Acts 1:6 When they (the apostles, vs 2) therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

 

     It is commonly taught that the apostles misunderstood, and that Jesus really spoke of a spiritual kingdom. But the Old Testament prophets are very clear about a physical, earthly kingdom, like the kingdom Israel previously had under King David and Solomon. (Is 9:6,7; Ez 34:23-28&37:21-28) Jesus said that He came to fulfill the law and the prophets, (Mat 5:17) not to start a different, spiritual thing.

     But has Jesus fulfilled the law and prophets yet? Is the law written in Israel’s heart, and do they all know the Lord yet? (Jer 31:31-34 from last class) Are the prophecies of world-wide peace, with Israel leading the nations fulfilled yet? (Is 2:1-4&11:9&60:1-3) No, not yet. The book of Acts tells us what happened instead, and why that kingdom was postponed.

     After 40 days of teaching by Jesus Himself, (verse 3) in which He opened their understanding of the scriptures, (Luke 24:45) the apostles certainly understood what kind of kingdom it will be. The question was when it will be. That was the issue back in Luke 19:11-17 and Mark 13:32-37 too.

 

Acts 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

     If the apostles had misunderstood the kind of kingdom Jesus was bringing, He would surely have corrected them here. But He did not.

     No one knows when Christ will come back to establish His kingdom here. According to Mark 13:32, not even Jesus knew at that time. So it is ridiculous for men to think they can predict the date of His return, although many claim to. (Mat 24:36-44; I Thes 5:1-3)

 

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

     This "power" is the baptism with the Holy Ghost as discussed in vs 5 in the previous class. It will empower Israel to keep God’s law, and to know and do His will. They will be filled with His Spirit, His viewpoint, with no room for human thoughts and failings.

     Jesus was preparing the apostles for the time of tribulation between the time that He left the earth and returned again. (Luke 21:7-28; John 16:1-5,16; Zech 13:8,9-14:5) He told them in John 14:2,3, "And if I go (to heaven, Luke 24:51) and prepare a place for you, I will come again (to earth, bringing rewards, Is 40:10), and receive you unto myself; that where I am (on earth, Zech 2:10; Rev 21:2,3), there ye may be also."

 

     What were the apostles to "witness" about Christ?? They were eye-witnesses of His miracles, teaching and resurrection, (Acts 1:21,22&10:38-43) all of which proved that He is the Christ, the Son of God, that was promised in Old Testament scripture.(John 5:39) This is the content of their gospel and their faith. See in Mat 16:15-18; John 20:31; Acts 8:37 & I John 5:1 what they believed to be saved in that age. (Do you think believing that would save us today? Do you think believing what Abraham did in Gen 15:5,6 would save us?)

 

     Notice the order of the places in which they were to preach, and remember Mat 10:5-8&15:22-28. Mat 10:23 shows that Christ will return before they get through all the cities of Israel. They will finish this commission in the first 1000 years of the kingdom, (Is 2:3; 60:3; 61:6) after "all power is given unto me (Christ) in heaven and in earth". (Mat 28:18; Heb 2:8) At that time the Gentile nations will experience God’s blessings like crumbs falling from Israel’s over-abundant table, as said in Mark 7:27-29. See in Rom 10:12 how this is NOT the case today, when there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles.

     Also notice that the so-called "Great Commission" of Mat 28:19; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:47-49 and here in Acts, is NOT our commission for today. Their message was that Jesus is the Christ, the King of Israel, who will rule the world. There is no clear mention as yet about His blood paying for our sin. If you don’t think this is so, search the scripture. Tell me what you find.

 

 

     Beware of spiritualizing God’s word. If we don’t think God means what He says, then we just don’t believe Him. If we don’t understand what He says, OK, but let’s not twist it to fit what we think we know.

     For example, the children of Israel are the descendants of Jacob (renamed Israel, Gen 32:28), not believing Gentiles. And Isaiah 11:6-9 says "earth", it does not describe heaven. Can you find any scripture in Genesis to Acts that says that people go to heaven? (Be sure to tell me if you do! See Acts 2:34; John 3:13.) No, their hope at that time was for a physical, earthly kingdom with Christ reigning here.

     Contrast that with our hope today in Ephesians 2:6, "and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus". (II Cor 5:1; Col 3:1,2)

 

     When did God stop offering an earthly kingdom, and start offering a place in heaven? We’ll see exactly where in Acts as we read on.