Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Context Revolution, in a general sense, refers to a fundamental and often sudden change in political power or organizational structures, typically occurring when the population revolts against the current authorities. In a biblical context, while the term "revolution" itself is not explicitly used in the Scriptures, the concept of significant societal and political upheaval can be observed in various narratives and teachings. Biblical Instances and Themes Throughout the Bible, there are instances where God's people experience or are involved in significant societal changes, often as a result of divine intervention or judgment. These events can be seen as revolutionary in nature, as they lead to a transformation of the existing order. 1. The Exodus The Exodus is perhaps the most prominent example of a revolutionary event in the Bible. The Israelites, under the leadership of Moses, are delivered from the oppressive rule of Pharaoh in Egypt. This event is marked by a series of divine plagues and culminates in the parting of the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape. The Exodus represents a radical shift from slavery to freedom, as God establishes a covenant with His people. In Exodus 14:30-31 , it is written, "That day the LORD saved Israel from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the shore. When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and believed in Him and in His servant Moses." 2. The Fall of Jericho The conquest of Jericho under Joshua's leadership is another example of a revolutionary event. The walls of Jericho fall after the Israelites march around the city for seven days, following God's specific instructions. This event signifies the beginning of the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land, a significant change in the region's power dynamics. Joshua 6:20 states, "So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted. When they heard the blast of the horn, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it." 3. The Babylonian Exile and Return The Babylonian Exile represents a period of upheaval and transformation for the people of Judah. The destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile to Babylon mark a significant shift in the life of the Jewish people. However, the eventual return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple under leaders like Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah signify a restoration and renewal of the covenant community. Ezra 1:3 records the decree of Cyrus, "Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel. He is the God who is in Jerusalem." Revolutionary Teachings of Jesus The teachings of Jesus Christ introduced revolutionary concepts that challenged the existing religious and social norms of His time. His message of the Kingdom of God, love for enemies, and the call to repentance and faith were transformative and often countercultural. 1. The Sermon on the Mount In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus presents a radical redefinition of righteousness and the law. He emphasizes internal transformation over external compliance, teaching principles such as loving one's enemies and turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-44). These teachings challenged the prevailing interpretations of the law and called for a deeper, heart-centered obedience to God. 2. The Parable of the Good Samaritan In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus challenges social and ethnic boundaries by portraying a Samaritan, traditionally despised by Jews, as the hero who exemplifies true neighborly love. This parable revolutionizes the understanding of who one's neighbor is and calls for compassion that transcends cultural and religious barriers. Revolution in the Early Church The early Christian church experienced revolutionary growth and transformation, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) empowered the apostles to preach the gospel boldly, leading to the rapid expansion of the church across diverse regions and cultures. This movement was marked by a radical sense of community, shared resources, and a commitment to the teachings of Jesus. Conclusion While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "revolution," the Scriptures contain numerous examples of divine intervention and transformative events that align with the concept of revolution. These instances highlight God's sovereignty in orchestrating change and His desire for His people to live according to His righteous standards. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of revolving, or turning round on an axis or a center; the motion of a body round a fixed point or line; rotation; as, the revolution of a wheel, of a top, of the earth on its axis, etc.2. (n.) Return to a point before occupied, or to a point relatively the same; a rolling back; return; as, revolution in an ellipse or spiral. 3. (n.) The space measured by the regular return of a revolving body; the period made by the regular recurrence of a measure of time, or by a succession of similar events. 4. (n.) The motion of any body, as a planet or satellite, in a curved line or orbit, until it returns to the same point again, or to a point relatively the same; -- designated as the annual, anomalistic, nodical, sidereal, or tropical revolution, according as the point of return or completion has a fixed relation to the year, the anomaly, the nodes, the stars, or the tropics; as, the revolution of the earth about the sun; the revolution of the moon about the earth. 5. (n.) The motion of a point, line, or surface about a point or line as its center or axis, in such a manner that a moving point generates a curve, a moving line a surface (called a surface of revolution), and a moving surface a solid (called a solid of revolution); as, the revolution of a right-angled triangle about one of its sides generates a cone; the revolution of a semicircle about the diameter generates a sphere. 6. (n.) A total or radical change; as, a revolution in one's circumstances or way of living. 7. (n.) A fundamental change in political organization, or in a government or constitution; the overthrow or renunciation of one government, and the substitution of another, by the governed. Greek 181. akatastasia -- instability ... Feminine Transliteration: akatastasia Phonetic Spelling: (ak-at-as-tah-see'-ah) Short Definition: disturbance, upheaval, revolution Definition: disturbance ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/181.htm - 7k 1995. epistrophe -- a turning about, conversion 644. aposkiasma -- a shadow 5157. trope -- a turning Strong's Hebrew 8622. tequphah -- a coming round, circuit... circuit, come about, end. Or tquphah {tek-oo-faw'}; from naqaph; a revolution, ie (of the sun) course, (of time) lapse -- circuit, come about, end. ... /hebrew/8622.htm - 6k 1524. giyl -- a rejoicing 1755. dor -- period, generation, dwelling 8141. shanah -- a year Library The Revolution of 1911 September the Second Prayer and Revolution The Bible and the French Revolution. If You Wish that this Revolution Should not have the Same End... The Bible and the French Revolution Of the Revolution of the Ages, which Some Philosophers Believe ... Knox and the Scottish Revolution, 1559 The New virtue of Continence. Revolution of Society, Purified and ... The Eternal Revolution From the Commencement of the Revolution in 1776, to Its ... Thesaurus Revolution (6 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) The act of revolving, or turning round on an axis or a center; the motion of a body round a fixed point or line; rotation; as, the revolution of a wheel ... /r/revolution.htm - 10k Year (4027 Occurrences) Joash (49 Occurrences) Jehoash (28 Occurrences) Jeroboam (96 Occurrences) Rome (12 Occurrences) Revolving (1 Occurrence) Roll (57 Occurrences) End (3706 Occurrences) Period (43 Occurrences) Resources Was the American Revolution a violation of Romans 13:1-7? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Enlightenment, and what impact did it have on Christianity? | GotQuestions.org Who was Gandhi? | GotQuestions.org Revolution: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Revolution (6 Occurrences)Exodus 34:22 1 Samuel 1:20 2 Samuel 11:1 1 Kings 12:15 2 Chronicles 10:15 Psalms 19:6 Subtopics Related Terms |
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