" Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. ' and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, WHOM heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began,' " ( Acts 3:19-21) NKJV
Introduction
A. There is a false doctrine that " God will restore physical Israel when Christ returns and sets up a physical kingdom on earth for 1000 years."
1. Some even claim that " all the wicked will eventually repent and be saved" known as " universalism."
2. What does the Bible say about this? Let us find out as Jesus said in John 8:32 ( the truth shall set you free)
B. The approach in this study shall be as follows:
1. Examine the claim that " physical Israel will be restored when Christ returns?"
2. The meaning of " restoration" as stated in Acts 3:21
3. What shall Jesus Christ do when He returns to earth? Reign for 1000 years?
Discussion
A. Examine the claim that "physical Israel will be restored when Christ returns."
1. Will this be possible and is it consistent with God's plan for Christ and the church He established?
2. The disciples asked Jesus " Will you restore at this time the Kingdom to Israel?" Acts 1:6
3. Jesus answered " It is NOT for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority," Acts 1:7
4. From Acts 1:6-7, it was clear that even His disciples were expecting the " restoration of a physical Israel."
5. Israel was divided into two kingdoms. The Southern Kingdom ( Judah) existed till 586 B.C. followed by 70 year captivity/ exile
6. After 70 years, the Jews returned to Jerusalem.The temple, the law and the walls were restored.
7. To physically restore Israel would mean bringing the 12 tribes together into one United Kingdom as in the days of King Solomon
8. Meaning the 10 Lost Tribes who intermarried with Gentiles have to be restored in the total land area in Solomon's time?
B. The meaning of restoration in Acts 3:21
1. The restoration referred in this passage does NOT refer to the physical restoration of Israel as a NATiON in the Holy Land.
2. If that was God's plan, that could have been done when Jesus was born into this world.
3. " When He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them ' the kingdom of God does not come with observation.. for indeed, the kingdom of God is within you ( among you)
4. Thus, the " times of refreshing may come" does not refer to the " millennial reign of Christ!"
- and " the restoration of all things" does not refer to the " restoration of physical Israel" when Christ returns
5.In Ephesians 1:9-10, Paul wrote about " the mystery of His will" and " to bring all things in heaven and on earth, together under one head, even Christ."
6.Then in Ephesians 3:6, Paul wrote " this mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus."
7. Finally, in I Corinthians 15:1-2, Paul told the Gentile Christians in Corinth "...I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you which you received.. by this gospel you are saved if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you."
C. What Shall Christ Do When He Returns to Earth?
1. In 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, Paul wrote that " the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus."
- day of punishment for the disobedient and the unbelievers
2. In I Thessalonians 4:16-17, Paul said
" the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, voice of the archangel, trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first
after that, we who are alive and are left will be caught up together with them to the clouds to meet the Lord in the air."
- resurrection of the dead in Christ
- those alive will be caught up to the clouds
3. Finally, we read in 2 Peter 3:10,11,12
- the day of the Lord will come like a thief and the heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare
- since everything will be DESTROYED in this way ( by fire)
-that day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire and the elements will melt in the heat ( NIV)
4. Thus, there is NOTHING to be restored when Jesus returns as EVERYTHING will be destroyed by fire.
Conclusion
A. God's message to both Jews and Gentiles today is stated John 3:16, the golden text of the Bible
1. " He who believes and is baptized shall be saved. But he who does not believe will be condemned" Mark 16:16
2. Peter said in Acts 2:38, " Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
B. Christ is now inviting you to come to Him for spiritual rest
1. Matthew 11:28-30 " Come to me all of you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest..."
2.Now is the time to accept Christ for after death comes the judgment, 2 Corinthians 6:2 and Hebrews 9:27