What do we mean when we speak of "revival"? Interim Chaplain Dr. Dave McDowell explores the characteristics of revival throughout church history. He lists five characteristics of revivals: 1) Revivals are often preceded by faithful preaching of the Word, as well as a time of crisis; 2) they entail acute awareness of the resplendent glory of God, as well as awareness of the depth of our sin; 3) they consist of both confession and repentance of sin, as well as knowledge of the forgiveness of sin; 4) revivals cannot be controlled—they begin and end suddenly; and 5) revivals greatly impact society and the spread of the Christ's Gospel throughout the world.