Luke the physician wrote, “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach. Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen. To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, you have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days from now”, and in chapter one and verse six of the book of Acts Luke wrote how the disciples of Jesus asked Him, “will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” where we read:
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying,
Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
The verse begins, “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, ...” Luke began with the words, “when they therefore” which means “at the time and moment Jesus' disciples then, wherefore and on this account” “were come together” or “gathered and were assembled with one another”, “they asked of him” which means “the disciples of Jesus question and inquired of Jesus”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring, proclaiming and asking” the following question. Luke shared how the “disciples” of Jesus gathered together and asked Him the following question.
The verse continues, “... Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Luke added the words, “Lord, will you at this time” or “One to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah will you, Jesus, at this particular moment of time” “restore again” which means “reconstitute and bring to it's former state another time” “the kingdom to Israel” or “the royal power, kingship, dominion and rule belonging to Israel which means he shall be a prince of God and refers to the family or descendants of Israel”? Luke shared how Jesus' “disciples” questioned Him concerning the “reestablishment” of the “dominion and royal rule which belonged to Israel”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the disciples of Jesus seemed to have missed what Jesus was saying about being promised the Holy Spirit of God. Rather than thinking “spiritually”, the disciples had their minds upon their own “physical situation”. God's Kingdom is “spiritual” and lasts forever. The ruling governments of the world may alter and change, but God's rule shall never be altered. Jesus will answer His disciples in our next verse, but for now let us understand the “eternal” nature of the “Kingdom of God”. This is why Jesus came to die and be raised from the dead. Those who believe and trust in Him will be forgiven of their sins and inherit “everlasting life” with God. Let all who read these word seek the “Kingdom of God” more than the kingdom of men which is temporal.
Next time Luke shares how Jesus answered His disciples, “it is not for you to know the times or the seasons”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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