Acts 1:6-9

So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

 

With Jesus’ life, works, teachings, death and resurrection in the rearview mirror, and with the anticipated promise coming to fruition, the natural question for the disciples – and for us – is, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Can you think of any reason why Jesus is not already ruling on the earth? He could return at any moment! He could have begun to rule back then, too. The only reason Jesus has not yet begun to rule yet is that His Father has set a time for the kingdom’s restoration, and that time has not yet come. So we, with the disciples, should look forward with eager anticipation to Jesus’ return and eternal reign.

 

But it was not for the disciples – then or now – to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. Instead, Jesus encouraged His disciples to look again to what they would receive soon. They would receive the Holy Spirit. And with the Holy Spirit, they would receive some of the power of the Kingdom. And because they had received the Holy Spirit and kingdom power, they would be Jesus’ witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Why? Because the Holy Spirit came to testify about Jesus (John 15:26), and the power we have been given through the Holy Spirit is the power of the gospel – the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (Romans 1:16).

 

Father, thank You for bringing us into Your kingdom. While we look forward to Jesus’ return and the restoration of the entire world, we are grateful that You have already given Your Holy Spirit to us. You have already given us the power of the gospel. Thank You for maintaining Your relationship with us, and help me and all of us who know You to depend every day on the Holy Spirit and the gospel, and by their direction to tell our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and everyone we can that Jesus Christ has died on the cross and has risen from the dead so that everyone who believes in Him will be saved! By Your Holy Spirit and your gospel, hold us faithful to our mission in expanding Your kingdom!