Exploring Spiritual Themes, Biblical Symbolism, Unity, and Generosity for Today’s Church
Over the past decade and a half, three spiritual themes have echoed across churches worldwide: restoration, reformation, and revival. These ideas aren’t just buzzwords—they’re invitations to return to the heart of what God desires for His people. Let’s journey through these themes in simple terms, learning from Scripture, and exploring how they shape our lives and communities today.
The Symbolic Significance of the Number 12
The number 12 shows up time and again in the Bible. It’s not just a coincidence—12 is a symbol of perfection, authority, and divine government. Think of the 12 tribes of Israel, representing the fullness of God’s chosen people. The 12 minor prophets spoke God’s truth across generations. Jesus chose 12 disciples to lay the foundation of the Church. In Revelation, 12 gates and 12 foundations describe the New Jerusalem. Biblically, 12 means completeness and order, showing that God is intentional about structure and unity in His people.
Restoration: Returning to Relationship with God
Restoration is about coming back to where we belong: close to God. The stories of Moses, David, and Solomon all involve building or restoring the temple—a place where God could dwell among His people. Moses received the design for the tabernacle, David longed to build God a house, and Solomon finally constructed the temple. But God’s heart was always for more than a building; He wanted a relationship with His people.
The prophet Haggai speaks of the “latter house,” saying that the glory of the future temple will be greater than the former (Haggai 2:9). This points to a time when God’s presence would fill not just a building, but the hearts of believers. Restoration means allowing God to rebuild what’s been lost—our intimacy with Him, our sense of purpose, and our unity as His family.
Reformation: Rethinking Tradition and Leadership
Reformation is about questioning old habits and asking, “Are we living out God’s truth, or just following tradition?” Throughout history, reformers have challenged church structures and interpretations of Scripture, calling people back to the heart of God. Jesus Himself said, “A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:23, NIV). He shifted the focus from rituals to real, Spirit-led worship.
In the early church, leadership wasn’t about hierarchy but about serving through spiritual gifts. Ephesians 4 and 1 Corinthians 12 teach that every believer has a role. When we cling to comfort or tradition, we risk missing God’s new thing. Reformation invites us to realign our structures—how we lead, how we serve, and how we use our gifts—with God’s original design.
Revival: Coming Alive to God’s Purpose
Revival is God breathing new life into His people. It’s not just about exciting meetings or emotional moments. True revival happens when hearts are turned back to God, sin is confessed, and lives are transformed. But which comes first—reformation or revival? They often go hand in hand. Sometimes God reforms our thinking so we’re ready for revival. Other times, revival sparks a desire to reform what’s not aligned with God’s will.
The Holy Spirit plays a key role in both. Jesus promised the Spirit would guide us into all truth (John 16:13). Without the Spirit’s help, we easily slip into comfortable traditions or misunderstandings. We need Him to interpret Scripture, convict our hearts, and empower us to live out God’s purpose.
Spiritual Gifts and Church Unity
God gives every believer spiritual gifts—not just for our benefit, but for the whole church. Ephesians 4 talks about equipping the saints for works of service so the body of Christ may be built up. 1 Corinthians 12 compares the church to a body with many parts—each one needed, none more important than another. When gifts are unused, the church suffers. If we create a “meritocracy” where only a few are seen as valuable, we miss out on the diversity and strength God intended.
True unity isn’t sameness. It’s different people, with different gifts, working together in love. This kind of unity is only possible through the Spirit, who draws us together, even when we disagree.
Liberalism and Generosity in Scripture
The word “liberal” gets thrown around a lot today. In the Bible, it doesn’t mean political ideology—it means generosity, open-heartedness, and giving freely. Proverbs speaks of the “liberal soul” being made fat (Proverbs 11:25, KJV), meaning generous people are blessed. Isaiah calls us to “devise liberal things” (Isaiah 32:8, KJV), planning how to do good for others. In the New Testament, believers are encouraged to give cheerfully and generously (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
Liberalism, in the biblical sense, is about aligning our generosity with God’s will. It’s not about being permissive or discarding truth, but about being open-handed and open-hearted, just as God is with us. Liberal conservatism, then, could mean holding firmly to God’s truth while being generous in love and good works.
Abominations and God’s Creation Order
Proverbs 6:16-19 lists things God hates: pride, lying, shedding innocent blood, plotting evil, running to do wrong, bearing false witness, and stirring up discord. These aren’t just “big” sins—they’re attitudes and actions that destroy community and trust. God’s creation order matters, and when we live outside of it, we hurt ourselves and others.
The wisest thing we can do, according to Ecclesiastes, is to “fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, NIV). Faithful living isn’t about following rules for their own sake, but about honoring God’s design and seeking His best for us.
Conclusion: Living Faithfully, Following Jesus’ Example
Jesus didn’t tell His followers to obsess over future timelines or get caught up in speculation. He called us to love God, love people, and be faithful in the everyday. Restoration, reformation, and revival aren’t just church trends—they’re invitations to deeper relationship, honest self-examination, and Spirit-filled living. Whether we’re wrestling with tradition, learning to use our gifts, or growing in generosity, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus. He’s building His Church, and He invites each of us to play a part.
Minister A Francine Green
March 2026
afrancinegreen.com 