"THE BOOK OF ACTS"
The Times Of Restoration (3:21)
INTRODUCTION
1. As Peter preached his second gospel sermon...
a. He called on his audience to repent and be converted - Ac 3:19
b. He promised that their sins would be blotted out - ibid.
2. Also that Jesus must remain in heaven until "the times of
restoration of all things"... - Ac 3:21
a. What are "the times of restoration"?
b. Is it limited to events to occur at the end times, just before
Jesus returns?
c. Or does it encompass the period between Jesus' first coming and
His final coming?
[The language in the text allows for either understanding. To be sure we
understand the distinction between the two views, let's first summarize
them...]
I. TWO PROPOSED EXPLANATIONS
A. REGENERATION OF ALL THINGS AT THE END TIMES...
1. Many connect the word "restoration" with "regeneration" - cf.
Mt 19:28
2. That when Christ comes (or shortly before) all things will be
restored, or regenerated
3. Including the heavens and the earth, currently in bondage to
pain and decay, but presumably will be "restored" (regenerated)
as a permanent dwelling for the righteous - cf. Ro 8:18-22
B. PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT THROUGHOUT THE MESSIANIC AGE...
1. The word "restoration" can mean establishment or fulfillment
a. "the Greek could just as easily mean that a process of
restoration is already underway and that Jesus' return will
mark its climax and dramatic conclusion." - D.G. Peterson
b. 'Establishment' or 'fulfillment' is equally well attested,
and makes good sense in the present context, in reference to
the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecy - F.F. Bruce
2. As seen in the RSV: "whom heaven must receive until the time
for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy
prophets from of old." - Ac 3:21
3. This understanding is supported further by Peter: "and all the
prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have
spoken, have also foretold these days." - Ac 3:24
["It is difficult to determine the exact force of the term restoration in
this connection" (McGarvey). Even so, I believe the second explanation
gains merit when one considers the following question...]
II. THE END TIMES: REGENERATION OR RECREATION?
A. THE REGENERATION OF ALL THINGS...
1. Many believe that when Jesus returns the current heavens and
earth will be purified by fire (i.e., refurbished, regenerated,
not annihilated)
2. A cosmic redemption, if you will, to serve as the eternal home
of the righteous (not to be confused with any millennial reign
on the earth)
3. Hoekema (and other amillennialists) gives four reasons for
renewal rather than annihilation:
a. The word for "new" (kainos) means "new in nature or in
quality," not new in the sense of "totally other"
b. Paul speaks of a universe longing to be liberated from
corruption, not replaced - cf. Ro 8:19-22
c. The continuity between our old and new bodies is an analogy
of the old earth being made new
d. If God has to annihilate this present cosmos, then His
original purpose for it will have been thwarted and Satan
will have won a victory
-- The Bible And The Future, Anthony Hoekema, p. 280-281
B. THE RECREATION OF ALL THINGS...
1. Putting Ro 8:19-22 aside for the moment, consider what is
revealed elsewhere:
a. The earth and the heavens will perish - Ps 102:25-26; cf.
He 1:10-12
b. The heavens will vanish away like smoke, the earth grow old
like a garment - Isa 51:6
c. Heaven and earth will pass away - Mt 24:35; Mk 13:31; Lk 21:33
d. The Lord will shake the earth and heaven, indicating its
removal - He 12:26-27
e. The earth will be burned up, the heavens will be dissolved,
the elements will melt, therefore we look for new heavens and
a new earth - 2Pe 3:10-13
f. Earth and the heaven will have fled away, no place found
for them - Re 20:11
g. There will a new heaven and a new earth, for the first
heaven and the first earth will have passed away - Re 21:1
2. Every indication is that earth and the heavens will be
annihilated; what then of Ro 8:19-22 and the four arguments
offered above in favor of renewal?
a. It is true that "new" (kainos) means "new in nature or in
quality", but if something is new in sense of "totally other"
could it not also be "new in nature or in quality"?
b. Ro 8:19-22 does speak of the universe longing to be liberated
from corruption, but for what purpose? Note carefully what
is actually written, that the creation:
1) "eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God" - Ro 8:19
2) "will be delivered...into the glorious liberty of the
children of God" - Ro 8:21
3) Seeks not its own revealing or glorious liberty, but
that of the children of God!
4) Is not actually said to be refurbished when freed of its
corruption
5) The focus in the passage is on what happens for the
people of God when the creation is finally freed (which it
will be when annihilated by fire)
c. The analogy between our bodies and the earth with the
heavens is never made by Paul
d. Any victory by Satan when the earth and heavens are removed
is negated by a new heavens and new earth, just as any
victory by Death and Hades is negated when our decayed bodies
are raised in incorruption and immortality as spiritual
bodies - 1Co 15:52-55
CONCLUSION
1. When Jesus returns, there will first be a de-creation followed by a
re-creation...
a. All things will not be regenerated or restored, but annihilated
by fire
b. All things will pass away, and there will be found no place for
them
c. In their place will be a new heavens and a new earth: new in
"nature and quality", because it will also be new in the sense of
"totally other"
2. If such is to be the case, then it is best to understand "the
restoration of all things" as...
a. Translated by the RSV: "whom heaven must receive until the time
for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy
prophets from of old." - Ac 3:21
b. Referring to the fulfillment of those things foretold by the
prophets concerning the Messiah and His kingdom
This fulfillment of prophecy began with the first coming of Christ and
the establishment of His reign (cf. "the prophets...have also foretold of
these days" - Ac 3:24), and will continue until all is fulfilled with the
events of His second coming and the culmination of His reign (cf. 1Co
15:22-26).
Living in the days of such fulfillment, and looking forward to the Lord's
return, are we living as we should...?
"Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens
and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved,
looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in
peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the
longsuffering of our Lord is salvation..." - 2Pe 3:14-15
