In Acts 1:6, some disciples wonder if Jesus was now going to “restore the kingdom to Israel.” This question is reminiscent of the Olivet Discourse in Luke 21:5-37, where the disciples ask about the coming judgment on the Temple. When they asked “when will this happen” in Luke 21, Jesus’ answer implied that it would happen very soon, within a generation (Luke 21:32).
What prompts the question is Jesus’ command to remain in Jerusalem until they are baptized with the Holy Spirit “not many days from now.” As Keener observes, talk of the Spirit’s outpouring was de facto eschatological in character” (Acts, 1:682). Many texts from the Hebrew Bible indicate that the eschatological age would be characterized by the Spirit of God on all his people (Joel 2:28-31, which Peter quotes in the next chapter, but also Isa 42:1, 44:3, 59:21). If the Spirit is coming, then the time of the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel must be soon.
After the resurrection of Jesus, it was only natural for the disciples to think that Jesus would now enter the Temple in the power and glory of his resurrection and begin to reform the religion of Israel and begin the process of evangelizing the nations. This was a clear expectation of the Messiah’s activity. Beginning with the people of God, Messiah would either convert the enemies of Israel or destroy them. On a historical level, the question the disciples ask resonates with many other Jews living in the mid 30’s A.D.
The verb translated “restore” here (ἀποκαθίστημι) is a key eschatological term. It appears in Mal 4:6 (LXX 3:23) and LXX Daniel 4:26, and it anticipates Acts 3:21 where the word appears in an eschatological context. The hope of Israel was that the kingdom would be restored to them as the prophets had predicted (Isa 2:2, 49:6; Jer 16:15; 31:27-34). In fact, Luke began his first book with the hope of the coming Messiah in the Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:69-74) as well as the words of Simeon in the Temple (Luke 2:24-32).
The disciples expect Jesus to tell them that he is in fact about to restore the Kingdom and take his father David’s throne in Jerusalem. Much like the crowds in Luke 19:11, the disciples expect the Kingdom of God, as described by the prophets, to arrive at that moment.
Yet it is no surprise when Jesus reminds them it is not for them to known when the kingdom will be restored. The idea of an interim period between the present and the coming kingdom is well known in Second Temple Period Judaism. For example in 4 Ezra 4:33-37 the prophet asks “How long and when will these things be? Why are our years few and evil?” The answer in this late first century text is that “the time of threshing is delayed for the righteous—on account of the sins of those who dwell on earth.” The interim is to be used wisely. The new age will certainly dawn, but in the meantime the righteous will continue to labor. Many of Jesus’ parables have a similar theme (the Ten Virgins in Matt 25:1-14, for example).
As for the disciples, they are called to be witnesses to the good news of Jesus in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and all the earth. To some extent, the kingdom is about to begin in the Temple in a manner which is not unlike what many expected. That the kingdom would be given to a group of Galileans rather than a faction within Judaism (Pharisees, Essenes, etc.) was not expected at all. These men are quite literally the most unlikely group of people to be commissioned with the task of announcing the Messiah to Israel and then the rest of the world!
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January 15, 2013 at 9:11 pm
bobmacdonald
the ‘crows’? Could you elaborate on this a bit?
January 15, 2013 at 9:18 pm
Phillip J. Long
Gasp. At least I know you read carefully! (Crowds was intended, spell check failure.)
January 16, 2013 at 11:50 am
scottspooner64
Talk of the coming of Jesus Kingdom is a very exciting subject. I find the disciple’s eagerness and questions about the Kingdom commendable; they are excited and inquisitive to know what Jesus’ plan is. They want to see his kingdom come about. His answer explains that it is for no man to know (vs. 7) but he also shares the privilege the disciples get in spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth. This displays the “already, not yet” aspect of the kingdom of God. The disciples are bringing about the Kingdom by their witness to the nations, but it will not be fully consummated and completed until Christ’s return. I also found it interesting that the disciple’s questions about the Kingdom are not answered directly, but Jesus tells them about the Holy Spirit which is going to come upon them. Knowing that the Holy Spirit is inside of man, it is incredible to think that the disciple’s witness after Pentecost is directly involved with the power of God living inside of them.
