The Coming Time of Restoration: Acts 3:19-21
“19) Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20) and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21) whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.” Acts 3:19-21
Peter boldly called them to repentance. He invited them to return to the Lord that their sins might be wiped away and that times of refreshing might come from the presence of the Lord. They needed to be reconciled to God.
Times of refreshing always come from being in the presence of the Lord. This is true of a nation, a church, a marriage or an individual. Those who seek the Lord will find Him! These times of refreshing are connected to the ministry of the Holy Spirit. It is a small foretaste of what is to come when Jesus returns to complete His full promise of redemption. (See Ephesians 1:13-14)
Peter then talked about the return of Jesus, the Christ and a corresponding period of restoration. This is the literal return of Jesus to earth and His thousand year reign. Revelation 20:1-10 talks about His earthly kingdom. It is during this time frame that every prophecy about the Messiah will be fulfilled. Not one word will be left undone.
Many today talk about global warming, the new green deal and trying to save planet earth. Anti-Christ will use this as a cover to manipulate, control and destroy people. Jesus offers the only plan to save the world. He starts by saving and changing people. He will ultimately change the earth back to its pre-fall glory.
Paul briefly talked about this in Romans 8:18-25. In this text he talked about the “anxious longing of creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” (Vs 19) The whole created realm of planet earth is currently subjected to futility. It is under the curse of the fall. During the period of restoration, this whole planet will take on Garden of Eden kind of glory. Verse 21 says; “the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of a God.” I can only imagine.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
