All of them—foolish and wise alike—rose to meet the Bridegroom. They likely shared the same language, the same speech, as they all intended to meet Him. But the true distinction was found in the oil.
The Oil: The Key to Discernment
The wise virgins had brought extra oil with them, while the foolish virgins did not have enough. The lamps of the wise remained lit, while those of the foolish were about to go out.
The oil was therefore the distinguishing factor between the two revivals. It marked the difference between the true and the false. This oil was neither for sale nor to be wasted. The wise virgins refused to share it with the foolish ones, because each person had to have their own supply.
The oil also represents the presence of the Lord—a presence that is cultivated in intimacy. And intimacy cannot be shared; it is the fruit of a personal, deep, and secret relationship between a person and their Creator.
The lamp, on the other hand, symbolizes the Word. But without the oil—that is, without the presence of the Lord—the lamp goes out. It is the oil that sustains the flame.
« Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.» Tehilim (Psalms) 119:105
Without the oil, the lamp becomes useless. The oil and the lamp together represent life, for the words of the Lord are spirit and life. The true difference between the two revivals, then, lies in the manifestation of the life of the Lord—not in the manifestation of the gifts.
In this parable, we can conclude that the wise virgins possessed the life of the Lord (the lamp and the oil). Whereas the foolish virgins had the lamp—that is, the Word—but without the oil: they had the appearances, but not the life within.
This is exactly what we are witnessing today: too many theorists, too many scholars, but few who truly carry the life of the Lord within them. There are speakers who preach things they do not live. They display a beautiful image—an attractive “spiritual life” on social media—but the reality is quite different.
« How can you believe, when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from Elohim alone? » Yohanan (John) 5:39
The False Revival: A Spiritual Illusion
In the false revival, there may be visible signs—manifestations of spiritual gifts, great knowledge of the Scriptures… but what is lacking is the application of the Word. This revival lacks works of righteousness; it lacks the character of the Mashiach.
In this false revival, it is a counterfeit anointing that manifests—one that is traded for money. While the wise virgins refused to sell their oil, the foolish virgins do not hesitate to sell theirs. But it is not the true oil: it carries neither the price of sacrifice, nor the fragrance of intimacy, nor the light of life.
Lamps without oil are also a picture of false doctrines—those deceptive teachings that lead the children of the Lord astray. Mystical teachings that do not bring the light of the Lord, but instead teach the depths of Satan.
In Mattithyah (Matthew) 7, the Lord will tell all these people—who had done great things in His name—to depart from Him, because they did not practice the Word. In reality, they had lived a false spiritual revival.
Like the foolish virgins—despite their virginity, a sign of a certain level of consecration—they had committed themselves to the service of the Lord, but without having a true life with them. In a false revival, people do things for the Lord, but without the Lord.
« Then I will declare to them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness !» Mattithyah (Matthew) 7:23
The word “knew” here, in Greek, is Ginosko—to know as a man knows his wife. It speaks of intimate knowledge.
In the false revival, the focus is not on life with the Lord. What matters is appearance, impact, and image. The false revival seeks to impress men, while the true revival aims to delight the heart of the Father.
« The Lord says: These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me, and their fear of Me is merely a commandment taught by men. » Yesha’yah (Isaiah) 29:13
The false revival glorifies and exalts man. The true revival glorifies the Mashiach. It preaches about family, yet tolerates divorce. It preaches humility, yet it is man who is glorified. The false revival makes a lot of noise but produces no transformation; it distracts the people of the Lord.
When we look at what is happening in the Church today, we see that man has become the center of the Gospel. Man is elevated, and the Lord is pushed to the background, treated like an accessory. They prophesy to flatter one another, not to edify the people or reveal the Mashiach.
The True Revival: It’s Not an event … It’s a Resurrection!
The true revival is initiated by the Lord Himself. It draws the hearts of the people back to Him.
« YHWH stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel… and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. They came and worked on the house of YHWH.» Chaggay (Haggai ) 1:14
Revival, then, is not the work of man; it is the work of the Lord. It is not a movement of orchestrated things… It is a resurrection!
The true revival comes to set the children of Elohim free, not to place them back under the yoke of religion. People commit themselves to serve the Lord—not a human ideology. In the true revival, it is first the spirits of men that are awakened. It is not about proving to others that we are revived; it is a personal awakening in the presence of Elohim.
« But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth… He will glorify Me.» Yohanan (John) 16:7
The Holy Spirit glorifies Yeshua. Therefore, to glorify Yeshua is not merely to sing His name all day, but to live according to His Word.
Which Revival Are You In?
For in the false revival, people want to use the Lord. But in the true revival, it is the Lord who uses people. Let us not be distracted: revival is not defined by a multitude of activities. It is not about technology, beautiful buildings, or large platforms. It is the life of heaven on earth—the character of the Mashiach, sanctification, and separation from the world.
Manifestations are present in both revivals, but what confirms authenticity are transformed lives and the presence of Yeshua in the hearts.
Let each one be careful to preserve their oil—that life of intimacy with the Father—so as to be ready at His coming. For if we are in a false revival… we will not be taken up.
Let us return to the feet of the Master. Let us seek the Lord—and nothing else.
You might say to yourself, “There’s true revival in my church, so I’m good.” But it’s not primarily about the place where you go to pray—it’s about you, personally. Although our spiritual environment does influence our walk, the Father calls the individual before the community.
The true revival we long to see in the nations must begin with us!
There are two revivals happening right now. Which one are you in?
Shalom and grace to you!
Y. Gerol