It was also valuable and interesting to read about the correlation of end times and the coming of the Holy Spirit, “Many texts from the Hebrew Bible indicate that the eschatological age would be characterized by the Spirit of God on all his people (Joel 2:28-31, which Peter quotes in the next chapter, but also Isa 42:1, 44:3, 59:21). If the Spirit is coming, then the time of the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel must be soon.” (Long) This also ties into the “already/ not yet” of God’s Kingdom. It is easy for humans to get impatient and what seems like a long time, but God’s plan is on his own time. “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” (Acts 1:7)
January 16, 2013 at 12:27 pm
nick_mascorro
One of the things that caught my attention in this reading was how Jesus would not reveal to the disciples when the kingdom would exactly be restored. But instead Jesus told them that God would give them the power of the Holy Spirit. They were then supposed to use this power of the Holy Spirit to be a witness to all people (Acts 1:7-8). Furthermore, similar to what is discussed in the post, “There is an interim period between the present and the kingdom to come,” and during this period it is our duty to witness to all ends of the earth and all people. I believe that as Christians we are called to spread the gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit because God has given us this power and we need to be adequate stewards of this power. In addition, we should not be discouraged entertaining the thought that we do not have the capability to witness, nor be discouraged when witnessing becomes difficult. This is because instead of leaning on our own capabilities we should relay on the power of the Holy Spirit because that is where our power comes directly from. So why is it then so hard to witness and reach others if we have the power of the Holy Spirit guiding us? I believe that for most of us it is difficult because instead of putting complete trust in God we lean on our own understanding.
January 16, 2013 at 1:41 pm
taczhompson
The Kingdom of God is a topic that, until recently, I had not given much thought to, but now it has become something of a “hot topic”. I find it intriguing that when talked about the Kingdom can be both “a coming kingdom, and a present reality”, and that both are equally true and equally important. The thing I really find intriguing here is the courage, and almost urgency that the disciples had in asking Jesus about the coming Kingdom. It is encouraging to me that the disciples are so excited to see the Kingdom of God come about, and the way Jesus answers them is also encouraging. Jesus says “it is not for you to know”, but then basically says, “don’t worry, you’ll receive the Holy Spirit”. Jesus tells the disciples that the coming Kingdom isn’t something they should concern, they need to be more worried about their responsibilities as Jesus’ witnesses. This passage is the perfect example of God using unexpected facet, and people, to get His work done in the world. No one expected Jesus to start the Kingdom work outside of Judaism like He did, and it’s a perfect vote of confidence for us now to look at, and see our mission in this world.
January 16, 2013 at 10:54 pm
Joseph Furno
One thing I find interesting and love to see examples of are parallels between Luke and Acts. They really help me to recognize the differences and similarities between Israel and the Church the body of Christ. Luke begins with Israel expectantly waiting for the coming of Messiah. Acts begins with the disciples longing for the kingdom of God in its fullness. Of course as some people have previously mentioned in their own comments this brings up the idea of ‘already, not yet’ where in the kingdom is actively being established. This task then passed to the unexpected group that is the disciples. Then from them it has been passed to the Church and all Christians. This is an exciting privilege and responsibility which upon further thought requires me to live a life more aware and center upon the Kingdom of God.
January 18, 2013 at 4:19 pm
tygris4073
The coming Kingdom of Jesus Christ will be an awesome thing. And the wild thing about it, prophecy is telling us that its a the door. Why do you think He is sitting at the right hand of God right now? Interceding for us and waiting for the Father to give the word to go get his bride. The Church Age is almost over with the signs giving us conformation of that. Next stop is the Rapture of the Church!