City Life Starter

Written by Stefan Johnsson

The Word

¹⁹ Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, ²⁰ that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. -Acts 3:19-21 (ESV)

Reflection

As Luke is writing this history of the early church, it is important to note that the sermons he records, such as this one in Acts 3 and the prior one by Peter in Acts 2, are summaries. It is clear that Peter spent much more time preaching to the Jews regarding what Jesus came to do and the fulfillment of the prophecies than what is written. But Luke has to find a way to make it all fit within his manuscript. This means that he has to be purposeful and intentional with every word he uses. Now, we know now that Luke was guided by the Holy Spirit, but it is also important for us to understand that each sentence carries significant meaning. We have to first meditate and understand the main themes as they are presented, but also study everything that lies under the surface.

Here in verses 19-21, we notice a significant shift and interpretation of the scriptures. Peter is alluding to the prophecies of Daniel 7:13-14.

¹³ “I saw in the night visions,

and behold, with the clouds of heaven
    there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
    and was presented before him.
¹⁴ And to him was given dominion
    and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
    should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
    which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
    that shall not be destroyed.

The Son of Man had to ascend to heaven, where “he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.” But before the Son of Man could ascend, He had to descend.

Paul makes a similar argument in Ephesians 4:9-10 using Psalm 68:18.

⁸ Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
    and he gave gifts to men.”

⁹ (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 

Now here’s the point. The Jews originally believed that God would send the Messiah to conquer the kingdoms of the earth and judge the world. But they had skipped over a major part of these prophecies when doing so. The Messiah had to first come (descend) as the suffering servant to wash away the sins – to blot them out – and then ascend to His rightful thrown. Only then will there come a time when Jesus will return to judge the earth. So this is why Peter is explaining that there is a time of refreshing and whom (Jesus) the heaven’s must receive until the rightful time as was spoken by the prophets long ago.

Application

We are the in the time of refreshing where we get to taste the presence of God through the Holy Spirit. It is not yet the time of Christ’s return, but it is imminent. We are to live with a kingdom mindset, to evangelize and share about the good news of what Jesus has done, because there is an appointed time of His return, and by that time it’ll be too late to repent.

It is prophesied and we know the end times are coming. Are you prepared and serving God or are you living your life storing up treasures on earth that will ultimately be destroyed?

Prayer

Father in heaven, do not let me live a life that does not bring You glory. Help me to fulfill my true purpose on this earth. Let me serve You well and help to bring others into Your kingdom while the time is still now. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.