Times of restoration

“…the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heavens must receive until the times of the restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” (Acts 3:19-20). In these words Peter declared what Israel could not fully understand then, yet to the remnant this was their only promise and hope for all things spoken to them through all their former prophets. In one difference that here Apostle Peter being filled with the Holy Spirit received courage and strength to declare it to God’s people. Peter in this word not only declared the hope of a future physical kingdom to come where righteousness would regin, but also spoke of the coming of the government of heaven in the hearts and minds of the people which would prepare them for this change. In it Peter spoke of the Holy Spirit being the agent of this transformation and that He will be the means by which heavens will restore all things by its dominion. The former dominion lost by Adam and his descendant was going to be restored through the Messiah “The Prince of Life” the Spiritual Adam. In this Peter declared of the coming kingdom where its inception was not of this world and it was the fulfillment of the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar which prophet Daniel through divine inspiration interpreted for him. Here in Acts chapter 3 we read both Kings Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and Daniel dream spoken in one context.

This was as though the Holy Spirit had given Peter the revelation of both mysteries in one. Chapter 2 of Daniel’s prophetic word and chapter 7’s awesome dream. Both of these Old Testament scriptures were now making a very clear sense. Surely Daniel was carried in spirit far into the times of restoration when he said, “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like theSon of man came with the clouds of heaven. And came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion. Which shall not pass away. And His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed Dan. 7:13-14.

This was exactly what Apostle Peter having received the keys to the unseen world declared to those standing there at the day of the first weeks or the first fruits. He also said they who would repent and be baptized in the name of the Messiah Yeshua would be the first born among many brethren who would experience the benefits of this coming age even before its physical manifestation would come to pass on earth.

In this promised restoration Isaiah had also spoken of in many places and He too had given them the marks of both its physical and the spiritual refreshments. In Isaiah chapter 35 the prophet declares that ransomed of the Lord shall return to enjoy its smoothing benefits of a refreshed life of righteousness by this transformation of restored fellowship with God. By this the prophet says in chapter 40 that the leaders of Israel should speak comfort to God’s people. In this restorative work the Lord through Apostle Peter was promising an awesome era of sanctification and restoration. First in the elect through grace, and then in this fallen world in all aspects of life. Even the fallen kingdoms of this earth had to be subjected to this great work of transforming restoration.

Exactly what we are seeing now happening all around us in these very last days. Yes the closer we get to its end the more evident this entire process is becoming for us who see.

Of this restoration the most notable was the destruction of the Old Covenant way of sacrifices and the Temple worship. Jesus said I will tear this Temple down and will build one in 3 days. In fulfillment of these words of Him in 70 A.D. the temple was destroyed by the Roman invasion and on its ruins where the Holy of Holies was a pig was sacrificed. Years later in 691 A.D. the Dom of the Rock was built on the exact same location where the old temple use to stand and by this act I believe the abomination of the desolation spoken by prophet Daniel was partially fulfilled too. The reason is because exactly on the site where once the Temple of the Lord  stood today prayers are offered to a different God who’s so called writings rejects Christ’s Sonship, the very thing which was and is the hope of all who wait for the manifestation of His millennial kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. Today even though many believe a third temple will be built on the same sight or right adjacent to it by the false Messiah “The son of Perdition” or the antichrist. I believe he will be desecrating a spiritual sanctuary and not a physical earthly sight. However to entice the unsaved Jewish state with its religious people he might do all that which is possible. Some believe a third and a fourth physical temple will be built. The third one by the antichrist and the fourth one after the second coming of the “Prince of Life” where He would offer memorial offerings to His God and The Father in thanks offering  for His Kingdom rule on earth. But no matter what the truth might be in this regard, I solemnly believe in trust that we are living in the final steps of His second coming and the end of this age. This must renew our hope in the coming age and meeting our destiny in Christ Who is the true Prince of Life to come.

Therefore no matter what the physical signs as about His soon appearing I need to add that of which Matthew speaks in chapter 24 in respect to this huge and fast paced act of  restoration that is happening in our midst and in the world. In this both prophetic and futuristic portrayal of the latter days Apostle Matthew speaks about in this way.

“Take heed that no one deceives you, for many will come in My name saying I am the Christ, and will deceive many; and you will hear about wars and rumors about them. Kingdoms will rise against kingdoms and many will be delivered to be killed because of the hatred of the nations toward My name by which you are going to be known. Many false prophets would come to deceive many and because of lawlessness the love of many shall grow cold.

But he who endures to the end shall be saved, and the Kingdom of God would be preached to all nations.

But the key word here is to endure or to be strong. To endure means to be patient during this restorative work of God on earth and in and among His own people. In Luke chapter 21:19 the scripture speaks of the same thing in a different tone. There Luke says “By your patience possess your souls”. Meaning in this restorative season before the kingdom changes hands completely there would come difficult times of offenses and betrayals and unusual circumstances and many forms of deceptions, but we must guard the seat of all our affections which is our souls. We must pray regularly for strong convictions about Jesus the Christ and His word. We must watch over our emotions and stay in direct connection to God with daily fervent prayers and scripture readings. Watching carefully over the affairs of our lives by living a steadfast life of obedience to the Spirit of God. With an unwavering faith in His power to save us from the wrath to come.

An endurance developed through patience in these final days would be our only hope of salvation, and that through His grace.

Without grace and without Christ we could not complete our course in this life. That is why Jesus Christ our only true source of Life was received up as Peter said until all restoration is complete, since it was through what Daniel and Peter saw that we are kept down here while He is ready to come back. It is in Christ being received up by heaven and it is by His Priestly intercession that we are kept here blameless to the end. That is why Apostle Peter says Heaven must receive Him until the time of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began”. Acts 2:21

A sure foundation for all God’s redemptive and restorative work of grace in all ages, especially at these last days.

May the Lord help us to remain faithful to the end.