At the time of writing, there is a war on between Israel and Lebanon. A lot of people are suffering – Christians, Moslems and Jews. There is tension between Iran and the USA and it is believed that the conflict could escalate. Apparently a islamic terror plot to blow up some airplanes in mid-air has just been foiled, and security measures are being tightened everywhere. The economies of the world are looking shaky, and fear and anxiety are on the rise.
It is at times like this that many of us long for the return of Christ. And so it is natural to desire to understand more of the timetable that God has for the last days. Many Christians understand also that God has a special plan concerning his natural people Israel in these last days. Many interpretations have been put forward and there are sincere believers who will speak and write with absolute conviction concerning their particular view of end-time events.
The disciples of Jesus had just witnessed a world-shaking event – the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They saw him crucified, and they met Him alive for a period of around 40 days. They were anxious to know what was next. Jesus had been telling them about the power of the Holy Spirit, but they were more interested to know the answer to a political question concerning end-time events. We read:
Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, 'Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the Kingdom to Israel?'
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.
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 Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
The disciples wanted to know if Jesus was going to restore the Kingdom to Israel. Every patriotic Jew was interested in this question. After many decades of Roman rule, the Jewish people were hoping for freedom and security in their own land. God had made promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and had spoken of restoration through the prophets, and the disciples were anxious to know if this was the hour for Israel to receive these promises. Perhaps they as Jesus' inner circle would be granted special power and honor and political power in this new dispensation! So they asked Jesus.
Jesus' answer reflects the fact t
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