THE GOD OF RESTORATION
In Peter’s 2nd Pentecostal sermon following the healing of the lame man at “The Beautiful Gate” of the Temple, he declares in Acts 3:19-21 AMP.N.T. So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord;
And that He may send [to you] the Christ (the Messiah), Who before was designated and appointed for you—even Jesus,
Whom heaven must receive [and retain] until the time for the complete restoration of all that God spoke by the mouth of all His holy prophets for ages past [from the most ancient time in the memory of man].
There is so much truth in these three verses, I don’t think I can adequately interpret it fully, but to emphasize that our God is a GOD OF RESTORATION. Peter tells the Jews that if they are going to be able to receive this Restoration, they had to do certain things, and the result would be TIMES OF REFRESHING that would come from God, and that Jesus will remain in heaven until THE RESTORATION OF ALL THINGS SPOKEN BY THE PROPHETS.
Although Peter was preaching to the Jews I am sure this word is for us as New Covenant Believers as well.
I have shared previously and will again today THE 8 “R” OF RESTORATION
REPENTANCE – A change of mind
RETURN – A change of direction
REFRESHING -A change of seasons
RECOVERY – A change of climate
RECEIVING – A change of condition
RECEIVE – A change of place
RETAIN =A change of position
RESTORATION – A change of ownership
Let me encourage you to spend some time reading and meditating on these three verses in Acts 3:19-21. Look at other translations, `and ask the Holy Spirit “To turn the light on” and give you illumination and revelation. The MESSAGE BIBLE says:
Now it’s time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you, and send you the Messiah he prepared for you, namely, Jesus. For the time being he must remain out of sight in heaven until everything is restored to order again just the way God, through the preaching of his holy prophets of old, said it would be.
Since Peter preached this sermon, many times down through history in the last almost two thousand years, we have seen much of this fulfilled. I wonder whether you agree with me, that we are very close to the end times, and these verses could be completely fulfilled in our generation. Contemplate personally on the 8 “R: of Restoration.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN AREAS OF RESTORATION?
TRUTH: Is. 58:12, Heb. 6:1-3, 1 John 1:7, John 14:6.
Amost all Biblical truth, was lost, until God raised up the brethren we call “The Reformers” and since that time, more and more truth has been restored, I believe greater understanding is needed and is coming regarding “end time truth”.
MINISTRIES: Jer. 33:12, Eph. 4:9-12
PEOPLE: Jer.31:10, Psalm 23:3, Gal.6:1
WORSHIP: Jer.31:12-14, Psalm 23:3,Psalm 102:16-20, Heb. 13:15-16
PATHS: Is. 58:12, Job 24:2,13, Is. 30:21
YEARS: Joel 2:25, Haggai 2:9
KINGDOM: Matt.5:6-7, Matt,6:33, Rom. 14:17, 1 Cor. 15:24
What exciting days we are living in, not only do we have an enemy that is strongly contending against us as expressed in my recent series of blogs, Basic Military Training for Believers 1-16) but we are seeing God move in remarkable and unique ways, some of which we sure do not understand, in the light of this, we cannot afford to relax for one moment, nor have the attitude “I know it all” Let us maintain the attitude John encouraged in 1 John 3:2-3 PASSION Beloved, we are God’s children right now; however, it is not yet apparent what we will become. But we do know that when it is finally made visible, we will be just like him, for we will see him as he truly is. And all who focus their hope on him will always be purifying themselves, just as Jesus is pure.
MESSAGE But friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God. And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own.
Not only must we live in the light of Christ’s soon return, but have that hunger and attitude that GOD HAS SO MUCH MORE HE WANTS TO RESTORE TO US AND TO HIS CHURCH, not only in the area of TRUTH John 16:13 NKJV He will guide you into ALL truth; but everything else the holy prophets spoke since the world began.
Many Believers have sadly (myself included) had times of heart backsliding, I take personal responsibility for this, but cry out again, “O that I had been Biblically discipled”. I want to thank God this morning for those times of PERSONAL RESTORATION, when the Holy Spirit, drew me back into God’s presence and forgiveness so beautifully described in Luke 15:22 NKJV “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
The late Kevin Conner has been such a blessing to me in this area of truth,
Let us thank God today that He is ever THE GOD OF RESTORATION.
